is there an essay for mcgill application

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Home — Application Essay — University — McGill University

McGill University Admission Essays

Thrive at mcgill: academic excellence, cultural diversity, and research.

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From a young age, I have been fascinated by the intricacies of the human body and the various functions that work together to keep it alive. As I grew older, this fascination turned into a passion for genetics, and I knew that I wanted to…

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For three days, after a heavy equatorial rain, the main road to my village remained impassable. This implied that some families had to subsist without their normal meals, since their breadwinners could not work. Transportation of goods using motorbikes was an income generating activity for…

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McGill doesn't need essays?

<p>I just applied for the Ba and BSc program and its strange how they dont require essays. Maybe they’ll send me a link to a supplement form to my email soon? </p>

<p>Does anyone know about the McGill admission process?</p>

<p>The web site is very specific about what the requirements are. No essay.</p>

<p>so what the chances of getting admitted for someone with avg sat scores [2100]? with no essay i have one less option of impressing them…</p>

<p>Welcome to Canada. No, seriously. Because all of our universities are public (ie. government funded) and not private (ie. alumni funded), admission is largely based on grades and test scores because it is less selective in that way. Essays are only required for the scholarship application.</p>

<p>I’m not sure about SAT scores for McGill as I’m a Canadian (no SAT required!), but I know that they love it if you’ve taken IB (or AP I guess). I’ve heard this from friends who now attend McGill. :)</p>

<p>at Mcgill u dont need stellar sat scores…also since sat is optional for international students, u can judge what their critereon sat for intels wud be …</p>

<p>How even can u think of 2100 sat 1 as an average sat … thats ridiculous. its awesome. …</p>

<p>I still mantain what i always say… SAT1 beyond certain point gives in little benefit and focuss immediately shifts to other parts of the application… </p>

<p>for mcgill…factors::</p>

<p>School Record Class rank Course taken Country Scores( if anygiven) Extra curriculars </p>

<p>U get thru this … u r admitted… This is based upon their location, ,public status … government funding and stats of admission…</p>

<p>SM</p>

<p>alos which is better… mcgill or waterloo… is there a college in canada better than these 2?</p>

<p>Possibly UofT? Queen’s?</p>

<p>u missed the best one …</p>

<p>1st of all , Mcgill is better than waterloo</p>

<p>and Univ of toronto is equally prestigious which u missed</p>

<p>Depends what you are looking for. US and international prestige: McGill, no contest. Intertnational prestige only: also UBC and University of Toronto. Engineering degree: Waterloo. Interesting city: McGill or UBC, avoid any place in Ontario at all cost ;)…</p>

<p>Waterloo is great for engineering + the sciences.</p>

<p>U of Alberta or U of Calgary (where I’m from) are good for oil engineering and oil-related business things. Alberta is the only province in Canada, I believe, to have a surplus this year… and it’s because of oil. They like making sure that most of the money pumped into the schools goes towards that. So if you like oil… come here. I know I’m leaving, if that’s any hint to the city’s social life (ie. there is none). </p>

<p>McGill/UBC/U of T are all pretty big. They have excellent reputations, and for good reason. Also they’re all in fantastic cities (personally, I love Montreal and Vancouver more than Toronto). You really can’t go wrong with one of these three because you can pretty much do anything you like… they all have an enormous amount of programs and opportunities. </p>

<p>York (Schulich), Queen’s, and Western (Ivey School of Business) are the best for business, if you’re into that. They’re quite prestigious within Canada. I have heard from my friends at McGill, however, that the McGill faculty of management is awesome. </p>

<p>Other schools worthy of consideration: Dalhousie (biggest in the maritimes), U of Victoria (great for education + arts), Carleton/Ottawa (journalism or poli sci), etc… </p>

