I don`t get it...!!

<p>Well maybe this is my biased opinion about Canadian schools, but I thought they are more or less <code>numbers</code>based when it comes to admissions- as in, they look more at your numbers(SAT,GPA)than your EC<code>s and such (whereas, many U.S schools look at SAT,GPA but EC</code>s as well)
Correct me if I<code>m wrong on this..
I looked at the admissions decison thread for McGill. And some people didnt post their stats so I looked at those ppl</code> s previous posts that had their stats on them (sorry I<code>m not trying to stalk anyone!)
I think everyone was qualified to get admitted to McGill, BUT some people who were highly qualified(with high SAT scores,GPA) were waitlisted. I don</code>t get it~~ what was wrong??
Or is my opinion about Canadain schools wrong???
I`m currently a junior, so it would help me out if anyone could give me any input. Thanks!</p>

<p>Well, first off, McGill general applications do not ask for extracurriculars, thereby making that an impossible standard to judge by ;) It is a part of the application for a scholarship, but not for regular admissions.</p>

<p>Canadian students, and those going through the Canadian system, are not required to submit SAT scores. What can this tell us? That SAT scores are not the biggest part of the application. What is? GPA and high school grades. Basically, SAT scores need to be above a certain range (...something like both subscores neded to be above 620 or something), but other than that, they really look at your GPA. An unweighted GPA of lower than 3.3 can really sink someone's ship when applying to McGill. </p>

<p>And as for Arts and Science, which is where a lot of students got rejected from this year, it was extremely competitive--they only had a few spots, they were dealing with transfers from my year, and a flood of new applicants. I think over time they will deal with this and the competition level will become closer to the university's norm.</p>

<p>Also it depends what faculty you applied to. Some like The faculty of Arts and the faculty of Science have many, many spaces available. If your stats meet the cutoffs, you're in (this, incidentally, is why McGill has a relatively high acceptance rate...). Others, like the new Artrs and Science, Management, Music, Engineering, have only a certain number of spots available for the incoming class, and thus may use additional selective material, or just have different standards for deciding who they take, and who they reject. </p>

<p>McGill is getting more and more competitive though, so what would have been good enough a couple years ago perhaps is not this year...I don't know what the cutoffs used this year were...it's hard to say. My advice to you applying is that they let you apply to two faculties. I'm not sure what you're interested in doing, but if you want the best shot at admission, apply to the faculty of arts or the faculty of science as one of your choices. That'll give you the best chances of getting in.</p>

<p>There were some surprises this year...people didn't get in/didn't get scholarship money who I thought had excellent chances, and others who I wasn't sure about got in right away. College admissions inherantly are like this, unfortunately.</p>

<p>So I hope this answers your question? :)</p>

<p>Take care and good luck with your college search and applications!
Noelle</p>