<p>I really wasn't ready for Mcgill university. I didn't have the right mindset or studying skills in order to survive. I was so used to being able to wing my way through high school that I never truly reached the level of maturity that was needed to succeed at the collegiate level. I can realize too late now that I should have done things differently but there's no going back. I need to move on and make do with the current situation. I failed 3 out of 4 classes in my first semester and I'm pretty sure I'm going to fail at least another 2 for my second semester. </p>
<p>I'll be put on probation because of my poor academic standing. </p>
<p>For someone in my situation what are some things that I should do and do you have any general guidelines? With this kind of record, how much will it impair me if I do try to apply to another school?</p>
<p>Another question that I had is if I take summer courses to make up the classes I failed, do you know if I could take the same classes at another university close to home and have those grades transfered over?</p>
<p>mike, I really can't help with you situation, except to tell you that you can either learn from this experience and kick ass in those summer courses and the rest of you McGill career or you should transfer to a state school. Either way, you will have to learn from this and try harder. If you like McGill and have made friends there, then stay. But if you feel that you can't succeed at McGill, then transfer out. </p>
<p>Is it common for freshman to go through this kind of stuff at McGill? What percentage of students maintain a 3.3 GPA and never get anything below a 3.0?</p>
<p>I think the first year is always the hardest. If you can manage to survive first year without dropping out, you shouldnt have problem graduating.
Probational Standing isnt the same as Unsatisfactory Standing, all you need to do is decrease course loads to 13 credits next semester if i recalled it correctly. You still can register summer courses too boost your GPA right?</p>
<p>"Is it common for freshman to go through this kind of stuff at McGill? What percentage of students maintain a 3.3 GPA and never get anything below a 3.0?"</p>
<p>Probationary Standing if your CGPA is less than 2.0 (for most courses).
(CGPA and GPA are not the same.)</p>
<p>Read and understand what CGPA and Supplementary exams are from McGill Website.
1) Go to Minerva > Student record > There is a place to Apply Supplementary Exam, apply all courses you failed.
2) Check the date for Supplementary Exam (scroll down and you will see MAY 2008 Supp/Def SCHEDULE" <a href="https://home.mcgill.ca/student-records/exam/schedules/%5B/url%5D">https://home.mcgill.ca/student-records/exam/schedules/</a>)
3) Write Supplementary Exam and boost your CGPA above 2.0
Once your CGPA is above 2.0 you are no longer considered to be Probational Standing.</p>
<p>Careful with supplemental exams: if you fail one, it counts as a whole new F on your transcript (i.e., it's the same as taking and failing the class again). Taking the course again may be a better option, especially if you lack studying discipline. Without regular classes, it's much harder to focus and learn the material by yourself.</p>