Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Faculty of Health Sciences

MD/PHD Program

Admissions

Admission Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered eligible for the MD/PhD Program at McMaster, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • A four-year Bachelor’s degree at the time of entry into the MD/PhD Program
  • A minimum GPA of 3.8/4.0 in their final two years of undergraduate study and an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. An overall simple average will be calculated using the grades from all undergraduate degree level courses ever taken (with the exception of credits taken on exchange outside of Canada/U.S.). Courses from different years are treated equally. McMaster University may also review and revise this average. Marks from eligible summer and other courses will be included in the GPA calculation.
  • A minimum score of 127 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning section of the post-2015 MCAT, completed within the last five years

Applicants must also meet entry criteria for the eligible PhD program of their choice and are advised to review this information before applying:

Other graduate programs may be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the MD/PhD Program Director

Applicants who are not enrolled in the MD program at McMaster at the time of application are also required to complete a 90-minute computer-based test, called the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer™), as part of the selection process.

ADDITIONAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applicants should also demonstrate excellence in their research endeavours to date, as reflected by their CV, academic references, personal statement, and, if invited to interview, by their performance on the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).

  • Each applicant is required to submit evidence of their scientific experiences and interests via our McMaster MD/PhD Scientific Materials Submission template (linked at the bottom of the page).  The template includes all necessary instructions on what to include and how to format your materials. You are to upload this template in place of the Research Interests Questionnaire on your application through the Graduate Studies Portal.
  • Each applicant’s portfolio will be assessed for evidence of their scientific preparation, fit with their proposed doctorial program, and potential to succeed as a physician scientist. Some components we look for are mature scientific orientation and strong communication abilities. Participation in research activities, success in merit-based research award competitions, conference presentations and abstracts, and publications.  Finally, the portfolio will also be assessed for physician-scientist career suitability, motivation and plans.
  • Each applicant will also submit two academic references, in addition to those references submitted through the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS), that address their suitability for an MD/PhD program. At least one reference should be from the supervisor from an undergraduate or graduate research project or thesis.

Students who are successful in the application process and are admitted will be required to identify a faculty member who will agree to supervise the student for the PhD component of their training. Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify potential supervisors and make contact with those individuals to inquire about supervision as part of their application to the MD/PhD program. 

Policy and Procedures

As per the McMaster University School of Graduate Studies Calendar, admission is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The admission decision is not subject to appeal.

Information Box Group

McMaster MD/PhD Scientific Materials Submission Template Template

Application Process

Application Procedures

Applicants can apply to the McMaster MD/PhD program through one of three entry routes:

  • From their first year of studies as a medical student (McMaster MD students only)
  • From their first year of studies as doctoral student at McMaster, with the permission of their supervisor and graduate program director
  • As a new student, not currently enrolled in either program (i.e., undergraduate or master’s students from other institutions)

New applicants and applicants from their first year of doctoral studies must submit applications through the Ontario Medical School Application Services (OMSAS) and McMaster University School of Graduate Studies application portal.

Applicants from their first year of medical studies must complete an application through the McMaster University School of Graduate Studies application portal and notify/consult with the MD/PhD Program Director.

Applicants to the McMaster MD/PhD program submit applications through the Ontario Medical School Application Services (OMSAS), typically in early October, and McMaster University School of Graduate Studies application portal, by Nov. 1 at 11:59PM. Applicants who are already in their first year of medical studies will only submit through the McMaster University School of Graduate Studies application portal.

Highly ranked applicants will be invited to an MD/PhD interview, conducted in the multiple-mini-interview (MMI) format. The interview, which take place on a Saturday in February, will assess your suitability for a career as a clinician-scientist, along with the attributes necessary to become an excellent physician. Stations will deal with a variety of issues which may include, but are not limited to, communication, collaboration, health policy, critical thinking, awareness of society health issues in Canada and awareness of important issues in research, including ethics.

Applicants invited to an interview should begin to contact graduate faculty to identify research areas of interest and potential supervisors.

With an understanding that Indigenous learners can face specific barriers or challenges when pursuing higher education, schools and programs within McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences have facilitated admissions streams for applicants with Indigenous North American (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) ancestry. This process is intended to provide equitable access to Indigenous applicants and aligns with the intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (PDF).

Applicants to the MD/PhD program wishing to apply through McMaster’s Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP) need to complete the supplementary self-identification application in addition to McMaster University and program specific application processes listed below. The FIAP self-identification application is submitted to McMaster’s Indigenous Health Task Force (IHTF) through the Indigenous Students Health Sciences Office.

Visit the Indigenous Students Health Sciences Office website.

Offers for an interview with the McMaster University MD/PhD program are based on your GPA, Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Critical Analysis and Reasoning score, your Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer™) results and evidence of research success based on your submitted CV.

Offers of admission are based on the above, as well as performance on the MMI. Up to 15 applicants are selected for an interview each year, three of which are extended an offer. The interview consists of a 12-station-MMI which will assess your suitability for a career as a clinician scientist, along with the attributes necessary to become an excellent physician.

  • A completed OMSAS application (new applicant and doctoral streams only), submitted by the deadlines outlined on the McMaster MD program website.
  • A CASPer™ test completed during this application cycle (new applicant and doctoral streams only), submitted by the MD/PhD application deadline of Nov. 1 at 11:59PM.
  • Completion of the MCAT, with scores submitted by the MD/PhD application deadline of Nov. 1.

A completed application through McMaster’s School of Graduate Studies (all applicant streams), submitted by the MD/PhD application deadline of Nov. 1 by 11:59PM, consisting of:

  • Official transcripts of academic work completed to date
  • Two academic references, at least one should be from the supervisor of an undergraduate or graduate research project or thesis
  • McMaster MD/PhD Scientific Materials Submission Template (found on the bottom of the Home page, and on the bottom of the Admissions Requirements page)
  • Evidence of proficiency in English (i.e., TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB), if applicable

Visit the McMaster School of Graduate Studies application portal

Your application will not be considered if missing any of the required elements above.