Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

I have received my acceptance to the Faculty of Arts. What should I do next?

Congratulations on your acceptance! Important information on Advising, Orientation and Registration can be found on the following websites. U0 students should consult the information here regarding advising, registration, and orientation. Incoming U1 students should consult the information here regarding advising, registration, and orientation.

What is the difference between a U0 and U1 student?

“U0” or “Freshman / Foundation Program Student” is the term used to define students who have been admitted without advanced standing or with less than 24 credits of advanced standing. Freshman / Foundation Program students are enrolled in a four-year program and are required to complete between 97 and 120 credits for their degree.

“U1” or “Departmental Student” is the term used to define students who have been admitted with 24 or more credits of advanced standing. These students are enrolled in a three-year degree program and are required to complete 96 or fewer credits for their degree.

Advising

What is Arts OASIS?

Arts OASIS is the Office of Advising and Student Information Services. The office is located in Room 110, Dawson Hall. Under the direction of the Associate Dean of Arts, Student Affairs, our office provides advice and support to undergraduate Arts students regarding their academic trajectory, from entry to graduation.

What is the role of a Faculty Advisor?

Faculty Advisors provide information on rules, regulations and upcoming deadlines governing your overall 120 credit degree program. They offer guidance on choosing your programs of study, planning your degree, credit load and study away issues. They assist students in managing academic situations during periods of personal, financial or medical difficulty by working with students to identify their options and serve as your direct link to other University resources.

How can I meet with an OASIS advisor?

Arts OASIS is providing online and limited in-person advising at this time. Please refer to the following webpage for details on how to meet with an OASIS advisor.

What is a departmental program advisor?

Departmental program advisors provide advice on departmental programs, study away and planning your program, and approve the course selection of students in their U1, U2 and U3 years of study. Students must consult with a departmental program advisor for each program to plan their course selection for each term of study. Many departments have audit sheets to help you with your course selection. You can find your departmental website and program adviser’s contact information on this list. Please consult the Departmental/Program Advising Information.

I still have questions. How can I receive additional assistance?

Advanced Standing and Exemptions

What is transfer credit?

Transfer credit is credit granted toward your McGill program for courses taken at another institution. Transfer credit can be granted for a specific McGill course (if the coursework is deemed to be equivalent), or as a block of credits.

What is an exemption?

An exemption may be granted if you have completed a course at another institution that is equivalent to a McGill course. An exemption does not give you course credits. Rather, it means that you must take another course in place of the one for which you receive the exemption. If you completed Advanced Placement Examinations, International Baccalaureate Diploma or Certificate, Advanced Level Examinations or CEGEP Diploma, you must consult with your departmental program adviser to confirm whether any courses you completed prior to your registration at McGill can be used as an exemption for a departmental program prerequisite.

I wrote several Advanced Placement Examinations. Am I required to declare these results?

You are required to declare all examinations eligible for advanced standing credit (i.e., Advanced Placement Examinations, an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Certificate, Advanced Level Examinations, CEGEP Diploma or course(s) completed at another university, etc.). You can find this policy here.

I have been accepted to the Faculty of Arts and have arranged for my advanced standing results to be sent to McGill. How do I know if I have been granted advanced standing?

If you indicated on your admission application that you completed studies that will provide you with you advanced standing, your file will be automatically reviewed for transfer credit and exemption. You must make certain that the official transcripts of your results are received by Enrolment Services to ensure that your advanced credits and/or exemptions appear on your record. You can access Minerva to see whether your documentation has been received. Normally, Enrolment Services will record your transfer credits, exemptions and advanced standing on your McGill transcript during the summer prior to the start of classes as long as all conditions for transfer of credits have been met. You can see your transfer credits and/or exemptions on your student transcript using Minerva. Look under “View Your Unofficial Transcript” on the Student Records menu. Your McGill transcript will not show any grades for courses taken at other institutions and the grades will not be included in the calculation of your McGill grade point average. For more information, please review the information on transfer credits and advanced standing and advanced placement exams or contact Service Point for additional information on the status of your admission documents.

Can my advanced standing be used to fulfill Freshman Program requirements?

Advanced Standing that has been recorded on your Minerva student transcript may be used to fulfill Freshman / Foundation Program requirements. For example, an Advanced Placement examination (AP) in French Language completed with a score of 4 or better will count as six credits in the Language freshman category. You will receive an exemption for FRSL 211 on your Minerva student record and you will not be permitted to complete this course at McGill for credit. If your Minerva student transcript shows that you have been granted 24 or more credits of advanced standing based on Advanced Placement Examinations, an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Certificate, Advanced Level Examinations, CEGEP Diploma or course(s) completed at another university, you will be exempt from completing B.A. Freshman / Foundation Program requirements.

How do you transfer credits completed at another university, prior to your registration at McGill, towards your McGill BA degree ?

