Are you an incoming first-year student?
Programs marked by ∆ are maintained and developed by student organizations and may not involve any University oversight.
Peer Programs for New Students
| NAME | OPEN TO | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| New Student Mentorship Program | Incoming domestic students | The New Student Mentorship Program facilitates on-going and meaningful connections between new and returning McGill students. Incoming students are matched with a trained, upper-year mentor. To join the program please visit our New Student Mentorship page. |
| International Student Buddy Program | Incoming international students |
As a new international student, the International Student Buddy Program assists you in adjusting to your new surroundings and facilitates your integration into the McGill and Montreal communities. To learn more please visit the Buddy Program webpage. |
| First Friend | Incoming international students |
To help ease your transition to McGill, International Student Services (ISS), offers the First Friend Program! First Friend is a peer-to-peer program where you’ll be matched with a fellow new McGill student in the same region of the world as you (not to be confused with a mentorship program). To join the program please visit the First Friend webpage. |
Peer Programs by Community/Specific Population
| NAME | OPEN TO | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Up: First Generation Peer Support Group | First Generation students | 1st Up is McGill's peer support group for students who self-identify as First Generation (typically, the first in their family or care giving team to attend a post-secondary institution). Follow 1st Up on Instagram and join their Facebook group to stay up to date on events and posts from students! |
| Black Students' Network ∆ | anyone interested in the affairs of Black students and those of the larger African Diaspora |
The Black Students’ Network (BSN) is a service provided through the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU), and is available to all McGill students who are interested in the affairs of Black students and those of the larger African Diaspora. We host a range of social and political events by and for Black Students, in addition to hosting discussions and providing mentoring and resources. This includes Soul Food Fridays, Blacktivities, Book Club, Youth Day, Skillshares, workshops, Hair Day, Movie Nights, Parties, Mentorship Programs, alumni events, panels, and more! Visit the Black Students' Network website to learn more. The Black Students’ Network (BSN) host a range of social and political events by and for Black Students, in addition to hosting discussions and providing mentoring and resources. To learn more please visit the Black Students’ Network’s website. |
| BLSAM Mentorship Program ∆ | Black and racialized students | The Black Law Students’ Association of McGill (BLSAM) is a student-run organization at McGill University’s Faculty of Law. Through its programming, BLSAM aims to increase the visibility of Black and racialized students at the Faculty of Law and provide its members with the necessary tools to achieve the best law school experience and overall success. Please blsa.law [at] mail.mcgill.ca (email the Black Law Students’ Association) for mentorship inquiries and registration. |
| McGill Chinese Students and Scholars Association ∆ | Chinese students | This Buddy Program is one activity that the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) offers to help newly admitted Chinese students adapt to university life, through partnering you up with a senior McGill student. To join the program please mcgillcssa [at] ssmu.ca (email Chinese Students and Scholars Association). |
| McGill Christian Fellowship Buddy Program ∆ | students who identify as Christian | This program matches incoming McGill students to upper year students to help you navigate the transition to McGill. You will receive support in classes, faith, adjusting to school online and tips for a successful first year, and more. To join the program please intervarsitymcf [at] ssmu.ca (subject: McGill%20Christian%20Fellowship%20Buddy%20Program) (email McGill Christian Fellowship). |
| PhD Support Group | students in Doctoral programs | Do you find it challenging to balance life and academics? Do you feel disconnected from others in your program? Do you sometimes struggle to retain your focus and direction? Join our group for ideas, encouragement, motivation and a sense of connectedness. Students may attend one or both groups. Please register at least 1 hour prior to the start of a session in order to receive the invitation for the online meeting. |
| Queer McGill ∆ | 2SLGBTQIA+ McGill students | Queer McGill is a social, political, and informational support service for queer students, by queer students. Learn more at the Queer McGillFacebook Group. |
Peer Programs for Students in Specific Departments/Programs
| NAME | OPEN TO | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| ACE Buddy Match ∆ | M.D., C.M. program, First-Year Med students |
The Ambassadors for Comprehensive Education (ACE) Buddy Match is a student-led initiative that was started in 2015 by the Ambassadors for Comprehensive Education standing committee within the McGill Medical Student Society (MSS). This mentoring program is offered to incoming first year medical students enrolled in the M.D., C.M. program. More information can be found on the Ambassadors for Comprehensive Education Facebook page, ACE website, or by ace.mss [at] mail.mcgill.ca (emailing ACE). |
| Adams Club Mentoring Circles ∆ | Earth Sciences, Department of |
This program matches first year Masters and PhD students in the Department of Earth Sciences with senior Masters or PhD students. The objective of this program is to answer questions, address concerns, and give advice on topics related to career development and research. Mentors will be assigned at the beginning of the academic year. To receive more information on how to request a mentor please adams-club.pgss [at] mail.mcgill.ca (email the Adams Club.) |
| Art History & Communication Studies Graduate Student Peer Mentoring | Art History & Communication Studies |
McGill Art History & Communication Studies is offering a graduate student peer mentoring program for the academic school year. Mentors can clarify administrative and academic processes based on their first-hand experience; direct you towards available resources; and offer a sounding board, guidance, and friendly support. You can caitlin.loney [at] mcgill.ca (contact Caitlin Loney) if you have any questions! |
| CGSS Mentorship Program ∆ | Chemistry |
The Mentorship Program initiated by the Chemistry Graduate Student Society (CGSS) is a platform to connect first-year graduate students with returning graduate students in the Department of Chemistry. The program aims to help incoming students stay well-informed about the academic and general experience in Montreal. The survey for mentors and mentees is typically sent out to all current and incoming students in the department prior to the start of the Fall term. You should cgssmcgill [at] gmail.com (email the Chemistry Graduate Student Society) or the current CGSS VP Academic if you would like access to the Google Form. |
| ChEGSS Peer Mentoring Program ∆ | Chemical Engineering |
