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Faculty of Health Sciences

Medical Sciences Graduate Program

Indigenous Applicants

To best represent our population we welcome applications from Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) learners via our Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP). All applications received through the FIAP are reviewed exclusive of the general applicant pool. After review, applications that are deemed eligible are distributed to all faculty members who are currently recruiting graduate students (also exclusive of the general applicant pool).

Expandable List

M.Sc.

4 year Honours degree (B.Sc.) with an academic standing that is equivalent to at least a B+ using the McMaster University grading scale in the last 30 units of courses relevant to the program. An M.D. degree or equivalent (e.g. M.B.B.S., M.B., Ch.B.) with an academic standing equivalent to at least a B+ as described above in previous academic work.

PhD

A Masters degree with an academic standing that is equivalent to at least a B+ using the McMaster University grading scale in previous academic work. In exceptional cases, applicants may be admitted directly from a bachelor’s 4-year Honours degree.

  • Official transcripts of all academic work completed to date sent directly from the issuing institution(s).
  • Two references submitted confidentially, one of which must be from a faculty member and submitted via the online application system. The second reference may be the community letter of recommendation which is submitted to the FIAP. Important: You must submit a copy of this letter to BOTH the FIAP and the Medical Sciences Program.
  • Research questionnaire and Statement of Interest: We encourage applicants to utilize the statement of interest to provide content such as community engagement, interest and activities in the field of health (either academically or within his/her home community including traditional medicine). This may be submitted through the online portal, mail, via email to msadmit@mcmaster.ca or delivered in-person. Note that the online portal will not prompt you to include this document as it is a program specific requirement.
  • Curriculum vitae or résumé. This may be submitted through the online portal, mail, via email to msadmit@mcmaster.ca or delivered in-person.

We strongly encourage applicants to directly contact faculty members whose research interests align with those of the applicant. If you would like assistance to arrange a meeting between yourself and a faculty member, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Applicants who wish to be considered under the Indigenous application process must submit the Self-Identification Application.

One self-identification application is used for all Faculty of Health Sciences programs that have a facilitated Indigenous admissions stream. The Self-identification Application must be completed by whatever the earliest deadline date is for the programs for which you have applied to.