Black Learners Admissions Pathway

To be considered under the Black Learners Admissions Pathway, learners must self-identify as Black in Section 1 of the online application. Currently Dalhousie University’s registrar’s office has the following racial categories:

1. Black/African Nova Scotian
2. Black/African Canadian
3. Black/African

Section 2 of the online application is specific to the Medical School. Applicants will be required to provide responses to the following self-identification questions:

1. Do you self-identify as Black?

2. If yes, please choose one you identify most with:

• African Nova Scotian*
• Black Maritimer (New Brunswick)
• Black Maritimer (Prince Edward Island)
• Black Nova Scotian (without ties to a historic African Nova Scotian community)
• Black Canadian
• Black/Indigenous

3. In a 250-500 word statement, how has your identification with, and connection to your Black ancestry and community impacted your educational path and goals? Please speak to the self-identification category you chose.        

Feel free to share your experiences, positive or negative, in getting to where they are today. This will assist in determining your suitability under this stream.  

This information will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and clarification may be sought by members of the Black Learners Admissions Subcommittee. Applications deemed ineligible in the Black Learners Admissions Pathway will be redirected to the general admissions pool.

* “African Nova Scotians are a distinct People who descend from free and enslaved Black Planters, Black Loyalists, Black Refugees, Maroons and other Black people who inhabited the original 52 land-based Black communities in that part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia.” (African Nova Scotian Strategy)

Personal statement probing questions borrowed with permission from McGill University’s Black Candidate Pathway

Completed applications who are considered under the Black Learners Admissions Pathway must complete and submit each requirement that is listed here.

Completed applications will be reviewed holistically by the Black Learners Admissions Subcommittee, where no single component of an application from a Black Maritime applicant will be considered grounds for ineligiblity. 

Applicants must demonstrate an ability to meet the academic rigor of medical school, but there is no minimum score required for any component of an application under the Black Learners Admissions Pathway. Applicants will be provided with the opportunity to explain any areas of weakness or concern throughout the application process. This information will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Incomplete or late applications will be considered ineligible for admission.

Degree Requirements

All applicants are required to complete a 90-120 credit hour baccalaureate degree granted by an accredited institution. This degree must be completed prior to the start of the undergraduate medical education program. For more information please click here 

GPA Requirement

There is no minimum grade point average (GPA) required under the Black Learners Admissions Pathway, but the Black Learners Admissions Subcommittee may use general GPA requirements as a point of reference during the holistic review process. GPA is calculated using:

1. the 60 most recent credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed or in-progress 90-120 credit baccalaureate degree, or;
2.  up to 15 credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed or in-progress graduate degree (masters or doctoral) PLUS the 45 most recent credit           hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed 90-120 credit baccalaureate degree to total 60 graded credit hours.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

An MCAT score completed within the past 5 years is required. No MCAT thresholds are required for eligibility under the Black Learners Admissions Pathway but the Black Learners Admissions Subcommittee may use general MCAT requirements as a point of reference during the holistic review process. For more information on the MCAT please click here.

Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer)

All applicants are required to complete a 90-minute Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer). There is no minimum CASPer score required under the Black Learners Admissions Pathway. 

Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

All Maritime applicants who meet self-identification requirements will be offered an interview. To be considered eligible under the Black Learners Admissios Pathway, applicants must complete the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). There is no minimum score required for this component of the application.

Short Answer Questions and Supplemental Information (Section 2)

To be considered under the Black Learners Admissions Pathway, all applicants must complete short answer questions and provide supplemental information as described here. No minimum score is required for this component of the application.

Complete applications will undergo a holistic review by the Black Learners Admissions Subcommittee, where no single component of an application will be considered grounds for disqualification. Incomplete or late applications will be considered ineligible for admission.

I wrote the MCAT, but my score doesn’t meet the minimum requirements listed on the general admissions website. Should I bother applying?

Applications that are considered under the Black Learners Admissions Pathway will undergo a holistic review. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to meet the academic rigor of medical school, but there is no minimum score required for any component of an application from a Black Maritime applicant.This includes the MCAT and GPA. Applicants are encouraged to explain any areas of weakness or concern in their personal statement.

Which pathway should I apply to if I am Black-Indigenous?

You are encouraged to submit an application to be considered under each pathway. Each pathway is independent and processes may differ between pathways. Applicants are encouraged to review requirements (including self-identification criteria) for each of the Indigenous Admissions Pathway and the Black Learners Admissions Pathway. In Section 2 of the online application you will be able to self-identify with all applicable identities. Applications that are deemed ineligible for consideration under either pathway will be re-directed to the Admissions Committee for consideration among the general admissions pool. This decision is final.

This is a big change from previous years. Is there someone I can talk to about how this might apply to me?

Please contact the Program Manager for PLANS, Timi Idris at Timi.Idris@dal.ca.