Indigenous Applicant Pathway

Our Commitment to Indigenous Healthcare

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is committed to making a difference in the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) in Canada through inclusive medical education and community partnership.

Acknowledging Territory

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lūnaapéewak Peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. 

This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples, whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors to society.

The longstanding Indigenous Peoples of this region include:

  • Anishinaabek Peoples, also referred to as the Three Fires Confederacy, including Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatami Nations.
  • Haudenosaunee Peoples, also known as the Iroquois or Six Nations Confederacy, including the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora.
  • Lūnaapéewak Peoples, also known as the Delaware and/or Munsee Nations.

The three First Nation communities closest in proximity to Western University are:

  • Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, part of the Anishinaabek
  • Oneida Nation of the Thames, part of the Haudenosaunee
  • Munsee-Delaware Nation, part of the Lūnaapéewak

For more information, please visit Western's Office of Indigenous Initiatives website.

Why Choose Schulich Medicine

Indigenous students enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program at Schulich have access to dedicated, culturally responsive spaces, supports, and programming that affirm Indigenous identity and foster well-being.  

Western University is also home to a growing Indigenous student population, with more than 700 Indigenous students enrolled across the institution.

Visit the Indigenous Student Resources webpage for additional information.

Financial Resources and Supports 

We recognize that the cost of attending medical school can be a barrier. If your goal is to make a difference in the health of Indigenous communities through medicine, financial concerns should not stand in the way.

There are several options available to help defray the cost of your medical education:

How to Apply

To help increase the number of Indigenous physicians, Schulich Medicine designates five seats in each incoming class for Indigenous students applying through the Indigenous Applicant Pathway.

To be considered for one of these seats, applicants must submit the following additional documents to OMSAS by the application deadline.

Confirmation of Indigenous Status or Proof of Ancestral Origin

Documentation includes but is not limited to:
  • A copy of a Certificate of Indian Status or Treaty card.
  • A certified copy of a Nunavut Trust certificate card, roll  number, or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities.
  • A certified copy of a membership card in a Métis registry recognized by the Métis National Council (e.g. Métis Nation of Ontario, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of British Columbia).
  • Written confirmation of Aboriginal ancestry from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
  • Written confirmation of membership in a band council that has its own membership code.

Personal Statement

A personal statement in the form of a letter describing:
  • Why are you applying through the Indigenous Applicant Pathway
  • Your current and past experiences/involvement in Indigenous communities and the impact of these experiences/involvement
  • Your intended future contributions to your respective community

Letters of Support

Letters of support from Indigenous communities or organizations attesting to your involvement and/or contributions to the community.

Consideration & Assessment

Applications are assessed wholistically based on GPA and MCAT scores, Confidential Assessment Forms, Western Autobiographical Sketch, Personal Statement, and Letters of Support from Indigenous communities or organizations as described above.

Only in exceptional circumstances will Indigenous applicants with a GPA of less than 3.30 or MCAT scores below 125 in each section be considered for a designated seat. Please visit the Admission Requirements webpage for detailed information.

Interview

Indigenous applicants selected for interviews will be welcomed by Indigenous Elders and have the opportunity to share a meal, receive cultural and social support, and connect with Indigenous medical students, staff and faculty at Western University.

Schulich Medicine interviews are structured, standardized and conducted virtually by a 3-person panel that may include an Indigenous physician, an Indigenous community member, and a current medical student.

This process is designed to uphold principles of cultural safety and Indigenous representation.

Contact Us

If you are an Indigenous student considering a future in medicine, we encourage you to reach out: 

Schulich Medicine Admisions Office 
Email: admissions.medicine@schulich.uwo.ca

Indigenous Medical and Dental Students' Association (IMDSA)
Email: imdsa@schulich.uwo.ca

Indigenous Initiatives Office (IIO)
Visit: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/  

Indigenous Student Centre (ISC)
Visit: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/students/ 

Mushkiki Miikan
Visit: https://www.mushkikimiikan.com/