McGill University Medical School Entrance Scholarships

What you will need

• ✓ For Class of Medicine 1985 Entrance Scholarship applicants: an essay of 500 words (1 page single-spaced) in English or French explaining how your history promotes equity and diversity
• ✓ For Class of Medicine 1985 Entrance Scholarship applicants: a copy of your most recent resumé
• ✓ For Class of Medicine 1985 Entrance Scholarship applicants: submission via email to admofficer.med [at] mcgill.ca by June 1st

About this award

Values differ by scholarship. McGill's Course Catalogue lists, for example, the Jonathan Ballon Scholarships (minimum $3,000), the Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty Entrance Scholarship ($5,000), the James Moses and Stella Frosst Alexander Scholarships (minimum $7,000 each) and the Dr. Graham Sommer International Scholarships in Medicine (estimated $15,000, for international students); many others, including the Class of Medicine 1985 Entrance Scholarship, are listed with a value that varies. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are entering your first year of the MDCM (Doctor of Medicine) program and have a strong academic record. Most of these awards require no application and you can expect to hear back in late August. However, if you apply for the Class of Medicine 1985 Entrance Scholarship, you must submit your materials by June 1st. For the general merit awards, the school handles selection automatically. For the Class of Medicine 1985 Entrance Scholarship, a committee selects the recipient based on your admissions file and a supplemental essay to promote equity and diversity in the classroom. Ask McGill University - Faculty of Medicine during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Some of these scholarships are renewable if you keep a satisfactory academic standing; check the Course Catalogue listing for yours.

Who qualifies

You must be a first-year MDCM (Doctor of Medicine) student. Most of these awards are based on academic merit; the Class of Medicine 1985 Entrance Scholarship is based on your admissions file and an invited supplemental essay. Beginning Fall 2026, CEGEP students admitted to the Med-P (Medicine) Qualifying year are no longer eligible for McGill's centralized entrance scholarships for first-time university students; if you are from a low- to modest-income family, you can apply for need-based aid instead.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to undergraduate students
• ✓ Studying Medicine (MDCM)

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

3. 3

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

• EssayAvoid writing a generic academic summary. Instead, focus on your personal history and how your specific experiences will bring diversity to the medical classroom. Describe one concrete life experience that shaped your perspective on equity.
• SupportAvoid sending a resume that only lists your grades. Instead, highlight the activities and roles that prove you can contribute to a diverse learning environment. Ensure your most recent resume is attached to your email.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to email your documents. Instead, send your essay and resume well before the June 1st deadline to ensure the admissions officer receives them. Use the exact subject line requested by the school.
• RealismAvoid assuming you will receive a merit award automatically. Instead, treat the Class of Medicine 1985 scholarship as a separate opportunity that requires a proactive effort. Check the Course Catalogue for the full list of available prizes and medals.

Questions students ask

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