Memorial University Faculty of Medicine: How to Get In

Mission Statement

“Working in the spirit of partnership and respect, the Faculty of Medicine is committed to delivering integrated excellence in education, research and evidence informed care; meeting the unique health needs of our rural, remote and urban communities; and advocating for health, equity, Indigenous health and healthy populations.”

Admissions Statistics and Eligibility

Overall success rate: 12.8%

Newfoundland and Labrador applicants' success rate: 30%

Other Canadian (out-of-province): 2.4%

Median GPA: 3.85; No minimum score, but >80% is highly recommended, especially for out of province applicants

Average MCAT: 507

Memorial University Medical School overall acceptance rate:

Eligibility

Memorial University accepts 90 students in the MD program annually. As the only Newfoundland medical school, Memorial University gives preference to local applicants.

Memorial has a separate application stream for students from PEI, however, this is not specifically for admission to the MD program at Memorial in St. Johns. Successful applicants from PEI will complete their studies at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown.

Memorial University does not accept international students; you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to apply.

Out of province applicants are allowed, but due to fierce competition, you must submit applications that go above and beyond the admissions requirements, have stellar academic backgrounds, and impressive extracurriculars with sufficient work experience. Memorial also states that out of Province students with a connection to Newfoundland who do not meet the eligibility requirements may receive an advantage.

Newfoundland and Labrador Residents

To be qualified as an in-province applicant you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Within twelve (12) years of the date of application, you have completed four (4) years of high school (grade 7- Level III) in Newfoundland and Labrador immediately before attending a post-secondary institution.
2. At the time of application to the Faculty of Medicine, your permanent address is located in Newfoundland and Labrador and must have been the immediate permanent home address for at least 3 years while not attending a post-secondary institution on either a part-time or full-time basis.
3. You are 18 years of age or older and have lived in the Province for 3 consecutive years without undertaking full-time or part-time studies at a recognized post-secondary institution.

Prince Edward Island

If you’re competing for one of the twenty seats in this applicant pool, make sure you understand the criteria as your residence information will be forwarded to Prince Edward Island for review and consideration. To be qualified as a Prince Edward Island resident you must meet one of the following criteria:

1. You are currently residing or have a permanent address in the province and attended school for five years during intermediate to high school inclusive.
2. You are currently working full-time in the province for three years continuously not attending a post-secondary educational institution.
3. You are currently residing or have a permanent address in the province for three years continuously because of family relocation, i.e. of parent or spouse.
4. You are currently residing or have a permanent address in the province for one year because of obtaining Canadian Permanent Resident Status.

Selection Factors

GPA and MCAT

Memorial University expects a medical school GPA requirement of 80%, although they will consider lower GPAs in exceptional circumstances.

The program promises a holistic approach in application review but notes that students must demonstrate academic ability to take on the heavy academic workload of the MD program. If you have a low GPA, you might still have a chance to get an interview if other aspects of your application impress the admissions committee, especially if you are an applicant from Newfoundland.

You should know that Memorial Medical School will consider your personal history when reviewing your transcripts and grades. If any factors prevented you from achieving success or negatively impacted your academic performance, the admissions committee will make a note of it. This may include immigration, socioeconomic factors, family circumstances, and so on.

Though there is also no official MCAT score cut-off, make sure your MCAT score is no less than 505 with 127 in the CARS section if you want to be a competitive candidate. Your MCAT must be written within 5 years of the application deadline and the admissions committee will consider all the MCAT scores you have received to evaluate your improvement.

In previous entering classes, the average MCAT score was around 505-507 with section scores between 125-128, but remember you will need a good MCAT score especially if you are a non-Newfoundland student. 

If you are wondering “when should I take the MCAT?”, one of the first steps is to take the MCAT diagnostic test to note what particular areas you need to focus in on when you start studying for the MCAT. Take as many practice tests as you can! Adjust your schedule according to your needs and don’t forget to include MCAT CARS practice in your schedule.

Transcripts and Course Requirements

You are required to complete a bachelor’s degree before entering the MD program.

Your undergraduate degree can be in any discipline. Though Memorial University does not have any prerequisite requirements, you should still familiarize yourself with the general medical school prerequisites. It is a good idea to take advanced level courses in fields related to medicine including but not limited to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Given Memorial’s emphasis on public and community health it is a good idea to have completed coursework in the humanities and social sciences as well.

CASPer

Memorial University is one of the medical schools that require CASPer. To register for specific Memorial CASPer test dates you must use your 8-digit AAMC ID that is generated when you register for the MCAT – this is essentially your CASPer ID.

It is difficult to prepare for this test. One of the best ways is by practicing with sample CASPer questions so you have an idea what to expect. Signing up for a CASPer prep program can also help you get as high a score as possible.

Learn how to ace your CASPer test in our video:

Extracurriculars

Extracurriculars for medical school demonstrate how you spend your time outside of academic duties and employment. When you reflect on which extracurriculars to include, keep in mind the CanMEDS roles. This framework should help you narrow down experiences and activities that are most desirable for Canadian medical schools, including Memorial University. Prioritize extracurriculars that demonstrate long-standing commitment and involvement.

