Do I have a shot at McGill?

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I posted my stats before for other uni's. I dunno how it goes at McGill, but I hear it's pretty tough </p>

<p>so here it goes..</p>

<p>I have been dreading the time when I would have to post this cuz I'm so afraid that I'm a hopeless case.. I have done all that I could do in my country..
My school doesn't offer rigorous courses yo start with, and EC's are EXTREMELY rare.. </p>

<p>So here's what I've got so far,</p>

<p>I first came here (not that long ago :P) to get help on improving my SAT, which I did eventually..
1st SAT sophomore year:
600CR, 660W (9E), 640M= 1900</p>

<p>2nd SAT (Junior year): nov12
590CR, 700W(10E), 660M= 1950</p>

<p>3rd SAT (Junior Year): Jan13
620CR, 740W(9E), 800M= 2160</p>

<p>SAT Math level 1 : 790
SAT bio: 740</p>

<p>I'm planning to retake Bio next year and take a couple other subject tests (including Math2 which I might submit instead of 1, since I hear it is more "prestigious" ) </p>

<p>Now the thing is, I know 2160 isn't your "decent score" over here.. not by far.. but listen up..</p>

<p>I am still a junior..
My dream is, of course, top uni's, but I have confidence of 0.. cuz My country doesn't have any "top notch"national contests or what's not.. I have done everything I could for EC's.. from president of student council for 2 years now (and founder.. school had none.. i know -_-) , organizing many events in my school, like environmental days, costume show.. bla, bla, bla.. as in, Head of the events's club. Also, fundraising club, debates' cub..</p>

<p>I have also been involved in a fundraising campaign that we a bunch of teenagers carried out on our own to help orphans in Gambia.. this is the second year so far for the campaign which was very successful last year. We raised enough money last year to build a class for the orphans there.. </p>

<p>I had a summer job for two years (well it started as volunteering in the 1st year, then they decided to pay me XD) in which I used to teach children an English course..</p>

<p>But THAT'S IT! I am fond of doing something that doesn't involve school, and that makes me feel useful somehow.. But I can barely find anything!</p>

<p>I feel so underachieved you know.. plus..</p>

<p>My school doesn't offer AP's or any rigorous courses. I am the first in my school, with always a really high GPA of 98-99%.. btw, we take all the subjects every year.. (all the sciences, History, Economics, English, French as second language(I am taking the Delf next year), Arabic, computer (but it's super easy so..)) .. I am planning to self study as many AP subjects as I can next year.. I feel like I'm at a GREAT disadvantage! It's just so unfair cuz i AM trying my best.. and taking every chance I get!</p>

<p>sorry for the blabber XD
Would reaaaally appreciate your opinion XD</p>

<p>P.S, I am doing my best to convince my parents that volunteering in a hospital wouldn't take much of my time.. so I think that would be pretty good on my App too, hopefully..</p>

<p>Thanks in advance XD</p>

2

<p>Your in Luck about the ECs, since Canadian schools including McGill don’t give a damn about your extra curriculars. They only really look at your grades and your test scores. The average SAT score for American entrants at your school McGill’s is about 2080 so your final SAT score of 2160 is very good and should give you no problems. I don’t know the average entrance percentage of American applicants but your 98-99% will be well above average. I don’t think Canadian universities like McGill know a lot about the rigor of specific American high schools so your schools reputation will not be held against you. </p>

<p>McGill isn’t ever a safety school but with your grades you should have no problem getting in. </p>

<p>McGill is an excellent school but be aware it will not hand hold you through your undergrad like some of the US Ivys. Students are expected to be pretty self sufficient. For example residence is only generally given for freshmen, everyone else finds an apartment. However this is not necessarily a bad thing since it pushes you to explore Montreal which is an AWESOME city for parties, the arts and for techies alike.</p>

<p>PS: about 12% of the school is American so be prepared to meet some of your countrymen in classes.</p>

