Welcome to Undergraduate Medical Education at McGill University!

 Dear incoming Med-1 students,

Congratulations and welcome to the McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Science MDCM Program. You made it! We are delighted you are joining the Class of 2029.

Outstanding education for outstanding learners.

As you pursue your dream, our first message to you is to stay focused on your goal, always striving for excellence and working together for better health. The goal of the MDCM Program is to help you achieve that – to understand the interactions between the patient, the science and yourself – and to support you as you develop into an outstanding physician. We hope you enjoy these first four years of the journey, which mark the beginning of a lifelong commitment to learning, for your future patients.

We are there for you.

The Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) teams on the Montreal Campus and on Campus Outaouais look forward to meeting you, as do our Student Affairs teams in the Office of Medical Learner Affairs. They are there to help ensure you have the best possible educational experience. Please feel free to contact them for information, for advice or to voice any concerns. As a member of the UGME community, you are part of a dynamic collaboration with administration staff, leadership and teachers. We work together toward one shared goal: your success. Within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment where all feel welcomed, respected and safe. And so, we count on you to help nurture open two-way communication in a mutually respectful, supportive environment for all.

You are all top performers. We know that. In medical school, however, the volume of material you learn likely will be higher than what you have experienced so far. Mastering the necessary knowledge and skills to become a doctor can be stressful. Know that we are committed to help make your experience supportive, meaningful and enriching. Dr. Mélanie Mondou on the Montreal Campus and Dr. Marion Koch on Campus Outaouais are your go-to people for all academic matters.

Equally important, Dr. Nathalie Saad in Montreal and Dr. André Bilodeau in Outaouais, both leaders in the Office of Medical Learner Affairs, are there for you to discuss topics such as counselling, academic support and career advice. Their teams are your first line of contact if ever you are in distress, whether or not it is affecting your academic performance. If you have questions about financial support, the Scholarships and Student Aid team provides counseling about budgeting and debt management, and if you are having trouble making ends meet, they can help you secure financial aid.

We look forward to seeing you-in person!

We very much look forward to meeting you during our MDCM Program Orientation & Registration Week, which begins August 19, 2025. This is a mandatory event, so make sure to mark it in your calendars now! We'll provide you with more information this summer, including confirmation of the overall approach.

An awesome privilege.

It is a great privilege to be a physician – you are entrusted with people’s wellbeing and lives. When you hold this responsibility humbly, and with true compassion for the diverse individuals and communities you serve, the returns in professional and personal fulfillment, and in patient gratitude, are many.

We wish you every success, as you embark on this journey with us!

Words of Welcome from the Medical Students' Society Executive

Dear members of the Class of 2029 and future colleagues,

A heartfelt welcome to the McGill MDCM program! On behalf of the McGill Medical Students' Society (MSS), we are thrilled to have you join the McGill Faculty of Medicine community. Congratulations on your acceptance into medical school, your exceptional accomplishments have brought you to this exciting moment, and we commend you for your hard work and dedication.

The next four years of your medical education will be transformative, both academically and personally. At McGill, you will have the privilege of learning from some of the most esteemed clinicians and professors. For those of you at the Outaouais campus, you will gain invaluable experience in a unique setting, working alongside the Outaouais cohort and engaging with a community with diverse healthcare needs.

While this journey will undoubtedly present its challenges, including a rigorous workload and demanding rotations, remember that you are not alone. Medical school can be intense, but the path you’ve chosen will be one of immense growth and fulfillment.

The MSS is here to support you every step of the way, across both the Montreal and Outaouais campuses. We are committed to providing you with resources, opportunities, and connections that will enrich your medical school experience, both in and out of the classroom. Whether through social events, student-led clubs, advocacy, research opportunities, or academic support, the MSS offers something for every interest. We encourage you to get involved and stay connected with us throughout your journey. Be sure to check out our website and social media pages, and watch for emails from us over the summer with more information.

We hope this journey is one of fulfillment, growth, and discovery. Over the next four years, you will find a career path that resonates with your passions and values. Though the road ahead may not always be easy, your perseverance, resilience, and passion for medicine, along with the support of your peers, will carry you through. Every day brings you one step closer to realizing your dream of becoming a physician.

Once again, welcome to McGill Medicine, Class of 2029! We wish you success, health, and fulfillment as you embark on this exciting chapter.

Warm regards,

Fahima Khan & Franciska Otaner

Medical Students' Society (MSS) of McGill Executive Presidents

msspres.med [at] mail.mcgill.ca | president-co.mss [at] mail.mcgill.ca | www.mcgillmed.com