University of Alberta (UofA) Faculty of Medicine Application

The UofA is known for its strong clinical focus, diverse placement opportunities, and commitment to underserved and Indigenous populations. The curriculum blends hands-on learning with opportunities in research, leadership, and interdisciplinary care.

But admission to UofA demands more than academic success. Applicants must demonstrate personal maturity, professionalism, and a clear commitment to the school’s core values of equity, social accountability, and patient-centered care. At MedApplications, we specialize in med school application help, guiding applicants through every step of the UofA medical school applications. Whether you’re refining your personal statements, preparing for the CASPer test, or navigating the MMI, our expert services are designed to help you stand out and succeed.

About the UofA Faculty of Medicine

Since its founding in 1913, the University of Alberta’s Medical School has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s leading institutions for medical education, clinical training, and research excellence. Located in Edmonton and integrated within Western Canada’s largest teaching hospital, the Faculty delivers a rigorous MD Program that prepares future physicians to meet the diverse healthcare needs of Alberta and beyond. It has an intake of 192 students each year an intensive four-year curriculum that blends traditional and experiential learning.

The UofA MD Program is rooted in values of professionalism, service, and community accountability. Through a focus on interprofessional education and early clinical engagement, the school emphasizes teamwork, cultural humility, and ethical patient care. Courses in professional identity formation, health advocacy, and evidence-based medicine run longitudinally, ensuring students develop the mindset and skills to serve patients with integrity and empathy.

The curriculum is divided into two main phases: Pre-Clerkship and Clerkship. The first two years are Pre-Clerkship and focus on foundational learning through system-based courses that progress from scientific concepts to clinical application. Small-group case discussions, laboratory instruction, and problem-based learning sessions complement lectures. Early exposure to patient care is emphasized through clinical skills sessions and structured electives. There is also one of the few remaining full-anatomy labs in Canada. Students must also complete 12 hours of clinical electives in each of the first two years.

The clinical Clerkship phase of the MD Program begins in Year 3 and continues into Year 4, immersing students in full-time clerkship rotations. Students apply their foundational knowledge to real-world clinical environments in hospitals, clinics, and community practices across Alberta. Core rotations include internal medicine, general surgery, family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and a wide range of elective options. A standout feature of the clerkship experience is the Integrated Community Clerkship, which places students in rural Alberta communities for up to 42 weeks. These placements offer continuous mentorship and patient care experiences in serving diverse and often underserved populations. During this, clinical education is further supported by teaching from experienced physicians, allied health professionals, and residents.

The University of Alberta’s MD Program is delivered across a network of regional teaching sites, expanding its reach across the province. While the primary campus is located in Edmonton, clinical training occurs in communities throughout north-central Alberta. These distributed education sites, including those involved in the Pre-Clinical Networked Medical Education and Integrated Community Clerkship programs, enable students to gain exposure to both urban and rural healthcare delivery models. Through this distributed approach, the UofA trains physicians who are academically prepared and also locally engaged.

Academic Admission Requirements

Admission to UofA’s medical school requires applicants to be enrolled in or have completed a baccalaureate degree from a post-secondary institution recognized by the University. No specific program or institution is preferred. The MD Program does not require any prerequisite courses. All applicants must present a degree that includes a minimum of 60 transferable units of course weight (ucw).When evaluating coursework from external institutions, UofA standardizes these units to its own system.

The minimum cumulative GPA (cGPA) to apply is 3.30 for Alberta residents and 3.50 for non-Albertan applicants, based on the University of Alberta’s 4.0 scale, though most successful applicants have much higher GPAs. The GPA is calculated from all transferable post-secondary coursework completed during full-time studies (defined as 18 ucw from September through April or 12 ucw from May through August). Graduate coursework is included if it meets these criteria. Applicants who have completed four or more full-time academic years may have their lowest performing year excluded from the calculation, as long as it is not the most recent one.

The MCAT is mandatory for all applicants. Alberta applicants must a score of 124 in each of the four sections. Non-Alberta applicants face a more competitive threshold, needing a minimum score of 128 in CARS and 124 in the remaining three sections. Only one set of scores will be considered.

Graduate students are welcome to apply and are held to the same academic requirements as all other applicants. Those who have completed a Master’s or PhD may receive additional points toward their application ranking. Canadian students studying at internationally are eligible to apply as long as their degree is recognized by the University of Alberta. However, third-party transcript evaluations such as WES are not accepted.

