Policy on reconsideration

What is a reconsideration?

• A reconsideration is not a fresh review of the substantive merits of an application or a means of expressing disagreement with an admissions decision.
• If granted, it consists of a verification that the relevant policies and processes were correctly applied in respect of a particular application.
• If the reconsideration confirms that the correct procedures were applied, the original decision will stand and no further review will be conducted.
• If the reconsideration suggests that there was any misapplication of relevant procedures, then the file will be moved forward for further substantive review; note that any such further review in no way guarantees a positive final outcome.

On what basis can I request a reconsideration?

Requests for reconsideration of application procedures leading to a decision (granting of interviews, offer of a position) can be made on the basis of the following 2 grounds:

• An administrative error in the procedure applied to the evaluation of the application;
• The MDCM Admissions Committee's decision was rendered in the absence of a relevant factor that the applicant, for reasons beyond her or his control, was not in a position to provide at the time the application was submitted.
• Disagreement with a final decision is NOT a basis for reconsideration.

When can I request a reconsideration?

Applicants may request a reconsideration of the application review procedures in respect of their admissions dossier at two specific points of the admission process:

• The period between the release of invitations to interview and the relevant interview dates.
• If interviewed, the period between interview dates and the release of final admission decisions.

Applicants are expected to verify the admissions schedule for their category.

How do I request a reconsideration?

For an applicant not invited for interview by the date published for her or his category:

• TIMEFRAME: Request must be made no later than five (5) business days after the date published for the ‘notice of invitation to interviews’ in the applicant's category.
• Submit a written request (email preferred) to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office.
• The written request must advance one of the two grounds for reconsideration listed above and provide detailed explanation of the perceived administrative error, or the relevant factor that the applicant was not in a position to provide at the time of the application (and the reason why the applicant was not able to provide this information in a timely manner).
• Disagreement with the outcome of the decision is not a basis for reconsideration.

For an applicant who has been granted an interview:

• TIMEFRAME: Request must be made no later than five (5) business days after the last interview day in the applicant's respective category.
• Submit a written request (email preferred) to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office.
• The request must advance one of the two grounds for reconsideration listed above and provide detailed explanation of the perceived administrative error, or the relevant factor that the applicant was not in a position to provide at the time of the application (and the reason why the applicant was not able to provide this information in a timely manner).
• Disagreement with the outcome of the decision is not a basis for reconsideration.

University Subcommittee on Admissions Review

Applicants who are denied a reconsideration of application review procedures prior to the final MDCM Admissions Committee decisions may refer their request to the University Subcommittee on Admissions Review. The Subcommittee will ascertain whether the correct procedures have been followed. If the Subcommittee is satisfied that the stated procedures have been followed, the decision will not be disturbed. Only if the Subcommittee finds that the procedures were not followed the file will be returned to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences for reconsideration.