Well, all basic entrance scholarships you do not need to apply for but all major, renewable ones you do. I applied for the major ones and was denied but was later awarded a Sheila Baillie - I believe that certain faculty specific ones are just given (but I am not 100% sure!)

Co-op is not available in McGill architecture I believe. Starting in 2nd year (if you are not from Quebec) you have courses all year round -including in the summer. You take 3 terms a year unlike most programs where they get 4 months off for summer in order to work or travel. Not architects though (and some branches of engineering I believe). It's not ideal for summer jobs or internships :(

However, in order to become a licensed architect you require ~3 years of apprenticeship experience after your degree and I'm sure McGill architects have no problem scoring those positions at the time.

I don't remember when I sent in my portfolio or anything- only that it was before the deadline. I do remember, however, that I received my acceptance on April 8th.

Is University hard work? Yes. This year was a huge reality check for me, to be completely honest. I went from getting high 90s or 100s in my classes without any effort at all to getting here and failing my first physics final (yup, failed. Lucky enough, I did well enough on the midterm to pass the course). It was weird, I was working harder than I'd ever worked before in my life but compared to some people, I was slacking. It's hard to find that balance though and, in my opinion, too many people spend too many nights with their faces in their books and they miss out on all the things that have made first year an absolutely incredible experience.

That being said, I'm picking up the pieces and doing better this term in most of my courses. I just find them highly uninteresting (chemistry has never been my thing) which does make it hard to motivate myself sometimes. Most class averages are in the low to mid 60s so I guess I'm stil above average, but it is A LOT different than high school, I'm not going to lie. I'm sure it's hard everywhere though.

No matter what kind of people you're looking for, you'll find them. I don't know how to put it any better than that haha. Even in my rez alone, there is at least one person from every program, people who are religious, people who arent. People who do drugs, people who don't. Outgoing people and people who like to keep to themselves. In general, if you act positive, people respond positively. It's pretty friendly overall I'd say, McGill does have a reputation as being stuck-up though but it hasn't made an impact on my experience here at least.

Hey simon, I'm so sorry to hear that. You got me so scared, mines is still "Ready for Review" as I've checked just now. Perhaps I'll check again tomorrow too to see if it changes to wait-listed. *knock on wood* But it's not the end though! I've read on many past forums of people who were wait-listed that got acceptances in late may I think? And even during the summer time! There is still hope! (also, what's your average and where are you from, may I ask?)

Thank you again for answering so many questions SiobhanE :-) You are so incredibly nice for sharing all this information. I am grateful! Hope you don't mind, but if I have any more inquiries, I shall post them up.

oh man.. they are really being cruel... putting 95s on a waiting list??? This is really scary. How do you think your portfolio was? I forgot where I heard this but apparently they weigh the portfolio and the marks 50/50? I'm not entirely sure. I'm preparing myself for waiting-list now, or even rejection. On their website, they say that you can appeal and ask for reconsideration. And I may do that as a last resort...

Waiitng listed is better than rejected! Think about it like this - there are very few arch. schools in Canada and there is a very very good chance that the thousand students applying to McGill are also the same that are applying to Waterloo that are also the same applying to Carleton and everywhere else. Now, as far as I am aware, Waterloo interviews have yet to happen and so they have yet to send out any acceptances. Knowing that there is a high chance that McGill and Waterloo will have at least some overlap in acceptances, there's a good chance that some students accepted here will turn down the offer to go elsewhere. And then spots will open up for those on the waiting list! :)

And of course, I'm happy to answer any questions as best I can.

I am also an international applicant. I have been waiting for the acceptance letter for so long!! I apllied to a lot of commerce program, just because I knew it was really hard to get into architecture program. I personally do not expect anything from McGill after I saw the posts from you guys!! :(

Hey SiobhanE (or anyone else really),

I was wondering about self-reporting marks for McGill - as a BC student who is on a 3 term school year, I have to self report marks for the first two terms. Does this mean that I provide McGill an individual mark for each of my courses for both terms or an average of the two terms? I just find this really confusing and would love some advice/answers :)

Hi,

I received my offer of admission on Minerva on the 23rd last month. The official letter came about 5 days after that. I think the response time is definitely faster for people applying from CEGEPs in Quebec. Be patient and don't worry about being waitlisted. I know for a fact that a couple of my friends who got admitted are also looking into options other than architecture at McGill or architecture at all. Also, do not stress out over your marks! This is architecture, not engineering. Whoever said that the portfolio and marks count for 50/50 was absolutely right(I would actually put it more around 60/40).

Best of luck

@alexandrasiu: congrats on getting accepted into ryerson! Did you do a mail in portfolio or did you go in person for their sketch and writing exercises?