Checklist Information

Your checklist contains all the things you need to do after you apply. You can complete some checklist items by uploading a file or filling out a form. Other times, you will need to ask another person or institution to provide the information we need. (For example, you may need to ask an agency to share test scores or a professor to submit a reference.) This page describes every checklist item you might see in the Applicant Portal, including the expected content and how to share it with us.

Your program may require a specific format and/or content for some checklist items. Be sure to review your program's requirements before uploading checklist items.

This page includes information on the following checklist items:

• Architecture portfolio
• Area of research and applicant profile form
• Attestation of clinical experience in nursing
• CASPer
• Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) letter
• Confirmation of supervision
• Confirmation of supervision and funding
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Extenuating circumstances documentation
• Final official transcript
• GMAT
• GRE
• Government sponsorship letter
• Indigenous essay
• Interview
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT) results
• Letter of Permission
• Letter of Understanding
• Nursing Bachelor Assessment form
• Nursing Essay Questions
• Nursing Prerequisite Form
• Parental consent for Summer Academy
• Personal statement
• Photo identification
• Professional license
• Proof of English proficiency
• Proof of French proficiency
• Proof of graduation
• Proof of internship
• Proof of registration to National Matching Services (NMS)
• References
• Research proposal
• Ruling from the Barreau du Québec or Chambre des notaires du Québec
• SAT
• Statement of financial support
• Statement of funding
• Supervisor confirmation form
• Supporting documents for part-time studies (Law)
• Thesis abstract or summary
• Transcript
• Transcript for Summer Academy
• Updated transcript
• Video presentation
• Writing sample

Architecture portfolio

Content

The portfolio shows us a sample of your best work. It should be composed of:

• 50% work from previous design studios
• 25% project work from courses
• 25% professional work (personal projects or work done while employed in an architect's office)

For each item, indicate:

• Whether it was an individual or group project
• The architect(s) and your role in each project
• The course number and instructor (if applicable)

Expected format

Your portfolio should be a 15 - 17 page PDF, with a file size of 15 MB or less. (A 5 MB file size is ideal.)

We recommend you create your e-portfolio using Adobe InDesign or another software which allows you to export a lightweight PDF. InDesign offers documentation on how to do this. If you use another software, be sure to check the image and printing quality to keep the file size small. We recommend using JPEG image format and a 150 PPI resolution. You can also compress your PDF after export using Adobe Acrobat.

Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the portfolio to your application.

Area of research and applicant profile form

Download and complete the Area of Research and Applicant Profile Form (PDF). Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the completed form to your application.

Attestation of clinical experience in nursing

This program requires a minimum 3360 hours of recent work experience. See the Nurse Practitioner program admissions page for more information about the required nursing experience.

Ask your employer(s) to provide official letter(s) confirming the hours worked, the dates of employment, and the area of specialization.

When you're ready, add this to your application using the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal.

CASPer

When you register for the CASPer test, select McGill University to receive the results. We normally get results three weeks after you take the test.

Need more help? Contact the testing agency at support [at] altus.com or through the chat tool on TakeAltus.com.

Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) letter

Enrolment as a Special student in Architecture is only available to applicants who are completing academic qualifications for licensing in Canada. To get a CACB letter, you must first request a CACB review of your academic qualifications. You're eligible to study as a Special student if the response indicates your academic qualifications do not fully meet the requirement of the Canadian Education Standard for Admission to the profession of architect.

Once you've received the CACB letter in response to your academic qualifications review, add this to your application using the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal.

Confirmation of supervision

Ask your supervisor(s) to fill out and sign the Supervisor Confirmation Form. Then, review and sign the form yourself. Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the completed form to your application.

Don't have a supervisor yet? Consult the Microbiology and Immunology website for more information.

Confirmation of supervision and funding

Complete and sign the Confirmation of supervision and funding form. If your supervisor will provide funding, ask them complete and sign their section.

Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the completed form to your application.

Don't have a supervisor yet? Consult the Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences website for more information.

Curriculum vitae (CV)

The CV (or résumé) allows you to highlight relevant skills, expertise, professional and volunteer experiences. McGill's Career Planning Service offers some helpful resources to get started. (Note that the services advertised on the site are only available to enrolled students.)

Some programs, such as Law, have specific requirements for the content or format of your CV. Be sure to look up your program's requirements to learn more.

If the CV is marked as optional in the Applicant Portal, you can choose whether you want to provide it. Providing it (or not) won't cause any problems or delays with your application.

Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the CV to your application.

Extenuating circumstances documentation

You indicated that your academic performance was affected by extenuating circumstances such as:

• Significant medical, personal, or learning difficulties
• The death or serious illness of someone close to you
• A family move during the school year
• Involvement in training for high-level athletics or performing arts

To consider this in your application, we need evidence of the circumstances and their impact. Please provide:

• A brief personal statement describing what a timeline of what happened, how the events impacted your academic record, and their effect on your readiness to study at a university level. This statement should be two pages or less in length.
• Documentation to support this statement, such as:
  • A letter or summary from a physician, school counsellor, psychologist, trainer, or social worker
  • A death certificate (maximum two pages)

Once you have all your documents, consolidate them into a single PDF file. When you’re ready, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the file to your application.   

Final official transcript

Official transcripts must be delivered to McGill directly from the institution(s) you attended. You can't submit them yourself, but you can ask your school(s) to submit them on your behalf. (If you studied in the People’s Republic of China, you can request your records be transferred electronically.)

Schools may:

1. Use a digital credential service provider such as:
   • Parchment
   • Credentials Solutions
   • Bureau du cooperation interuniversitaire
   • National Student Clearinghouse
   • Digitary
   • My eQuals our 
   • eScrip-safe
2. Email transcripts to officialschooldocs [at] mcgill.ca or med.admissions [at] mcgill.ca (med[dot]admissions[at]mcgill[dot]ca) (for MDCM applicants only) 
3. Mail transcripts:

Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation prepared by the school. If your school can't provide a translation, you must send a translation from a certified translator.

For more detailed instructions about submitting transcripts, visit one of the following webpages:

• Our website for admitted undergraduate students
• The GradHub (for admitted graduate students)
• The Undergraduate Medical Admissions website

GMAT

When you register for the GMAT, request the results be sent directly to McGill University using Institution Code 58 H-MN-22. Learn more about how to transfer your GMAT test results.

GRE

When you register for the GRE, request the results be sent directly to McGill University using Institution Code 0935. Learn more about how to transfer your GRE test results.

If the GRE is marked as optional in the Applicant Portal, you can choose whether you want to share your results. Providing it (or not) won't cause any problems or delays with your application.

Government sponsorship letter 

In your application, you indicated government sponsorship for your studies. Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the official funding letter to your application. 

Indigenous essay

You self-identified as an Indigenous person. The Faculty of Law recognizes that Indigenous peoples are distinct from other equity-seeking groups. The Indigenous essay is a short personal statement that supports your declaration of Indigenous identity.

In it, you’ll share: 

•  How you’re connected (or wish to connect) with an Indigenous community (or communities) 
• How this connection has affected your education 
• How these experiences relate to your goals and motivations 

When you're ready, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the Indigenous essay to your application. 

Interview

If your program requires and interview, an administrator will get in touch with you to make arrangements. This is usually done by email. Make sure your email address is up to date in the "My account" section of the Applicant Portal.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT) results

If you registered for the LSAT before submitting your application, then your results will be sent automatically. This is based on the test date and LSAT ID number you provided.

Letter of Permission

The Letter of Permission is an official letter from your current institution. It authorizes you to study at McGill as an Exchange or Visiting student. It should:

• Use your university's letterhead
• State your name
• Indicate the faculty where you want to study
• Indicate the semester(s) you plan to attend at McGill

Ask your institution to provide you with a PDF (preferred) or Word version of the letter. Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application.

Letter of Understanding

The Letter of Understanding helps build a shared understanding between you and your supervisor. Your supervisor, their faculty or department may have a template for you to use (such as these for Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science). See the Graduate Supervision website for more information on how to draft a letter of understanding.

Once the letter is complete and signed by you and your supervisor(s), use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application.

Nursing Bachelor Assessment form

The Nursing Bachelor Assessment form is required if you have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BScN) from another institution. We use the form to see whether the courses you took are equivalent to the McGill BScN degree.

Complete the Nurse Bachelor Assessment Form and include descriptions of all the courses listed. Export as a PDF and use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your file.

Nursing Essay Questions

Content

Each program has a different set of questions to help us understand your interests and experiences. Find your program's question list on the Nursing site. In all cases, be sure to:

• List each question alongside your response
• Use clear, concise language
• Include your full name and McGill ID (if you have one)

Expected format

Your responses should total 1,000 - 4,000 words. This will be 4 pages or less using the formatting described in the essay question prompts. Save the document as a PDF (preferred) or Word document.

Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application.

Nursing Prerequisite Form

Complete the Qualifying Year Prerequisite Assessment Table. You'll need to provide official course descriptions for all courses (unless you took them at a Quebec CEGEP). Complete the form and add course descriptions so that it makes a single PDF document.

Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application.

Parental consent for Summer Academy

You need a parent's permission to participate in Summer Academy. Your parent/legal guardian must carefully review and complete the consent form.

Once it's signed, add it to your application using the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal.

Personal statement

The personal statement is an opportunity to present how your background and motivations make you a good candidate. The personal statement also shows your writing style, communications skills, and some aspects of your personality.

Your program may also request specific content for your personal statement. Look up your program's requirements to learn more.

When you're ready, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the personal statement to your application.

Photo identification

We need two forms of photo identification (photo ID) to confirm your identity and schedule your interview. Use government-issued ID (like a drivers' license, health card, or passport) if you can. If not, do your best to find valid photo ID documents from verifiable organizations like your school or municipality. 

Professional license

If you're already a licensed nurse, you must provide a copy of your current license. (Some programs require you to have a valid nursing license.) Download either:

• Proof that you're registered with a licensing board (in Quebec, this is an OIIQ registration certificate) OR
• Proof that you have "license pending" status

Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to upload your license document.

Proof of English proficiency

General information

There are several ways to satisfy this requirement. Law applicants have additional options; see below. For all other programs, choose any of the following options:

Law applicants

Students in Law must read and speak in English and French. To prove proficiency in English, choose the document which best describes your situation:

In all of these cases, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the required document to your application.

The Admissions Office may request a language test if it's unclear that you've met our passive bilingualism requirement.

Proof of French proficiency

There are several ways to satisfy this requirement. Regardless of the option you choose, you must score at least a B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or equivalent to be eligible. Law applicants have additional options; see below. For all other programs, choose any of the following options:

Law applicants

Students in Law must read and speak in English and French. To prove proficiency in French, choose the document which best describes your situation:

In all of these cases, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the required document to your application.

The Admissions Office may request a language test if it's unclear that you've met our passive bilingualism requirement.

Proof of graduation

If your final official transcript doesn't indicate that the degree has been completed, you must submit a diploma or other proof of graduation. This must be delivered to McGill directly from the institution(s) you attended. Any of the methods listed for the final official transcript will also work for proof of graduation.

Proof of internship

You indicated that you’ve done an internship, residency, or equivalent activity. Provide proof of the activity in the form of a letter or written confirmation from the host organization. It should include your full name, start and end dates of internship, and the contact details for the organization you interned with.  

When you're ready, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the Proof of internship to your application. 

Proof of registration to National Matching Services (NMS)

Your program uses NMS to manage residency applications. You must register with NMS to continue with your application. Once you’re registered, you’ll get a confirmation email with an applicant code number.  

Export or save the confirmation email as a PDF. Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application. 

References

Most programs require two references, but not all. It's important to respect the number and format needed for your program. Look up your program's requirements before you continue.

McGill uses the term "referee" for the person who provides a reference or recommendation. In most cases, you'll add referees' names and contact details when you fill in the application form. Each referee will get an email with a link to submit their reference through the online application system. If they forget or lose the link, you can send a reminder through the Applicant Portal. (The link is located in the checklist area of your application.)

If a referee hasn't submitted their recommendation in a reasonable timeframe, it's best to speak with them personally. If needed, you can add a new referee (or referees) through the Applicant Portal.

Research proposal

The content and format will vary by department, so look up your program to determine what you should provide. McGill's Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies team offers guidance on writing research proposals which may be helpful.

When you're ready, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the research proposal to your application.

Ruling from the Barreau du Québec or Chambre des notaires du Québec

Applicants taking courses for recognition from the Barreau du Québec or Chambre des notaires du Québec must provide supporting documentation. Provide the official letter containing the ruling of the Comité des équivalences (Barreau) or Comité sur les admissions (Chambre des notaires). 

Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application.

SAT

When your SAT scores are available, request they be sent directly to McGill University using Institution Code 0935-00. Learn more about how to transfer your SAT test results.

