Queen's University
OwlMD Guide
Overview
Campus Info:
Queen's School of Medicine admits up to 140 Canadian citizens or permanent residents annually: 120 seats at the Kingston campus and 20 seats at the Queen's-Lakeridge Health campus in Durham Region for the MD Family Medicine program. Additionally, up to 6 supernumerary seats are available for Canadian Armed Forces members through the Military Medical Training Program (MMTP).
Application Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 on the OMSAS Scale.
- MCAT Requirements: Minimum thresholds are Total Score: 500, and 125 in each section (Biological and Biochemical Foundations, Chemical and Physical Foundations, Psychological/Social/Biological Foundations, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills). All thresholds must be met in a single test. Queen's will assess based on your test result that meets the minimum thresholds.
- Prerequisite Courses: Queen's does not have strict prerequisite courses. You are allowed to apply in third year, meaning you need to have 90 credit-hours or 15 Full Course Equivalents by the end of your application cycle.
- Casper: Queen's does not disclose its annual Casper threshold. Applicants also complete a separate Acuity early-phase MMI.
Selection Process
Queen's uses Casper, an Acuity asynchronous early-phase MMI, and the Qualified Applicant Randomization Selection system (QARS).
- Applicants complete Casper and the separate Acuity early-phase MMI shortly after the OMSAS deadline.
- Queen's applies its academic and Casper thresholds, then QARS determines which early MMIs are reviewed.
- A secondary virtual MMI may be used in January if needed.
- Selected applicants move to a synchronous virtual panel interview in February or March, followed by a detailed file review.
Prerequisites
Queen's does not have strict prerequisite courses. You are allowed to apply in third year, meaning you need to have 90 credit-hours or 15 Full Course Equivalents by the end of your application cycle.
Essays
Queen's MD stream does not require the completion of any essays.
Queen's FM Lakeridge Stream contains additional supplemental essay-like short questions.
ABS Statement
Queen's uses the top 3 system for the ABS.
What They're Looking For
Queen's School of Medicine seeks candidates who demonstrate:
- Strong academic ability and critical thinking skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
- Leadership experience and potential
- Commitment to service and community involvement
- Self-awareness and personal growth
- Understanding of the medical profession and healthcare challenges
- Empathy and ethical decision-making
To be honest, it is hard to say much else here as their criteria and scoring is quite vague and unknown. However,you should aim to present yourself as well rounded and personable in your ABS and your interviews. Ultimately, the goal of the interview is to get them to be able to see themselves working with you in the future.
For Lakeridge, it is obviously important to show a genuine interest in the program and in Family medicine.
Interview Process
After Submitting OMSAS
Application Process Timeline — 2026–27
- OMSAS application deadline: October 1, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET
- MCAT score deadline: see the current OMSAS school-submission requirements
- Casper deadline: see Queen's current Acuity test-date list
- Early MMI and secondary-interview invitations: dates TBD
- First-round OMSAS offers: May 11, 2027
Interview Dates
2025–26 Interview Dates (last cycle):
MMI invitations: December 8, 2025.
MMI: January 18, 2026.
Panel interviews: February 6–7, 2026 for pathway and combined-degree streams; March 28–29, 2026 for the Kingston MD stream.
Important Notes:
- Interviews are scheduled only once per year - rescheduling is not accommodated
- All applicants must sign a Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Statement to ensure interview process integrity
Admission Offers
First-round OMSAS offers are sent out on May 11, 2027.
The Interview
Interview 1 Format - MMI: Queen's uses an early MMI followed by additional assessment for selected applicants.
The exact 2026–27 platform, preparation time, response timing, and secondary-interview format are TBD.
The MMI assesses non-cognitive qualities including empathy, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and communication skills. Your performance in the MMI will largely impact your chances of receiving a Panel interview invite.
Interview 2 Format - Panel: Approximately 50% of MMI interviewees receive an invitation to a Panel Interview near the end of February, a more personal assessment conducted with two interviewers. This is a deeper exploration of your experiences, motivations, and suitability for Queen's MD program. Final decisions may be based on a more holistic assessment of your ABS and MMI/Panel interviews.
For more detailed interview advice, visit our Interview Guide.
Pathways & Considerations
View All Pathways & Considerations
Queen's has several named admissions pathways and a distinct family medicine campus stream. Pathway applicants are reviewed through separate processes outside the standard QARS lottery.
Queen's-Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program
A separate 20-seat stream based at Lakeridge Health in Durham Region (Oshawa area), for students committed to a career in family medicine.
- You must apply to this stream directly in OMSAS; it cannot be combined with the Kingston campus application.
- In addition to the standard Queen's supplemental materials, you must complete additional short-answer questions, a highlighted ABS emphasising family medicine interest, and submit two extra confidential assessment letters.
- If you successfully complete the program and meet established benchmarks, you receive a conditional offer for a Queen's Family Medicine Residency in third year, bypassing CaRMS.
- The Lakeridge stream has its own Panel interview date, typically in early February.
ISAP — Indigenous Student Admissions Pathway
If you self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, you can apply through ISAP. CASPer is not required for eligible applicants. Your file is reviewed holistically with Indigenous community input and is not subject to the QARS lottery. Indicate your ISAP eligibility through OMSAS. Full details.
BSAP — Black Student Admissions Pathway
All BSAP applicants who meet the minimum thresholds are entered into QARS for either the Kingston campus or the Durham campus, according to the program selected by the applicant. Full details.
SAAP — Socioeconomic Accountability Admissions Pathway
To be considered for SAAP MMI seats, apply for the AFMC Ontario Medical School Application Fee Waiver Program (open June 27 through August 22) and indicate your interest in OMSAS by selecting the Queen's Social Accountability Admissions Pathway. Full details.
MMTP — Military Medical Training Program
If you are an eligible Canadian Armed Forces member, up to 6 supernumerary seats are available for you. MMTP applicants are exempt from the 95% Ontario in-province rule. You follow a separate panel interview schedule and apply through OMSAS with appropriate military documentation. Full details.
Accessibility & Interview Accommodations
If you require accommodations for CASPer or the MMI/Panel interviews due to a disability, contact Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) as soon as you receive your interview invitation. Requests are handled confidentially and separately from the admissions review.