Indigenous Applicant Pathway

Our Commitment to Indigenous Healthcare

Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is committed to making a difference in the health of First Nations, Métis and Inuit People in Canada.

Acknowledging Territory

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Chonnonton peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. 

This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society.

The longstanding Indigenous groups of this geographic region are:

  • The Anishinaabek Peoples, also referred to as the Three Fires Confederacy including Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatami Nations;
  • The Haudenosaunee Peoples, also known as the Iroquois people or Six Nations Confederacy consisting of the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora;
  • The Lūnaapéewak Peoples, also referred to as the Delaware and/or Munsee;
  • The Chonnonton Peoples.

The three First Nation communities closest in proximity to Western University are:

  • Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, part of the Anishinaabek
  • Oneida Nation of the Thames, part of the Haudenosaunee
  • Munsee-Delaware Nation, part of the Lūnaapéewak

For more information about Indigenous communities in proximity to the University, please visit Western's Office of Indigenous Initiatives website.

Why You Should Choose Schulich Medicine

Indigenous students enrolled in the Schulich Medicine MD Program have access to dedicated and culturally-responsive spaces, as well as programs and services to foster and support Indigenous student culture. 

Additionally, Western University is home to a growing Indigenous population with more than 500 Indigenous students.

Please visit the Indigenous Student Resources webpage for additional information.

Financial Resources and Supports 

We recognize that the cost of attending medical school is significant. If your dream is to have an influence on health care in Canada as a physician, the cost of undergraduate medical education should not limit your dream.

There are several options and opportunities available to help defray the cost of your medical education:

How to Apply

As a demonstration of our commitment to help increase the number of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit physicians, Schulich Medicine designates five seats in each entering class for Indigenous students.

Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous and who wish to be considered for one of the five designated seats must submit the following additional documents to OMSAS by the application deadline:

  1. Confirmation of Indigenous Status or Proof of Ancestral Origin
    Documentation includes but is not limited to:
    1. A copy of a Certificate of Indian Status or Treaty card.
    2. A certified copy of a Nunavut Trust certificate card, roll  number, or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities.
    3. A certified copy of a membership card in a Métis registry recognized by the Métis National Council (e.g. Métis Nation of Ontario, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of British Columbia).
    4. Written confirmation of Aboriginal ancestry from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
    5. Written confirmation of membership in a band council that has its own membership code.
  2. Personal Statement
    A personal statement in the form of a letter describing why you have applied through the Indigenous stream, including:
    1. Your current and past experiences/involvement in the Indigenous community and the impact of these experiences/involvement.
    2. Your goals for future involvement in your respective community.
  3. Letters of Support
    Letters of support from Indigenous communities or organizations attesting to your involvement in and connectedness to the community.

Consideration & Assessment

Applications are assessed holistically based on GPA and MCAT scores, Confidential Assessment Forms, Abbreviated Autobiographical Sketch, Personal Statement, and Letters of Support from Indigenous communities or organizations as described above.

Only in exceptional circumstances will Indigenous applicants with a GPA of less than 3.30 or MCAT scores below 125 in each section be considered for a designated seat. Please visit the Admission Requirements webpage for detailed information.

Interviews

Indigenous applicants who are invited for an interview will be welcomed by traditional Elders to provide cultural and social support, and to share a meal. An Indigenous medical student will be available throughout the interview day to provide mentorship, and applicants will have opportunity to meet with Indigenous faculty and staff.

Schulich Medicine interviews are 45-minutes duration, structured and standardized. To ensure cultural safety, interviews are conducted by an interview panel consisting of an Indigenous physician, an Indigenous community member, and a current medical student.

Contact Us

First Nations, Métis and Inuit applicants considering a future career in medicine are encouraged to contact admissions.medicine@schulich.uwo.ca.