Indigenous Admissions Pathway

To be considered under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, applicants must self-identify in Section 1 and provide the following supporting documents with Section 2 of their application:

1. A letter (not to exceed 750 words) expressing the applicant’s intent to be considered under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway.   

In this letter, applicants must be able to describe their Indigenous identity and their present-day connection to an Indigenous community within the Maritimes or Canada. The Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee recognizes that colonial policies (e.g. the Indian Residential School System, the Sixties Scoop, etc.) have disrupted the connection between many Indigenous people, their cultures, their languages, and their communities. These factors will be considered when reviewing letters for eligibility under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway.

2. A letter of support (not to exceed 750 words) from either an official in a recognized Indigenous organization or a relative in an Indigenous community.

In this letter, the supporting individual may include information about their organizational affiliation and role. If they are a relative, they may outline their own present-day connection with the Indigenous community and their relationship with the applicant. They may include information about the how long they have known the applicant and how they came to know the applicant. They may consider sharing their understanding of the applicant’s Indigenous identity and/or present-day connection with the Indigenous community.

• A copy of a valid Indian Status or Treaty card;
• Proof of enrolment as a Mi’kmaw of Nova Scotia through Wula na kinu;
• A copy of a valid Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities;
• A copy of a membership card from a Métis registry recognized by the Métis National Council (Métis Nation of Ontario, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Nation British Columbia);
• A copy of a membership card from a Métis Settlement General Council community;
• Written confirmation of a nationhood in a federally recognized band council which has its own citizenship code; or, 
• A declaration of Indigenous (status or non-status) identity by the candidate with supporting documentation from either an official in a recognized Indigenous organization or a relative in an Indigenous community with any of the aforementioned forms of documentation.

These documents will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to verification by members of the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee. All three supporting documents must be submitted by the Section 2 deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted, and incomplete applications will result in automatic disqualification from the Indigenous Admissions Pathway. 

Applications that are deemed ineligible for consideration under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway will be re-directed to the Admissions Committee for consideration among the general admissions pool. This decision is final.

Suspected Indigenous identity fraud will be investigated in accordance with university policies and procedures and may result in rescission of an offer or expulsion from the university.

Applicants who are considered under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway must complete and submit each requirement that is listed here 

General

Applicants must demonstrate an ability to meet the academic rigor of medical school, but there is no minimum score required for any component of an application under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway. Applicants will be provided with the opportunity to explain any areas of weakness or concern throughout the application process. This information will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Complete applications will undergo a holistic review by the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee, where no single component of an application will be considered grounds for disqualification.

Incomplete or late applications will be considered ineligible for admission.

Degree Requirements

All applicants are required to complete a 90-120 credit hour baccalaureate degree granted by an accredited institution. This degree must be completed prior to the start of the undergraduate medical education program.

Successful applicants who are enrolled in an undergraduate program at the time of application and, who have submitted this degree for eligibility and GPA calculation, will receive an admission offer which is conditional upon the successful completion of their undergraduate program by July 31st of the year of entry into the medical program. Successful applicants who are enrolled in a graduate studies program at the time of application will receive an admission offer which is conditional upon the successful completion of their graduate program by July 31st of the year of entry into the medical program. This includes coursework, clinical practicum, thesis defence, and final thesis submission to your faculty of graduate studies. It is expected that such students will apply during their last year of study since deferrals are rarely granted.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

There is no minimum grade point average (GPA) required under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, but the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee may use general GPA requirements as a point of reference during the holistic review process. GPA is calculated using:

1.  the 60 most recent credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed or in-progress 90-120 credit baccalaureate degree, or;
2.  up to 15 credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed or in-progress graduate degree (masters or doctoral) PLUS the 45 most recent credit           hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed 90-120 credit baccalaureate degree to total 60 graded credit hours.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

The Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee requires sufficient academic data to determine applicant suitability for the study of medicine, but Dalhousie Medical School recognizes that the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) poses a significant barrier for many Indigenous applicants. As such, it is considered an optional requirement under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway.