<p>Have fun with all those apps!</p>

<p>is there any finaid for intels in Canada?</p>

<p>Please. UofT, McGill, UBC, Queens, etc have all lost their prestige. You don’t need anything but grades to get into Canadian universities, showing how completely stupid admissions are. I mean, you could come from a dirt stupid school that hands out 90s and there’d be this guy from some harder school getting a 80, and who would they choose? The stupid school kid. There’s no essay, no interview, no written test; you only submit your grades.</p>

<p>I know this kid who failed Grade 12 but retook it. Did the UofT admissions people even notice? No, cause they let him in. They’re too stupid to see you’re from a gifted class so you getting a 75 will be looked over by a 90 from a stupid school. They only look at grades, not even rank or anything.</p>

<p>Your patriotism is misplaced, baseless. I hate Canada: overrated, useless, unproductive, communist. Our university tuition is already rockbottom low, and here we’re trying to lower it even more. Umm hello? Tution has a great purpose and it’s not just for making evil university people richer and already poor students homeless, as the concept of tuition is always played out to be. >:[</p>

<p>whoa so i may/maynot be surrounded by smart kids in the best university of canada…? k… that sux…</p>

<p>when i started the application, I haven’t received my SAT scores yet, so I didn’t put my scores down. Do i need to update it on the application(minerva)? and if i do, how? I am seriously stumped by McGill and btw, I just sent in my SAT score reports to mcgill. does this mean I still have to change it? or do i just leave it? someone help me plzzzzzz thanksss</p>

College Reality Check

How to Get Into McGill as an American

I remember when we were in Montreal many years ago when I saw the famous student statue with a laptop. The funny thing was that the laptop looked like a MacBook, but it had a pear symbol instead of an apple on the lid.

I found out that this was a statue of a McGill student, and ever since I was wondering what would it take to get into the Canadian university, especially if you live in the US. If you are like me, below, you will come across a variety of information, each one important for a McGill aspirant to know.

To get into McGill University as an American, one must apply via the school’s website. Application runs from October 1 to January 15. To be considered, an applicant should have a minimum high school GPA of 3.2. Various academic and supporting documents should be submitted to McGill at a later date.

Many agree that McGill University has a campus that resembles Hogwarts and a reputation equivalent to that of Harvard University — the school is sometimes referred to as the Harvard of Canada. As a matter of fact, it’s #7 in QS World University Rankings and #51 in Best Global Universities by US News.

Over 30% of McGill’s student population consists of international students — approximately 11% are US students. And if you’re planning on becoming a part of it, keep reading.

What is the Acceptance Rate at McGill?

Despite being a highly ranked public research institution, McGill University accepts nearly half of all applicants: its acceptance rate is 42%. Meanwhile, the school’s acceptance rate for international students alone is 46%. As of this writing, around 11% of its student population are from the US.

Everyone knows that many of the most competitive and prestigious American schools have single-digit acceptance rates. This is why those who are not that confident with their applications steer clear of them.

Well, it’s a different story for McGill — it has an elite status and a relatively high acceptance rate.

Related Article: Are Canadian Degrees Recognized in the US?

But among colleges and universities located in Canada, McGill University is one of those with the lowest acceptance rates. Just take a look at the following table:

Just because the acceptance rate at McGill University is more similar to moderately competitive institutions in the US than the Ivy Leagues and other highly selective schools doesn’t mean your chances of getting a denial are pretty low.

One of the reasons why it’s harder to gain admission into McGill more than you think, especially for international students, is that there are available slots exclusive for Quebec residents only.

Just like most public colleges and universities in the US, the school has a special place for locally-residing college-bound high school students in its heart.

However, it doesn’t mean that you should cross McGill University out of your college list.

As mentioned earlier, more than 30% of the school’s student population are international students. Around 11% are from the US. What’s more, the acceptance rate for international students is slightly higher than the acceptance rate for other applicants — 46% vs. 42%.

Make sure that you have a strong overall application to make the almost 50/50 chance of getting accepted into McGill work to the utmost advantage of an American like you.

