Simon Fraser University’s new Stephens Family School of Medicine in Surrey took its first 48 students in August 2026 and will admit 64 for Fall 2027[1][2]. Its MD takes three years, it focuses on community-based primary care, and it lets you qualify academically with your GPA, your MCAT or both[2][3]. In its first cycle, 1,864 people applied and 205 were interviewed[1].
SFU medical school requirements at a glance
| Program | Three-year MD (131 weeks), based at SFU Surrey, taught mostly by family physicians and other generalists.[2] |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Residents of B.C., Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, through the Open or Indigenous stream.[4] |
| Degree | A completed 4-year (120-unit) undergraduate degree, by June 30 of the year you start.[3] |
| Academic routes | GPA only (adjusted GPA 3.83/4.33), MCAT only (510, 123 per section) or GPA + MCAT (3.67 and 505). All three are treated equally.[3] |
| Prerequisites | Six units of humanities or social sciences and one Indigenous content course for everyone; six units of life sciences for the GPA-only route. Minimum grade B-.[3] |
| Casper | Not required.[3] |
| Written | Two short statements, at least one community, at least one paid job, each confirmed by a verifier.[5] |
| Interview | In-person MMI at SFU Burnaby, March 13–14, 2027, with five character references.[6] |
| Deadline | October 7, 2026, 3:00 p.m. PT.[7] |
Three ways to meet the academic requirements
Every applicant needs a completed four-year (120-unit) degree in any field. After that, you pick one of three academic routes, and you can’t change it once you apply[3]:
| Route | GPA | MCAT | Extra prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA only | Adjusted GPA of 3.83 (on 4.33) | – | 6 units of life sciences |
| MCAT only | – | 510, with 123+ in every section | – |
| GPA + MCAT | Adjusted GPA of 3.67 | 505, with 123+ in every section | – |
All three routes are equal, and scores are a threshold: going higher gives no extra advantage[3]. On the GPA routes, your last 90 units must have been completed within four calendar years[3]. On the MCAT routes, the test must be within five years, and SFU uses the best score from your first two attempts only[3].
Prerequisite courses
- Humanities or social sciences: 6 units, in courses of at least 3 units, with B- or better[3].
- Indigenous content course: one course of at least 3 units, any level[3].
- Life sciences (GPA-only route): 6 units, including at least one course at the 200 level or higher[3].
Course titles and calendar descriptions must clearly show the required content. In the first cycle, a common reason applications failed was a prerequisite (often a seminar or independent-study course) whose description didn’t match[1].
Statements, communities and work experience
- Two brief statements on how your experiences fit the school’s mission and priorities[5].
- At least one community you belong to or contribute to, with a community leader who can verify it[5].
- At least one paid job (with a T4, T4A or T2125 slip). Volunteer work and unpaid internships don’t count here, but you can add up to four more job or community entries[5].
- Languages you speak conversationally, which SFU may test at the interview[5][6].
Verifiers answer a few short questions by email; nobody uploads a reference letter[5].
How SFU chose its first class
SFU shared exactly how its first cycle worked. Of 1,864 applications, 1,697 were complete and academically eligible. A file review found 447 applicants who fit the school’s mission, and because that was more than the 205 interview spots, SFU used an equal-probability draw from that pool to fill them[1]. Of the 205 interviewees, 199 were B.C. residents[1].
SFU also listed what made no difference: your references’ job titles, which university you went to, which academic route you chose, scores above the threshold, volunteering over other kinds of experience, and connections to physicians or SFU faculty[1]. What did help: references who know you well, long-term community ties, connections to B.C., and honest descriptions of what you have done[1].
The SFU interview (MMI)
Invited applicants do an in-person MMI at SFU Burnaby on March 13–14, 2027: eight timed stations (about eight minutes each in the first cycle) plus two rest stations. It doesn’t test scientific or medical knowledge[6]. If you are invited, you also need five character references, not family or friends, who must answer SFU’s questionnaire by 3:00 p.m. PT on February 15, 2027. Missing one removes your interview invitation[6]. Indigenous stream applicants also do SFU’s Welcoming Procedure and a panel interview with Indigenous physicians and community members[2]. Practise with our sample MMI questions.
Key dates for Fall 2027 entry
- July 2026Application opens[7]
- October 7, 2026, 3:00 p.m. PTApplication deadline[7]
- Mid-December 2026MMI invitations[7]
- February 15, 2027All five character references due[7]
- March 13–14, 2027In-person MMIs at SFU Burnaby[7]
- May 2027Offers; waitlist offers through July[7][8]
- June 30, 2027Degree must be finished[7]
- August 2027Classes start[7]
Accepting an offer requires a non-refundable $1,000 deposit, which goes toward tuition[2].
Frequently asked questions
Does SFU medical school require the MCAT?
No, not if you use the GPA-only route (adjusted GPA 3.83 on 4.33). You can also qualify with the MCAT alone (510) or with both (3.67 and 505).[3]
Does SFU medicine require Casper?
No. Casper isn’t part of SFU’s requirements.[3]
Who can apply to SFU medicine?
Residents of British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.[4]
How long is the SFU MD program?
Three years (131 weeks of instruction), starting in August.[2]
How many students does SFU medicine admit?
48 in its first class (2026) and 64 for Fall 2027.[2]
Sources
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine: admission statistics
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine: applicant manual (PDF)
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine: academic requirements
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine: who can apply
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine: non-academic requirements
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine: multiple mini interviews
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine: key dates
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine: offers
Figures were checked against these sources on November 4, 2026. Schools change their rules every cycle, so confirm on the official site before you apply.