Best Foreign Medical Schools

McGill University, Canada

McGill University is one of Canada’s best-known institutions of higher learning and one of the country’s leading research-intensive universities. With students coming to McGill from about 140 countries, our student body is the most internationally diverse of any medical-doctoral university in Canada.


The oldest university in Montreal, McGill was founded in 1821 from a generous bequest by James McGill, a prominent Scottish merchant. Since that time, McGill has grown from a small college to a bustling university with two campuses, 11 faculties, some 300 programs of study, and more than 32,000 students. The University partners with four affiliated teaching hospitals to graduate over 1,000 health care professionals each year.

Q: How long has the International Medical School (IMS) been in existence?

A: 1821

Q: What are the entrance/admissions requirements?

?? Undergraduate degree of 120 credits minimum (or 90 credits minimum after
Quebec CEGEP)

?? Required introductory university-level courses in Biology (6 credits), Chemistry (6
credits), Organic Chemistry (3 credits) and Physics (6 credits) with laboratory
work in each

?? Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
The undergraduate degree must be completed in the prescribed time and applicants
must carry a full course load in each of the regular, consecutive semesters of
study without interruptions. Proof of language proficiency such as Test of English
as a Second Language (TOEFL) is not required. McGill does not accept advanced
standing students or transfers.

International students (non US) must submit a letter or official statement by
the responsible authorities in their country recognizing the medical degree awarded
by McGill University and confirming that this degree will enable them to practise
medicine in their country.

Q: Is an undergraduate degree required in order to start school (matriculate)?

A: No.

Q: Are there specific residency or foreign language requirements?

A: English

Q: Is the MCAT required or optional?(matriculate)?

A: Required.

Q: If interviews are required, where are they held?

A: Selection of students by the Admissions Committee is based upon academic
achievement at the time of application and an assessment of personal characteristics
and accomplishments.
Evaluation of academic performance is based on the cumulative grade point
average (CGPA) of the undergraduate degree and performance in basic science prerequisites.
Successful applicants to the program generally have a CGPA of 3.5 or
better and similar grades in science prerequisites. They also have a total of 30 or
more in their MCAT scores, with no science section numerical score less than 9
and verbal reasoning section less than 8.

Personal characteristics and achievements are initially assessed from the
review of the autobiographical letter, curriculum vitae and referee reports.
Through these elements, the Admissions Committee should get a clear image of
the applicant and his/her suitability for the practice of medicine, seeking evidence
of communication skills, motivation and interest for medicine, personal characteristics
and accomplishments, work and learning style, and community involvement.
Following this preliminary evaluation, selected candidates will be invited for onsite
personal interviews. Places in the entering class are offered to those whose
aggregate scores are the most competitive. Decisions of the Admissions Committee
are final and not subject to appeal. Offers are conditional upon the successful completion
of a Bachelor’s degree and of all required science courses at a level consistent
with past academic performance.

Q: What are mean Science and Overall GPAs for the previous entering class?

A: Evaluation of academic performance is based on the cumulative grade point
average (CGPA) of the undergraduate degree and performance in basic science prerequisites.
Successful applicants to the program generally have a CGPA of 3.5 or
better and similar grades in science prerequisites. They also have a total of 30 or
more in their MCAT scores, with no science section numerical score less than 9
and verbal reasoning section less than 8.

Q: How many classes of students enter each year, and when are the application deadlines?

A: Data not available.

Q: What are estimated annual expenses, including tuition and fees, books,
supplies, study materials, housing, food, travel and other living costs, hidden
fee’s/costs?

A: Tuition fees are subject to change without
notice. McGill tuition fees are highly competitive
with those of comparable North
American medical schools.

Q: How do students fund their education? What loan programs and scholarships are students eligible for?

A: Entrance Scholarships: By applying for admission to the Faculty of Medicine of
McGill University, the four-year MDCM program applicants with outstanding overall
achievements are automatically considered for entrance scholarships. There is
no form to complete. Scholarships are allocated at the discretion of the Faculty of
Medicine.

Scholarships and Bursaries: The Faculty of Medicine’s MDCM program has adopted
a primarily needs-based approach to its scholarships and bursaries. This
acknowledges the very high academic performance already achieved by students
entering the Faculty. Many of the funds under the Faculty’s jurisdiction are awarded
on the basis of good academic standing and financial need.

Bursaries for Research Projects: The faculty attempts to encourage students to
engage in clinical or basic science research under the supervision of a member of
faculty. Bursaries are available to enable students to carry out research projects
during their medical studies. These are awarded on a competitive basis in the winter
term and also during summer vacation.

Prizes, Medals and Awards: Students who demonstrate outstanding performance
are recognized through the awarding of prizes, medals, and J.W. McConnell
Awards. Receipt of an award is permanently recorded on the transcript of each
recipient. This information is also included in the Dean’s letter of evaluation.

Q: How many students are enrolled in each class? What is the attrition rate for
matriculated students, i.e., how many typically dropout before finishing?
What are common reasons for dropping out?

A: Data not available.

Q: What is the length and structure of the entire curriculum?