Related Article: How to Get Into Cambridge: A Guide for US Students

How Much Does It Cost to Attend McGill?

The cost of attending McGill University for a year can vary based on factors like the academic year and program. For international students, the sticker price is around Can$29,565.51 ($23,525.57). In most instances, attending McGill is cheaper than going to a public college or university in the US.

In the US, the average sticker price for public institutions for higher education is $25,290. Needless to say, the amount is higher for out-of-state students, which is $40,940.

Based on these figures, it’s plain to see that spending a year at McGill University is cheaper than attending most American public colleges and universities: typically, one academic year at the public institution located in Quebec is estimated at Can$29,565.51 ($23,525.57). We can therefore conclude that being an international student at McGill is:

• Around 7% cheaper for in-state students in the US
• Around 43% cheaper for out-of-state students in the US

Liking what you are reading about McGill University cost-wise?

Then take a look at the breakdown of the estimated cost of attending it for one year, based on the academic year 2021 to 2022 rate:

While the cost of going to McGill is cheaper for a student from the US, the rate for international students is higher than the rate for Quebec and non-Quebec residents. Here are the estimated costs of attendance for them for a year:

• Quebec residents: Can$4,938.51
• Non-Quebec residents: Can$10,718.91

But the savings doesn’t start and end with going to McGill University as an international student. The cost of living in Montreal is quite low, too. As a matter of fact, the city, which has the second-largest economy among all Canadian cities, is #16 in the 2021 listing 21 Cheapest Places to Live in Canada by Wealth Awesome.

The same website adds that the average monthly cost of a single person living in Montreal (without rent) is Can$1,055 and the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal’s downtown core is Can$1,293.

According to the school’s website itself, McGill is aware of the financial challenges international students can face when earning a degree away from home.

It’s for this reason why its very own Scholarships and Student Aid Office is committed to ensuring that qualified international students are financially supported.

At McGill University, there are many financial aid programs, scholarships and awards available.

The Entrance Scholarship Program, which is basically a merit-based entrance scholarship, is one example that newly admitted international students may apply to. It comes in two types:

• One-year Scholarships: Non-renewable, it is valued at Can$3,000.
• Major Scholarships: Valued between Can$3,000 and Can$12,000, it is renewable annually for up to three or four years, although criteria for renewal must be met.

Related Article: How to Get Into St. Andrews from the U.S.

How Do US Students Apply to McGill?

International students apply to McGill University in the same manner as Canadian students: online, through the school’s website. Application starts October 1. Application fee for all undergraduate programs, except for Dentistry and Medicine, for International and Canadian students costs Can$122.52.

Graduating high school students in the US have a lot of options when it comes to applying to colleges and universities — the Common App, Coalition App, Common Black College Application (CBCA), etc.

Unfortunately, none of them can be used by someone in the US to apply to McGill University.

Anyone who wants to apply to it needs to visit the school’s website and create an account by providing a login ID and PIN. In addition, aspirants need to have a valid email and credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) beforehand. McGill recommends completing one’s application using a computer instead of a smartphone.

McGill University shares the following simple tips on how to apply for international students:

• Knowing the deadline. Needless to say, failure for your application and supporting documents to reach the school’s admissions office on time could result in your application not being considered.
• Figure out what to study. McGill University’s website has an integrated program finder tool that can help international students explore more than 300 undergraduate programs available.
• Check eligibility status. For most programs at McGill, admission is based on high school grades. Some programs, however, may have other prerequisites.
• Identify and prepare supporting documents. Besides the application itself, which is made via the school’s website, supporting documents or additional materials have to be uploaded, too, for consideration.
• Submit the application. Applications should be submitted on or before January 1. It’s important for international students to know that they can apply to two programs at once.
• Apply for an entrance scholarship. Like scholarships at American colleges and universities, the most competitive scholarships at McGill Universities are available to those who apply for aid early.
• Submit supporting documents. The deadlines for submitting the application and providing the supporting documents are different — aspirants have up to two months to submit supporting documents.

