University of Ottawa
OwlMD Guide
Overview
Campus Info + Streams
Ottawa only has one campus, the Roger-Guindon Hall site in Ottawa. However, there are two separate streams:
- Anglophone stream (~122 students/year)
- Francophone stream (~56 students/year)
Application Requirements
Academic Requirements
No MCAT Required:
Most recent 3 years cGPA is taken into consideration. cGPA admission average is estimated to be in the low 3.9s.
Course Load Requirements:
Applicants must complete at least three years of full-time undergraduate study, carrying the equivalent of 5 courses per term (30 units per year). A minimum of 4 courses per term is accepted, provided any missing units are made up in other semesters or summer sessions.
Kira Talent (replacing Casper for 2026-27):
Ottawa is switching from Casper to Kira Talent for the 2026-27 application cycle. Kira is a video and written response platform that assesses non-cognitive skills similar to Casper. Based on historical Casper data, most applicants who receive interviews for the English stream were 4Q scorers — aim to perform strongly on Kira as it is expected to carry similar weight in the pre-interview screening process.
Regional Seats:
As of the 2026-27 cycle, 70% of seats are reserved for regional candidates (Ottawa and surrounding regions), with only 30% available to out-of-region (OOR) applicants. This is a significant change from the previous 50/50 split, making OOR admission considerably more competitive.
Prerequisites
Typically, a 0.5 credit or one semester course is equivalent to 3 units. Applicants should complete:
- 6 units in humanities/social sciences
- 6 units in biology, anatomy or physiology
- 3 units in organic chemistry
- 3 units in general chemistry
- 3 units in biochemistry
- 3 units in statistics
For more detailed prerequisites, visit the Ottawa MD Academic Requirements Page .
Essays
Ottawa does not have an essay requirement.
ABS Statement
When completing your ABS for Ottawa:
- Emphasize activities that demonstrate your commitment to service and community
- Highlight experiences that show your understanding of the medical profession
- Include activities that demonstrate your ability to balance multiple commitments
- Be specific about your role, responsibilities, and what you learned
Each entry must include contact information for a verifier who can confirm your participation.
What They're Looking For
Selection Criteria
What they're looking for (unofficial): An unknown combination of cGPA, Kira (replacing Casper for 2026-27), and Top 15 ABS Entries (3 from each section excluding others).
Post-interview selection formula is entirely based on your interview score out of 4, with cGPA being used for tiebreakers.
Interview Process
After Submitting OMSAS
Interview invites are typically sent towards the very end of January. Past years have been consistent with the last 2-3 days of the month.
Interviews are conducted from mid-February to early-March.
Interview Dates
2025-2026 Interview Dates:
The interview dates for the 2025-2026 season have yet to be established.
2024-2025 Interview Timeline
- Interview invitations: Late January 2026
- Interviews: Mid-February to early March 2026
- Admission decisions: May 12, 2026
The Interview
Ottawa's Panel interview is a semi-structured interview. It is a very standard traditional interview: There will be three panelists, typically two members of admissions and one fourth-year medical student. The evaluation will be based on the following characteristics:
- Motivation
- Empathy/Compassion
- Conflict Resolution/Teamwork
- Communication Skills
- Professionalism
- Critical Thinking/Ethics
- Resiliency
Role-play scenarios are possible.
For more detailed interview advice, visit our Interview Guide.
Pathways & Considerations
View All Pathways & Considerations
Ottawa offers several dedicated pathways for equity-deserving applicants, plus a unique family medicine focus stream with a direct residency pathway.
Indigenous Program
If you self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, up to 7 seats are reserved for you. Kira Talent (Ottawa's replacement for CASPer) is not required for Indigenous applicants. Your GPA is assessed on the same 3-year full-time basis as the General stream, but with holistic and contextual consideration. You must submit proof of Indigenous identity and a letter requesting consideration for the Indigenous stream through OMSAS.
BSAP — Black Student Application Program
If you self-identify as Black, you can opt into BSAP through OMSAS. There is no reserved seat quota. You must submit a letter of intent (max 4,000 characters) through OMSAS describing your Black identity, lived experience, and how it informs your interest in medicine. Your file will be reviewed by a committee with Black community representation.
CNFS Pathway — Francophone Minority Communities
If you are a Francophone living in an official language minority community outside Ontario and Quebec (i.e. in another Canadian province or territory), you may be eligible for the CNFS pathway. 8 supernumerary seats are available above the standard government-funded quota, so they do not compete with the regular Francophone stream. You must apply to the French stream in OMSAS, select the CNFS pathway, and send a separate introductory letter to the Ottawa Admissions Office.
MD Family Medicine Focus (MD-FM Focus)
If you are committed to a career in family medicine, this dedicated stream offers 4 anglophone and 4 francophone seats. You will receive longitudinal family medicine integration, personalized mentorship, and structured urban and rural clinical experiences. If you meet the established benchmarks, you may bypass CaRMS and secure a University of Ottawa Family Medicine residency directly. Indicate your interest at the time of application. For full details, see the MD-FM Focus page .