NOSM University trains doctors for Northern Ontario, with 55 seats in Sudbury and 33 in Thunder Bay[3]. It needs neither the MCAT nor Casper, and it favours applicants from Northern Ontario, rural and remote communities, and Indigenous and Francophone applicants[3]. Applications have nearly doubled in two years, from 1,657 for 2024 to 3,039 for 2026[1].
NOSM medical school requirements at a glance
| Program | 4-year MD in English, at the Sudbury (55) and Thunder Bay (33) campuses; at least 6 seats for Indigenous students.[3] |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Selection favours people likely to thrive in northern and rural practice.[3] |
| Degree | A 4-year undergraduate degree in any discipline. Science majors should have at least two full courses in arts, social sciences or humanities, and arts majors at least two in science.[3] |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; successful applicants in 2025 averaged 3.79.[3] |
| MCAT | Not required.[3] |
| Casper | Not required.[3] |
| Interview | Virtual asynchronous MMI and a live virtual panel, in late February or early March; about 340 interviews.[3] |
| Deadline | October 1, 2026 through OMSAS.[3] |
| Offers | May 2027 (88 offers); $1,000 deposit.[3] |
| First-year tuition | $23,247 plus $976.73 in fees.[3] |
| How you are screened | GPA and a context score, weighted equally; about 350 top applicants are interviewed.[4] |
| References | Three confidential assessment forms (one from the community recommended, at least one academic).[5] |
Who NOSM is looking for
NOSM is built around social accountability: its graduates are meant to practise in the North. Selection favours applicants from Northern Ontario, rural and remote areas elsewhere in Canada, and Indigenous and Francophone applicants, through the General, Indigenous, Francophone and Black admission streams[3]. In the 2026 entering class, 83% came from Northern Ontario, 15% self-identified as Indigenous and 26% as Francophone[1].
When you apply, you rank your preferred campus, but NOSM cannot promise everyone their first choice[3].
GPA and degree
| Minimum to apply (in-province) | Average admitted |
|---|---|
| 3.0 | 3.79 (2026) |
You need a completed 4-year degree in any subject and a GPA of at least 3.0[3]. The average GPA of the entering class has been between 3.76 and 3.81 since 2022[1], lower than at most Ontario schools because NOSM weighs your background and fit so heavily.
NOSM: average GPA of admitted students
On a 4.0 scale.
NOSM’s GPA uses all undergraduate grades finished by the OMSAS deadline, including summer, part-time and distance courses, and both grades of a repeated course[7].
No MCAT, no Casper
| Casper required | MCAT required |
|---|---|
| No | No |
NOSM requires neither the MCAT nor Casper[3]. Your degree, GPA, OMSAS sketch and interview carry the whole decision.
The context score and the ranking formula
NOSM first ranks every application on two things, weighted equally: your GPA and your context score[4]. The context score reflects how closely your background matches the population NOSM serves: a Northern Ontario background, years lived in a rural community anywhere in Canada, applying through the Indigenous or Francophone streams, and paid work in Northern Ontario[5]. NOSM does not have residency rules or publish its algorithm[5]. If you have not lived in the North but worked there 1,200+ hours a year for three straight years, you can submit a Letter of Employment and Employment Verification Form[5].
About 350 top-ranked applicants are interviewed. Offers then combine[4]:
The Admissions Selection Committee also reviews your whole file: confidential assessment forms, autobiographical sketch and academic history[4].
Your ABS (in English) lists your activities since age 16. You need three confidential assessment forms; NOSM recommends one from a community member or organization and at least one academic reference, and accepts forms written in French[5].
The NOSM interview
| Interview format | Applicants interviewed | Entering class size |
|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous MMI + live panel (virtual) | 335 (2026) | 88 |
Interviews combine a virtual asynchronous MMI (you record answers to prompts) with a live virtual panel, in late February or early March[3]. About 340 applicants are interviewed[3]. Be ready to talk about what drew you to northern and rural medicine.
Last cycle, the MMI was on a Thursday evening in late February and the panels the following weekend, all online. Interviewees sign a confidentiality statement, and decisions (admitted, waitlisted or unsuccessful) arrive by email on the second Tuesday of May[4].
Key dates for 2027 entry
- Early July 2026OMSAS opens[3]
- October 1, 2026OMSAS deadline[3]
- Late February–early March 2027Asynchronous MMI and live panel[3]
- May 202788 offers[3]
For 2028 entry, expect OMSAS to open in early July 2027 and close on October 1, 2027.
Tuition and fees
First-year tuition is $23,247 plus $976.73 in fees, about $24,215 in total[3].
NOSM admission statistics and trends
Applications stayed around 1,700 for the 2022–2024 classes, then jumped to 2,516 for 2025 and 3,039 for 2026, while interviews held steady at about 320–335[1]. The class grew from 74 to 92 students.
NOSM: applicants, interviews and seats
Each point is one entering class, as reported by the school.
NOSM: applications received, 2005–2025
Applications reported to AFMC by entering year.
| Entering year | Applications (AFMC) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2,095 | [2] |
| 2006 | 2,050 | [2] |
| 2007 | 2,273 | [2] |
| 2008 | 1,892 | [2] |
| 2009 | 1,845 | [2] |
| 2010 | 1,683 | [2] |
| 2011 | 1,674 | [2] |
| 2012 | 1,710 | [2] |
| 2013 | 1,976 | [2] |
| 2014 | 2,115 | [2] |
| 2015 | 2,132 | [2] |
| 2016 | 2,153 | [2] |
| 2017 | 2,088 | [2] |
| 2018 | 2,062 | [2] |
AFMC counts may differ slightly from the school’s own counts.
Frequently asked questions
Does NOSM require the MCAT?
No. NOSM requires neither the MCAT nor Casper.[3]
What GPA do you need for NOSM?
At least 3.0; the 2026 entering class averaged 3.79.[1]
Do you need a 4-year degree for NOSM?
Yes, a completed 4-year degree in any discipline.[3]
Where are NOSM’s campuses?
Sudbury (55 seats) and Thunder Bay (33 seats).[3]
How many people apply to NOSM?
3,039 applications for the 2026 entering class, with 335 interviewed and 92 admitted.[1]
What is the NOSM context score?
A score for how closely your background matches Northern Ontario’s population: northern or rural background, Indigenous or Francophone streams, and work in Northern Ontario. It counts equally with GPA for interview selection.[5]
Sources
- NOSM University: admission statistics
- AFMC: Canadian Medical Education Statistics
- AFMC: Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine (PDF)
- NOSM University: selection process and offers of admission
- NOSM University: non-academic considerations
- OUAC: Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS)
- NOSM University: minimum requirements
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.