Many American colleges and universities, except those with a rolling-admissions policy, start accepting applications as early as September 1. McGill University starts opening its doors to aspirants a month later: October 1.

By that time, chances are that you have already gotten the hang of the entire college application process, thus making applying to McGill a less daunting task.

When are the Application Deadlines for McGill?

The deadline for submission of application to McGill University is January 15, which is the same application deadline for many US colleges and universities. Additional requirements can be submitted at later dates. For instance, the requirements for scholarship application should be in by January 21.

It’s not unlikely for many American institutions for higher education to require aspirants to submit their completed applications on or before January 15.

When applying to McGill University, you will be more than glad to learn that it has the same application deadline as many schools on your college list. Needless to say, without the need to remember many different deadlines, the entire college application experience can be less stressful and draining.

Then there’s also the fact that there’s only one way to apply — McGill doesn’t accept the Common App or Coalition App.

Got McGill University at the top of your college list? Then make sure that you don’t forget the following dates necessary for making your dream of becoming an international student at the Quebec-based school come true:

Wondering when you will hear back from McGill University to tell you its admissions officers’ decisions?

According to the prestigious school itself, the timing of when you are notified whether you are accepted or denied admission into McGill depends on various factors. Some of them include the time of the completion of your application and submission of supporting documents (we will talk about them in a few) as well as the program you applied to.

But generally speaking, the admissions decisions for international applicants from high schools in the US are released anywhere from mid-December to mid-May.

What GPA Do You Need to Get Into McGill?

McGill University applicants, whether from Canada or elsewhere on the planet, should have a minimum GPA of 3.2. This means that, for increased chances of getting admitted into the school, one should have an above-average high school GPA. A higher GPA is required for scholarship applicants.

It’s not uncommon for American colleges and universities to have no published minimum GPA requirement applicants should meet. This is especially true for those with a holistic admissions policy.

McGill University has a holistic admissions policy, too, which means that various factors are taken into account during the admissions process, not just the GPA. Still, the school requires applicants to have a minimum high school GPA of 3.2 if they want their applications to be considered.

Certain programs at McGill have their own minimum GPA requirements to meet.

Want to know whether your chances of receiving an offer to enroll at the top-notch school are high or low? Then it’s a good idea to compare your high school GPA with the GPAs of applicants who end up getting an acceptance letter from the admissions office of McGill University.

Based on data provided by the school itself, the average GPA of admitted international students is 3.7. Keep in mind that the average GPA of admits tends to vary slightly from one academic year to the next.

So, in other words, if your GPA earned in high school is very near or exactly 3.7, it’s safe to assume that you have a good shot at becoming a McGill University student. The higher your GPA than the average GPA of admits, the better. But remember: McGill has a holistic admissions policy, which means your GPA is not the only one that should wow.

The minimum GPA requirement for those who are interested to get their hands on entrance scholarship programs, which are extremely competitive, is higher. If you want to be eligible for it, you should have a 4.0 GPA.

Your high school use a ranking system? Then see to it that you are at the top 1% to 2% of your graduating class if you want to be considered as an entrance scholarship awardee. What’s more, you should have a minimum SAT score of 730 in each section and a minimum composite ACT score of 33.

Documents are Required When Applying to McGill

Self-reported grades are some of the most important documents applicants to McGill University have to submit. The deadline for submission is March 15. There are also additional supporting documents to submit, depending on certain situations, such as applying for scholarships or to specific programs.

It’s not enough that you fill out the McGill application correctly and completely. For it to be reviewed by the school’s admissions officers, your application should be accompanied with certain documents.

The following are the various supporting documents you will have to submit on or before March 15:

Academic Documents

The majority of applicants to McGill University are allowed to self-report their grades online by means of Minerva, whose form is available to access by, typically, mid-December.

Planning to submit your standardized test score? Make sure that you will be able to provide your official SAT or ACT score straight from the testing board.

