Indigenous Student Application Program
Recognizing the commitment to social responsibility in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s mission, the MD Program implemented ISAP to strengthen Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) representation in medicine at the University of Toronto.
Members of the Indigenous community, including faculty, physicians, residents, medical students and members of the public, take part in admission file review and interview processes.
To apply to this program, you must meet the same minimum requirements for MCAT, GPA and course prerequisites as all other applicants. The program does not have a designated quota for admission. In addition to the requirements for all MD applicants, applicants to ISAP must complete the following ISAP-specific requirements by the stated deadlines:
Indigenous Substantiation and ISAP Review Process
Applicants seeking consideration through the Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP) must first identify by contacting the Office of Indigenous Health (OIH) at Indigenoushealth.Support@utoronto.ca before October 1, 2026.
Once an applicant has identified, their contact information will be shared with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), which is responsible for administering the Indigenous Substantiation process. OII will contact the applicant directly to initiate and guide them through the substantiation process.
Applicants will be considered for review through ISAP only after OII has confirmed that the applicant has successfully met the Indigenous Substantiation criteria (Membership, Citizenship, or Enrolment [M/C/E]). Confirmation of substantiation will be provided to the MD Admissions Office without the disclosure of personal or confidential substantiation materials.
For questions regarding the Indigenous Substantiation process or the Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP), please contact the Office of Indigenous Health, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, at Indigenoushealth.Support@utoronto.ca.
The ISAP Personal Statement
- The ISAP Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and share more about your decision to apply through the ISAP. Consistent with the practices of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC)’s Indigenous Identity Verification for IPAC Board Members (effective July 12, 2024), you are expected to “speak clearly and confidently to [your] identity” as an Indigenous person. We recommend that your statement be no more than 500 words in length.
- In reviewing your statement, the ISAP Advisory Circle will consider:
- your rationale for applying through ISAP and
- how you situate yourself as an Indigenous person (e.g., your experiences, relationships and current community connections).
Program Information
- Applicants must meet the same academic requirements for Medical College Application Test (MCAT) results, grade point average (GPA) and course prerequisites as all other applicants.
- The ISAP program does not have a designated quota for admission.
- Members of the Indigenous community, faculty, students, and public members will take part in admissions file review and admission interviews.
- Documentation submitted after the OMSAS deadline will not be considered. No updates will be accepted.
- Indigenous peoples of North America are invited to apply through this application stream.
Related Links
Prospective applicants are invited to join the Community of Support (COS). COS is a collaborative initiative to increase the number of medical students who are Black, Indigenous, racialized or economically disadvantaged at the University of Toronto. Interested students can sign up to join via the COS Form.
- Office of Indigenous Health
- Resources & opportunities for Indigenous Medical Students at the U of T
- Scholarship for Indigenous medical students
This program reflects the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s strong commitment to diversity as demonstrated in its diversity statement [PDF].
Indigenous Substantiation Process
Understanding ISAP
What is the Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP), and what is its purpose within the MD Program?
ISAP is an admissions pathway within the MD Program designed to strengthen Indigenous representation in medicine. What makes it unique is that Indigenous faculty, community members, learners, and Elders contribute to the review process through the ISAP Advisory Circle, which uses a whole-person approach when considering applicants.
Who is eligible to apply through ISAP?
ISAP is open to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis applicants who choose to apply through the Indigenous admissions pathway and who meet the MD Program's eligibility requirements.
Indigenous peoples of North America are invited to apply through this application stream. Applicants must also complete the University's Indigenous Substantiation process. Once their Indigenous Membership, Citizenship, or Enrolment has been substantiated, they become eligible for consideration through ISAP.
Importantly, applicants must meet the same minimum academic requirements as all other MD applicants, including GPA and MCAT requirements.
How does ISAP fit within the broader MD admissions process?
ISAP is fully integrated within the MD admissions process - it's not a separate admissions program.
