A few months ago, a friend of mine suggested that I look into McGill after not finding many appealing universities in the States. After weeks of finding more about the school, campus life and city, it quickly grew to be my number-one choice. Honestly, it’s the only school I want to go to - I have family-friends there, it’s a great school, it’s in my favorite city - it’s my perfect match. I truly can’t envision myself anywhere else, and I’d be completely crushed if I was to be denied a place there.
Anyways, I’ll save you the sob story; I’m currently a rising senior at high-performing public school in a fairly well-to-do town in New Jersey here in the US. I want to major in internal relations, economics, or both. I’m not sure whether or not it matters, but I am Hispanic and will likely be applying for financial aid as I qualify (however, I think my parents, grandparents and myself have all saved enough money for me not to be in too much trouble if I can’t get it, and I think I can get a scholarship because of my Tourette’s, so if it hurts my chances I think I’d be able to get by without it).
I currently have a 3.148 U.S. GPA, which likely won’t change due to school policy. I haven’t taken any SATs or ACTs yet, so I don’t know my score, but I suspect I will do quite well (by the way, which test does McGill prefer in an application?).
The real kick-in-the-guts for me, however, is that I have heard that McGill doesn’t ask for anything apart from GPA, test scores, and maybe a transcript (please correct me if I am wrong). This is especially bad for me due to my unimpressive GPA, and because my essay is supposed to be my redeeming quality.
I spent my entire junior year of high school studying abroad in New Zealand, and while this certainly helps when applying for a college that accepts essays, this knowledge has, to my knowledge, no way of reaching the McGill application revision board.
To sum up, what exactly can I do - given the information above - to help me get into McGill? It’s the only school I can envision myself enrolling in. Do I have a chance? What can I do to improve my chances? Thanks in advance.
TL;DR: Poor GPA, haven’t taken SATs yet, rising senior in America, really wants to go to McGill. Spent a year studying abroad in New Zealand but no idea how to make McGill aware. Can I get in, how can I get in, and what can I do to increase my chances of getting in?
GPA: 3.148 | SAT/ACT: Haven’t taken, but will likely do well. | Major: International relations, economics or both. | Studied abroad, Hispanic, has (mild) Tourette’s and ADHD.