Readmission

IMPORTANT NOTE: To be readmitted, you must demonstrate readiness to return to and/or continue your academic studies. Your academic readiness will be evaluated based on your narrative, your supporting documentation, and your previous McGill record. Accordingly, readmission is neither automatic nor guaranteed, regardless of your academic standing.

Common scenarios requiring readmission so as to continue your studies (deadlines, below):

  • Absent for one or more academic terms
  • Recently in Unsatisfactory academic standing (ie. right after Academic Standings are generated)

 

Key Considerations

    • Newly admitted students:
    • Absent from McGill for a semester or more:
      • You are subject to the program and degree requirements in effect at the time of your readmission.
      • It is likely that program requirements may have changed, or the program in which you were last registered may have been retired.
      • If the program has been retired, you will have to commence a new academic program.
      • Consult the BA Multi-track requirements and your program options.
      • If readmitted after a period of absence:
        • You are subject to the program and degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
          • Note: You cannot be readmitted into a retired program.
        • Regardless of how many credits you may already have completed towards your degree, students readmitted after a lengthy absence may be required to complete a minimum of 60 additional credits to satisfy your degree and program requirements.
    • You have completed a previous degree:
      • Either at McGill University or at another recognized university/institution during an interruption of McGill studies.
      • Applications for an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts - including questions about eligibility and program choices (based on the program(s) you completed in your previous undergraduate degree) - must be made directly to McGill University, Enrolment Services.
      • Refer to www.mcgill.ca/applying for more information.
        • Note: students may not be admitted to a second Bachelor degree in the same discipline.
    • Tuition:
    • International Students:
      • Consult the Minerva "View your Tuition and Legal Status" page to see if your record at McGill reflects your most recent immigration status in Canada.
      • You must possess valid legal documents for the duration of your remaining studies at McGill.
      • If you need to obtain legal documents (CAQ, Study Permit), submit a readmission request as early as possible due to processing times of legal documents.
      • If you have a legal document hold (ex CAQ, Study Permit), you will not be permitted to register until the holds have been resolved.
      • For more information, visit legal documents. For assistance please contact International Student Services.


    Application Dates

    Note: Late requests will not be accepted.

    To begin your studies in the Summer term:

    Summer readmission is not possible, regardless of the academic standing of the student.

    To begin your studies in the Fall term:

    Students in Satisfactory academic standing:

    • Apply from March 1 to June 15
    • Decisions released on a rolling basis

    Students in Unsatisfactory or Probationary academic standing:

    • Apply from May 1 to June 15
    • Decisions released on or after July 1st

    To begin your studies in the Winter term:

    Students in Satisfactory academic standing:

    Application Procedures

    Submitting your application:

    • Deadlines for readmission requests will be strictly enforced.
    • Submit only one application for the B.A., B.S.W. or B.Th. degree, and for only one term.
    • Do not submit multiple applications with various programs.
    • B.A. degree students are readmitted to the B.A. degree and not to a particular program of study.
    • If you no longer have access to Minerva, you will need to contact Service Point to be reactivated.
    • Consult this link for information on access to your McGill email account.

    Important notes:

    • Refer to your unofficial transcript on Minerva to view your academic standing from your most recent semester of study in the Faculty of Arts.
    • Based on your situation, refer to the “Readmission scenarios” section for important information.
    • Your application will remain "Submitted" until it has been reviewed. Once reviewed, it will remain "File Incomplete" until a final decision has been made.
    • A notification will be sent to the email address on your Minerva account informing you that there is an update in the "External Comments" section of your Minerva readmission application,
    • If you do not submit the information we request by the deadline you have been given in the "External Comments" section of your Minerva readmission application, your application will be FACULTY CANCELLED.
    • If you have a "HOLD" on your Minerva record, please consult this website for information on the impact this will have on your readmission application. If the hold is not cleared by the deadline you have been given in the "External comments" section of your Minerva readmission application, your application will be FACULTY CANCELLED.
     