The 2025 med school application cycle at UofA remained highly competitive, requiring applicants to balance strong academics with alignment to the school’s mission. With both GPA and MCAT scores forming essential components of the application, it’s important for candidates to understand how they measure up. MedApplications’ Comprehensive Academic Consulting Services are designed to help you assess your GPA, optimize your MCAT performance, and plan future coursework or post-baccalaureate options. Our expert advisors will guide you to set yourself up for success weather or not you are an Alberta resident.

Non‑Academic Requirements

The University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry strongly prioritizes Alberta residents in its admissions process. Of the 192 seats available in each entering class, approximately 85% are reserved for applicants who meet the provincial residency requirement, defined as having lived in Alberta for at least two consecutive years before the application deadline. International applicants are not eligible. In addition to academic metrics, applicants must satisfy a number of non-academic components: these include the Personal Activities section, a set of Personal Highlight Essays, the CASPer situational judgment test, and two letters of reference.

Personal Activities

The Personal Activities section offers applicants the opportunity to showcase meaningful life experiences that reflect a commitment to service, leadership, and growth. This section is divided into four main categories:

1. Employment: List paid positions held in the last decade and details on responsibilities, time commitments, and verifiable hours. Research or teaching assistantships can be included, though graduate studies do not count as employment.
2. Teamwork/Collaboration & Leadership: Used to highlight roles in which applicants have mentored, collaborated, or led others. This can be in the areas of academics, sports, the arts, community, or more!You should describe your contributions clearly and objectively quantify them if possible, while noting relevant soft skills.
3. Volunteer Work: Describe volunteer position held, the population served, impact, and verifiable hours.
4. Life Experiences & Achievements: Here, you can discuss a broad range of personal milestones. Try to emphasize is on distinct accomplishments that reflect personal growth.

Applicants can have up to four entries in each of the categories above! Entities are therefore selective. Entries must also be concise (due to a character limit) and verifiable. Given the importance of this section and similar activities in Canadian medical school application processes, applicants may benefit from coaching with our admission experts who understand what medical schools look for in applicants.

Personal Highlight Essays

Beyond the activities list, applicants must complete a set of three Personal Highlight Essays. Open-ended prompts are provided for applicant’s to explore their most meaningful achievements, experiences of personal challenge, and moments of significant personal transformation:

1. The first prompt asks for two distinct accomplishments, each with a 750-character description.
2. The second essay (up to 2000 characters) invites applicants to reflect on a challenging life experience and the strategies used to overcome it.
3. The third essay, with a 1500-character limit, focuses on an event or experience that had a lasting personal impact.

These essays allow the admissions committee to gain deeper insight into an applicant’s values and character. As writing clear, introspective, and authentic responses is essential, book a free one-on-one consultation today with MedApplications to see how our coaching can help you craft compelling essays that align with UofA’s expectations.

CASPer Test

Applicants must also complete the CASPer test, a timed, online situational judgment assessment designed to evaluate non-cognitive skills such as empathy, communication, and ethical reasoning. CASPer is a mandatory component and must be completed in the same application cycle in which a candidate applies. Applicants are responsible for scheduling their own test dates and ensuring they meet technical requirements For many students, preparing effectively for CASPer can be daunting; MedApplications provides expert CASPer strategies and mock scenarios to help applicants perform with confidence.

Letters of Reference

Two references are also required as part of the application. Referees respond to a series of standardized questions submitted through an online portal. Referees must know the applicant in a supervisory or professional context. Acceptable choices include professors, employers, volunteer supervisors, research mentors, or coaches. Friends, family, and physicians are not permitted as referees. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their referees receive and complete the form by the October 1, 2024 deadline.

University of Alberta’s MD admissions process is holistic, with a focus on both academic and personal excellence. While GPA and MCAT scores remain part of the assessment, considerable weight is placed on the applicant’s lived experiences, interpersonal abilities, and alignment with the values of the profession. From organizing impactful personal entries to writing standout essays and preparing for CASPer, applicants can benefit greatly from personalized guidance. MedApplications supports candidates every step of the way, ensuring they present the most competitive and authentic version of themselves in their applications.

Application Scoring Process

The UofA’s MD admissions process is a multi-step, rigorous evaluation designed to holistically assess each candidate. Once the application portal closes on October 1, 2024, the first step is to verify that applicants meet the minimum thresholds for their cumulative GPA (cGPA) and MCAT scores. Importantly, while meeting these academic thresholds is essential to proceed, the MCAT is not weighted in the final admissions score.

In Step 2, eligible applications move forward to the Personal Activities review, where each file is independently assessed by three reviewers. This section carries significant weight (35%) and captures key areas like employment, volunteer work, leadership, and life experiences. In Step 3, applicants are evaluated comprehensively based on cGPA, Personal Activities, and CASPer to determine who will be invited for interviews.

