Frequently Asked Questions
Standardized Testing
I am applying for Fall 2024. Are my ACT and/or SAT scores required?
No. In response to the continued interruption of testing services brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, McGill University is extending the option of excluding ACT and/or SAT scores to Fall 2024 applicants. This applies to students completing a US high school diploma in the USA or elsewhere and to most undergraduate programs*. Further information at https://www.mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/apply/requirements/us
*Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Arts, BA&Sc, Education (including Kinesiology), Engineering (including Architecture), Management, Nursing, and Science.
I have chosen to have ACT and/or SAT scores excluded from the review of my application. How will my application be considered?
In order to make the best-informed admission decision possible, McGill Admissions will consider all academic aspects of your application. This includes grades, breadth of course choice, challenge level of courses (rigour), rank in class (if available), and completed examinations results, such as Advanced Placement (AP). You may be asked to provide a school profile.
How will I notify McGill that I want to exclude my ACT and/or SAT and SAT Subject Test scores from the review of my Fall 2024 application?
If you wish to opt out of submitting ACT/SAT scores for admission consideration, indicate this in your application. This decision will apply to all your application program choices for Fall 2024. Please note that once the application is submitted, it will not be possible to make any changes to your decision regarding the 'out-out' policy. See also www.mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/apply/requirements/us
I want to be considered for a McGill Entrance Scholarship and have chosen to have my standardized test scores excluded from the review of my application. How will my scholarship application be reviewed?
I would like to self-report my AP exam results. How can I do that?
You will enter your AP exam results on your application for admission, in the section ‘Tests Taken’. Note that results for all completed examinations such as AP and IB are expected to be declared on the application, including the dates of any planned examinations.
If I am completing the IB Diploma, can I choose to exclude my SAT/ACT test results from my application?
If you are completing the IB diploma concurrently with the U.S. high school diploma at a high school located in the U.S.A., you are considered to be a U.S. high school applicant and can decide whether to 'opt-out' from providing ACT/SAT scores at the time of application. Should you not be admissible on the basis of your high school marks, you will be reviewed for admission on the basis of IB requirements and your Predicted IB results may be requested.
Self-Reporting Grades
Will I be required to self-report my grades?
Yes, if you are completing a U.S. high school diploma at a high school located in the U.S.A., you will be required to self-report your grades. If your school has an alternate grading scale (e.g. not A-F or percentage grades) or you studied outside of the USA through grade 11, you will not be able to self-report and will need to upload your transcripts. This will be reflected in your application checklist. Please see mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/apply/self-reporting-usa for more information.
Will I be able to self-report grades of ‘Pass’, ‘Satisfactory’ or ‘Credit’?
If you have received a ‘Pass’, ‘Satisfactory’ or ‘Credit’ grade notation, you will have the option of choosing these notations on the self-reporting form.
How do I report college courses I have taken separately from my high school?
If you have taken college/university-level courses that do not appear on your high school transcript, make sure you indicate this on your application. If you have not done so, please contact Service Point to have this added to your application. If you are enrolled in an early college program where you attend college in the last few years of high school, you will be asked to upload a transcript for these courses.
How do I report my in-progress 12th grade courses?
There are several Course Length options in the self-reporting form. Please see below. If you have not graduated from high school, do not use ‘Final Grade’ to report your 12th grade courses. If you will receive a mid-term grade, you may enter it as ‘Semester – Fall Only’ as you will be able to update the submitted grade if you are requested to provide mid-year/second quarter grades.
Course length options:
Note: IP = in-progress
Your school year is divided in two semesters or terms
- Your course lasts all year and you will receive two semester grades: select ‘Semester – Fall and Winter’
- Your course lasts one semester in the Fall: select ‘Semester – Fall Only’
- Your course lasts one semester and is scheduled for Winter: select ‘Semester – Winter Only’ and leave this grade as IP
Your school year is divided in three trimesters or terms
- Your course lasts all year and you will receive three trimester grades: select ‘Trimester – Fall Winter Spring’
- Your course lasts one trimester in the Fall: select ‘Trimester – Fall Only’
- Your course lasts one semester and is scheduled for a later term: select ‘Trimester – Winter Only’ or Trimester – Spring Only’ and leave these grades as IP
Your school year is divided in four quarters, with or without a mid-year cumulative grade
- Your course lasts all year and you will receive four grades: select ‘Quarters – All Year’
What if my high school isn’t listed? I attended two different schools and only one is listed.
The schools listed in the self-reporting form reflect what you reported on the application. If you need to add a school, please contact Service Point. Only high schools located in the USA will be listed on the self-reporting form.
Why can’t I submit my self-reported grades?
If you are trying to submit your self-reported grades but the Submit button isn’t active, ensure that you are not leaving a required grade as ‘IP’.
On first submission, you must report final (not IP) grades for a minimum of five 11th grade and three 12th grade courses for the following terms:
Semester – Fall and Winter: First
Semester – Fall Only
Trimester – Fall Winter Spring: First
Trimester – Fall Only
Quarters (All Year): First
If you are required to submit mid-year grades, you must submit all final and interim grades for the following terms:
Semester – Fall and Winter: First
Semester – Fall Only
Trimester – Fall Winter Spring: First
Trimester – Fall Only
Quarters (All Year): First and Second
Only later 12th grade terms (second semester, second trimester, third & fourth quarters) can be submitted with a grade of IP.
I self-reported “Final Grade” as the course length for an in-progress grade 12 course, how do I correct this?
If you entered your mid-term grade as a “Final Grade”, no action is required. You will not be able to make changes to the information you submitted at this time, but it will not affect the review of your file as long as the correct grade for that course was declared. If you reported an incorrect grade, please let Service Point know by completing the Applicant Contact Form.
I self-reported a full year course as Fall only, do I need to correct this?
No, this will not affect the review of your file as long as the correct grade for that course was declared. If you are asked to provide mid-year grades, you can update the course length at this time; however, most students will not be required to provide an interim grade for the winter term portion of the course.
Updating or Self-Reporting Mid-Year Grades
I’ve been asked for updated mid-year grades, but I already submitted these in my initial submission.
If you have no new grades to provide and won’t receive any new updated grades before March 1st, please let Service Point know by completing the Applicant Contact Form.
I self-reported “Final Grade” as the course length for an in-progress grade 12 course, how do I correct this?
- If you’ve been asked for updated mid-year grades you can simply enter the correct grade in the self-reporting module. You will also be able to update the course length and/or grade at this time.
- If you entered your mid-term grade as a “Final Grade”, no action is required. You will be able to update the course length and/or grade at this time.
I self-reported a course as full year, but I will only begin the course in the winter term.
Please contact Service Point by completing the Applicant Contact Form and let us know which course is affected.