McMaster University: How to Get In

Mission Statement

“Our Mission: At McMaster our purpose is the discovery, communication and preservation of knowledge. In our teaching, research, and scholarship, we are committed to creativity, innovation and excellence. We value integrity, quality, inclusiveness and teamwork in everything we do. We inspire critical thinking, personal growth and a passion for lifelong learning. We serve the social, cultural, and economic needs of our community and our society."

"Our Vision: Impact, Ambition and Transformation through Excellence, Inclusion and Community: Advancing Human and Societal Health and Well-being.”

Mission and vision statements give you a summary of the values that an institution holds dear. Furthermore, they confirm the kind of place to which you are applying; submit applications to those you respect and that resonate with you. Use this information to your advantage, as any college essays you must write or extracurriculars for college you want to highlight can be curated to show how you connect with the vision and mission of the institution. You can also include your understanding of the mission in your responses to interview questions.

Admissions Statistics

In a recent year, the admissions rate for full-time, first-year applicants was 56.5% although this number varies from program to program. Health sciences, for instance, is a highly competitive program and has a lower rate of acceptance. Their medical program accepted 205 students out of 5,868 applicants, in a recent year – for example.

McMaster Acceptance Rate - All Applicants

McMaster Medical School Acceptance Rate

Canadians make up 83% of the student body, with international making up the remaining 17%, and more than half of the students are female.

Almost 70% of matriculating students had grades of 90% or above, with the lowest grades accepted in recent years being at least 75%. Out-of-province, US, and international applications are all eligible.

Eligibility

Admissions favor academically outstanding students based on grades, test scores, and transcripts; but this varies by program! The university values diversity and considers underrepresented backgrounds during admissions.

Applicants can discuss their diverse experiences in essays and interview questions, which can include topics related to race, gender, sexuality, age, socioeconomic background, and more.

McMaster pioneered the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, primarily used for medical programs. 

Notable Programs

Arts and Humanities

Although not known specifically for their arts degrees, McMaster has programs for arts and humanities. They have courses and programs related to literature, history, classics, theatre and film, visual arts, art history, cultural studies, religion, and more (with certain courses cross-listed with social sciences).

Students can also opt for McMaster’s Arts & Sciences program, which provides a holistic approach to learning through interdisciplinary education. McMaster places the emphasis, in this program, on social awareness.

The iArts (interdisciplinary arts) program offers students the chance to challenge themselves creatively by combining different art forms and disciplines into their practice. This program is small and, as a result, very selective.

Situated in Hamilton, Ontario, McMaster’s students have access to a growing arts sector in their home city. Recent years have seen rapid expansion in Hamilton’s arts community, encompassing visual art, theatre, and music.

Arts and Humanities Programs:

Sciences

The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster has long enjoyed an excellent reputation. Perhaps this is because McMaster emphasizes “experiential learning,” which gives their students something to look forward to beyond the classroom. McMaster is one of the top universities in Canada for engineering.

Beyond engineering, McMaster also offers other courses in the hard sciences, like mathematics, chemistry, and environmental sciences.

Science Programs:

Business

McMaster offers courses for budding businesspeople and entrepreneurs as well.

McMaster’s business program is committed to connecting students to the business world as soon as possible, including paid internships with several companies. Learning on the job + academic learning + partnerships with local business makes this program very appealing to prospective students.

The study of economics can benefit any businessperson in the making or grant a student entry into banking or taxes. McMaster’s economics program has the possibility of internships, as well as research centres: the McMaster Decision Science Laboratory (McDSL), Public Economics Data Analysis Laboratory (PEDAL), and Statistics Canada Research Data Centre at McMaster (RDC).

Business Programs:

Pathways to Medicine

As already mentioned, McMaster is home to one of the best medical schools in Ontario the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Presently, McMaster is the only medical school in Canada with limited prerequisites – the CARS section of the MCAT, along with a high GPA are required—meaning that applicants don’t necessarily need a strong science background, or a specific degree, to gain admittance.

