Your Guide to the University of Manitoba Medical School Admissions

The University of Manitoba Max Rady College of Medicine, located in Winnipeg, is one of Canada’s oldest medical schools. Established in 1883, the University of Manitoba Medical School is the only school in the province and fulfills Manitoba’s educational and research needs.

U of M Medicine accepts 110 medical students into its four-year MD program every year. The University of Manitoba is a province focus school, so 95% of admitted students are Manitoba residents. The University of Manitoba Medical School has been serving Manitoba’s residents for nearly 140 years. The U of M Medical School continues to pride itself on its commitments to the clinical, research, and educational demands of the province.

As the only medical school in the province, the Manitoba Medical School is in a unique position to have exclusive affiliation with every hospital in the province. U of M Medicine has a wide network of affiliated institutions that grant students exciting opportunities in research and clinical experience.

Preference for In-Province Applicants

A mandated focus on provincial needs means that it is more difficult for out-of-province students to attend the University of Manitoba Medical School. However, attending U of M Medicine has its unique benefits not found at schools in Toronto or Montreal, so it may be worth applying even if you do not live in Manitoba.

Provincial medical schools like the University of Manitoba or Saskatchewan reserve 95% of their seats for in-province applicants, while only 5% of seats are reserved for out of province students. This limitation makes U of M Medicine highly competitive for out of province applicants.

The opportunity to practice rural medicine and serve disadvantaged groups may be alluring to those who enjoy rustic living and the opportunity to make a difference. Applicants who seek to practice in Canada’s prairies should consider the U of M, as it allows students to tap into a wide range of opportunities across the central provinces.

Even with a focus on in-province applicants, schools like the University of Manitoba Medical School can be quite competitive in their admission requirements, though perhaps not as much so as the top Canadian schools like the University of Toronto or Mcgill University.

University of Manitoba Medical School Requirements

Here’s a breakdown of the requirements for admission to U of M Medicine:

  • Canadian citizenship or permanent residency required. The University of Manitoba Medical School does not accept international students. Citizenship or permanent residency must be attained before the application deadline.
  • An undergraduate degree must be completed. An applicant must complete their bachelor’s degree before June 30th of the year medical studies begin. Applicants are not required to have a specific major. However, prerequisites in biochemistry and other sciences are required regardless of degree attained.
  • Attain the AGPA cutoff for your specific applicant pool. U of M Medicine converts its GPA calculations into a grade out of 4.5. Applicants who are Manitoba residents must meet a minimum of 3.30 AGPA during the course of their studies, while out of province applicants must have at least 3.41 when applying.
  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) must be written. Applicants must write the MCAT within five years of applying. The Average total MCAT scores of Manitoba residents were 514, while out-of-province averages were 523.
  • The CASPer test must be written. All applicants must write the CASPer test to be admitted into the University of Manitoba Medical School.
  • Applicants must pass the Multiple Mini-Interview. If selected, applicants must attend in-person interviews. Applicants must complete 11 short interviews that test the applicant on their professional and personal attributes. Applicants must pass 9 out of 11 of these interviews.
  • Letters of reference are required. Applicants are required to present three referees who can attest to the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses in various fields. Referees should know the applicant professionally, personally, and academically.
  • English proficiency is required. If English is not the applicant’s primary language, they will be required to submit a language test results or fulfill the College of Medicine’s language requirements.

University of Manitoba Acceptance Rate and Statistics

Every year, 110 students are accepted into the University of Manitoba Medicine, 95% of those seats are reserved for Manitoba residents, and only 5% is left for out-of-province applicants.

The average GPA score of admitted Manitoba residents in the 2018/19 year was 4.23, while out-of-province applicants had a score of 4.47 on average. Indigenous applicants attained an average score of 3.98.

The average MCAT score for admitted Manitoba applicants was 514, while out-of-province applicants scored 523 on average. Indigenous applicants scored an average of 503.

The University of Manitoba Medical School does not report exact admission rates, but these averages scores paint an accurate image of what’s required for admission.

U of M Medicine Tuition and Residency Requirements

The U of M Medical School divides applicants into three pools based on certain factors. Manitoba residents comprise the majority of students admitted, while out-of-province and indigenous students follow. Below is detailed information regarding each category:

  • Manitoba Residents. For an applicant to qualify as a Manitoba resident, they must have either graduated high school in Manitoba, completed their university degree in Manitoba, completed only two years of their degree in Manitoba, or resided in Manitoba for two years after high school graduation. Applicants who have resided in any of the three Canadian territories for three years prior to admission are made equal to Manitoba applicants.
  • Out-of-Province Residents. The University of Manitoba Medical School accepts students from out of province, but only 5% of students are admitted from this category.
  • Indigenous students. Any self-identifying indigenous applicant with declared heritage may apply, they are held to the same standards as Manitoba residents. Indigenous applicants are ranked by a panel interview and MMI, alongside all other requirements. The panel gives indigenous applicants special consideration on their application.

Note that applicants who have served for two years in the Canadian Forces are considered in the Manitoba pool regardless of current residency.

Tuition for all applicants, regardless of provincial residency, was $9,021 in the 2018/19 academic year.

Five Reasons to Choose U of M Medicine

U of M Medical School isn’t always the first choice for aspiring doctors in Canada but when making your selections for med school, it is an excellent option. There are many advantages that a degree from this fine medical academy gives you that makes admission worth pursuing.

Here are five reasons why we think you should apply to the University of Manitoba:

  1. Vast research opportunity. As the only medical school in Manitoba, U of M has affiliations with every major hospital in the province. Students have the opportunity to gain clinical and research experience in rural communities alongside urban ones.
  2. Strategic research plan. The University of Manitoba has implemented a research-intensive plan across all faculties. The College of Medicine plays an integral role in research for the entire nation through its contributions across many fields of medicine.
  3. Many Rhodes Scholarship Recipients. 99 U of M students have been awarded this prestigious scholarship throughout the school’s history. This proves many of the highest achievers have attended the U of M over the years.  The Rhodes Scholarship is a testament to outstanding academic achievement, conferring upon its recipients the privilege of studying medicine at the prestigious University of Oxford in England.
  4. Many internship opportunities. Students at the College of Medicine have the opportunity to study abroad or do exchange years as a part of their education. Students also have many opportunities for clinical and research experience both in Canada and abroad.
  5. Experience prairie living. Winnipeg is a beautiful city with a population of under 800,000. With two rivers running through its centre, and lots of green space to enjoy, there’s always something to do for the outdoors lover. Its a city of abundant culture, public space, art galleries, and restaurants to engage and entertain you during time off from your busy medical school schedule.

Secure Your Placement at U of M Medicine Today

Are you looking to apply for medical school at the University of Manitoba? MedApplications can improve your chances of getting accepted.

Our team of doctors, medical professionals, and admissions experts understand the ins and outs of the application process. We offer personalized training sessions, mentorship, and everything you need to get accepted.

Get in touch with a member of the MedApplications team to see how we can help you achieve your dreams.

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