After the interviews (Step 4), the Admissions Committee considers interview performance (35%), Personal Activities (35%), and cGPA (30%) to generate a final ranked application score. While reference letters and CASPer scores do not contribute to the final score, they are reviewed for content and concerns to ensure applicant suitability!

Detailed Admission Statistics

Out of roughly 2,000 applicants, around 190 students are accepted. Successful in-province applicants have held an average GPA of 3.88 and an average MCAT of 127.5, while out-of-province students have had slightly higher averages of 3.91 and 128.25, respectively. Applicants also demonstrate excellence in non-academic components of the application, including the interview, personal activities, and overall professionalism. Given the competitive nature of the admissions process, working with experienced advisors at MedApplications can help strengthen your application and increase your chances of receiving an offer.

Equity and Diversity Pathways

The University of Alberta offers several distinct admissions pathways to enhance access and promote diversity within its MD Program. These include the General Stream, the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, the Black Applicant Admissions Process (BAAP), the Rural Applicants Pathway, and the Military Medical Training Program (MMTP). Each pathway adheres to core academic and application standards but also include tailored criteria and processes designed to support the unique experiences and backgrounds of applicants from underrepresented or underserved communities.

Indigenous Admissions Pathway

The Indigenous Admissions Pathway supports non-traditional applicants with ties to Indigenous communities, offering tailored guidance for the UofA medical school application. Applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, and who wish to maintain a connection to their Indigenous communities are encouraged to apply. Applicants are considered within the Alberta resident applicant pool and must meet the minimum Albertan admission requirements. The Indigenous pathway employs a holistic approach that places significant value on academic readiness, life experiences, community engagement, and personal motivation to pursue medicine.

In addition to the standard application, Indigenous applicants must submit a personal statement detailing their involvement or connection to Indigenous communities or organizations. They are also required to provide notarized proof of Indigenous ancestry. An optional reference letter supporting the applicant’s community involvement may also be submitted. Eligible applicants are reviewed by the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee and, if successful. All applicants must also complete the interview process where applicable.

Black Applicant Admissions Process

The Black Applicant Admissions Process (BAAP) invites Black applicants (those identifying as Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American, or multiracial with Black ancestry)  to voluntarily self-identify on their application. BAAP applicants must meet all standard admission criteria, and will have their application reviewed by individuals with training in anti-racism and representation from the Black community. The pathway does not guarantee separate seats but allows for a more informed and inclusive evaluation of Black applicants’ lived experiences and perspectives. Applicants are encouraged to ensure all parts of their application authentically reflect their background and community engagement.

Rural Applicant Pathway

The Rural Applicants Pathway is intended for students who have a deep connection to rural, remote, or northern communities. For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, 30 seats have been designated for qualified rural applicants. Applicants must be current residents of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, or Nunavut, and must have lived for at least 36 months between ages 12 and 18 in a community located at least 40 kilometers away from the center of Edmonton or Calgary. Rural applicants must meet the standard minimum academic requirements and complete two additional components: a written statement outlining their connection to rural communities and a separate virtual rural panel interview conducted by rural physicians and community representatives. Candidates will first be assessed for rural eligibility before receiving an interview invitation.

Military Medical Training Program

The Military Medical Training Program (MMTP) is a specialized admissions route for currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Faculty may admit up to six MMTP applicants per cycle in supernumerary seats, that are in addition to the regular class size. MMTP applicants must meet all Albertan minimum admission requirements and be competitive within the general pool but are considered separately. These students are exempt from tuition payments and initial deposits.

Navigating the University of Alberta’s admissions pathways can be complex, especially for non-traditional students or students from equity-deserving backgrounds. MedApplications provides expert guidance every step of the way, evaluating eligibility for alternative pathways and crafting compelling personal statements, to preparing for interviews and assembling required documentation. Book a session today and help us support you in reaching your goal of becoming a physician at one of Canada’s leading medical schools!

MMI: The Multiple Mini Interview

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry employs a hybrid interview model that blends traditional panel-style questions with MMI stations. Interviews are conducted virtually via the Kira Talent platform. The interview sequence begins with a series of timed MMI stations followed by a conventional panel interview.

MMI question gives applicants two minutes to read and prepare their response, followed by six minutes of discussion with an interviewer. During these stations, interviewers may ask prompting or clarifying questions, encouraging applicants to think critically and explore multiple perspectives and details. The MMI portion typically consists of six stations and if followed up by a twenty-minute panel interview. The MMI assesses core attributes such as communication, empathy, initiative, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and self-reflection. Emphasis is not placed on clinical knowledge, but on a ethical dilemmas, interpersonal dynamics, and professional challenges.