Applicants who do not submit an MCAT score are required to complete prerequisite courses as follows:

1. Those who have a major in science are required to have completed at least two full-course equivalents in arts, social sciences, and/or humanities within their degree program.
2. Those who have a major in arts, social sciences, and/or humanities are required to complete at least two full course equivalents in science within their degree program.

Any applicant may choose to provide an MCAT score to strengthen their academic profile. While there is no minimum score required, the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee may use general MCAT requirements as a point of reference during the holistic review process.

Applicants are encouraged to connect with the Program Manager of Keknu’tmasiek Ta’n Tel Welo’ltimk to make an informed decision on writing the MCAT. Financial resources may be available for those who choose to write this exam.

Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer)

All applicants are required to complete a 90-minute Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer). There is no minimum CASPer score required under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway. Financial resources may be available for those who write the CASPer.

Multiple Mini Interview

All applicants who meet self-identification requirements will be offered an interview. To be considered eligible under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, applicants must complete the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). There is no minimum score required for this component of the application.

Short Answer Questions and Supplemental Information

To be considered under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, all applicants must complete short answer questions and provide supplemental information as described here. No minimum score is required for this component of the application.

Complete applications will undergo a holistic review by the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee, where no single component of an application will be considered grounds for disqualification. Incomplete or late applications will be considered ineligible for admission.

We recognize the right of Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqiyik, and Peskotomuhkati people to access education within their traditional and unceded territories. Therefore, eligible Mi’kmaw applicants with residency status outside of the Maritime provinces will be considered under the Nova Scotia pool, while eligible Wolastoqiyik and Peskotomuhkati applicants with residency status outside of the Maritime provinces will be considered under the New Brunswick pool. All other applicants must meet published residency requirements and will be considered under either the Maritime or other Canadian pools accordingly.

There is no seat limit within the total number of seats available under the Maritime pool. However, due to only nine seats being available under the other Canadian pool, three seats are allocated for eligible Indigenous applicants who reside outside of the Maritime provinces. If the number of eligible applicants under this pool exceeds three, we will rank all applicants and make offers accordingly. This may result in some eligible applicants being waitlisted.

I am Indigenous, but I don’t have Indian Status. Am I still eligible for consideration under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway?

The Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee recognizes that Indigenous identity is complex, and it isn’t based solely on a card, document, or legal status. The goal of our self-identification policy is to prevent fraud and abuse. It is meant to be as inclusive as possible. Applications will be reviewed carefully and thoughtfully on a case-by-case basis.

I wrote the MCAT, but my score doesn’t meet the minimum requirements listed on the general admissions website. Should I bother applying?

Dalhousie Medical School recognizes that the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) poses a significant barrier for many Indigenous applicants. As such, it is considered an optional requirement under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway.

Applicants who do not submit an MCAT score are required to complete prerequisite courses as follows:

1. Those who have a major in science are required to have completed at least two full-course equivalents in arts, social sciences, and/or humanities within their degree program.
2. Those who have a major in arts, social sciences, and/or humanities are required to complete at least two full course equivalents in science within their degree program.

Any applicant may choose to provide an MCAT score to strengthen their academic profile. While there is no minimum score required, the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee may use general MCAT requirements as a point of reference during the holistic review process.

Which pathway should I apply to if I am Afro-/Black-Indigenous?

You are encouraged to submit an application to be considered under each pathway. Each pathway is independent and processes may differ between pathways. Applicants are encouraged to review requirements (including self-identification criteria) for each of the Indigenous Admissions Pathway and the Black Learners Admissions Pathway. In Section 2 of the online application you will be able to self-identify with all applicable identities. Applications that are deemed ineligible for consideration under either pathway will be re-directed to the Admissions Committee for consideration among the general admissions pool. This decision is final.

This is a big change from previous years. Is there someone I can talk to about how this might apply to me?

Please contact the Program Manager for Keknu’tmasiek Welo’ltimk at ihim@dal.ca or the Admissions Office at medicine.admissions@dal.ca