University of Ottawa MD Admissions Guide (2027)

Quick facts

• Entry cycle: Fall 2027 entry; the OMSAS application deadline is October 1, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET. OMSAS 2027 key dates
• Program: Four-year Doctor of Medicine offered in English and French. Applicants choose one language stream when applying and cannot switch streams after submitting or after admission. University of Ottawa application process
• Academic minimum: At least three eligible years of full-time undergraduate study and a minimum CGPA of 3.50, calculated from the most recent three eligible full-time undergraduate years. University of Ottawa application process
• MCAT: Not required. University of Ottawa application process
• Selection formats: An asynchronous early-phase MMI with recorded video responses is required of all applicants; candidates who advance complete a virtual semi-structured panel interview in February or March 2027. University of Ottawa application process
• 2027 class-size context: OMSAS lists a target of 122 seats for the English stream; its overview does not state a total or French-stream target. OMSAS program requirements overview

Admission requirements

Academic eligibility

Applicants must complete at least three years of full-time studies in a program leading to a university bachelor's degree. Ottawa defines a standard full-time year as five courses per term, while publishing specific permitted course-load combinations; all admission requirements and final grades must be available on an official transcript by June 30, 2027. The minimum CGPA is 3.50 on the OMSAS 4.0 scale and is calculated using the most recent three eligible years of full-time undergraduate study. Meeting the minimum does not ensure admission. University of Ottawa application process

Prerequisite courses

Each prerequisite must have a minimum grade of 3.0 on the OMSAS 4.0 scale. Applicants need 6 units of humanities or social sciences, 6 units of biology, 3 units each of organic chemistry, general chemistry, biochemistry and statistics, and a laboratory component in 6 units drawn from the listed science categories. Missing prerequisites may be completed during the application year, but final grades must be available by June 30, 2027. Ottawa assesses course equivalencies during the formal file review and does not validate them in advance. University of Ottawa application process

MCAT, citizenship and language

The MCAT is not required. At the time of application, candidates must be a Canadian citizen, a Canadian permanent resident, or a Convention refugee in Canada with approved status, subject to the narrow alumni-child exception described by Ottawa. Applicants select the English or French stream. The interview is conducted in the selected language; French-stream applicants are also expected to be able to converse in English, which Ottawa assesses during the interview. University of Ottawa application process

Non-academic materials

Applicants submit the OMSAS autobiographical sketch with verifiers and three Confidential Assessment Forms: one academic- or employment-related referee, one non-academic referee and one referee of the applicant's choice. All applicants who successfully submit an Ottawa MD application must also complete the early-phase MMI. University of Ottawa application process

This page summarizes public rules; it cannot determine whether a particular course, transcript, residency status or pathway document will be accepted. Use Ottawa and OMSAS as the controlling sources for your circumstances.

Full-time and remote study

Ottawa requires at least three years of full-time study. Full-time remote or online studies are not recognized for that full-time requirement, and part-time studies do not meet it. Distance-learning courses may be accepted for prerequisites, but any required laboratory component must be completed on site at a university. Confirm course treatment with Ottawa during formal review. University of Ottawa application process

Important dates

• September 15, 2026: OMSAS recommends sending reference requests by this date so referees have time to submit. OMSAS 2027 how to apply
• October 1, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET: Deadline for the OMSAS application, required transcripts and academic documents, references and payment. OMSAS 2027 key dates
• Early October 2026: Ottawa says applicants who successfully submit will receive instructions to schedule the asynchronous early-phase MMI shortly after the OMSAS deadline. The exact testing dates are selected through those instructions, not published on the admissions page. University of Ottawa application process
• Last week of January 2027: Ottawa plans to email application-status communications for the later interview stage. University of Ottawa application process
• February-March 2027: Ottawa's later semi-structured interviews will be virtual. University of Ottawa application process
• May 11, 2027: The current OMSAS Key Dates page lists first-round offers on this date. OMSAS 2027 key dates
• June 30, 2027: Deadline for OMSAS to receive final transcripts; Ottawa also requires all admission requirements and final grades by this date. OMSAS 2027 key dates and University of Ottawa application process

Dates can change. Treat your OMSAS account, Ottawa emails and the official pages as controlling.

How selection works

Ottawa publishes the sequence but not a complete numerical formula for every decision.

1. Eligibility and early-phase MMI: The initial review considers full-time study, prerequisites, CGPA, citizenship eligibility and completion of the early-phase MMI. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements do not advance. University of Ottawa application process
2. ABS and references: For eligible applicants, the Admissions Committee evaluates the autobiographical sketch and verifies the Confidential Assessment Forms. University of Ottawa application process
3. Interview invitation ranking: Invitations are determined from a rank-order list using CGPA, early-phase MMI score and ABS score. Ottawa states that approximately 70% of seats are reserved for regional candidates. University of Ottawa application process
4. Virtual panel interview: Invited candidates complete the approximately 40-minute semi-structured panel interview in February or March 2027. University of Ottawa application process
5. Offers: After the interview, applicants are placed on a rank-order list based primarily on interview performance. Ottawa says the Admissions Committee may consider additional factors when placing candidates on the excellence list. University of Ottawa application process

Do not infer unpublished weights for the CGPA, early MMI, ABS or later interview from third-party calculators or forum posts.

