For Prospective Students

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dalhousie Medical School recognizes that Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqiyik, Peskotomuhkati, and other Indigenous people face unique and unjust barriers in their journey to medical school. We are renewing our efforts to identify and eliminate these barriers. A new Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee has been established to guide this work. This subcommittee is comprised of an Indigenous Elder, community leaders, physicians, medical students, residents, faculty, and staff. Several non-Indigenous allies also sit on this subcommittee.  

In an acknowledgement of Indigenous rights-holders in the territories that we serve, Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqiyik, Peskotomuhkati, and other Indigenous applicants who can demonstrate a substantial connection to an Indigenous community in the Maritimes will take priority under the new Indigenous Admissions Pathway. Indigenous applicants who can demonstrate a substantial connection to other Indigenous communities across Canada will also be considered. All applicants must meet published residency requirements to be assigned to Maritime or other Canadian seats.

By applying to and being admitted under the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, applicants agree to meet with the Program Manager of Keknu’tmasiek Ta’n Tel Welo’ltimk on at least two occasions per academic year. The purpose of these meetings will be to understand the strengths and needs of each student. Keknu’tmasiek Ta’n Tel Welo’ltimk staff will work to provide individualized support and guidance to all Indigenous students throughout their medical training. Students who fail to meet this requirement may be referred to the Progress Committee for review under Faculty of Medicine Promotion, Assessment, and Appeal Regulations.

Learn more about the Indigenous Admissions Pathway by visiting Medical School Admissions.

Johnson Scholarship Foundation Entrance Requirements Support Bursary

Bursary is open to all Indigenous and African Nova Scotian students wishing to apply to Dalhousie School of Medicine or Dentistry. Students must apply directly to the Indigenous Health or PLANS Program managers.   

As a part of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation (2016-2021) funding, Dalhousie’s Indigenous and African Nova Scotia Entrance Requirements bursary program is designed as an initiative for Indigenous students (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis) and African Nova Scotians applying to programs requiring entrance exams (e.g. medical school, dental school).  The goal of the program is to reduce or eliminate the financial burden associated with application requirements.  Bursaries will be awarded as a reimbursement of cost.  Applicants may apply more than once for this program, funding will be subject to availability and application review.  Total amount for the program will be determined by the yearly budget.

APPLY HERE [Online Form]

Call for Applications: Faculty of Medicine Summer Student Research Program for non‑medical students

The FoM Summer Student Research Program provides opportunities to undergraduate students living in Nova Scotia of African descent and Indigenous students with an interest in medicine and/or medical research.  These students must have completed at least 2 years of a health and/or science-related undergraduate program, other than medicine, at Dalhousie University or another Canadian university to participate in research projects conducted by members of the Faculty of Medicine.  Students will work directly with the faculty member or a senior member of the faculty member’s research program.  The intent is to allow students to become completely immersed in the conduct of medical research.  For the summer period, students will be expected to fully commit to participate in the day to day operation of the research program, an experience that will give students firsthand exposure to new technologies and approaches. 

The application form and further information on how to find a supervisor can be found on the medical research website.