McGill University is one of the top research institutions in Montreal, and here, we have discussed its acceptance rate and admission process.
McGill University is among the earliest institutions in North America. Established in the 1800s, the university has a history of over 200 years of providing education to the population of Montreal and beyond.
Since its inception, McGill University has emerged as one of the best research institutions in the province of Quebec, offering undergraduate majors and graduate degree programs in various areas of study.
Being a renowned institution with huge global recognition, McGill attracts thousands of high schoolers and graduate students across Canada, the neighbouring United States and other countries.
If you intend to secure a spot at McGill in the next admission process, you should know the university’s acceptance rate and application procedure.
The information you will find in this article will explain the admission process and acceptance rate at McGill University. If you are an international with aspirations to attend McGill University, we urge you to read this article till the end to discover important admission information.
About McGill University
The establishment of McGill University traces back to the early 19th century. McGill University was founded by royal charter in 1821, initially as McGill College. In 1885 McGill College was officially renamed McGill University to mark a new beginning for the institution.
Located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, McGill University is one out of two universities outside the United States to become a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.
McGill University’s main campus is located in downtown Montreal, with other campuses in Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue and Gatineau.
The overall enrolment at McGill comprises 39,000+ undergraduate and graduate students. McGill University offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in different fields of study.
Also Read: English Universities In Montreal Canada and details about them
Schools at McGill University
McGill University offers a variety of degree programs through ten schools.
They include the Bieler School of Environment, School of Architecture, School of Communication Science and Disorders, School of Computer Science, School of Human Nutrition, School of Information Studies, School of Religious Studies, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, School of Social Work and School of Urban Planning.
McGill University Ranking
The latest ranking by U.S. News and World Report places McGill in the 53rd position as the best global university and 3rd in best global universities in Canada.
McGill University tops the chart in Canada among medical doctoral universities. The university is ranked 31st in QS World University Rankings and 46th in Times Higher Education World University Ranking.
Campus Life at McGill University
McGill University has a diverse community on campus and provides the basics to accommodate students. McGill provides several housing options for students, with more residential halls to accommodate over 3,000 students coming into the McGill community annually.
If you are concerned about dining halls on campus, McGill got you covered with freshly prepared, nutritious and healthy meals served across five residential halls.
With McGill OneCard, you can transact and pay for your beverages, food and laundry services.
The university also prioritizes the safety, health and well-being of everyone on campus. It provides programs and services to assist students academically, financially, physically, spiritually and mentally.
Admissions at McGill University
McGill University uses a holistic approach to review every application. McGill considers several factors when evaluating an application.
First, the admission committee at McGill University will look at your academic performance in high school and the rigour of your school curriculum. If your academic performance in high school satisfies the requirement for admission at McGill University, then you are one step ahead of other applicants.
Besides your good grades and high test scores, the admission committee at McGill University is also interested in the achievements and experiences acquired outside the classroom.
McGill admission committee wants to know more about you.
The acceptance rate at McGill University is selective, and there are thousands of applicants vying for the same spot as you.
To be competitive for McGill admission, your excellent academic record obtained from high school might not be enough.
Show admissions that you are a worthy candidate with not just an excellent academic record but a student who will contribute positively to the community on campus. A good letter of recommendation from a core academic subject teacher or school counsellor will also increase your chances of admission to McGill University.
What Is the GPA Requirement at McGill University?
High school GPAs are the essential factors considered during admission. Most students are denied admission into their desired college or university due to low GPAs.
From what we know so far, McGill University requires that all first-year applicants present an average high school GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.
Having the best high school GPA makes you more competitive for admission. You can get into selective majors offered at McGill University with a higher GPA.
Also Read: Top Tips for First-Year Students!
The Acceptance Rate at McGill University
McGill University has been the destination of thousands of students across Canada and other countries. International students come to McGill from over 100 countries.
To understand the selectivity at McGill University in terms of acceptance rate, let us look at previous admission cycles.
Three years ago, McGill University admitted 15,323 out of 34,047 applicants who applied for a spot in the next graduating class. A year before the last admission at McGill University, the acceptance rate was 49% after 17,358 students got admitted out of 35,505 applicants.
In the last admission process at McGill, the university admitted 16,955 students from an applicant pool of 44,534. The acceptance rate at McGill University dropped to 38%, which is quite selective. Out of the 16,955 admitted students, only 6,351 students enrolled at McGill University.
First-Year Application Process
McGill will admit students who are eligible for first-year admission and meet its admission requirement.
So who is eligible for first-year admission at McGill University?
You are eligible for first-year admission at McGill University if you have graduated from high school and earned a diploma. If you have enrolled in any college or university, you will not be eligible to apply as a first-year applicant.
How to Apply to McGill as a First-Year Student
Applying to McGill University follows a sequential process. Before you start the application, make sure you have the necessary application materials and follow these steps to apply.
Step 1. Know Your Specific Deadline
The first step in the application process is knowing your deadline. Before you begin the application, ensure you know your application deadline. At McGill, the deadline dates are different based on your educational background, the programs you are applying to, and the location of your secondary/high school.
There is a dropdown menu on the McGill official website where you can select your educational background to find out your specific deadline.
Step 2. Select Your Desired Program
McGill University offers over 300 undergraduate degree programs. To find your desired program, use the McGill program finder to locate the program you intend to study at the university.
Step 3. Ensure You Are Eligible
McGill University has an entrance requirement that all applicants are expected to meet. Make sure you review the prerequisite and cut-off scores for your desired academic program. Bear in mind that McGill admission cut-off scores can change from year to year.
