Bilingualism: Students can choose to study in the English or French stream. Bilingual students are often given priority in clinical rotations where possible.

e-Curriculum: uOttawa was the first medical school in Canada to implement a comprehensive e-curriculum, integrating technology into all levels of learning.

Structure:

• Years 1–2 (Pre-clerkship): Focused on biomedical sciences and physician skill development.

• Years 3–4 (Clerkship): 72 weeks of full-time clinical work.

Social Accountability: The school has a strong mandate to serve the community, with specialized pathways for Indigenous students and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

Vibe: A clean, safe, and bilingual capital city with a high quality of life. It offers the perfect mix of historic architecture, national museums, and outdoor activities like skating on the Rideau Canal.

Transport: The LRT (Light Rail) and bus network connect the main campus (downtown) to the medical campus (Smyth Rd). Students receive a U-Pass for unlimited travel.

Climate: Cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. It is one of the snowiest capitals in the world.

Safety: Very high. Ottawa is consistently ranked as one of the safest major cities in Canada.

On-Campus Residences: Many medical students choose 90 University (Suites) or 45 Mann (Apartments) due to their proximity to transit and privacy.

• Cost: Approx. $15,000 – $24,000 CAD for an 8-to-12-month contract.

Dining: While traditional residences require a meal plan (~$7,125/year), apartment-style residents usually self-cater.

• Food Budget: Self-catering students typically spend $500 – $700 CAD per month.

Off-Campus: The Alta Vista and Hurdman areas are popular for medical students because they are within walking distance or a short shuttle ride from the Medical School at Roger Guindon Hall.

Academic Threshold: Minimum 3 years of full-time undergraduate study.

• Minimum GPA: 3.5/4.0 on the OMSAS scale (though the median accepted is usually 3.93+).

NO MCAT REQUIRED: uOttawa is one of the few schools in Canada that does not require the MCAT for admission.

CASPer Test: Mandatory online situational judgment test (completed in the language of the application stream).

Prerequisites: * Biology (6 units), General Chemistry (3 units), Organic Chemistry (3 units), Biochemistry (3 units), Statistics (3 units).

• Humanities/Social Sciences (6 units).

Interview: Selected candidates participate in a panel interview (traditionally) or MMIs, assessing maturity, ethics, and communication.