Any activities that showcase your love or passion for Newfoundland would be an asset on this application. This could include activities undertaken while living in Newfoundland or activities undertaken while out of Province, like a cultural club at your university. In addition to this, any activities that showcase your ability to live and work in remote areas would be considered an asset.

Recommendation Letters

You must choose two different referees to write your medical school recommendation letters. It will be your responsibility to make sure that the referees submit their letters by the application deadline. Letters cannot be submitted after the deadline, as the application will be inaccessible, so make sure to notify your writers of the deadline and remind them about the letter a few weeks before their submission is due.

One of your recommendations must come from an academic reference. Your academic recommender must be someone you worked with directly during your post-secondary or graduate work. They must know you well and be able to speak about your academic performance. This may be a professor or course instructor, a thesis supervisor, a graduate teaching assistant who had teaching duties and supervised you as an undergraduate, or a co-op practicum supervisor who was directly involved in evaluating your work.

Memorial will not accept academic references from teaching assistants who oversaw your work but did not grade it, program administrators, research supervisors during your volunteer research activity, or any professional who has not assessed your academic performance. Non-academic references can come from a variety of individuals including volunteer supervisors, your employers, or coaches at the post-secondary level. 

Memorial Medical School Interview

Memorial University uses a hybrid of Traditional Interview and Multiple-Mini Interview (MMI). The composition of the interview is:

• One 30-minute two-person panel traditional interview which is generally conducted as a virtual interview, designed to get to know the candidate via topics like decision making, life experiences, interactions with others, and future goals
• Eight 10-minute Multiple-Mini Interview stations with one assessor at each station with scenarios meant to evoke thoughtful reactions and stimulate discussion

Firstly, make sure you know how to prepare for a med school interview. You should also review how to prepare for your Multiple Mini Interview, as there are some nuances about this interview format you should know before you go through it.

Practice answering the most common medical school interview questions and MMI questions to get ready. You can also go over some panel interview questions.

Acceptance Information

You’ll be notified of your acceptance by a letter signed by or on behalf of the Chair of the Admissions Committee. No other form of notification is considered official. You’re allowed fourteen (14) days to confirm that you will accept the place offered.

Memorial does not publish any information about the number of waitlist spots or their success rate. The waitlist is specific to each category (Newfoundland, PEI, and out-of-province) so spots will only go to those in the same group.

Application Timeline

Tuition and Other Costs

Annual tuition at Memorial medical school is CAD $14,250 for all Canadian students. You must also consider other costs of medical school, including recreation fees ($186), student service fee ($150), books ($800-$1,100), Memorial medical school estimates these total costs will bring you to $20,511 per year. 

Funding Opportunities

Memorial University's medical school has a long list of medical school scholarships and bursaries available to medical students. They are typically granted based on a recommendation from the Dean.

Please visit their official website to see the entire list.

Residency Match Rates

The majority of Memorial graduates practice in Newfoundland or PEI. Due to the needs of the province many go into generalist specialties like Internal Medicine.

Available Programs

Academic Curriculum

Memorial’s medical school offers a four-year undergraduate curriculum leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The initial segment of the program, Phase 1, focuses on the healthy person and wellness. Phase 2 has an emphasis on acute reversible or modifiable health issues whereas Phase 3 continues with an emphasis on chronic illness. Within each of these phases that cover the first two years of the MD program, students will have a course in clinical skills, community engagement and a physician competencies course, during which students can pursue a range of research interests. By the end of phase 3, students are expected to be able to take a patient’s medical history, perform a thorough physical examination and to derive a logical diagnosis.

The Phase 4 preparation course is completed prior to commencing Phase 4. Phase 4 comprises the last two years of the medical studies program. During this time students, who are clinical clerks, take courses that will allow them to alternate through major disciplines in hospital and community settings throughout affiliated teaching sites in Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Clinical clerks participate as members of the health care team gaining the knowledge and experience necessary to assume the responsibilities associated with patient care.

Campus and Faculty

Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine is located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The campus is next to the Atlantic Ocean and offers picturesque views within an urban setting. The Faculty of Medicine is part of a comprehensive health sciences complex, which includes the General Hospital, the Janeway Children’s Hospital, and other specialized research facilities.

Affiliated Teaching Hospitals

Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine is affiliated with several key teaching hospitals. The Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s serves as the main teaching hospital, offering a comprehensive range of healthcare services and housing the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, which specializes in pediatric care. St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s provides experience in internal medicine and surgery, while Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville and Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook expose students to rural healthcare settings. 

Notable Faculty

There are several notable faculty at Memorial University Medicine, including Dr. Proton Rahman, a renowned rheumatologist, Dr. Sean Brosnan, a prominent researcher in biochemistry, and Dr. Shree Mulay, a leading expert in public health.

Research Fields

The most prominent area of research at Memorial is rural and remote healthcare. Faculty at Memorial are specifically interested in the areas of community health, healthcare access, telemedicine, and other associated fields of research.

Contact Information

Admissions Website

Admissions Email: [email protected]

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results. 

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