Step 4. Prepare to Apply
Before you get to this part of the application, you must have verified your eligibility. In this part of the application, you will have to review important deadlines and check if you need to submit any supporting documents.
Step 5. Submit Your Application
The next step in the process is to complete and submit your application. Please do not use a smartphone to complete your application rather, complete your application on a computer.
Once you have selected your desired program and clicked on the “Continue” button, you will be unable to make any changes. Make sure you select your preferred program and review the application for any errors before you click the “Continue” button.
Step 6. Apply for the Entrance Scholarship
McGill University offers two types of scholarships to first-year students enrolled in a full-time degree program. The scholarships offered by McGill include a merit-based Entrance Scholarship Program and a needs-based Entrance Bursary Program.
Show your interest in any of these scholarships early, as their deadlines are a week apart from your application deadline.
Step 7. Submit Document and Follow Up
McGill University will communicate with you through email whenever they want you to upload any supporting materials/documents.
Also Read: 12 Medical School Scholarships for International Students In Canada
McGill University Admission Requirement for U.S Students
High schoolers from the United States applying to McGill University are expected to meet the university’s admission requirements.
High Schoolers from the United States
As an American citizen applying to McGill for first-year admission, you must have graduated from high school and obtained a diploma from an accredited academic program.
McGill will consider your academic records from 10th grade through 12th grade. McGill will also review your academic performances in high school courses relative to the program you intend to study.
High school students from the United States are expected to submit SAT or ACT scores. Although McGill University is test-optional, students can self-report their scores.
Please note that if you are applying to Music at McGill, you must submit an SAT or ACT score.
What Is the Acceptance Rate for U.S. Students at McGill University?
Students from the United States make up 7.5% of the total enrolment at McGill University. Thousands of American students are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at McGill.
The acceptance rate for U.S. students at McGill University is estimated at 52%.
Admission Requirement for International Students at McGill
As an international student seeking admission into McGill, you must have graduated from secondary/high school and earned a certificate appropriate for university admission in your home country.
If your secondary/high school certificate is issued in a different language, you will have to provide a certified English/French translated version.
International students from countries where English is not an official language must demonstrate proficiency in English.
McGill will accept these English proficiency exam scores.
- TOEFL
- IELTS: minimum score of 6.0 or higher
- PTE: minimum score of 65 or higher
- Duolingo: minimum score of 115 or higher
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: minimum grade B
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency: minimum grade C
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment: minimum score of 70 or higher
Also Read: List of Tuition Free Universities in Canada for International Students
What Is the Acceptance Rate for International Students at McGill University?
The acceptance rate for international students at McGill University is approximately 46%. International students are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at McGill.
Important Dates at McGill University
McGill’s application deadline varies based on an applicant’s educational background and institution location. If you want to find out the deadline for your application, visit the McGill undergraduate admission page.
On the undergraduate admission page, locate a dropdown menu with the question “Where are you graduating from”. Select the option that describes your educational background, and the application deadline will pop up.
McGill University Tuition and Fees
Below is the estimated cost of attendance at McGill University.
| Description / Description | Amount / Montant |
|---|---|
| Tuition / Droits de scolarité | 2,797.20 |
| Society & other fees / Frais d’associations et autres | 1,031.04 |
| Student Services / Athletics & Recreation / Services aux étudiants / sports et loisirs | 694.96 |
| Registration / Transcripts & Diploma / General Administrative Charges / Frais administratifs généraux, d’inscription, de relevés de notes et diplômes | 382.34 |
| Copyright Fee / Redevances de droits d’auteur | 31.80 |
| Information Technology Charge / Frais de technologie de l’information | 271.50 |
| SSMU Health & Dental Insurance* / Assurance maladie et dentaire de l’AÉUM* | 345.00 |
| Total Fees / Total des droits et frais | 5,553.84 |
Please note that the table above represents the tuition for a bachelor of engineering and it is for students from the Quebec province. The average tuition at McGill for Quebec students is 5,000 CAD. The average tuition for Non-Quebec Canadians is 11,000 CAD.
The cost of attendance for international students that wants to obtain a bachelor of arts degree at McGill is 34,638 CAD. McGill’s average tuition for international students that wants to earn a bachelor of engineering degree is 58,000 CAD.
McGill Contact Address
- School Address: 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal (Québec) H3A 0G4
- Phone: +1 514-398-4455
Visit the official website of McGill University for more on the latest news.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions about the acceptance rate at McGill University.
What is the average GPA to get into McGill?
The average high school GPA requirement at McGill University is 3.2. To be competitive for selective majors at McGill University, your high school GPA should be above 3.2. Aim for a GPA of 3.5 or above to stand a better chance of competing with other applicants.
How difficult is it to get into McGill?
The average acceptance rate at McGill University over the last three years is 45%. This indicates that about 55% of those who applied to McGill were denied admission. The latest acceptance rate at McGill University dropped to 38% after the institution admitted 16,955 students out of 44,534 applicants.
Is McGill University a better school than Harvard?
McGill University is a public research institution in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, while Harvard University is a private research institution in the United States. Harvard University is among the elite Ivy League. Harvard University is ranked in the top three best universities in the world while McGill is ranked in the top 100.
Conclusion
McGill is an excellent research institution that offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Your desired program is offered at McGill and you will have experienced faculty members to guide you through your time at the university.
The admission process at McGill is selective. If you are certain that McGill is an institution for you, then your application should convince admission of your candidacy.
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References
- McGill: About McGill
- U.S. News & World Report: McGill University
- Top Universities: McGill University
- Times Higher Education: McGill University