The school also features programs in medical radiation, physician assistants, nursing, and midwifery – for a large set of possibilities in the medical and health care fields.

McMaster boasts a 100% employment rate within 12 months of graduation, which will be a comfort to any medical student – this is specifically for McMaster’s MD program.

Although a science background isn’t necessary to be considered for admittance, here are some programs that relate directly to medicine at McMaster:

Note that McMaster offers numerous graduate programs as well; acceptance rates to these do vary (50-59% in many cases) and a B+ average (8.5 GPA on McMaster’s 12.0 GPA scale) is required for most programs. Many alumni pursue a graduate education at McMaster. 

Selection Factors

SAT/ACT and GPA

• McMaster does not universally require SAT/ACT scores but highly competitive programs like Health Sciences and Engineering often expect high GPAs (e.g., above 90% in high school).
• Generally speaking, most programs require a B+ average.

Coursework and Undergrad

• Prerequisites vary by program. For instance, Health Sciences requires advanced courses in sciences and mathematics.
• Typically, applicants need a full secondary school diploma with six Grade 12 U/M courses including specific prerequisites.

Experiences Section

• McMaster values a broad range of experiences including extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles; again, the importance of this can vary by program…but such experiences are great to have nonetheless!
• Highlight experiences that showcase problem-solving, innovation, and community engagement, aligning with McMaster’s mission of societal impact and research excellence.

Primary Essays

• McMaster does not require a primary essay for all programs, but some competitive programs may have specific essay requirements.
• Prompts and instructions, if applicable, are available on the program’s admissions page.

Supplementary Essays

• Supplementary essays are required for specific programs like Health Sciences.
• Prompts typically focus on problem-solving, critical thinking, and personal impact.

Recommendation Letters

• Recommendation letters are NOT required for all undergraduate programs, but are required for specific programs, such as medicine or graduate programs. Academic references are preferred, particularly those who can comment on your intellectual abilities and personal qualities.
• Usually, two letters are required.

Additional Requirements

• Some programs may require portfolios or supplementary applications, especially for Fine Arts and Design programs.

Interview Format

• Interviews are not generally required for undergraduate programs except for specific cases like the Health Sciences program.
• Interviews can be in-person or virtual; the Kira Talent Online Interview is used for MBA applicants.
• Interviewers are often faculty or program representatives.
• Sample questions focus on motivation, relevant experiences, and alignment with the program’s values.
• Other programs, like music, use specific interview formats such as auditions.

Acceptance and Waitlist Information

Acceptance decisions are usually released in the spring; if you aren’t accepted, you can always reapply in the future!

The number of waitlisted students varies. Certain programs at McMaster accept letters of intent and updates.

Application Timeline

Each program has an Application Deadline and a Supporting Deadline. Some programs have a Supplementary Application Deadline as well.

Deadlines also might change from year to year.

Typical Deadlines:

• Application Deadlines, in a recent year, were either in mid-January or early April (again, depending on your undergraduate program).
• Supporting Deadlines, in a recent year, were almost all in early April. The sole exception was Midwifery, which placed their deadline in early February.
• Supplementary Application Deadlines, in a recent year, ranged from late January to late February, except for the Music program, which extended its deadlines to March.

How to Apply to McMaster University

Applicants need to create an Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) account to apply to university in Ontario. OUAC is a centralized application system for applications to most universities in the Canadian province of Ontario. OUAC processes multiple types of applications, including undergraduate programs.

 First-time applicants who are still attending high school in Ontario, have never taken courses from post-secondary institutions, and are 21 years old or younger use the Undergrad 101 application form. On the other hand, international students, mature students, and Canadian students who have already graduated from high school at the time of their application use the undergrad 105 application form. 

Tuition, Debt, and Funding Opportunities

Costs vary from program to program, and the chart for every tuition bracket would be immense. Fortunately, McMaster has a fee estimator, so you can find out exactly what you will owe. As an example, the cost for a full-time, Ontario student taking Humanities at the undergraduate level is estimated to be $7,578 CAD. Out-of-province changes the number to $8,070, and an international student in the same category would pay $42,496. Indigenous students may wish to apply for the Jay Treaty Fee Adjustment.

