UNBC - Northern Medical Program

As part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine Undergraduate Program, the Northern Medical Program (NMP) is seeking well-rounded, motivated, mature students who have a genuine interest in learning medicine in the context of rural, remote and northern communities. The program's goal is to increase the number of medical graduates practicing in communities where there is a great need for more healthcare professionals.

The Application Process:

The application for admission into the Faculty of Medicine at UBC was changed for the 2004 entering class with the introduction of the Rural and Remote Suitability Score (RRSS) in order to gather information that would assist in the selection of appropriate students for the Northern Medical Program. This includes an applicant's experience in rural/remote/northern/Aboriginal communities, activities relevant to rural/remote/northern living (such as outdoor activities, volunteering, cultural activities, etc), independent decision-making and ties to rural/remote/northern locations and the influence of role models to pursue a career in medicine.

In addition, candidates who meet the oulined admission criteria are interviewed using the Mini Multiple Interview format. Interviewers are represented from across the province and comprise of clinicians, academics, members of the community at large and senior medical students. The call for volunteer interviewers takes place each fall and student Interviews are conducted in the spring.

Following the interviews, each candidate is asked to rank their top two preferred site locations (Vancouver, the Southern Medical Program, the Island, or the North) in order of preference.

For information regarding application deadlines and timelines, please see the MD Undergraduate Admissions website: UBC Admissions

The Selection Process:

Preference is given to residents of BC, although a small number of out-of-province applicants are accepted each year. Residents of the Yukon, NWT, or Nunavut are considered in the same manner as BC residents. The evaluation criteria include various academic and non-academic criteria.

The selection of NMPstudents is governed by the UBC Senate and is the responsibility of the Faculty of Medicine's Undergraduate Admissions Office. Northern Medical Program students are selected by an NMP admissions sub-committee, comprised of representatives from the UBC Faculty of Medicine, UNBC, SMP, IMP, northern physicians, and two UBC medical students.

Applicants must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident. Aboriginal applicants are encouraged to contact James Andrew, Aboriginal Programs Coordinator, UBC Admissions Office 604-875-8289 Ext: 68946.

All students applying to the UBC Faculty of Medicine must meet the criteria established for selection; the NMP students are simply those students who demonstrate a strong aptitude and attitude for rural education.

What are the Requirements?

As a part of UBC Faculty of Medicine, the NMP considers students from a variety of backgrounds and degree programs. Applicants are encouraged to review the profiles of past students admitted to medical school at UBC.

For detailed admission program requirements, prerequisite equivalents available at UNBC, and a detailed checklist outlining the key application dates, go to the Faculty of Medicine Admissions Office.