Additional Supporting Documents

In some instances, you will have to submit documents aside from the ones mentioned above. This is most especially true in the following circumstances:

• You have applied for a Major Entrance Exam Scholarship
• You have applied for financial aid
• You have chosen Extenuating Circumstances on the application
• You have applied to Architecture, Education, Music, Nursing, Dietetics, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy,  Religious Studies or Social Work

Keep in mind that applicants who have lived and attended high school in countries where English is not the acknowledged primary language must provide proof of English proficiency — the official test results. But since you are from the US, submitting this particular supporting document isn’t necessary.

According to the admissions office of McGill University, while supporting documents may be mailed or faxed, too, uploading them is highly recommended.

That’s because it will help speed up the application evaluation process and thus allow you to get your hands on the admission decision sooner. On the other hand, refrain from mailing and faxing supporting documents you have already uploaded because it may slow down the review of your application.

Does McGill Give Credit for AP Exams

McGill University gives credit for AP exams. However, to earn college credits, applicants should have AP exam scores of at least four. A maximum of 30 credits can be earned. At McGill, there is no need to apply for credit for AP exams as one’s record will be automatically evaluated for it.

The presence of AP exam scores, especially high ones, can make your college application look more impressive. It can also help make the cost of college lower and the length of time spent in college shorter.

As an American applying to McGill University, AP exams could mean earning college credits.

However, it’s a must for your AP exam scores to be at least four in order for you to earn credits. Declaring on your McGill application AP exams already written (and those you intend to write, too) is the first step to take. Once admitted, you should arrange to have your official AP exam results sent by the College Board to McGill University.

Please keep in mind that minimum AP exam scores for college credits can vary across different courses in different programs McGill offers.

Just Before You Apply to McGill

It’s true that close to half of all applicants end up getting an offer to enroll at McGill University. As a matter of fact, the acceptance rate for international students is slightly higher.

However, it doesn’t mean you are guaranteed admission into the world-renowned public institution in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Just like when applying to prestigious colleges and universities in the US, it’s important to make sure that you have a stellar application in order to enjoy increased chances of getting accepted into McGill.

Related Article: How to Get Into Oxford From the US?

Independent Education Consultant, Editor-in-chief. I have a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering and training in College Counseling. Member of American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

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• McGill Medical School

Is There An Essay Required For Application?

By summergirl October 28, 2015 in McGill Medical School

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I've skimmed through the application and didn't see prompt for an essay, but I figured there may be one later on in the application process, so can anyone confirm? I will definitely need to budget more time if there is an essay. Thanks!

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Yes there is

Did the one long essay get split into 3 short ones this year? 

Yes absolutely! Its a 3 questions/250 words essay!

It alway had 3 questions, before you could decide whether to answer them in one long format or split them up, but now you have to split them up.

Hmmm isn't the deadline November 1st? You're cutting it close! Good luck!

It's november 2nd (next Monday) So people still have the weekend, but since they're receiving tons of documents, I would send the whole thing as fast as possible to avoid any delays on Monday!

Ah okay, and I agree sending it as early as possible is a good game plan.

.. I wrote my essay in one day... The day the application was due...

The essays are really short

I think people exaggerate how much time you have to spend on these essays. The adcom isn't looking for pullitzer prize grade writing material. It is all about self-reflection, which takes variable time for different people.

The key to a good short essay is to:

1) answer the question (make 100% sure you did this as obvious as it may seem)

2) be concise

3) use relevant anecdotes (cut back on the hypotheticals)

4) be honest and PERSONAL (it's in the title).

This advice might be a bit late, but I hope it will help anyone still looking over their essays/anyone considering not applying because they didn't spend "arbitrary amount of time" writing them.

    The key to a good short essay is to: 1) answer the question (make 100% sure you did this as obvious as it may seem) 2) be concise 3) use relevant anecdotes (cut back on the hypotheticals) 4) be honest and PERSONAL (it's in the title).    