Statement of financial support

The goal of this document is to indicate that you'll have sufficient funds to pay tuition and living expenses while studying at McGill. You can do this with documents like:

• Letters from funding agencies
• Letters from sponsors
• An official bank statement showing you have received funding or have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of the program

You should provide these documents as PDF (preferred) or image files. When you're ready, add all applicable documents to your application using the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal.

Statement of funding

You indicated in your application that you've already received an offer (or offers) of funding. Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the offer or statement letters to your application.

Supervisor confirmation form

Each department has its own version of this form, so look up your program's admission requirements to download a copy of the form you need.

Add the completed form to your application using the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal.

Supporting documents for part-time studies (Law)

In your application, you indicated that you face one of the following obstacles to full-time study: 

• Disability 
• Pregnancy and childbirth 
• Caregiving responsibilities 

We need official documentation to process your request. In most cases, we require a recent evaluation from a licensed professional indicating the obstacle or condition. If you’re not sure what document to provide, contact us for help. 

If you have more than one document to provide, consolidate them into a single PDF file. When you’re ready, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the file to your application.    

Thesis abstract or summary

Content

This document provides a concise summary of your thesis. It includes a brief statement of:

• The study's background (optional)
• The problem or research question investigated
• The methodology used (participants, setting, procedure, data analysis method, etc.)
• The basic findings
• Possible implications of your study (optional)

A good abstract is also self-contained and well-written. It uses clear, concise language; defines any acronyms used; and doesn't contain any citations.

Expected format

The thesis abstract or summary should be one paragraph, in PDF (preferred) or Word format. Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application.

Transcript

We use unofficial transcripts to review your application, so you can upload them yourself. Ask your school for a PDF copy of your latest transcript, even if it's not final. The transcript copy should include overall GPA.  

Use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application.

All applicants in the CEGEP/French Bacc. category must upload a copy of the transcript that includes the R-Score for each course, as well as the overall R-Score. To obtain this transcript, connect to the Omnivox portal and select Léa. Then select the option for “Notes d’éaluation", and then “Relevé de notes finales”

Transcript for Summer Academy

We use unofficial transcripts to review your application, so you can upload them yourself. Ask your school for PDF copies of:

1. Your most recent transcript (for the current academic year)
2. Your final transcript from last year

Add them to your application using the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal.

If you can't get unofficial copies of your transcript, ask your school to send an official transcript via email.

Updated transcript

We ask for an updated transcript when there was a problem with the original. This might be because:

• Incomplete document: The document is missing important information. Make sure it has all the information we need, including your name, school, course credits, grades, and glossary of terms (if applicable).
• Wrong document: We received the wrong document. Be sure to get the right file.
• Missing original language: We need a copy of your transcript in its original language, even if that isn't English or French
• Bad scan: The document isn't legible. Make a new scan or take a new picture, making sure the text is crisp and readable.

Get or find a new PDF copy of your transcript and use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add it to your application.

(If you can't get unofficial copies of your transcript, ask your school to send an official transcript.)

Video presentation

Content

The video presentation is an opportunity for you to show how your background and motivations make you a good candidate. Your video should:

• Resemble a normal conversation. Use a narrative form and try to speak naturally (at a normal pace, without reading from a script).
• Describe concrete experience(s) that make you a good candidate. Some examples:
  • Describe a challenging situation with a disabled family member. Include how the challenge was overcome and how social, institutional, or cultural barriers were dealt with.
  • Describe an experience that required collaboration, and how you built a mutual understanding in order to collaborate better. Connect this with the importance of collaboration in your desired field.
  • Describe an experience that introduced you to the profession of occupational or physical therapy. Describe how this motivated you to apply.
  • You could also describe a personal challenge. Personal anecdotes can be very meaningful, and sharing personal challenges won't negatively affect your application.

Expected format

Your video should be under 2 minutes long. You may either:

• Upload your video directly in the Applicant Portal using the Portfolio feature. You may use any of the content types accepted in the Portfolio feature, which accepts most common video formats.
• Upload your video to a website like YouTube or Vimeo. (This may be easier if you have a slow internet connection.) Then, copy the video link and add it using the Portfolio feature in the Applicant Portal.

Writing sample

The writing sample should show the quality of your academic work. In most cases, you should upload the best and most advanced work you have. This could be a section of an MA thesis or research project, a strong graduate seminar paper, or an advanced undergraduate essay.

Be sure to look up your program's admission requirements to see if they have any specific requirements for your writing sample(s). When you're ready, use the Uploader tool in the Applicant Portal to add the document(s) to your application.