The College of Medicine Indigenous Admissions Pathway is designed to support the growing number of Indigenous people choosing to becoming doctors in Saskatchewan.

The program helps to navigate the pathways and resources available to Indigenous students as they train to become physicians.

Through the pathway, Métis, Inuit and First Nations people can apply for admission to the Medical Doctor (MD) program of study. Up to Twenty seats in the MD degree program each year are specifically designated for Métis, Inuit and First Nations people. 

The University is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and are proud to support academic opportunities for Indigenous students. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, and nationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous students provide to strengthen these relationships. Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this program.  Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship with documentation is a condition of acceptance for this program. 

Please visit: https://indigenous.usask.ca/indigenous-initiatives/deybwewin-taapwaywin-tapwewin.php to proceed through the verification system. If you have any questions or require additional information about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin please contact: indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca 

"Navigating medical school has been challenging. The boundaries I've had to overcome to exist in this institute could not have happened without the continued support I receive from my loved ones and my community.

"My presence epitomizes the resilience of generations before me and my only hope is to carry this responsibility with respect and humility."

- Jacqueline Nokusis, MD Class of 2024

Indigenous News

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Indigenous Admissions Circle

Starting in the 2022 application cycle, the College of Medicine introduced a new process to evaluate Indigenous applicants called the Indigenous Admissions Circle, made up of representatives from the Indigenous community. The group supports the college’s Indigenous applicants by reviewing and evaluating applicants through an Indigenous lens.

The admission process for applying through the Indigenous Admissions Circle includes:

  • Participation in a panel interview that will be conducted by members of the Indigenous Admissions Circle in a culturally-safe and inclusive way
  • A file review will be used holistically and based on the lived experience of the applicant

Requirements for Admission

The College of Medicine selects students based on their academic ability and personal qualities. Be sure to thoroughly review the admission requirements posted at medicine.usask.ca/admissions for the most up-to-date and complete information.

The study of medicine requires a good background in the sciences as well as some training in the humanities, social sciences and communication. Applicants to the MD program must have a four-year baccalaureate degree prior to entry into medicine. The minimum average required for admission is 80 per cent.

Potential applicants should refer to the website for clarification as to how the university academic average (UAA) will be calculated and the timeframe requirements. High school students should review course requirements for the baccalaureate degree they intend to pursue when making decisions regarding high school courses.

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a requirement for admission.

Specific prerequisite courses at the university level are not required; however, introductory-level courses in the following areas are recommended to potential applicants to prepare for both the content in the MCAT and the basic sciences covered in the first two years of the MD degree program:

  • biochemistry
  • biology
  • chemistry
  • English
  • psychology
  • physics
  • statistics

Further details regarding the MCAT can be found on the Association of American Medical Colleges website.

A good physician should be compassionate, personable, trustworthy, conscientious, hardworking, mature, and have broad general knowledge and interests. These personal qualities are assessed through processes like the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) and Conversation Circles.

MMI

The multiple mini interview (MMI) is a series of short structured interviews used to assess the personal traits that we are looking for in our applicants to the MD program. Each mini interview involves a brief time period to read a prompt and formulate a response before entering a virtual interview room to provide their response. For more information regarding the MMI and to access facts and sample questions, please visit our Medicine Admissions page.

Conversation Circles

A conversation circle process will be conducted following the MMI, with the goal of getting to know our applicants better and to further assess communication and emotional intelligence skills. The performance on the MMI will determine who will be invited to the conversation circle. We plan to offer the conversation circle in-person; however, a virtual conversation circle will also be made available to those that cannot attend in-person.

You can apply to the College of Medicine MD program online.

The College of Medicine Admissions makes its final decisions of those being accepted into the MD program each year in May.

If you have applied through the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, you are first assessed to see if you would be successful in the general applicant pool. If so, you are admitted in that category. If not, you are considered within the Indigenous Admissions Program pool.

The cost of medical school, including tuition, other fees, books, and equipment, is about $20,000 in the first year and a bit less in the following years. There are also the costs of housing, food and transportation.

However, you may qualify for government assistance, band support and various bursaries and scholarships. Once you have completed the four-year MD degree, you will receive a salary during your postgraduate residency or specialty training.

Pathways to Medicine: Before You Apply

From spending a day with a physician to networking with other health sciences students, there are many pathways to medicine that will help you learn more about the profession and gain experience even before applying to medical school.

There are opportunities to connect with Indigenous medical students, physicians or other mentors through the wakohtowin mentorship program.  For more information, contact Valerie Arnault-Pelletier, Senior Lead, Indigenous Programming and Initiatives, College of Medicine.

