<p>Hey guys :)
I've been reading these forums for a while now, but just recently made an account to post my own questions and responses. I've been eyeing McGill since I was in sixth grade. For me personally, everything is pointing in that direction. First I'd like to know my chances according to those who know about system and second I have a nationality issue to bring up.</p>
<p>So I took the SATs about a month ago for the first time and got a 670 on my critical reading, 650 on writing and 710 on math (2030 cummulative). I was wondering if I should consider taking these again? I'm taking the ACT in June and expect a score in the 30's range (according to my guidance councilor). I am currently valedictorian (yay!) with a 4.0 weighted and unweighted GPA and by the time I graduate next June (2011), I'll have four AP courses on my transcript. (All of my other classes are honors & five years of Spanish.) I do a bunch of stuff after school like playing flute and tutoring and honor societies, but McGill doesn't look at all of that so I won't bother go into specifics. I suppose that I have a strong chance of getting in, but it's the strict numbers-only admission policy that is frightening me. If McGill wasn't my dream school, I wouldn't be nearly this worried... but as it turns out, I am!</p>
<p>Second is my nationality issue. I was born in Drummondville and lived there until I was seven (which is 45 minutes northeast of Montreal). Then my dad found a job near Boston and we all moved. This August marks ten years of my family living in the United States. I speak both French and English fluently. Fortunately, if I get accepted into McGill, I would only have to pay Quebec student tuition (which is around $2,000 I believe?) because of my birth certificate. I am NOT a U.S. citizen yet, only a permanent resident. Obviously I would have to apply in the pool of American high school students, but would I have a greater chance of getting in because of my nationality and birthplace?</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses and thoughts :)
(tomofboston I especially enjoy your insight!)</p>
<p>This isn’t that uncommon at all. They reserve a certain amount of spots for Quebec residents because they are a public school, so this should give you an advantage over American students. However, you will be evaluated as a US high school student, which may be a bit tougher than the requirements for a Quebec student… this is difficult to measure. I do know that it is more difficult for non-resident Canadians to get in than Americans, so you would also have an advantage there. In terms of the SAT, if you get a 30s ACT you should be fine and could even apply for a scholarship. People do fall through the cracks sometimes with those numbers but there is little you can do about it. I would only suggest to retake the SAT if your ACT is below 30… but my opinion is not the only one.</p>
<p>Your record so far looks good. I was able to find on the McGill website that for enroled US applicants the median GPA is 3.7 UW and the median SAT score is about 2060. This is overall for all programs. Engineering, Management and Science, especially life sciences, appear to be the most selective programs. What would you be studying? </p>
<p>Tuition is about $2000 plus $1500 if academic fees for Quebec residents. A bargain compared to US schools. </p>
<p>You would be an interesting person at McGill: a bilingual francophone (I assume this since you are from Drummondville) who has been raised mostly in the US. You would bring a unique perspective to some classes. When I wanted to take La vie politique qu</p>
<p>I want to major in Genetics and minor in Spanish.
I actually sifted through the site earlier today (that place is a mess of information) and found out that the only proof necessary for Quebec residency is a birth certificate.</p>
<p>Also - good to know your opinion on UMass… I was thinking of applying there as my safety, but may look at UNH again instead.</p>