Cannot possible say it better. Also, a thing people tend to do is to add too many superfluous information, and to list things they have done (which is on the CV anyways) instead of explaining what they learned from their experiences.

Although I would still suggest someone to start at least 2 weeks before the deadline to have time to reflect on their script, and to read it a few times.

Does anyone know how strict they are on the word count? I'm a few words over in my last essay (but everything still fit fine on the one page) but couldn't find a way to shorten it without sacrificing clarity.... From experience, I know most word counts are set to ensure people don't ramble on too much.

I don't recall the CVPN saying we had to have the personal statement section as only one page. All it said was to make sure the line at the bottom doesn't pass the third page. 

True, guess it was a silly question!

There are no silly questions although there can be sill answers sometimes. 

Am I missing something? How could it possibly go over if there were three boxes of fixed size that you could type in for the personal statement? If I kept typing, the words would simply disappear... :-)

I did not try, but let say you wrote 1000 words in one of the boxes, maybe the boxe expends! That would make it more then one page

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Step 1: Know your deadlines.

Before applying, or even deciding what you want to study, there are important deadlines you should know throughout the application process. These dates vary depending on your educational background and the location of your school and, in some cases, the program(s) you're applying to.

In the dropdown menu, select your educational background and mark your calendar to help you remember these dates.

It is in the interest of all applicants to complete their files as quickly as possible. When program space is limited, preference may be given to applicants who have provided all required supporting documents earlier on. Should a program reach its capacity prior to the deadline for submission of documents, incomplete applications may be cancelled.

Deadlines for admission

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1. know your deadlines., 2. decide what to study., 3. make sure you're eligible., 4. get ready to apply., 5. submit your application., 6. apply for an entrance scholarship., 7. submit documents and keep in touch., ready to apply, department and university information, future students unit.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Scholarship overview.

The McCall MacBain Scholarship covers over 150 different master’s programs and 3 second-entry professional undergraduate programs at McGill’s downtown and Macdonald campuses. The program must be pursued full-time and consist of 45 credits or more. See this overview of eligible programs .

McCall MacBain Scholarship applicants must apply separately and be admitted to their desired graduate program(s) at McGill. Visit the McGill Graduate Admissions website to review program requirements.

Eligibility

To be eligible in 2024, you must meet ONE of the following criteria:

• You are a current student on track to earn your first bachelor’s degree by August 2025
• You earned your first bachelor’s degree in the last five years (January 2019 or later)
• You earned your first bachelor’s degree more than five years ago, and are 30 years or younger at any point in 2024

You will need to meet the minimum degree and language requirements  for McGill master’s program admission. Contact McGill Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the university’s minimum requirements for admission.

In general, no. Current students and recent graduates of any age are welcome to apply.

To be eligible, you must meet ONE of the following criteria:

Yes, you are eligible to apply for the 2025 cohort.

Yes. For eligibility, what matters is the date you earned or will earn a bachelor’s degree for the first time.

Applicants must meet the GPA (and other) requirements of their desired program at McGill.

You must apply separately and be admitted to an eligible graduate program at McGill University. You should review your desired program’s admission requirements, including but not limited to GPA, well in advance.

Keep in mind that one of the five selection criteria for the scholarships is “academic strength and intellectual curiosity”. We will look for evidence of this throughout your application, including transcripts.

The measure of academic strength is not limited to a narrow focus on GPA. While GPA is important, we are interested in the fit with your proposed graduate program, as well as the breadth and difficulty of the courses taken alongside your other commitments. Of course, we recognize that some programs offer more opportunity for breadth than others.

Yes, but you must apply for a full-time eligible graduate program at McGill. Award recipients must pursue their studies full-time.

You may apply if you are currently enrolled in a graduate program, but intend to start a new eligible graduate program in the following year.

This scholarship is for students who intend to start an eligible graduate program in the following year.

