NOTE: If you have already applied for disability-based consideration, you 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.

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

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

• The exceptional circumstances that have created the disadvantage.
• How you have adapted to and/or overcome these circumstances and your potential for success in medical school.
• Any previous academic accommodations you have received.
• The time frame of the circumstances (defined start and end dates)
• The connection between the described circumstances and your 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) should be submitted a one (1) PDF file and uploaded 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.

In order 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 you are 25 years or older by the application deadline, you are eligible for admission consideration based on completing a 3-year undergraduate university degree in any discipline.  If an application does not meet this minimum requirement the application will not be assessed. There is no flexibility in regard to this requirement.

NOTE: After the 2023 application deadline, a 3-year degree will no longer meet the requirement for admission to the UME program.