<p>Hey everyone, I need some advice on whether I should apply to McGill or not..
Usually this is a no brainer but I am in somewhat of a special circumstance.
I am a Canadian citizen applying to McGill from an American High school Program (in Kuwait). I am interested in applying to the Faculty of Arts and pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Arts, with the hope of a graduate degree in the future.
The basic requirements for this program are:
SAT 1: R; 650, W; 650, M; 560.
English of 10/11/12 B/B+ Average Grades.
And 2 SAT 2's
I currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.14 (including the 9th grade, yes, it's low, I slacked off of school in 9th and 10th grade), a composite SAT 1 score of 1870 (R; 660, W; 660, M; 550)(taken without preparation), and I have had at least a B+ in all of my English classes since the 9th grade.
The only thing left for me to do to complete my application is to take the SAT 2's, but, the only test date available is Jan. 26th, 2012. That date, I have an international MUN conference scheduled at The Hague, the Netherlands, which is an amazing opportunity for me. This conflict has complicated things for me and has made applying a hassle, seeing as McGill is the only school I'm applying to which require the SAT 2'a.
To take the test, what I could possibly do is fly to Amsterdam early and take the tests there, and then, later that same day, participate in my conference.
My concern is, the monetary and mental stress of flying early, being jet lagged, and taking the subject tests in a foreign environment with the excitement and stress of this conference following me will prevent me from doing as well as I could on them. Also, if I don't really already have a chance of getting in to the University, I wouldn't want to complicate things for my school and my team by taking the tests.
So, my question is, are my chances at McGill great enough to merit me taking the test? Or am I just tiring myself out for no reason because I won't get in anyway?
Anyone who can help, please do :), I'm sorry if I sound wingy but this situation is really complicating things for myself, my family and my school in many different ways..
Thank you all for reading!!</p>
<p>I am not sure this would help, but there is a test date for ACT in February 9th but not in Kuwait. The closest might be in Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia on that date. You might be able to find a better location, my middle east geography knowledge is quite minimal. I believe ACT can be used instead of SAT including SAT subject tests even for international students.</p>
<p>3.14 is a little low for McGill…</p>
<p>@ttparent Yes, that is always a possibility, and there is an ACT test center in Kuwait, but I’m a little hesitant in taking the SAT simply because I’ve only prepped for the SAT all of my high school career an have never even considered the ACT
@Catria Is that your manner of saying not to take the test? I know that 3.14 is low, it’s quite low, but McGill hasn’t specified any GPA requirements for applicants coming from American high schools, none that I know of, at least. Does anyone know if there are any such requirements?<br>
Thank you again for the responses :)</p>
<p>They may not have specified GPA requirements but people who got into McGill under the American curriculum had GPAs of 3.4+ even accounting for the SAT at ~2000.</p>
<p>This is admission standard published by McGill for US high school students. Luckily, the Arts program has one of the lower standard of B/B+ average which based on McGill own scale, it is 3.0/3.3. So 3.14 is not below their accepted standard but definitely on the lower end of previous year accepted students. If it was for other schools, then I would think 3.14 would be a tough admit but for Arts school, the possibility is not that remote.</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>Also, unless the ACT website is wrong, the ACT test site in Kuwait does not offer February test date. Note that some people actually do better on ACT after concentrating first on SAT, so don’t discount the test as a vehicle. You also have quite a bit of time to study for February test. I would do some practice tests and see what kind of score you can get and use that as a better indication of whether you should take the test or not.</p>