Change in "application status" on Minerva - what does it mean?

Hi all,

I am from the US and applied to McGill near the end of December, actually exactly a month ago, and have been checking Minerva regularly since then. I just checked the “Application and Documentation Status” page which has the Application Summary box again today, and the “Decision” part has changed! I forget what it said exactly before, something like Under Review or Not Yet Decided, but now it says Further Review Required. Also, there has been a requirement added for mid year/second quarter grades to be submitted. Does this happen to everyone, or does it just mean they are borderline about their decision for me?

Thanks!

it’s totally okay it happened to all of us,
regarding to minerva (further review required) means:
Undergraduate students: We are unable to make an admission decision as your file is still incomplete. Please verify your Checklist and submit requirements as soon as possible. Once the missing requirement(s) is received, your file will be reviewed again.

Thanks so much!!

No, there are kids who are accepted (from US)without the midyear grades. Asking for second quarter or 1st semester does not mean that you’ll get in even if you have a B+ average or higher.

@jadeplant‌ Does asking for second quarter grades mean it is less unlikely I’d get in?

Well, you did not get a rejection nor did you get an acceptance. So, the only thing you know for sure is that they did not want to reject you right off the bat. It’s like getting a mini-deferral. They are keeping the option open to go either way. But the good news is that supposedly once they get those grades, you hear back really fast. At least that’s what they told us. @jadeplant‌ May know more about the process this year.

Well my anxiety level just sky rocketed…

@McGillhope I think the previous poster may have been too negative. McGill seems to like to see first semester senior year grades. D1 got her acceptance quite soon after her first semester grades were posted, and others seemed to have had the same experience two years ago when she applied. I wouldn’t be too concerned about it.

Does anybody how long they usually take to get back to you after you submit midyears? I submitted mine just today.

My file is complete, and I got the same notice. I graduated high school last June, and I am taking a gap year. So this is not an issue of awaiting grades.

I’m also taking a gap year, did McGill ask you about what you did during your gap year?

I got “reviewed decision pending” for the bsc kinesiology. Does anyone know how long that can last?

I did an online chat with admissions a few weeks ago and the representative says that they cannot accept a student without receiving midyear grades but could theoretically deny them before receiving the grades. So it probably means nothing bad, assuming your scores and grades are within a good range, just send in your midyear grades as soon as possible.

Please don’t worry! Admissions for US students are purely mathematical as I’m sure you know, above 650 in each section, 2000 total and at or above an A- average in your core academic classes and they will gladly take your relative boatload of international money

For all concerned… I looked at the Class of 2019 thread and people have said this:
“It’s a recurring theme to receive your decision within just days of McGill receiving your mid-year transcript, and so it’s probably best to send those quickly to get a quicker response.”
“Received my decision one week after sending in Q2 grades! So excited to be possibly going to McGill!”
So really, not too much to worry about until your mid-year reports are sent in! Good luck to everyone.

@maya1057 yes, they ask for a short summary of the activities you’ve done during your gap year.