3.3.4 Procedures for Selection and Notification

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.

Academic achievement is determined from the academic record in undergraduate studies and the result of the Medical College Admission Test. While completed graduate degrees are taken into consideration, applicants should know that the undergraduate CGPA and MCAT scores are the major consideration in measuring academic performance.

Successful applicants to the M.D.,C.M., M.D./M.B.A. and M.D./Ph.D. programs usually have undergraduate CGPAs of 3.5 or better, similar grades in science prerequisites and a total of 30 or more in the MCAT scores.

Academic achievement by applicants to the Med-P program will be evaluated on the basis of CRC scores and performance in the math/science prequisites. For the entering class of 2004, applicants invited for interviews had a CRC of 34 or higher.

A maximum of 172 students are accepted into the first year class. Students recently accepted had the following academic profile (mean scores): GPA 3.71 (4 point scale); CRC 37.45; MCAT: Verbal Reasoning 9.44, Physical Sciences 10.7, Biological Sciences 11.24, overall score 31.46.

The initial assessment of personal qualities and achievements is made from a study of the autobiographical letter submitted by all candidates. The letter should give the Committee a clear image of the applicant and the personal characteristics and experiences which make him/her particularly suitable for the study and practice of medicine.

On the first page only, applicants should describe briefly the basis for their decision to be a doctor and detail their experience and exposure to health care in general and more specifically to sick persons, doctors, and other health care workers. They should show that they understand all the implications of their choosing to study and practice medicine.

The remaining three pages should be devoted to examples of leadership, initiative, originality, empathy, compassion, service to others, whether in the community of their institution of study or beyond, evidence of communication skills, the ability to work in teams and interact positively with others. The ability to take initiative, excel in one's studies while engaging in depth in such things as team sports, student government, music, theatre, drama, art, creative writing and other endeavours which require dedication, determination and the capacity to handle the stress of coping with different enterprises are of particular importance to the Committee. The effort expended, the importance of the applicant's role, individual responsibility and level of achievement should be explained.

While past activities may be important to this narrative, more recent activities generally carry more weight with the Committee. Work experiences, travel, cultural interests and achievements or hobbies which the candidate can relate directly to his/her suitability for medicine should be mentioned. Personal qualities cited should be substantiated by examples of life experience to make them credible. Applicants not currently enrolled as students should indicate clearly what they have done since graduation. The date and outcome of the applicant's most recent medical examination should be given and any medical problems or time missed from studies because of illness should be briefly included.

The assessment of the autobiographical letter, together with the confirmatory statements and amplifications contained in the reports from those referees chosen by the student, form the basis for a decision on whether an applicant possessing the academic performance criteria is to be invited for an interview. The files of candidates who are not invited for interviews are not considered further.

The decisions described above are final and, once made, are not subject to appeal.

3.3.4.2 Notification

Applicants from outside of the province of Quebec will be notified as soon as possible after March 31, 2006, whether they have been accepted, placed on the waiting list, or not accepted. Residents of Quebec applying for the M.D., C.M. program will be notified as soon as possible after May 1, 2006. Decisions for the Med-P program will be mailed on May 15, 2006. Acceptance is conditional upon receipt of a bachelor's degree (M.D.,C.M., M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.B.A. programs) or DCS (Med-P program) and upon the successful completion by the time of registration of any studies currently in progress, including the requirements for admission, at a level comparable to past academic performance.

Successful applicants must respond within two weeks to the offer of a place in the entering class.

For students accepted into the M.D.,C.M. program, notification of acceptance must be accompanied by a deposit of $500, which will be applied against tuition. The deposit is refundable up to May 15, 2006 for U.S. and International students, and up to June 15, 2006 for Out-of-Province Canadian applicants and
Quebec residents applying to the M.D.,C.M. program.

For students accepted into the Med-P program, notification of acceptance of the offer must be accompanied by a deposit of $300, which will be applied against tuition. The deposit is refundable up to July 15, 2006.

It is strongly recommended that accepted applicants have a personal computer or personal digital assistant (PDA). Students should also have software for word processing, e-mail and Web browsing.

3.3.4.3 Vaccination/Immunization Requirements

A COMPULSORY Immunization program exists at McGill for students in the Health Sciences Programs. Health Sciences students must start the immunization process as soon as they are accepted at McGill and must complete it well before they are permitted contact with patients. Entry into the McGill University Teaching Hospitals may be delayed if immunizations are incomplete.

Proof of immunity must be written and signed by either a nurse or a physician and include the following:

1) Proof of primary series vaccinations for Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and proof of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio (Salk) vaccination boosters within the last 10 years.

2) Proof of live Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination received after 12 months of age and of a second measles vaccination, or positive serology for each of these agents.

3) Proof of a TWO step PPD skin test for Tuberculosis using the Mantoux method within the last 12 months or documentation of previously positive PPD and a normal chest x-ray.

5) Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination and positive anti-hepatitis B surface antigen serology (i.e. anti-HBs). "Immunity" to hepatitis B may be documented by both a positive anti-Hepatitis B core antigen serology (i.e. anti-HBc) and absence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (i.e. HBsAg). In this latter case, vaccination is not necessary.

There are no exceptions to these requirements. Students who do not meet these requirements will be asked to withdraw.

Health Sciences students who think they might be infected or think they have been exposed to a blood-borne disease should be tested for any or all blood-borne pathogens.
Students who are seropositive for Hepatitis B, C, HIV and/or any other blood-borne pathogens have an obligation to notify the Dean or Director of the school as soon as they know their serologic status. These students will be referred to the Infected Health Care Worker Committee of the McGill University Teaching Hospital Council or any similar body having the same function in respect of University's students. This Committee will make recommendations to the students and Faculty based on current scientific knowledge and relevant guidelines and practices. Students must follow the recommendations of the Committee. The Committee may recommend restricting the practice of these students. Students who carry blood-borne pathogens may not be permitted to perform procedures involving needles, scalpels or other sharp objects as this may pose a risk to patients and co-workers. This means that they may not be able to complete their clinical requirements and may be required to withdraw.

Applicants who know they are carrying blood-borne pathogens should consider carefully their intention to become healthcare workers and govern themselves accordingly.

Students involved in patient care who develop any contagious disease placing patients at risk must immediately discuss their condition with their supervisor and they may be required to temporarily stop clinical activities. McGill University considers it important for Health Sciences students to fulfill their ethical obligation to patients by taking appropriate measures to minimize the transmission of disease.

Students will receive details of the immunization requirements with their acceptance package. Immunizations can be completed at McGill Student Health Services which operates during the summer.

3.3.4.4 Deferred Admissions

Admission into the first year of the M.D.,C.M. program may be deferred for a period of one year for a defined academic purpose to obtain an advanced degree. However, students currently enrolled in graduate programs are expected to apply only when they are in the final year of that program.

A written request which includes the details of the proposed academic program must be submitted no later than August 1st of the year in which deferral is sought.