Eligible applicants are reviewed through the ISAP process and considered by the ISAP Advisory Circle, which includes Indigenous faculty, community members, learners, trainees, and Elders.
Final admission decisions are made through a consensus process involving both the ISAP Advisory Circle and the MD Admissions Committee. This helps ensure the process remains academically rigorous while also being Indigenous-informed.
Indigenous Substantiation Process
A key part of applying through ISAP is the Indigenous Substantiation process. Can you explain what this process is and why it was introduced? The University uses the term "substantiation" rather than "verification." Can you speak to what that distinction means?
The University does not determine or verify Indigenous identity. It accepts claims that are supported by evidence, based on criteria developed through community engagement and guided by Indigenous-led oversight regarding their respective approaches to Membership, Citizenship, and Enrolment (M/C/E).
The rise in Indigenous identity fraud across Canada has created significant concern among Indigenous Peoples, institutions, and communities. As an institution with power, privilege, and responsibility in shaping access to material opportunities, the University must take meaningful steps to protect the integrity of Indigenous spaces, resources, and sovereignty.
This process ensures accountability and supports the fair allocation of opportunities that are intended for Indigenous Peoples. The process applies to both prospective and current members of the University of Toronto community, including students, staff, faculty members, and librarians who identify as Indigenous in contexts where M/C/E is preferred or a determining factor for access or eligibility.
What can applicants expect when preparing their materials for substantiation?
Applicants should give themselves plenty of time to gather their documentation. Depending on their Nation or community, that may include documents such as a Status card, Métis citizenship card, Inuit enrolment documentation, or other recognized records that align with the University's framework.
Please refer to the University of Toronto Indigenous Substantiation page for further details.
Navigating the Application Process
What are some common questions or uncertainties applicants have when approaching ISAP?
One of the most common questions we hear is whether applicants are eligible to apply through ISAP. We also receive many questions about substantiation—what documentation is required, how the process works, and when applicants should begin. Applicants should begin collecting their documentation as soon as possible.
Applicants seeking consideration through the Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP) must first identify by contacting the Office of Indigenous Health (OIH) at Indigenoushealth.Support@utoronto.ca before October 1, 2026.
Once an applicant has identified, their contact information will be shared with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), which is responsible for administering the Indigenous Substantiation process. OII will contact the applicant directly to initiate and guide them through the substantiation process.
What guidance would you offer to applicants as they begin preparing their application?
Start early and take time to understand the application requirements and key deadlines. The OMSAS application deadline for the 2026 admissions cycle is October 1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify with the Office of Indigenous Health well in advance of this date to ensure the substantiation process can be completed by October 1.
Whether it's gathering documents, preparing application materials, or writing a personal statement, giving yourself time reduces stress and allows you to put forward your best application. Applicants are encouraged to approach the process authentically. There is no single Indigenous experience and no single path into medicine.
Are there specific resources or supports available to help applicants navigate the process?
The MD Program Admissions team can answer questions about admissions requirements, deadlines, and procedures - medicine.admiss@utoronto.ca
The Office of Indigenous Health is also available to answer questions related to ISAP and connect applicants with additional information and resources. Applicants can also access information through the ISAP webpages and the University's Indigenous Substantiation resources.
Role of the Office of Indigenous Health
How does the Office of Indigenous Health support applicants throughout the ISAP pathway? What does meaningful support look like in practice for prospective applicants?
The Office of Indigenous Health provides or helps to facilitate access to wraparound supports. Our involvement often begins before someone applies, as we help answer questions and connect prospective applicants with information and resources about ISAP and the admissions process. We continue to support Indigenous learners throughout medical school through mentorship, community-building, cultural programming, connections with Elders, and other initiatives that foster belonging and success.
At its core, it's about relationships and ensuring that learners know they have a community available to support them throughout their journey. Prospective applicants should know that there are people available to help. If you're unsure about the admissions process, substantiation, timelines, or application requirements, reach out and ask questions.