This program is about connecting new graduate Chemical Engineering students to their senior peers. The goal is to help students and researchers to feel welcomed to your new department and have a smooth transition to your graduate studies. You are encouraged to talk about courses, research activities, professional, and social matters with your mentor. If you would like to participate, please just send chegss.pgss [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Society an email)! |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders Buddy Program | Communication Sciences and Disorders |
The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD) Buddy Program connects incoming first year students such as you with a 2nd year buddy that would help you to integrate into the program. For more information, scsd [at] mcgill.ca (email the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders.). |
| Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health Student Society Buddy Program | Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health |
EBOSS is the Student Society for the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health. They host a variety of student related events - including support groups and journal clubs - and also offers a Buddy Program to incoming students. For more information, president.eboss [at] mail.mcgill.ca (email the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health Student Society President.) |
| EMGSS Buddy Mentoring Program ∆ | Experimental Medicine |
The Experimental Medicine Graduate Students' Society organizes a Buddy/Mentoring Program with the goal of new students having at least one friend at McGill, outside your future lab, to contact with questions, concerns, or just to have friendly back-and-forth with. |
| GASP Social Support System ∆ | Psychology |
The Graduate Association of Students in Psychology (GASP) Social Support System matches incoming first year MSc and PhD students with an upper-year student based on specialization (e.g., clinical vs. experimental) and research interests. The goal of this partnership is to assist young students with this often-stressful period and be available to answer questions as they arise. Incoming students are automatically assigned a mentor and do not need to opt-in. If you would like to volunteer to mentor a first-year student or to request a mentor, please gasp.pgss [at] mail.mcgill.ca (contact Graduate Association of Students in Psychology). |
| Medical Physics Student Council Buddy Program ∆ | Medical Physics |
The Medical Physics Student Council offers a buddy program that matches MSc2 students with incoming, first year students. This offers one-to-one support for communications and information. To access a buddy, go to the Medical Physics Student Council website. |
| MEGA PhD Mentoring Program ∆ | Economics | The PhD Mentorship Program is designed for first and second year Phd students who are new to the McGill Economics Phd Program. The program is designed to match incoming or second year PhD student (mentee) with a senior student (mentor) in the beginning of each term. Throughout the term the both the new and senior student will have the opportunity to meet either face to face or online to learn about the program, and discuss any challenges that the new students might be facing. Furthermore, incoming students are also encouraged to seek out advise about classes, what it is like living in Montreal, and more. Please contact mega.pgss [at] mail.mcgill.ca for more details. |
| MGAPS Mentorship Program | Physics | The McGill Graduate Association of Physics Students (MGAPS) mentorship program, which happens every fall semester, pairs new physics graduate students or undergraduate students (mentees) with more senior physics graduate students or post-docs (mentors) who share similar research and/or life interests. In addition to sharing experience/knowledge, the program can also help foster more interaction between grads and undergrads, giving the physics department a more welcoming culture. . If you have any questions, please mgaps.exec [at] physics.mcgill.ca (email the McGill Graduate Association of Physics Students.) |
| Nursing Peer Mentorship Program | Nursing | The NPMP program is a resource connecting students in the Faculty of Nursing, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, who wish to be paired with an upper-year student. Mentors are paired to one mentee and have the role of supporting, discussing and collaborating with their mentees to resolve any and all issues encountered during their time at McGill through channels most convenient to the dyad (by email, phone, text, in-person meetings, etc.). For more information, contact: graduate2.nursing [at] mcgill.ca. |
| School of Physical and Occupational Therapy Graduate Student Assocation Mentorship Program ∆ | Physical and Occupational Therapy | Professional Master’s students are paired with final year undergraduate and Qualifying Year students to guide them until their first clinical placement begins. They can give support and academic advice (about courses, classes, McGill Campus) or non-academic advice (apartment search, where to eat, what to do/visit, etc.). Please contact academic.spotgsa [at] mail.mcgill.ca. |
| Supporting Incoming Sociology Graduate Students ∆ | Sociology | This year, the McGill Graduate Sociology Students' Association (MGSSA) provided incoming graduate students with contact information of current graduate students who could answer questions about graduate studies in our department and relocating to Montreal. We also have an active Facebook group that incoming students are welcome to join where we share advice and information with each other. If you are an incoming graduate student in sociology and did not receive this information, please contact the graduate administrator in sociology (graduate.sociology [at] mcgill.ca) and request that your contact information be shared with the MGSSA executive. |
| Social Work Peer Mentorship | Social Work | The McGill School of Social Work Peer Mentorship program is a student-led initiative focused on building connection and community. It connects incoming students in the Social Work program with upper-year students, who provide guidance and help students navigate their first year in a demanding program. For more information, contact: graduate.socialwork [at] mcgill.ca. |
| WIN4Science Mentorship Program | Biological and Biomedical departments, female students in |
The Win4Science Mentoring Program aims to create a community, provide female role models as well as networking opportunities between female scientists from Biological and Biomedical departments across McGill University. Mentoring groups consist of one mentor (professors, postdocs, research associates, etc.) and 2-4 mentees (graduate students, postdocs, early investigators, etc.). Groups are usually composed of members from different departments and at different study/career stages to drive rich learning and professional development. The composition of mentoring groups changes annually at the beginning of the Fall semester so that members can connect with many mentors and mentees over the years in the program. Registration is open all year long so people can join at any time during the academic year. |
This overview is updated on a regular basis; however, some inaccuracies or broken links may exist. Please email cle [at] mcgill.ca to report any issues with the content on this page.
While peer helpers are trained and skilled in helping other students, they do not replace the professional Student Services at McGill.