A: MDCM PROGRAM

The Faculty of Medicine
offers a four-year
undergraduate medical
program leading to an
M.D.,C.M. degree. (Abbreviation
for Latin term:
Medicinae Doctorem et
Chirurgiae Magistrum).
The curriculum objectives correspond
to the Faculty of Medicine
mission and aim to equip the student to
meet the most stringent standards of medical
practice and professionalism to ensure
career-long excellence in whole-person care.
Upon completion of the program, the graduate
will be able to function responsibly,
in a supervised clinical setting, at the
level of an “undifferentiated” physician.
The program emphasizes the
fundamental sciences and scientific
methodology as pillars of medical
knowledge. It provides traditionallectures and small group teaching, as well as laboratory and computer
teaching. Students are required to maintain an overall satisfactory
academic standing and to meet essential technical standards, as well
as criminal record requirements, for the practise of medicine.
The curriculum consists of 4 components: Basis of Medicine (BOM),
Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM), Core clerkship and Senior
clerkship. Units of the physicianship program are present in each
curricular component. Physician Apprenticeship is a longitudinal
course throughout the four years. Electronic media, multimedia and
information technologies are used by the Faculty for teaching purposes
and to promote learning. The language of instruction is
English. The Faculty does not accept
students for part-time
medical studies.


MD-MBA PROGRAM

Uniquely positioned to meet the evolving
needs of tomorrow’s health care
professional, McGill’s joint Program in
Medicine/Management is a five-year program
that prepares graduating physicians
for leadership positions in the health care sector.
Unlike other educational institutions that offer
joint Medicine/ Management programs, the first year of the McGill
MD-MBA program is spent in the Faculty of Management. This
unique sequence of study allows students to understand the infrastructure
within which health care is delivered to patients before
beginning their medical studies. This innovative approach enhances
students’ sensitivity to important health care management issues,
and provides them with the critical insight and managerial tools
they will need to question, challenge and improve existing management
conventions.

The program offers a cohesive approach ensuring continuity within
this multi-disciplinary educational experience, the integrated curriculum,
emphasis on teamwork and group learning and their practical
experience. The management portion of the curriculum is a
challenging, world-class academic program that builds on McGill’s
traditional strengths in functional areas. Through a curriculum that
focuses on integration, students gain a strong grounding in the
basic business disciplines while developing an understanding of
their relationship within the broader organizational context. By balancing
quantitative and qualitative studies, students also develop
the intangible business skills required in today’s dynamic workplace
- the abilities to apply knowledge to the greatest benefit of
the organization, to make effective decisions, to both work in teams
and lead others, and to adapt to non-structured situations.
Employing a unique blend of case studies, exercises, discussions,
group work, participatory role-playing and lectures, the MBA’s balanced
teaching approach ensures that course material is presented
in the most effective way. Unlike other institutions, McGill
Management stresses collaboration and teamwork among its students
rather than promoting artificial competition.

Students join the regular Medicine class in their second year at
McGill, beginning a four-year program in medical studies.
Advanced management courses focusing on health care issues are
integrated into the electives schedule of the medical curriculum,
rounding out the management portion of the program. Upon graduation,
students receive an MBA from the Faculty of Management,
and M.D., C.M. degrees from the Faculty of Medicine.

MD-PhD PROGRAM

Students interested in a research career in academic medicine
may wish to apply for admission to the joint M.D.,C.M. and Ph.D.
(MD-PhD) program. This is a seven-year program in which the
basic and clinical sciences portion of the medical curriculum are
completed from September of year one to December 31 of year
two, prior to the beginning of full-time graduate studies. The latter
are expected to last three, but no more than four, years by which
time all course work and the research requirements for the Ph.D.
degree must have been completed and a thesis submitted. The
defence of the thesis will ordinarily take place at a later date. From
January of year five to May of year seven students will complete
the requirements for the M.D.,C.M. degree. Throughout the seven
years, students in the MD-PhD Program meet each Thursday
evening during the academic year to discuss their research,
hear research seminars from clinician-scientists from within as
well as outside the McGill scientific community, and network with
other students in the Program.

Acceptance into the MD-PhD program is conditional upon fulfilling
the requirements for and being accepted into the four-year medical
program. Students applying to the program should have had experience
in research, such as a master’s degree, honour’s research
project, or summer research. Once accepted to the MD-PhD
Program and during the first year of the combined program, students
begin the process of choosing a supervisor and research laboratory
for their Ph.D. studies. The McGill Faculty of Medicine
Winter and Summer Research Bursary programs are useful for
screening potential laboratories. Research is usually carried out on
a topic in the biomedical sciences in one of the Basic Science or
Clinical Science Departments of the Faculty of Medicine. With the
help of the MD-PhD Program Advisory Committee, students must
choose a supervisor and department for their Ph.D. studies by
September of year two and be accepted for admission to graduate
studies by the McGill Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office.
Students currently en-rolled in the first year of the medical curriculum
at McGill and who
have a bachelor’s or master’s
degree are eligible to
apply before September 1
of their second year of
medical school.


Q: What are the academic credentials of the faculty teaching basic science
courses? Where were they educated?

A: Highly distinguished

Q: Where do students do their clinical training?

A: Canada and USA

Q: How do students perform on USMLE I and II? In recent years, what are the
1st time and total pass rates for students from this school?

A: Please contact school for detailed statistics

Q: How many students graduate each year?

A: Please contact school for detailed statistics

Q: Where did students in the most recent graduating class match for residency?
In what specialties?

A: USA and Canada

Q: How can I contact some former IMS graduates who are practicing in the U.S.
in my area?

A: Please contact school for detailed information.

Q: How can I contact the IMS – telephone, fax, e-mail, WWW?

A:Faculty of Medicine
Admissions Office

McGill University

Suite # 602

3655 Promenade Sir William Osler

Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 CANADA

Telephone: +1 (514) 398-3517

Fax: +1 (514) 398-4631

E-mail: admissions.med@mcgill.ca

Please visit our web site:


www.medicine.mcgill.ca/admissions

All information courtesy of McGill University