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.
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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 conversation circle 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
The College of Medicine selects students based on their academic ability and personal qualities. Be sure to thoroughly review the admission requirements posted in the Applicant Information Document for the most up-to-date and complete information.
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
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 bachelor's degree prior to entry into medicine. The minimum average required for admission is 80%.
Potential applicants should refer to the Applicant Information Document 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 bachelor's 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 Interviews (MMI) are 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 circles 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 circles. We plan to offer the conversation circle in-person; however, a virtual conversation circles option 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.
Visit the Medicine Admissions Page for information on tuition and an estimate of the costs to attend medical school. 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.
"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
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.
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.
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. Join our Facebook Group.
- 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 Club — Toastmasters can help with improving your public speaking and communications skills.
Educational Opportunities
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
- Sturgeon Lake Health Centre/Victoria Hospital – Prince Albert area
Making the Links started in 2005 as a unique service learning experience offered by the College of Medicine. Selected undergraduate medical students experience community health and development in three contexts:
- Urban underserved community at SWITCH (the Student Wellness Initiative Towards Community Health) in Saskatoon
- Rural and remote communities in Saskatchewan (Île-à-la-Crosse, Dillon, Kawacatoose, and Pinehouse)
- International communities globally
Awards and Scholarships
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 bachelor's degree in a bona fide four-year bachelor's degree program OR are enrolled in a full-time graduate program at an accredited Saskatchewan degree granting institution.
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 application cycle to the USask College of Medicine!
The application portal is now closed. Please watch for communications regarding the portal's opening for the 2025/2026 application cycle.
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.
Indigenous Health
The College of Medicine is dedicated to responding to the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Report and work in a mutually beneficial and collaborative manner with the Indigenous peoples of Saskatchewan to define and address the present and emerging health needs in Indigenous communities.
Event Calendar
Explore Careers in Medicine
Considering becoming a doctor? There are many ways to find out if a career in medicine or health care is the path for you. These events are a great way to try hands-on activities and hear stories of inspiration from Indigenous medical role models. Find the College of Medicine at the following events to learn more:
- Indigenous Student Experience 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.
- 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.
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Contact Us
General Office
Valerie Arnault-Pelletier
Senior Lead, Indigenous Initiatives and Programming
Saskatoon Campus
306-966-5901
valerie.arnault@usask.ca