The panel interview consists of the applicants engaging with a group of interviewers comprising faculty members and possibly community representatives. This segment allows for deeper exploration of an applicant’s motivations, past experiences, and personal reflections. While the panel may revisit topics touched on during the MMI, its primary function is to provide insight into the applicant’s character, commitment to medicine, and readiness for the academic and professional demands of medical school. Panelists may probe for consistency in values, depth of self-awareness, and the ability to articulate goals and challenges, helping to form a well-rounded view of each candidate’s suitability for the profession. The entire process should last 80 minutes.

MedApplications’ MMI and Panel interview prep services equip applicants to approach both the MMI and panel components with clarity and confidence. Through personalized mentorship, realistic mock interviews, and detailed feedback, candidates can refine their storytelling, organize their thoughts, and develop the composure and insight required to excel!

Application Timeline

Staying on top of key medical school application deadlines is critical. Missing even a single requirement can result in the closure of your application. Below is a summary of the 2025 med school application cycle:

• July 1, 2024: The online application opens. Applicants should begin requesting official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• October 1, 2024 (1:00 PM MT): Application Deadline. All application components must be completed by this date!
• December 1, 2024: CASPer Results Deadline. CASPer scores must be distributed to UAlberta by this date.
• February 1, 2025: Transcript Deadline. Applicants currently enrolled in post-secondary programs must ensure that updated unofficial transcripts are received.
• Mid-February 2025: Interview invitations and regrets are sent! This is a key time to prepare with realistic mock interviews, which MedApplications offers.
• March 2025: Online interviews are conducted via the Kira Talent platform.
• Mid-May 2025 (May 15): Admission decisions and waitlist notifications are released.

Note: Applicants should always refer to the official University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry website for the most up-to-date information.

Tuition and Financial Planning

Medical school is a significant investment, and the University of Alberta’s MD program reflects this. For the 2025-2026 academic year, students will pay $16,140.72 annually, consisting of tuition ($10,028.68) and a program differential fee ($6,112.04). These costs are divided into equal per-term payments of $8,070.36. Additional expenses like books, supplies, and living costs are not included. For full details, visit the MD Program’s official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does UofA’s admissions process differ for Alberta vs. non-Alberta residents?
A: 85% of seats are reserved for Alberta residents (GPA ≥3.30, MCAT ≥124/section). Non-residents need GPA ≥3.50 and MCAT ≥128 in CARS. Both groups are evaluated holistically post-interview.

Q: Are reference letters scored in the final ranking?
A: No, but they are reviewed for red flags. Referees should address leadership, collaboration, and community commitment, key traits UofA values.

Q: What makes UofA’s Personal Highlight Essays unique?
A: They focus on transformative experiences (e.g., overcoming adversity, impactful achievements). Concise storytelling (strict character limits) is essential. MedApplications’ Essay Coaching helps structure compelling narratives.

Q: How should rural applicants prepare for the panel interview?
A: Expect questions about rural healthcare challenges and your long-term commitment to underserved communities. Practice articulating lived experiences with MedApplications’ Rural Pathway Mock Interviews.

Q: Is CASPer weighted in admissions decisions?
A: No, but it’s a mandatory screening tool. Competitive applicants typically score in the 4th quartile.

Q: Can I exclude a low GPA year if I’ve completed four years of undergrad?
A: Yes, UofA drops your lowest year (if not the most recent) for applicants with ≥4 full-time years.

Q: What’s the format of UofA’s hybrid interview?
A: Six MMI stations (6 minutes each) + a 20-minute panel interview via Kira Talent. The MMI tests ethics/communication; the panel explores motivations and professionalism.

Q: When do med school applications open for UofA?
A: The UofA medical school application portal opens July 1, 2024, for the 2025 med school application cycle.

How MedApplications Can Help You Succeed

UofA seeks empathetic, culturally humble physicians. At MedApplications, we provide a variety of med school application help that help you showcase these qualities:

• Academic Planning: GPA optimization, MCAT CARS strategy (≥128 for non-residents), and course-load balancing.
• Personal Activities & Essays: Transform your entries into cohesive stories of leadership and service, aligned with UofA’s values.
• CASPer Prep: Timed simulations and feedback on ethical reasoning, tailored to UofA’s focus on equity and advocacy.
• MMI & Panel Coaching: Mock hybrid interviews (Kira Talent platform) with emphasis on rural health, Indigenous perspectives, and teamwork.
• Equity Pathway Support: Guidance for Indigenous, Black, and Rural applicants, including community verification letters and panel interview prep.

Let’s craft your standout UofA application. Start with a free consultation today!