Methods of Selection

The following components are used in the listed order to select those applicants offered a position in our program.

When you apply to the Queen’s University MD programs, you accept the admission policies and procedures and the methods applicants are selected by. You also accept the University’s ability to alter them at any point during the admissions process.

Step 1: Initial Assessment & The Qualified Applicant Randomization Selection (QARS) Process

For the 2026-2027 application cycle, applicants who submit a complete application and meet the following criteria will be considered for random selection for a further Queen’s University internal evaluation of their MMI:
• Minimum GPA threshold: 3.0
• Minimum MCAT Threshold:

Total Score: 500
o Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: 125
o Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: 125
o Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour: 125
o Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: 125

Casper threshold is determined annually and is not disclosed.
The completion of the early-phase MMI.
Applications must be complete and submitted by specified OMSAS deadlines.

Queen's University will determine the number of spots available for an internal MMI evaluation. 90% of these spots will be allotted to applicants who are ordinarily resident in Ontario (as per the Ontario government’s definition, as listed in the OMSAS application and based on the completed self-attestation).

There is no weighting applied to the threshold criteria for the QARS selection. You will be considered for admission only if you are selected for an interview.

You are in either the MD or the MDFM QARS process, not both. If you do not have the required supplemental materials for MDFM by the deadline, you will be moved to MD and be evaluated under that process instead.

Both the MD and MDFM QARS run at the same time.

Please see our Admissions Pathways & Programs page for how QARS impacts our different pathways and programs.

Step 2: Early-phase MMI Evaluation

The goal of using the MMI is to assess the non-cognitive qualities of an applicant more effectively, which could include empathy, critical thinking, ethical decision making and communication skills.

The early-phase MMI will be conducted virtually and include an initial external assessment prior to QARS. Applicants selected through the QARS process will have their MMI independently evaluated by the Queen’s University MD program.

All applicants who successfully submit an application to Queen’s University MD programs will be contacted in early October, shortly after the OMSAS application deadline, with instructions on how to schedule their early-phase MMI.

Please see our Eligibility & Application Process page for detailed information about the early-phase MMI.

If required, we will run an additional virtual MMI in January for applicants selected through QARS. All applicants will be notified in December as to whether we are running a secondary MMI.

Step 3: File Review and Panel Interview

An initial file review will occur for all applicants to determine eligibility. A further detailed file review, including any supplemental information for various streams or pathways, will take place during the panel interview phase.

A select number of applicants will then be invited for a virtual synchronous panel interview. Historically, these interviews occur between February and March.

If you have been invited for a panel interview and require accommodation, you must email the Admissions Office at the time you accept your interview and we will provide you with further directions.

All applicants invited to the interview will be required to sign a Confidentiality Non-Disclosure Statement to ensure the integrity and security of the interview process. Any violation of the signed statement or failure to sign will result in removal from the admission process.

At this time, all interviews will be conducted virtually for this admission cycle.

Step 4: Final Decision

Successful applicants are reviewed and ranked by the Admissions Committee and offers are made based on a ranked list. Offers will be made after the first round on a rolling basis until the class has been filled. Once the class is complete all waitlisted applicants will be notified via email that offers are no longer being made.

Factors Not Considered in Selection

We encourage you to consider all the undergraduate programs available and to embark on the course of studies that you are most interested in and that would prepare you for an alternative career should you not gain a place in medicine.

We do not:

show preference to applicants who have studied in any particular university program. No prerequisites are required.
assess applicants based on what course levels they have taken in each year. There is no requirement based on course levels for admission.
have any requirements related to carrying a full course load. So you are free to select courses and course loads that are best for you.
show preference to applicants at any level of training.
consider place of residence and location of the university where studies have been undertaken.
consider age, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation in the selection process.

Typical Admissions Timeline
Timeframe	Key Activity	Tentative Dates for 2026-27
October	Application closes on the first business day of the month
December – January	Interview invitations
January	Secondary Multiple-Mini interview, if required	Sun. January 10, 2027
February – March	Panel interviews	MD/PhD & MD/Master's, ISAP, MMTP: Fri. February 5, 2027 MDFM: Sat. February 6, 2027 MD: Sat. March 6 & Sun. March 7, 2027
March	MD/PhD and MD/MSc offers are released
April	MMTP offers are released
May	Admission offers for all other streams are released
June – July	Final offer checklist items are due
August – September	Orientation and classes begin

Important: Please note that this timeline is intended to provide a general overview of our admissions process. Specific dates and activities may vary year to year and are subject to change.

Step 1: Initial Assessment & The Qualified Applicant Randomization Selection (QARS) Process

Step 2: Early-phase MMI Evaluation

If required, we will run an additional virtual MMI in January for applicants selected through QARS. All applicants will be notified in December as to whether we are running a secondary MMI.

Step 3: File Review and Panel Interview

Step 4: Final Decision

Factors Not Considered in Selection

Typical Admissions Timeline

Timeframe

Key Activity

Tentative Dates for 2026-27