In most cases, only courses completed at an accredited degree-granting institution can be used toward the completion of departmental program requirements. Consult the following website if you have have completed university studies at another university prior to your registration at McGill.  If you completed Advanced Placement Examinations, International Baccalaureate Diploma or Certificate, Advanced Level Examinations or CEGEP Diploma, you must consult with your departmental program adviser to confirm whether any courses can be used as an exemption for a departmental program prerequisite.

Courses

How do I select my courses?

If you are a U0 student, you must select your courses from an approved list and fulfill the requirements of one of the two Freshman / Foundation Program options. If you select Option I, “General Option” (Classic), you must complete six credits (normally two one-term courses) in each of three of the following four categories: Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, and Mathematics & Science. You cannot complete more than 18 credits in any one category, and no more than 12 credits are permitted from any one department. If you select Option II, “En français”, you must complete a core requirement of 18 credits from the approved list and the courses you select must be conducted in French. For more information, please consult our website. If you expect to receive advanced standing for Advanced Placement Examinations, an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Certificate, Advanced Level Examinations, or course(s) completed at another university, you may be exempt from part or all of the B.A. Freshman/ Foundation Program requirements. If your Minerva record does not show that you have been granted advanced standing, select your courses on the assumption that you have been admitted to a 120-credit degree program.

If you are a U1 student, you must select courses that will complete the requirements of your program(s). For information on your program(s) options and planning your program(s), please consult our "Understanding your program options" section of our Degree Planning Guide.  You must consult with the departmental website of each of your programs of study to ensure that you are selecting the correct courses needed to meet each your McGill program requirements. Many departments have audit sheets to help you with your course selection. You can find your departmental website and program adviser’s contact information on this list. You can also attend an orientation session for each program of study you are considering. These sessions take place in late August or early September. During these sessions, you will receive information regarding departmental programs and you will be able to discuss your course selection and ask questions. The dates and times of these orientations will be available on the Arts OASIS website by early August under "Incoming U1 information".

If you are unsure about your program choices, reviewing your academic strengths and interests may be a useful exercise. Using the "Method of Evaluation" section of the Degree Planning tool, review courses in which you have achieved your highest and/or lowest grades. List the grades that you achieved in each component of evaluation for each courses and using this information, answer the questions provided to gain a better understanding of your academic strengths and interests. Please consult the Degree Planning Guide which will provide you with a step-by-step process to help you make your choice.

What is a normal course load?

A "normal" course load is four or five courses (12-15 credits) per term. Choose courses that will provide you with a balanced and manageable workload and consider your other commitments (part-time job, extra-curricular activities, eligibility for student visas, loans, bursaries, scholarships, etc.) in deciding how many courses to take. For example, select two or three courses toward your Major Concentration requirements, one or two courses toward your Minor Concentration requirements, and one or two elective courses.

What are elective courses?

Elective courses are courses which are not being used toward a departmental program you are completing. Normally, students select their electives from the courses listed in the Arts or Science section of the McGill eCalendar You are allowed a maximum of 12 credits in elective courses taken in faculties other than the Faculties of Arts and of Science. Please review the policy for taking courses that are offered outside the Faculties of Arts and of Science. You must ensure that you have completed the required prerequisite or co-requisite for any course for which you are registering by checking the course description in the McGill eCalendar.

When and how do I register for my courses?

You should register for your courses as soon as you have access to course registration on Minerva (you will have to sign in with your McGill credentials). All courses are limited by enrolment; therefore, do not wait until the last minute to register. You can view course descriptions on the eCalendar. Refer to McGill's "Registering for Courses" webpage for detailed instructions on using Minerva to register for courses, including a registration tutorial video. If you encounter any problems with course registration, consult our information on common registration problems.

I want to take a course but it seems to be similar to a course I previously completed. What should I do?

You must ensure that you are not duplicating any course already taken elsewhere by consulting the information on the transfer credit website. Please note that if you take a McGill course from which you have been exempted based on previous studies (Advanced Placement Examinations, an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Certificate, Advanced Level Examinations, CEGEP Diploma or course(s) completed at another university, etc.), you will not receive additional credit for the McGill course. You can see whether you have been granted any transfer credit or exemption by viewing your student transcript using Minerva. Look under “View Your Unofficial Transcript” on the Student Records menu.

I would like to take a French course. What should I do?

A placement test is required before admission to any French-as-a-Second-Language (FRSL) course. You must write a placement test to determine for which course you can register.

Programs

What is the purpose of the Freshman / Foundation program?

The purpose of the B.A. Freshman / Foundation Program is to allow you to take a variety of courses that interest you and enables you to explore your academic interests and career aspirations. Your goal should be to choose courses that will help you to make an informed decision about your program(s) for next year.

What are my program of study options?

If you are a U0 student who needs 97 or more credits to complete for your B.A. degree, you do not select a program in your first year of study. As a U0 student, you will automatically have the "Freshman / Foundation Program" entered on your record and you must select one of the following program options:"General Option” or “En français”.

