As a part of McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine’s commitment to social accountability in medical school admissions, our program leaders, community partners, students, physicians, and scholars collaborate to address our priority groups.
Both priority groups are historically underrepresented in our medical program. Many barriers exist as part of the long journey in applying to medical school for applicants that serves to create an inequity in the admissions process. As a UGME program we remain committed to equitable access that aligns with our social accountability statement, and McMaster University’s statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose: https://secretariat.mcmaster.ca/university-policies-procedures-guidelines/
Currently, a streaming process is in place (established since 2006 for Indigenous, First Nations and Metis, and planned for 2022 for Black students). Both streaming processes require applicants to meet the same minimum eligibility requirements as other applicants. Both use a second application to demonstrate affiliation with priority groups.
In the Indigenous stream, applicants must demonstrate proof of Indigenous ancestry, and affiliation to the Indigenous community, reviewed by a separate Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee. Similarly in the Black stream, applicants must describe their interest in applying to the stream, adjudicated by a Black Admissions Subcommittee arbitrating applicant eligibility for the stream. No limits on admission in each stream are designated.