I’m a first-year student at a well-ranked liberal arts college in the US looking to transfer into McGill’s Science faculty (I also applied for Electrical Engineering as my alternate) in Fall 2015. I had a 4.0 GPA last semester, which included, but was not limited to one science course w/ lab and 2nd-semester Calculus, and am taking 3 Math/Science courses this semester (with an additional humanities course). I haven’t found much transfer admission data on McGill’s website, and I was wondering if anyone has any insight or experience with this.
-Will admissions officers wait until my 2nd-semester grades have been processed to make my admission decision?
-If so, provided I maintain a similar GPA this semester, do I have decent chances? I’ll have been able to take 5 science-related courses by that time, so hopefully that will speak more of my potential, but I’m still not sure what admissions cares about more (will they give priority to people who’ve been able to take more major-related courses?).
-If they only look at my 1st-semester grades, will the fact that I wasn’t able to take a full schedule of math and science courses, despite my straight A’s, hurt my chances?
-This isn’t as important, but the website says that transfer admissions decisions are sent from “middle of February to end of May”. I’m assuming this pretty much means “end of May” because they need to process regular applicants first, but do they actually start reviewing transfer applications as early as February?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
To be eligible for transfer to the Science faculty, you will be required to have completed certain course equivalents in your university.
Different programs will have different requirements but generally you will need 2 courses in calculus, 2 in chemistry, 1-2 in Physics, and possibly 1-2 in Bio.
Here’s a table listing deadlines and requirements for transfer applicants:
http://www.mcgill.ca/applying/admissionsguide/2015-16/other
Thanks upapilot. I’m specifically applying to major in Physics and from what I make of what the website says, I need 2 semesters of calculus and two semesters out of biology/chemistry/physics. Is the science course-load something you listed something you found on the above something you found on the website, or just what’s recommended?
In other words, could someone please interpret what the requirement of “Two semesters of biology, chemistry, and/or physics, with labs” means?
I forgot to mention that I’ve already applied; I’m just inquiring about my chances.
@2015transfer2018 In McGill, first-years generally do Bio 111 and Bio 112 in their first year for their biology requirement, Phys 101/131 and 102/142 for their Physics requirement, Chem 110 and 120 for their chemistry requirement and Math 133+140+141 for their Calculus/Algebra requirement.
All of these courses have some lab work integrated in them.
Thus to get credits for these credits, you need to have completed a syllabus comparable to the structure of these courses along with a few lab sessions.
Depending on which branch/program you choose, you will probably need most of these fundamental science courses (or credits) to take up a major program.
For physics generally, you’ll need to have credit for:
Phys 131 and 142
Math 133, 140 and 141
Chem 110 and 120
If you don’t get credits for these courses you may have to do them in your first year at McGill.
Thanks again upapilot. Looks like I’ll have to take Chem 120 and a semester of bio if I end up going.
Anyone have an idea of what the transfer selectivity is like and what my chances are?
Since you don’t actually meet all the minimum class requirements, I think you’d be auto-rejected. I may be wrong though, you should call service point.
@usert123 McGill’s website lists the requirements to transfer into the Science faculty as:
-One semester of differential calculus
-One semester of integral calculus
-Two semesters of biology, chemistry, and/or physics, with labs
Am I misinterpreting the last one? I’ll call Service Point about it, but I was under the impression that a semester of physics and a semester of chemistry would work.
Update: talked to service point today; they said I should be good for the prerequisites.