Admissions Streams
The 51社区黑料Stephens Family School of Medicine offers two admissions streams: the open stream and the Indigenous stream. Applicants are invited to apply through the admission stream that best aligns with their background and experience.
The school of medicine welcomes individuals from all academic and personal backgrounds. If you are committed to becoming a physician focused on equitable, meaningful community-based primary health care, we invite you to apply.
- The open stream is available to all applicants.
- First Nations, Inuit, and 惭茅迟颈蝉 applicants may choose to apply through the open stream or the Indigenous stream. More information about the Indigenous admissions stream, including eligibility and process, is available below.
Indigenous Stream
Our Indigenous admissions stream is part of our commitment to meaningful reconciliation and systemic change in the health care system. In direct response to the and , this stream seeks to increase the number of First Nations, Inuit, and 惭茅迟颈蝉 physicians in British Columbia and beyond.
- TRC Call to Action #23: Increase the number of Indigenous professionals working in the health-care field.
- In Plain Sight Recommendation #18: Require all university and college programs for health professionals in B.C. to implement mandatory strategies and targets to identify, recruit, and encourage Indigenous enrolment and graduation, including increasing the safety of the learning environment for Indigenous students.
We are committed to addressing historic and ongoing barriers by offering a culturally safe application process, one that recognizes culturally relevant strengths, experiences, and ways of knowing.
Who can apply?
This stream is open to applicants across Canada who self-identify as:
- First Nations (status or non-status)
- Inuit
- 惭茅迟颈蝉
We recognize that Indigenous-specific admissions streams must be created by and for Indigenous Peoples. The 51社区黑料Welcoming Procedure is an important part of that commitment. It affirms Indigenous self-identification in a way that respects community connection, lived experience and cultural belonging. Having Indigenous-led processes ensures that admissions are culturally safe and accountable. To be considered through this stream, applicants must complete SFU鈥檚 Welcoming Procedure, which includes: is an important part of that commitment. It affirms Indigenous self-identification in a way that respects community connection, lived experience and cultural belonging. Having Indigenous-led processes ensures that admissions are culturally safe and accountable. To be considered through this stream, applicants must complete SFU鈥檚 Welcoming Procedure, which includes:
- A one-page personal narrative
- Additional documentation that describes your Indigenous identity
Each applicant can only apply to one admissions stream. There are no seat quotas. This ensures everyone who is academically prepared and has experiences and qualities aligned with our mission will be considered. The process is designed to best reflect each applicant鈥檚 context, strengths, and lived experiences.
Resources
Want all the details about the program or applying? Look at our:
Application process
While academic and other eligibility standards remain the same across both streams, the Indigenous admissions stream provides culturally safe, supportive and relational practices throughout the admissions process.
Further information about eligibility, required documentation and supports for Indigenous applicants can be found in our Applicant Manual.
Select An Admissions Option
Complete the 51社区黑料Welcoming Procedure
The Indigenous Welcoming Procedure (IWP) is a respectful step on the path of truth, reconciliation, Indigenization and decolonization at SFU. It is an Indigenous-led framework implementing Indigenous citizenship/membership verification with documentation at 51社区黑料 (SFU). The intention of the IWP is to protect Indigenous applicants, students, staff, and faculty by ensuring that Indigenous-specific opportunities that result in material gain are accessed by Indigenous people.
There are two pathways through the Indigenous Welcoming Procedure, and each exists to meet people where they are in their relationship with the university.
- Pathway One: Based in the principle of community.
Those who complete Pathway One are not applying for Indigenous specific opportunities where there is material gain. Rather, it is to invite participation in the 51社区黑料Indigenous community. - Pathway Two: For access to Indigenous-specific opportunities of material gain at SFU.
Individuals seeking access to Indigenous-Specific opportunities where there is material gain, require engagement with IWP Pathway Two for eligibility for such opportunities. Examples of Indigenous-specific opportunities of material gain includes, but are not limited to, eligibility for Indigenous specific student streams or programs, scholarships, awards, bursaries, or access to Indigenous-specific campus services.
Individuals applying for the Indigenous stream of the medical school will be required to engage with Pathway Two and share a declaration of their Indigenous citizenship/membership along with supporting documentation. Engagement with Pathway Two is for the purpose of verifying Indigenous citizenship/membership in order to establish eligibility for the Indigenous Stream. This does not in itself constitute or guarantee admission to the medical school.
The IWP is not intended for 51社区黑料to adjudicate Indigenous identity. 51社区黑料recognizes that Indigenous Peoples have the right to determine their own membership/citizenship in accordance with their governance, customs, traditions, and protocols. The IWP鈥檚 purpose is to protect the 51社区黑料Indigenous community and to create a safe, relational, and Indigenous-governed framework for individuals to share their citizenship/membership. Documentation and personal information are stored securely by the Indigenous Data Sovereignty IWP team and is managed by the Office of the Indigenous Engagement. If any other unit is requesting this information from you, please direct them to welcoming_procedure@sfu.ca.
For information on required supporting documentation for the IWP, please refer to the SFU Indigenous Welcoming Procedure.
Sharing Circle
As part of the IWP, you may be invited to participate in a Sharing Circle as an additional step. Sharing Circles are intended to offer a culturally grounded space for you to share your story in your own way.
Participation in a Sharing Circle is not required for all applicants and is determined based on the context of your IWP documentation. If a Sharing Circle is identified as a necessary step for your application, a member of the Welcoming Procedure Committee will reach out to you with more information and support.
Indigenous Admissions Stream Post-Application Process
- Your application will undergo an initial and holistic file review by our Indigenous Admissions Sub-Group.
- Following your MMI (multiple mini-interview), you will participate in a short panel interview and be invited to a community gathering with other Indigenous applicants, faculty, staff, and our Indigenous health team to build community and begin a circle of support.
Support for applicants
We are here to support you through every step of your journey.
- Applicants will have access to support and guidance throughout the application process.
- During the MMI, Elders and Knowledge Keepers will be present to offer emotional, cultural, mental and spiritual support.
Cultural safety and data sovereignty
- The one-page narrative submitted with the application for the Indigenous Admissions stream is reviewed solely by the medical school鈥檚 Indigenous Admissions Sub-group and is reviewed for admissions purposes only.
- The documentation provided for the Indigenous Welcoming Procedure, including the written submission of Indigenous lived experience, is reviewed solely by the Indigenous Welcoming Procedure Committee to support the Indigenous-governed welcoming and verification process related to Indigenous citizenship/membership, community connection, and/or relational accountability. Documentation and personal information are stored securely by the Indigenous Data Sovereignty IWP team, and access is limited to select members of the IWP team; no other campus unit will have access.
- These materials are handled with care and respect, in alignment with OCAP庐 principles (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession).
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Our Commitment
This stream is more than an application procedure. It鈥檚 part of a broader movement to transform the medical system in B.C. It鈥檚 a commitment to Indigenous leadership and community relationships as we hold a deep responsibility to future generations.
We welcome your application and encourage you to apply.
Overview of admissions process
This diagram illustrates the overall admissions process. For applicants in the Indigenous admissions stream, the 51社区黑料Welcoming Procedure is included as an additional step to ensure a culturally respectful introduction to the 51社区黑料Stephens Family School of Medicine. More information on the overall admissions process can be found in How to apply.
The diagram illustrates the overall admissions process. The main difference between the streams is the Welcoming Procedure in the Indigenous stream, which is an additional step to ensure a culturally safe and respectful introduction to the 51社区黑料Stephens Family School of Medicine.
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