Yes, as long as you plan to apply for an eligible McGill graduate program that starts the following year. Like all applicants, you will be asked to show in your application how the proposed program will help lay the foundation for your long-term goals and aspirations.

Absolutely. Most people will apply for the scholarship before they apply to a graduate program at McGill. It will be necessary to apply by the program’s deadline, or in December at the latest if you are selected for final interviews.

Yes, you can apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarships in 2024 if you have been admitted to an eligible McGill program and deferred enrolment to Summer / Fall 2025.

In most cases, yes, assuming you still meet the eligibility criteria and you update and resubmit your application.

Applicants who apply only once may not re-apply in the following situations:

• Candidates who accepted a Regional Award in a previous year;
• Candidates who accepted an invitation to attend final interviews in a previous year.

These candidates may not re-apply in future years. Other candidates, including those who declined a Regional Award in a previous year, may re-apply once more.

Application Process

The McCall MacBain Scholarship deadline is 12-15 months before the start of your program at McGill. Most people will therefore apply for the scholarship before they apply to a graduate program at McGill.

After you apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship, you will need to apply to your intended McGill programs. You will need to apply to McGill by the program’s deadline, or by December at the latest if you are selected for McCall MacBain Scholarship final interviews.

Please attend an information session . The application for our 2025 cohort will be available as of June 1, 2024.

Current students and recent graduates (those who graduated in 2022, 2023, or 2024) must be endorsed by their university.

Canadian universities, American universities, and the participating universities abroad are invited to endorse multiple candidates for this scholarship. Otherwise, you may be required to seek an endorsement from a fellowship advisor or a senior member of the university administration (president, vice-chancellor, rector, provost). For more details, please attend an information session.

Alumni who graduated in 2021 or earlier do not require a university endorsement.

The university representative is typically a senior member of the administration (President, Provost, Vice-Provost). At American universities, a fellowship advisor may submit the endorsement.

No. All current students and recent graduates (those who graduated in 2022, 2023, or 2024) must be endorsed by their university.

Reference Forms

As part of your scholarship application, you will need to ask two people to submit reference forms. These reference forms must be completed by your reference writers before the application deadline:

• One academic* reference from someone who knows your academic work well
• One community reference from someone who knows your community involvement well

Please ask people who know you well. A good reference provides concrete examples to help us better understand you, how you meet the selection criteria , current areas of improvement, and how your proposed studies might benefit your continued growth.

Once you have started your application, you can request references immediately. There is no need to wait until you have completed your application. Through the online application, you will be able to provide contact details for your reference writers. Once you have added their information and clicked “Send to Recommender,” your reference writers will receive an email from [email protected] . The email contains a unique link to access the reference form in our online system.​​​

It is your responsibility to ensure that your reference completes the online form by the application deadline; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete. If you submit your application early, you may check the status of your references on the Status Page.

References may not be submitted via email, mail, or any other means. References are only received via the online form.

Please ensure you entered the email correctly, and ask your reference writer to check their junk mail folder. To change an active request, click on the request and press the Exclude button. You can then send a new request.

Transcripts and Test Scores

It is not necessary to submit standardized test scores as part of the McCall MacBain Scholarship application. If you already have a strong test score, you are welcome to include it to help demonstrate your academic qualifications.

You may need to submit your score to McGill University at a later date as part of your program application. Ensure you know your intended program’s admission requirements, and contact McGill Graduate Admissions or the relevant program contact for specific questions.

Please read McGill’s English language proficiency requirements .

If it is required in your situation, you will need to provide it to McGill University when you apply for programs of interest. The test score is not required when you submit your scholarship application, given the early scholarship application deadline.

You will need to upload an unofficial transcript as part of your online scholarship application. Unofficial transcripts are ones that are for student use, and they are typically available on your university’s student portal.

After Applying

No, McCall MacBain Scholarship offers cannot be deferred.

