NOTE: Applicants who have already applied for disability-based consideration do not need to re-apply for exceptional circumstances consideration.

NOSM University recognizes that some applicants may have faced barriers along their path to applying to medicine. As part of our commitment to equity and inclusion, we wish to mitigate barriers where possible while ensuring fairness for all applicants.

Applicants may be considered if they have been adversely impacted by exceptional circumstances that created a disadvantage. These circumstances may be socio-cultural, medical, and/or financial.

Applicants who are applying with an exceptional circumstance must submit a written statement (no longer than 500 words) that outlines:

• The exceptional circumstances that have created the disadvantage.
• How they have adapted to and/or overcome these circumstances and their potential for success in medical school.
• Any previous academic accommodations they have received.
• The time frame of the circumstances (defined start and end dates)
• The connection between the described circumstances and their academic performance (specific courses that were affected).

The consideration of these requests will be guided by the following factors:

• Supporting official or objective documentation to support the credibility of the circumstances provided.
• Previous academic accommodations you have received, when they were instituted and the impact they had.
• Documents supporting the need for accommodation.
• Any supporting documentation such as medical notes, accident reports, etc. to support your application.

The entire submission (written statement and supporting documents) must be submitted as one (1) PDF file to OMSAS via Secure Applicant Messaging (SAM) by the application deadline.

Where an applicant’s circumstances are determined to be credible, circumscribed in time and having had an impact on academic performance, the Office of Admissions will determine what, if any, adjustments can be made to the overall academic evaluation in the consideration of the circumstances.

Whether and to what extent adjustments will be made is at the discretion of the Office of Admissions. All decisions are final.

For exceptional circumstances to be considered, an applicant must meet the minimum academic eligibility requirement of a 4-year undergraduate university degree, or equivalent, from a recognized institution in any discipline.  If an application does not meet this minimum requirement the application will not be assessed. There is no flexibility regarding this requirement.