3

<p>I’m not American.
And I didn’t know they didn’t care abut EC’S!!!</p>

<p>Are you sure?! Am i in good shape for a scholarship?! </p>

<p>please say yes. I know their scholarships are hard to get, but will I be eligible for one of their merit-based scholarships based on my “above average grades”?! </p>

<p>And thank you sincerely for the reply!!!</p>

<p>Also are you in McGill yourself?</p>

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<p>Also you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself about your SAT scores, A 2160 puts you within the 98th percentile, which is really excellent. Don’t get too spooked by all the posters on CC. This forum is generally populated by a lot of neurotic overachievers, who have an “Ivy or Bust” mentality.</p>

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<p>Sorry I just assumed your an american, my bad</p>

<p>McGill scholarships are generally tough but this year they should be a little easier because this year McGill’s fundraising program exceeded its 9 year goal of 750 million dollars and made over 1 billion. 60% is being sent to student programming including student aid, so for the next couple years it should be easier to get funding.</p>

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<p>^ gee… thanks ^<em>^ lol… some did tell me to redo SAT and consider act… -</em>-</p>

<p>my 740 in bio is 2nd worst on the official bio thread too</p>

<p>very encouraging u know!</p>

7

<p>I suggest for more info you contact McGill’s student aid department</p>

<p>The website is a good place to start:</p>

<p>[Home</a> page | Scholarships and Student Aid - McGill University](<a href=“http://www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/]Home”>Scholarships and Student Aid - McGill University)</p>

8

<p>Yes well… here is a link on how the world vies CC posters:</p>

<p>[Urban</a> Dictionary: College Confidential](<a href=“http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=College%20Confidential]Urban”>Urban Dictionary: College Confidential)</p>

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<p>No prob! thanks a million man!</p>

<p>You there in McGill? Is it really the best you can get in Quebec?</p>

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<p>lol… Urban dictionary… I checked it out before… It really made me feel better lol</p>

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<p>McGill usually gives applicants the choice of submitting SATs or ACT scores.</p>

<p>Here is the page for admission standards for US highschoolers (I assume it is similar for other countries)</p>

<p>[Admissions</a> Standards - U.S. High School | Applying to Undergraduate Studies - McGill University](<a href=“http://www.mcgill.ca/applying/standards/unitedstates]Admissions”>http://www.mcgill.ca/applying/standards/unitedstates)</p>

<p>BTW, where are you applying from?</p>

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<p>Yes I am a grad student at McGill, beginning a masters in cell biology.</p>

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<p>McGill and the University of Toronto are generally considered the top two schools in Canada (although the University of British Columbia is making a push) but it really depends on what program you are interested in. For example the University of Waterloo in Ontario has one of the best computer science programs in the country but for everything else it is mediocre</p>

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<p>Woow… that must be very interesting.</p>

<p>I have always been interested in Cell bio and stuff…
I know I will enter a science oriented domain you know.
But that question of what will i work with my degree? always haunts me :/</p>

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<p>like i wanna sth practical… not get stuck in a lab</p>

<p>Scientists are EXTREMELY COURAGEOUS PEOPLE!
Really. they spend their entire lives pursuing a goal that they may never reach</p>

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<p>McGill is tops in the country for biology and science in general, it is what it is best know for at least in Canada, so it is an excellent choice. </p>

<p>For Bio related stuff there are a bunch of potential paths-grad school (medical researcher), med school (doctor) but also pharmaceuticals, and the biotech industry.</p>

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<p>what are you planning to major in?</p>

<p>And until then, will we be that burden on our families? lol</p>

<p>all those years… haha :smiley: ;)</p>

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<p>McGill is probably the best known Canadian University in the UK and the US (mainly Northeast/Atlantic and West coast) so the degree will serve you well if you plan to work in the States.</p>

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<p>In grad school you dont really have a major. You just have your degree title, so I guess I am “Cell Biology” although that means much less than the work my laboratory produces. Besides I am self supporting. I have a full stipend that covers my living expenses and an award that matches my tuition. I will graduate debt free. All science graduate students get stipends at McGill.</p>

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<p>Unfortunately undergrads don’t get stipends.</p>