McCall MacBain Scholars are expected to maintain satisfactory academic standing, engage in meaningful service, and participate fully in the scholarship program. Scholars renew their scholarships annually.

Candidates who participate in final interviews, but are not selected as McCall MacBain Scholars, are eligible to receive a one-time Finalist Award. The Finalist Award for Canadian applicants is $10,000, and the Finalist Award for international applicants is $20,000 (reflecting the higher cost of tuition).

The Finalist Award may be used for full-time enrolment in an eligible master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate program offered by McGill University on its downtown, MacDonald, or Outaouais campuses. For the 2024 application period, recipients will need to enrol for Summer / Fall 2025.

Candidates who distinguish themselves at regional interviews, but are not invited to final interviews, are eligible to receive a one-time Regional Award. The Regional Award for Canadian applicants is $5,000, and the Regional Award for international applicants is $10,000 (reflecting the higher cost of tuition).

The Regional Award may be used for full-time enrolment in an eligible master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate program offered by any public university in Canada. For the 2024 application period, recipients will need to enrol for Summer / Fall 2025.

No. You should apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarships if you are interested in eligible programs at McGill University.

Eligible Programs

Qualifying Year studies are not covered by this scholarship. However, you can apply around the start of your Qualifying Year. If selected as a McCall MacBain Scholar, you would join the cohort as you enter your intended master’s program.

• MSc, Psychology
• MA, Counselling Psychology
• MA, School/Applied Child Psychology
• MScA, Couple and Family Therapy
• MSc, Psychiatry (Mental Health)
• MSc, Integrated Program in Neuroscience

McGill University does not offer a master’s program in Clinical Psychology. Students interested in the PhD in Clinical Psychology are encouraged to consult the department’s guide to funding .

The McCall MacBain Scholarships enable students to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University, while connecting with mentors and participating in an intensive leadership development program.

The McCall MacBain Scholarship covers tuition and fees for an eligible master’s program or a second-entry professional undergraduate program at McGill as well as a living stipend of $2,000 CAD per month during academic terms. Scholars also participate in an intensive leadership development program, connect with mentors and advisors, and participate in a breadth of workshops and talks.

For questions about a specific program, please email [email protected] .

McCall MacBain Scholarship applicants must apply separately and be admitted to their desired graduate program(s) at McGill. Please visit the McGill Graduate Admissions website to review program requirements.

For 2023 admission: Applicants must meet the minimum degree and language requirements for McGill master’s program admission. You must have a bachelor’s degree or its recognized equivalent, or be on track to complete it by August 2023.

You may apply if you are currently enrolled in a graduate program, but you intend to start a new eligible graduate program in the following year.

Yes. You will have to be applying to McGill for an eligible graduate program that starts the following year. Like all applicants, you will be asked to show in your application how the proposed program will help lay the foundation for your long-term goals and aspirations.

Absolutely. Most people will apply for the scholarship before they apply to a graduate program at McGill. It will be necessary to apply by the program’s deadline, or in December 2022 at the latest if you are selected for final interviews.

There are two exceptions:

These candidates may not re-apply in future years. Other candidates, including those who declined a Regional Award in a previous year, may re-apply.

Yes! You should consider all of the opportunities available to you.

The university representative is typically a senior member of the administration (President, Provost, Vice-Provost). At American universities, a fellowship advisor may submit the endorsement. Please email [email protected] if you have questions regarding the representative at a specific university.

No. Current students and recent graduates (those who graduated in 2021 or 2022) must be endorsed by their university.

Alumni who graduated in 2020 or earlier do not require a university endorsement.

Yes, McCall MacBain Scholars may accept up to $10,000 per year in additional merit-based funding. There is no limit to additional funding McCall MacBain Scholars may accept based on financial need.

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The McCall MacBain Scholarship is a full graduate scholarship that provides students with the mentorship, interdisciplinary learning, and global community they need to accelerate their impact on the world.

McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill is situated on land which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations.

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