<p>ok. so i'm a bit confused. i kno mcgill is supposed to be highly selective and everything, but then when you look at their acceptance rate (~46%) it's not quite THAT high.
i have a 28 act score... and i'm becoming increasingly worried that i won't get in. i really want to have a chance! oh and i'll b applying to the arts and science college. is that particular college very competitive to get into??
thank you in advance!</p>
<p>The acceptance rate is overall - not for international students only. It is a government funded school and there is a quota for US students (at the time my son was accepted it was 5%). It’s so much more of a numbers game than US universities, which in some ways makes it easier to understand because factoring in the value of subjective components like ECs, recommendations, essays is pointless. I recall there was a binder in the admissions office at McGill that specifically detailed the grade requirements for US students, e.g. pre-calculus A- , etc. The message we got from admissions was basically “if you don’t meet these benchmarks, you need not apply.” Perhaps your guidance counselor can request the document and you’ll have a better understanding. And, yes - it does make some difference what faculty you are applying to.</p>
<p>ahhh thank you! i will b applying to the arts and science college. is that specific school difficult to get into?</p>
<p>Back a few years, it was easier than some of the other faculties, primarily because it was the largest.</p>
<p>ah ok. thank you!</p>
<p>arts and sciences are 2 different faculties, but on the application you can put a 2nd choice so you can put both but they have diffferent programs and departments</p>
<p>so what exactly is the percentage of international students who are admitted? i’m hearing from one end that it’s easy to get in with a ~45% admittance rate. while others are saying it’s reallllly hard to get in. help!!</p>
<p>Percentage of last year was 20%.
Undecided for this year, but quota shows a stead trend of rising for international (particularly U.S.) students (it’s still probably going to be around 20%). If you excel in the tests and GPA areas you won’t have a problem. 28 is slightly below what they want, I have a friend is there now and he said 30 is a most likely, anything above is definitely. 29 and below leaves you with more leaning on your GPA.</p>
<p>do sat/act scores count for more than GPA according to your friend?</p>
<p>Yes.
SAT and ACT are standardized national scores. While there are ways to beat the systems (tutors and such) they are a unified, coherent system of understanding aptitude. (Not to say I agree with them, but that’s how the collegiate community views them). GPA is skewed. Certain schools are easier then others, others are more competitive and preparatory driven. Grade inflation, teacher accreditation, and other similar items influence a school’'s general GPA and grade medians.
McGill will look at both, but unless you come from a high school known on international levels they will put more attention on your SAT and ACT scores (not necessarily a huge amount, but sometimes enough to make a difference).</p>