Want to know more about the College of Medicine MD program before applying? Join staff, faculty and student role models for a day of programming, networking and information about the Indigenous Admissions Pathway at the University of Saskatchewan.

The day will include:

  • Knowledge Keepers
  • MMI Process and Practice Sessions
  • MCAT overview and information session
  • Admissions information
  • Role Models and Social Accountability Information

There are many student groups that offer opportunities to meet students with similar interests to help prepare you for medical school.

  • Indigenous Pre-Health Science Group — Join our Indigenous Pre-Health Science Group to receive information about events, workshops and scholarships. Contact us for more information.
  • Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways (ISAP)First Nations, Inuit and Métis students who are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) have the chance to ask questions, solve problems, access professional careers and give back to their communities through ISAP.
  • Indigenous Medical Student Association of Saskatchewan (IMSAS) - The purpose of IMSAS is to provide a safe space for current, incoming and future Indigenous medical students at the University of Saskatchewan. IMSAS' mission is to grow our place in the College of Medicine and the larger medical community. We will achieve the above by hosting gatherings for Indigenous medical students, updating Indigenous medical students on supports and events, and having outreach activities to encourage prospective Indigenous medical students. Contact us for more information.
  • University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Pre-Med Club — The U of S Pre-Med Club is a student-run group designed to help students interested in medicine and health sciences.
  • University of Regina Pre-Medicine Club - The U of S Pre-Med Club is a student-run group designed to help students interested in medicine and health sciences.
  • University of Regina (U of R) Pre-Medicine Club — The U of R Pre-Med Club is open to all students considering a career in medicine.
  • Campus Howlers Toastmasters ClubToastmasters can help with improving your public speaking and communications skills.

Considering becoming a doctor? There are many ways to find out if a career in medicine or health care is the path for you. Find the College of Medicine at the following events to learn more:

  • Indigenous Spend-a-Day — This one-day event is designed as an opportunity for Grade 10, 11 and 12 First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to receive hands-on experience and to learn more about admission requirements.
  • Northern Lights Health Career Symposium
  • USask Open House — This is an opportunity to explore the University of Saskatchewan! Explore facilities, talk to faculty, staff and fellow students, and receive hands-on experience in an area of interest.
  • The Future Is Yours Career Expo — Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 are invited to explore and find their career path.
  • Other career fairs and local events

These events are a great way to receive hands-on activities and personal experiences. Some examples include:

The career fairs also provide opportunities to hear stories of inspiration from Indigenous medical role models.

Educational Opportunities

Electives in Indigenous Health

Electives in Indigenous Health are (subject to availability) at the following sites:

  • Wellness Wheel – Regina
  • Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (MACSI) – Saskatoon
  • First Nations and Métis Health (Saskatoon) – St. Paul’s Hospital and Royal University Hospital
  • All Nations Healing Hospital – Fort Qu’Appelle
  • Whitecap Health Centre – Whitecap Dakota First Nation
  • Sturgeon Lake Health Centre/Victoria Hospital – Prince Albert area

Awards and Scholarships

Pathway Support for Indigenous Students to Pursue Medicine

These awards are open to continuing (beyond first year of a degree program) Indigenous students registered in a minimum of 24 credit units (September-April) working towards a baccalaureate degree in a bona fide four-year baccalaureate degree program OR are enrolled in a full-time graduate program at an accredited Saskatchewan degree granting institution.

Price of a Dream Fee Waiver Program

The Price of a Dream (POD) program was developed by the National POD Team alongside the AFMC and participating universities to address the personal and systemic financial barriers individuals face when applying to medical school. The $150 application fee and the $75 interview fee associated with a medical school application are waived through the POD program for successful applicants. for the upcoming 2023-2024 application cycle to the USask College of Medicine!

For more information, visit:

The application portal is available now for the upcoming 2023/2024 application cycle. Use the following link to apply: https://www.cognitoforms.com/AFMC3/SaskatchewanFeeWaiverProgram

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us mdpriceofadream@gmail.com

Awards for Current Students

All University of Saskatchewan student awards can be found on the main 'Awards' page.

Search tips:

  • Enter "Indigenous" as a keyword to find awards for Indigenous students.
  • Many awards are not college-specific. Don't restrict yourself to searching only for Medicine awards.

Event Calendar

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Contact Us

General Office

Valerie Arnault-Pelletier
Senior Lead, Indigenous Programming and Initiatives
Saskatoon Campus
 306-966-5901
 valerie.arnault@usask.ca