Admissions FAQs
1. What is the deadline for submission of the application and supporting documents?
October 1st, 2024, 4:00 pm MST. The application must be submitted electronically and received by this date and time. We require one (1) copy of all official transcripts, letters of reference, and indigenous status (if applicable). Official MCAT scores must be released to the University of Calgary by October 1st, 2024 by 4:00pm during the application cycle through the AAMC website. MCAT scores released after the October 1 - 4:00pm MST will not be accepted and will result in the file closing.
2. Can my transcripts arrive before my application is completed?
In fact, it is preferred; they will be kept on file.
3. How many applicants do you currently accept?
There were 175 seats available in 2024. We are unable to make specific future class size commitments at this time. A minimum of 85% of seats are reserved for Alberta residents.
4. What is the policy if the MCAT is written more than once?
Academic file reviewers will see all MCAT scores, including every sitting of both the new and old tests that you have done. Your best CARS score will be selected automatically for use in the file review scoring.
5. What is your cut-off for the MCAT?
We do not have a minimum cut-off for Alberta residents. Non-Alberta residents are required to have a CARS score of 128 or greater.
6. What are your required courses?
See section 2.8 for details on the Indigenous Foundational Knowledge Requirement. While there are no other prerequisite courses for the MD Program, Appendix 5 includes a list of recommended undergraduate courses.
7. Is any particular undergraduate degree preferred?
No. Applicants are urged to have an alternate career in mind and their program should reflect that.
8. Do you have an MD-PhD stream?
Yes, but MD-PhD applicants are reviewed by the committee in the same way as other applicants. Seats are not reserved specifically for students with graduate degrees. You must apply to the MD Program and to graduate studies separately.
9. Why do I have to enter my academic record if the medical school has my transcripts?
All grades for every applicant must be entered into our database and we do not have the resources to do this for over 2000 applicants.
10. Is it possible to transfer into the U of C MD program?
The University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine does not consider transfer requests.
11. How do I prove my Alberta Residency?
If your residency status is in doubt, you must be prepared to provide proof that you were physically residing in the province of Alberta during the time in question. Items that may support such claims include pay stubs, tax returns, utility bills, driver’s license, car registration, cell phone records, credit card statements, or any other similar documentation. These documents should be saved in case the Office of Admissions requests them. Simply holding a lease on a property in Alberta or having an Alberta driver’s license may not be considered sufficient evidence of residency.
12. Do you accept international students?
No. Only Canadian citizens, convention refugees, and permanent residents in Canada are eligible to apply.
13. Are there any age restrictions for applying?
No. We do not have any age limit for applying.
14. Can I apply more than once?
Yes. At this time, there are no restrictions on how many times an applicant can apply.
15. Do you consider the grades or credits from AP or IB courses? Do I need to send my AP or IB transcripts?
No. We do not consider AP or IB courses so do not require transcripts for AP or IB courses.
16. Can I meet with an advisor to discuss my application?
We are happy to meet with applicants/prospective applicants to clarify our processes and answer questions about them, but we are not able to discuss previous applications or advise applicants on how to improve their applications.
17. If I am a U of C student, are my transcripts automatically sent to you?
No. If you are a U of C student, you need to request that transcripts be sent directly to our office. See section 2.1 of our Applicant Manual.
18. If I applied last year, do I need to resend my transcripts to you?
Yes. Official transcripts must be sent every year that you apply.
19. What if my transcripts arrive after the deadline, even if it is not my fault?
Your file will be closed. The deadline is firm.
20. Can I still apply as an out-of-province applicant if I don’t meet the GPA or MCAT cut-off? Will my file be reviewed?
No. We do not consider or review applications which do not meet minimum criteria. Such files are closed.
21. How long is the MCAT good for?
We do not currently have a limit on how old scores are but we only accept the 2015 MCAT.
22. How are failed courses looked at?
Failed courses are part of the GPA if they are part of a full-time year. Repeated courses count in the year they were taken but do not replace the failed course.
23. Do spring/summer courses count towards the GPA?
No. Only full-time years (as described in Section 3.7 of the Applicant Manual) are part of the GPA.
24. Can I use MyApply to submit my transcripts?
No. We require one (1) copy of all official transcripts to be sent directly to the MD Admissions Office electronically or hard copy. We recommend that if you send a hard copy that it is sent via registered mail.
25. I was graded on a 4.3 GPA scale – how do I convert my GPA to a 4.0 grading scale?
You can use the GPA conversion tables in Appendix 1. Please use your letter or percentage grades (whichever you have been assigned) and convert your grades to the corresponding GPAs. You are treating your cumulative 4.3 scale GPA like a 4.0 scale GPA and no complex conversion is necessary.
26. I was assigned both letter and percentage grades on my transcripts – which ones can I use?
In this case, you can choose one or the other. Occasionally, there may be a slight GPA variance between the two grading systems, so you can choose whichever offers you a greater benefit. You just need to ensure that you are consistent with using one grading system only to determine your GPA, and not a mix of letter and percentage grades.