If you are a U1 student who needs 96 or fewer credits to complete your B.A. degree, you should select your program(s) at the time of your Minerva registration, before you select your courses. This will facilitate your course registration as priority is always given to those who need a course to meet a program requirement. For information on your program options and planning your programs, please consult the "Understanding your program options" section of this website.

How do I indicate my program(s) on Minerva?

If you are a U0 student who needs 97 or more credits to complete for your B.A. degree, you do not select a program in your first year of study. As a U0 student, you will automatically have the "Freshman / Foundation Program" entered on your record and you must select one of the following program options:"General Option” or “En français”.

If you are a student who needs 96 or fewer credits to complete your B.A. degree, you indicate your program(s) by logging into Minerva and clicking on “Student Records Menu”, and selecting “Change Your Primary Academic Curriculum”. Following the instructions, select your program(s) from the appropriate drop-down lists, confirm your choices, and submit them. You can check that your selections have been properly entered by returning to the main menu and selecting “View Your Unofficial Transcript”.

I have been admitted as U1 student but I am not prepared to declare my program. What should I do?

If you are unsure about your program choices, reviewing your academic strengths and interests may be a useful exercise. Using the "Method of Evaluation" section of the Degree Planning tool, review courses in which you have achieved your highest and/or lowest grades. List the grades that you achieved in each component of evaluation for each courses and using this information, answer the questions provided to gain a better understanding of your academic strengths and interests. Please consult the Degree Planning Guide which will provide you with a step-by-step process to help you make your choice.

Registration

I need to make changes to my Minerva course registration? What should I do?

You can add or change your courses on Minerva as needed until the end of the Course Change (Add/Drop) Period. During both the Fall and the Winter terms, the Course Change (Add/Drop) Period allows you to "shop around" for courses you may be interested in taking. From the beginning of the term until the end of Course Change Period you may attend as many courses as your schedule permits. You must access Minerva before the Course Change deadline to add or drop courses. All courses are limited by enrolment; therefore, do not wait until the last minute to register. Courses dropped during the Course Change Period are deleted from your record. Your record will show only the courses in which you are registered after the Course Change Period ends.

I am having trouble registering for a course. What should I do?

If a course is listed as full, keep checking on Minerva; sometimes spaces will open up as other students drop the course. In some instances you can sign up for a waiting list on Minerva. Please consult the following “Tips on handling registration problems” for information on any registration issues you may be encountering. (See http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/academic/registration/registration-problems)  Departments (not Arts OASIS) oversee the number of spaces available in courses, and they administer and advise students on course selection and program requirements for Major/Minor Concentrations or Honours and Faculty Programs. Departments and Units oversee raising caps, opening other sections or giving permits. Therefore, it is the department that will determine if you need the course you are asking to take and will assist you accordingly. If you have questions about a course that is full or has a waiting list, please contact the department/unit that offers the course directly for assistance.

Transcript Remarks

Course Flags

A Course is included in GPA calculation but not credits
E Course is excluded from the GPA and credit calculation
I Course is included in the GPA and credit calculation
EXC Course is excluded from the GPA and credit calculation, normally at the time of a change in a student’s degree program.

For repeated or equivalent courses (when both are taken at McGill):

  • If the course content is the same *and* if both passed successfully, grade and credit only granted once, for the first course completed with a grade of C or better = E-flag and I-flag indicated on your student record in due time
  • If the course content is different topics *and* if both passed successfully, grade and credit granted for both = I-flag and I-flag indicated on your student record in due time (contact OASIS if you have other flags indicated). Also, you can have the topics articulated on your student record by the department (department login required to submit form).
  • For program requirements: if you repeat a course completed previously with a grade of D, no additional credit will be granted; however, both grades will be calculated into the GPA = A-flag and I-flag indicated on your student record in due time

Notes for students to remember:

  • Some course flags are automatically generated/added to your student record and some are manually added, please contact Arts OASIS if you have any questions or if a flag seems incorrect.
  • When course flags are added to a student record, students cannot pick which flag goes on which course.
  • The flags mentioned above are examples of common course situations connected to the mentioned course flags, but not all scenarios fall into these examples.

Other Information

I have been admitted to the Faculty of Arts as a Freshman / Foundation student but am considering a transfer to another Faculty. What should I do?

If you are considering a transfer to another faculty (such as Science, Management, Engineering, Education, etc.), you should consult the Student Affairs Office of that Faculty to find out the procedure and courses required for transfer:

 

What is the purpose of my McGill email address?

All students are assigned a McGill email address (Uniform E-Mail Address or UEA). Your McGill email address is one of the official means of communication between McGill University and its students. As with all official University communications, it is your responsibility to ensure that time-critical e-mail is accessed, read, and acted upon in a timely fashion. To activate your McGill email account, please consult McGill IT services.

Glossary

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