Interview details

Confirmed

All applicants who successfully submit an Ottawa MD application must complete an early-phase MMI through the Acuity Insights platform. The assessment is asynchronous: applicants record video responses to prompts. Ottawa says it evaluates critical thinking, decision making, communication, interpersonal skills, compassion and teamwork. Applicants complete the assessment in their selected language stream and need a computer with a webcam, audio, reliable internet and a quiet private location. University of Ottawa application process

Candidates who advance complete a virtual semi-structured interview in February or March 2027. It lasts approximately 40 minutes and uses a panel of two Admissions Committee members, who may be faculty or community representatives, plus a fourth-year medical student. Ottawa lists motivation, empathy and compassion, conflict resolution and teamwork, communication, professionalism, critical thinking and ethics, and resiliency among the characteristics evaluated. University of Ottawa application process

Not published

As of August 6, 2026, Ottawa has not published the early-phase MMI's exact 2027 testing dates, prompt count, reflection time, response time, scoring scale or complete scoring rubric. It does not publish the later panel's actual questions, a complete question set, interviewer-specific scoring weights or applicant-specific technical instructions. Use the Acuity instructions and your Ottawa invitation as the final authority for dates, timing, technology and accommodations. University of Ottawa application process

Ottawa states that candidates who have previously completed three interviews for its MD Program are no longer eligible for consideration, regardless of language stream or admission pathway. This policy is distinct from the early-phase MMI; use Ottawa's current policy for your own application history. University of Ottawa application process

Who this program may suit

This is an interpretation of published program characteristics, not an admissions-advantage claim.

Ottawa may suit applicants who want a four-year MD program offered in both English and French within a faculty that connects Anglophone and Francophone teaching. The curriculum integrates foundational, clinical and social sciences and humanities, and emphasizes prevention, leadership, research and self-directed learning. Applicants must choose a language stream when applying, cannot switch streams after submission or admission, and should understand the language expectations before applying. University of Ottawa MD admissions overview and University of Ottawa application process

The current selection policy also reserves approximately 70% of seats for regional candidates. That published allocation does not indicate admission for any individual regional applicant or exclude other eligible applicants. All MD courses are delivered in person, and Ottawa says students need reliable transportation for clinical placements, including rural and distributed settings. These are practical tradeoffs to evaluate alongside the program's bilingual environment and curriculum. University of Ottawa application process

Practice and next step

Use the linked A teammate's responsibilities change prompt to practise the confirmed asynchronous-video format. For this exercise, use 60 seconds to reflect and three minutes to record.

1. Use the reflection period to identify the affected people, what is known, what you still need to ask, and the immediate constraint.
2. Record a first response that protects the teammate's privacy, tests assumptions, keeps the event covered, and explains a fair next step to the team.
3. Review the recording for one weakness: jumping to a solution, avoiding accountability, missing another perspective, or giving an unclear decision.
4. Choose one adjustment from your review or mentor feedback.
5. Record the response again and compare the two attempts for empathy, structure, conflict handling and concision.

Then use the linked Guide to Brief and Concise Responses path to practise keeping the reasoning that changes the decision while removing setup that does not. Videoath helps you know what to fix, practise it again and compare the attempts.

Frequently asked questions

What CGPA do I need for Ottawa medical school in 2027?

The minimum CGPA is 3.50 on the OMSAS 4.0 scale, calculated from the most recent three eligible years of full-time undergraduate study. Meeting the minimum does not ensure admission. University of Ottawa application process

Does University of Ottawa MD require the MCAT?

No. Ottawa states that the MCAT is not an admission requirement. University of Ottawa application process

Does every Ottawa MD applicant complete the early-phase MMI?

Yes. All applicants who successfully submit an Ottawa MD application are required to complete the asynchronous early-phase MMI through Acuity Insights. They record video responses on the platform. University of Ottawa application process

Is Ottawa's 2027 medical school interview virtual?

The later semi-structured panel interview will be virtual in February or March 2027. The earlier MMI is also remote and asynchronous. Exact early-MMI testing dates and response timings are not published on Ottawa's admissions page. University of Ottawa application process

Can I switch between the English and French streams?

No. Ottawa says applicants cannot switch language streams after submitting the application or after admission. Interviews are conducted in the chosen stream; French-stream applicants also have conversational English assessed. University of Ottawa application process

Does Ottawa give preference to regional applicants?

Ottawa says approximately 70% of seats are reserved for regional candidates. This does not ensure admission for a regional applicant, and the published eligibility rules still apply. University of Ottawa application process

When is the Fall 2027 OMSAS deadline?

The deadline is October 1, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET for the application, required documents, references and payment. OMSAS 2027 key dates

Can I apply again after three Ottawa MD interviews?

Ottawa says candidates who have previously completed three interviews for its MD Program are no longer eligible for consideration, regardless of language stream or admission pathway. Check the current policy directly if this applies to your history. University of Ottawa application process

Sources

• University of Ottawa — MD Application Process — primary Fall 2027 eligibility, prerequisites, language, citizenship, application components, early-phase MMI, selection sequence, interview and offer conditions; verified August 6, 2026.
• University of Ottawa — MD Admissions Overview — program structure and bilingual-program context; verified August 6, 2026.
• OMSAS — Program Requirements Overview — 2027 English-stream target, program length and summarized requirements; last updated July 6, 2026 and verified August 6, 2026.
• OMSAS — Key Dates — application, offer and final-transcript dates; last updated July 22, 2026 and verified August 6, 2026.
• OMSAS — How to Apply — reference-request guidance and application process; last updated July 6, 2026 and verified August 6, 2026.

Method: current official university and OMSAS sources were used for admissions facts. Where OMSAS pages conflict, the newer and more specific Key Dates page controls. Unpublished interview details are labelled rather than inferred.