Doctor of Medicine (MD) — Western University

Program status: Active

SpaceCat Fit Notes

1. CASPer: Not required at Western, so SpaceCat’s very high CASPer score provides no advantage here. The program uses its own ABS and panel interview for non-academic assessment. SpaceCat cannot leverage her CASPer strength at this school.

2. GPA window & upgrading strategy: Western uses a best-two-years model, which is more favorable than full cumulative GPA. Each qualifying year must have a full course load (5 courses, September–April). SpaceCat needs a 3.70 minimum in each of her best two years. The competitive average is 3.91–3.96. If SpaceCat’s best two full-course-load years meet the 3.70 minimum, she clears the threshold. However, with competitive averages near 3.95, a weaker GPA still puts her at a significant disadvantage in the scoring. The best-two-years model does allow SpaceCat to potentially isolate her strongest academic periods, which could help if her GPA weakness was concentrated in specific years. Additional full-course-load years of strong grades could create new qualifying years.

3. Experiential / written advantage: SpaceCat’s shelter work would be directly relevant for the Western ABS (personal narrative format) and the three references. The panel interview (30–45 min, closed-file, 3 interviewers) is a format where SpaceCat’s depth of experience and interpersonal skills from shelter work could shine. Panel interviews reward sustained, thoughtful conversation — potentially a better fit for SpaceCat than rapid-fire MMI stations.

4. Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - Effective July 1, 2025, minimum 95% of seats reserved for Ontario residents. “Ordinarily resident in Ontario” = Canadian citizen/PR/protected person with 12 consecutive months Ontario residency after age 14. SpaceCat is an Ontario resident — favorable. ()

5. Overall assessment: Reach — Western’s best-two-years GPA model is more favorable than U of T’s full cumulative approach, and the competitive averages (3.91–3.96) are slightly more attainable. However, CASPer is not used (eliminating SpaceCat’s key strength), MCAT is required, and the competitive bar remains very high. The panel interview format could suit SpaceCat well if she reaches that stage. Worth applying if her best two years approach 3.70+, but the 3.91–3.96 competitive range makes this a reach.

6. Overall assessment: Reach

Quick Facts

• Institution: Western University, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
• Program name: Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Degree granted: MD
• City, Province: London, Ontario (main campus); Windsor, Ontario (Windsor campus — satellite)
• Program type: Standard (4-year MD)
• Duration: 4 years
• Delivery format: In-person
• Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
• Language of instruction: English
• Start date(s): August/September (Fall entry only)
• Intake frequency: Annual
• Application deadline(s): October 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM ET (OMSAS standard deadline). References also due by OMSAS deadline. (Source)
• Application system: OMSAS via OUAC (Source)
• Supplementary application portal: Western Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) — submitted through OMSAS
• Program URL: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/med-dent-admissions/medicine/
• Accredited: Yes — CACMS accredited

Admission Requirements

GPA

• Minimum GPA: 3.70/4.0 (OMSAS scale) must be met in each of two undergraduate years. (Source)
• Competitive GPA: Average admitted GPA (Class of 2029): Year 1: 3.96, Year 2: 3.91 (best two years). (Source)
• GPA calculated on: Best two years — GPA is calculated on grades from a September-to-April academic year containing at least 5 full or equivalent courses (30 credit hours). At least 3 courses (18 credit hours) must be at or above the appropriate academic level for that year of study. If more than 30 credit hours completed in a year, the best 5 full courses are used. (Source)
• GPA window: Best 2 qualifying academic years (September–April only). Spring/summer courses are not eligible for GPA consideration.
• Repeat courses: Not accepted — repeated or antirequisite courses are excluded from both course load and GPA calculation. (Source)
• Pass/fail courses: Maximum 1 pass/fail course (6 credit hours) per year permitted. (Source)
• GPA scale used: 4.0 (OMSAS converted scale)

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses required. No specific discipline or program preferred. (Source)

Prior Degree Requirement

• Minimum 3 years of a 4-year degree (90 of 120 credits). No completed degree technically required. (Source)

Supplementary Requirements

• MCAT: Required. Minimum 125 in each section for applicants meeting pathway criteria; 126 in each section for applicants not meeting pathway criteria. Most recent score used if multiple attempts. Valid up to 5 years. Must be written before application deadline. (Source)
• CASPer: Not required. Western does not use CASPer. (Source)
• Interview: Yes — Virtual panel interview, approximately 30–45 minutes. Panel of 3: one physician, one community member, one current medical student. Closed-file format. Questions cover personal, situational, ethical, and opinion-based topics. Interviews late February/early March; invitations sent late January/early February; decisions communicated early May. (Source)
• Western Autobiographical Sketch (ABS): Required — invites applicants to tell their story, highlight non-academic strengths, transformative experiences, and personal values. (Source)
• References: 3 referees required via online confidential assessment form: one academic/employment, one non-academic/personal, one applicant’s choice. (Source)
• Citizenship: Canadian citizen or permanent resident at time of application. (Source)

How Applications Are Evaluated

• Admission model: Holistic — GPA threshold + MCAT threshold, then non-academic assessment (ABS, references), then interview
• GPA and MCAT function as initial screens; competitive scoring involves all components
• The competitive MCAT averages (128-129 per section) suggest scores well above the 125-126 minimums are expected
• 37% of 2029 class attended Western University for undergrad — significant home-institution representation (Source)

Out-of-Province Considerations

• Residency restrictions: Effective July 1, 2025, minimum 95% of seats reserved for Ontario residents. “Ordinarily resident in Ontario” = Canadian citizen/PR/protected person with 12 consecutive months Ontario residency after age 14. SpaceCat is an Ontario resident — favorable. (Source)
• Out-of-province policy URL: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/med-dent-admissions/medicine/admission-requirements.html

Cost

• Annual tuition (domestic, 2025-2026): ~$25,456/year. (Source)
• Total program (approximate): ~$102,000 over 4 years (domestic)
• Books and supplies: ~$2,900/year additional. (Source — BeMo)

Competitiveness

• Cohort size: 190 incoming students (Class of 2029). (Source)
• Number of applicants: 3,623. (Source)
• Number interviewed: 696. (Source)
• Acceptance rate: ~5.2% overall (190 from 3,623); ~27% of interviewed candidates.
• Average admitted GPA: BY1: 3.96, BY2: 3.91. (Source)
• Average admitted MCAT: BBFL 129, CPBS 128, CARS 127, PSBB 129 (~513 total). (Source)
• Average age: 23 years. (Source)
• Gender: 46% male, 52% female, 2% other/no response. (Source)
• Education level: 59% bachelor’s, 26% master’s. (Source)
• First-generation medical: 73% were first generation to attend medical school. (Source)

Information Not Found

No specific gaps identified for this program.

Sources

Official program pages: - Medicine Admissions Home - Admission Requirements - Admission Statistics - Important Dates - Interviews - Frequently Asked Questions

Application system pages: - OMSAS — Western University