McGill as an American

Hello
I was accepted to Mcgill’s faculty of science, and I am really considering it. I just have several concerns…
As an American, will it be hard to adjust? I don’t know French. I took Spanish, which I now regret lol. But will it be hard to live in montreal? make friends? Am i screwed?

Also, I know mcgill is like the european colleges and “they don’t hold your hand.” Does that mean there won’t be any services? Like, a job center with listings for internships and stuff?

I am just afraid that if I go there, I won’t have access to any opportunities as research positions and internships because I won’t know about them - and I really want to do that stuff, as I want to potentially attend medical school.
Which brings me to my next point, will getting an undergrad from mcgill hurt my chances of attending medical school in the us?

I know Montreal is very diverse, but will I be discriminated against because I am an international student?

How hard/easy is it to know professors. Again, since I have heard so much about mcgill’s supposed “independency,” i am afraid when it comes time for recs and stuff I won’t know any professors.

And lastly, how difficult actually is it to attain a 3.8+ gPA? I know it depends on the student, but in general.

Sorry for the many questions. Just really nervous
thanks!

Desautels alumnus here.

McGill has a 12% American enrolment. There are 500,000 Anglophones (English mother tongue) residents in metro Montreal and from downtown to the western tip of the island English is the dominant language. You will have no trouble getting by in English but you will have the opportunity to learn and practice French if you so choose.

McGill has a full array of services available to students, you just have to seek them out. Contact with faculty members is up to you to arrange, especially first year. In other words you have to take the initiative.

A McGill degree, or a degree from any Canadian university, will not hinder your admission to US medical schools. BTW, all medical schools in Canada are accredited by the LCME.

McGill is 25% international so you will not feel “discrimination”.

Maintaining a 3.8 GPA is difficult at any top university. It is perhaps a bit more difficult in McGill Science.

Here is a video that an American student made after her first semester at McGill. No specifics but it will give you an idea of what to expect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmBU6YILM8Q

@tomofboston thank you so much!

Another question: is alcohol really a big scene in Montreal? I am not a drinker, but I feel like i will sorta be a loner, as it seems like mcgill students party and get drunk almost every night!

Partying/drinking is a part of student life at most US and Canadian universities for a segment of the student population. You would not have a problem finding students who do not drink or rarely party. Keep in mind that in Quebec the drinking age is 18. It puts the whole notion of partying in a different light. Here is an old article about a US journalist’s study of drinking on campus on a dozen campuses, including McGill:

http://www.mcgill.ca/reporter/38/01/drinking/

My daughter is an American 3rd year student at McGill who also arrived in Montreal speaking only English and Spanish. I can say quite confidently that not knowing French will not hinder you academically or socially in any way. Though French is the language of choice in Montreal, everyone speaks English. The only area where it will be a handicap you is if you intend on finding a job off campus. It is not impossible, my daughter did find a job off campus this year and is now actually starting to finally learn some French, but it will be difficult. There is a career center at McGill, btw.

My daughter is also a premed student and had no difficulty finding a research position in a lab on campus. There is plenty of research going on at McGill, so you just have to make the effort and you should be able to find a position rather easily. The one thing that you won’t have is an official premed advisor, or Committee that would provide you with a committee letter. So you will have to develop some relationship with professors in order to get your letters of reference. But of course he would need to do that at any university.

Maintaining a 3.8 GPA will require hard work and dedication, just like it would at any top-tier University. It is possible.

There is a lot going on around campus even if you’re not a drinker. Intramural sports are popular, and there are a lot of clubs on campus. The cafe culture is pretty big in Montreal. Also lots of concerts, and you don’t have to drink to enjoy good music!

The winters can be long and cold in Montreal so depending upon what part of the country you are from and what kind of weather you are used to, you should take that in to consideration!