Obviously, numbers also vary by program, so make use of the calculator. You’ll also need to factor in living expenses, like the meal plan, and additional expenses like books and other supplies you will need for your studies. All of this can add up quickly, particularly for international students.

Fortunately, McMaster offers various scholarships that are available to students as well as bursaries and government funding programs:

Entrance Awards

“Entrance awards” are given to first year students. Some are based on academic merit. Others are given for Indigenous students or international students.

The entrance awards also have a specialty category with additional funding for Black students and students from equity deserving groups. Other special category awards include the Loran award, which is awarded to a first year student who shows strength of character and leadership potential, and the Reese Fallon Memorial Scholarship, which is geared toward nursing students from Toronto. These awards range from around $2,000 to $100,000 CAD.

Scholarships

Likewise, scholarships are available for students from a variety of backgrounds; both Canadian and international students can apply for them. Entrance scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and sometimes “earned merit,” such as leadership awards or community involvement. In-course awards are awarded based on CGPA but are not available to students who are in their graduating year. Community contribution awards recognize a student’s extracurricular work and are non-monetary. Travel and exchange awards mitigate or eliminate the costs of travel and transportation associated with studies. Graduating awards are for students in their final year.

There are many specialty scholarships as well:

• McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill are for master’s degree students or professional degree students and provide a living stipend and mentorship opportunities.
• Students can apply for up to $25,000 CAD with the Renaissance Award for an independently directed “enrichment experience.”
• The Rhodes Scholarship provides a large amount of funding to allow students to study abroad at Oxford in England.
• The Killam Fellowship is similar to the Rhodes Scholarship but applies to the US.
• Project Hero is specific to children of Canadian military personnel whose parents were killed in an active mission. This scholarship provides tuition and living quarters.
• The Schulich Leader Scholarships are given to STEM students and awarded for academic excellence, leadership, creativity, and charisma. If you are in STEM and have an “entrepreneurial spirit,” this scholarship might be for you.
• The Wilson Leadership Scholar Awards are specifically set aside for future leaders in Canada.
• The Climate Change and Health Innovation Award is given to students who have positively impacted climate change and health in innovative ways – exactly as the name implies.

External Scholarships are not presented through McMaster, but their website nevertheless lists them. They highlight sites like Scholarships Canada, the Student Awards, the Hamilton Community Foundation Awards, Disability Awards, Yconic, and Scholartree.

How do you know which scholarships to apply for? The answer is simple: as many as you can. Start by making a list of every scholarship that you qualify for, and begin with the one which you have a strongest likelihood of receiving – there are plenty of easy Canadian scholarships to apply for (and receive).

McMaster Notable Alumni and Faculty

From researchers and economists, to politicians, producers and comedians, McMaster boasts a list of notable alumni, including actors Eugene Levy, Martin Short, and John Candy, astronaut Roberta Bondar, Hamilton’s Mayor Andrea Horwath, well-known politicians such as Lincoln Alexander and Dalton McGuinty, and billionaire Tim Horton’s Co-Founder, Ron Joyce. Donna Strickland (Physics an Engineering Alumni, 1981) won a Nobel Prize in 2018. The list of famous, notable alumni spans into the hundreds!

McMaster is also home to some highly cited researchers and incredible, distinguished faculty across many of their programs.

McMaster Contact Information

Student Recruitment Office:

• Location: Togo Salmon Hall, Room 111
• Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Canadian Students Contact:

• Phone: +1 (905) 525-9140 ext. 24796
• Email: [email protected]

International Students Contact:

• Phone: +1 (905) 525-9140 ext. 23650
• Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address:

• Address: McMaster University Admissions, GH 108, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada

Online Chat Hours are available on weekdays as well. For additional information, visit the Future Students Contact Page.

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

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