    Your Minerva application:

    1. Login to Minerva
    2. Select: Students > Student Records Menu > Faculty Transfer & Readmission Menu
    3. Complete the Readmission application by the deadline date
    4. Under "Student Comments":
      1. State the reason(s) for your absence from the University;
      2. Provide your current email address if your McGill email account is inactive. Consult this link for information on access to your McGill email account.
      3. If you studied at one or more universities during an interruption of studies from McGill, include the following information:
        1. Name of the institution(s)
        2. Courses taken or currently in progress
        3. When the courses were taken. If they are in progress, when will they be completed
        4. If the courses are part of a Bachelor’s program or Independent Studies
    5. Notifications when your request has been updated:
      1. Posted to the "External Comments" section; and
      2. Sent to email address on your Minerva account informing you when there is an update
      3. Check these regularly for important notices.

    Supporting documentation:

    1. Your completed Degree Planning Worksheet (only for B.A. students).
      • Follow the instructions.
      • Carefully research the program options for McGill’s B.A. degree, ensuring you are eligible to take the programs of study and courses listed.
      • Form should include:
        • The courses you have already taken at McGill for your degree
        • The courses remaining to complete for your B.A. degree
        • Any plans you have for a change of program.
        • The courses you intend to take in your term of readmission must be included.
      • Submit via The Arts Service Desk Portal , choose the option 'Make a request' , then 'Readmission' as the category. Under the 'Summary' indicate- *READMISSION DOCUMENT – YOUR NAME AND MCGILL ID NUMBER – DPF* ( if you cannot access the Portal, please await instructions via the Minerva Readmission Module).
      • You must comply with the BA Multi-track requirements which requires that you complete a minimum of two programs of study - a Major Concentration and a Minor Concentration - in two different areas of study offered with a different subject code (i.e. HIST, POLI).
    2. Online Statement of Activities form:
      • Log in using your McGill/ personal email address.
      • List EACH TERM/YEAR OF ABSENCE since your last enrolment at McGill, describing your activities during this time.
      • List any challenges you faced, how these issue(s) would be under control or no longer applicable, and the steps you will take / resources you will use to improve your academic trajectory.
      • If you have experienced difficulties due to reasons of physical or mental health:
    3. Your completed signed Healthcare Provider Declaration and/or medical note.
      • Confirming the CURRENT state of your health
      • Confirming that you are ready to resume your studies.
      • Submit via The Arts Service Desk Portal , choose the option 'Make a request' , then 'Readmission' as the category. Under the 'Summary' indicate *READMISSION DOCUMENT – YOUR NAME AND MCGILL ID NUMBER – MED NOTE* ( if you cannot access the Portal, please await instructions via the Minerva Readmission Module).
    4. If you studied at one or more universities during an interruption of studies from McGill, send the following:
      • An OFFICIAL transcript of studies for EACH institution attended.
      • Must include final grades for ALL courses including those taken in the current term of study. A provisional transcript or a certificate indicating only the completion of studies will not be accepted.
      • If you are/were registered in a degree program at the last host university you attended, confirmation of university withdrawal is required.
      • Your final, official transcript, sent directly to McGill sent from the institution(s) you attended. 
        • McGill accepts electronic final official transcripts sent through a recognized digital credential service provider or directly from the issuing institution(s):
          • Recognized digital credential service providers include (but are not limited to):
            • MyCreds
            • Parchment
            • Credentials Solutions
            • Bureau du cooperation interuniversitaire (BCI)
            • National Student Clearinghouse
            • Digitary
            • My eQuals
            • eScrip-safe
          • McGill will accept final official transcripts (in PDF format) sent directly from the issuing institution to officialschooldocs [at] mcgill.ca.
        • Documents deemed to be unofficial will not be accepted.
        • Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation prepared by the school. If your school cannot provide a translation, you must send a translation from a certified translator.
    • Notes:
      • You must submit documents only after you have made an application on Minerva.
      • Questions about planning your course selection or confirming that you have met the requirements of a program based on previous studies are all issues handled at the departmental level.
      • The department can confirm whether any of the courses that were previously completed can be considered towards the program’s current requirements.
      • If you are readmitted after an absence, you are subject to the program and degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission (if the program has been retired, you must select a different one).

     

    Readmission scenarios:

    Students in Satisfactory standing

    Readmission will be considered for the Fall or Winter terms with decisions rendered within two weeks following the application deadline.

    Students in Unsatisfactory or Probationary Academic Standing

    • Readmission will normally only be considered for the Fall term only.
    • Decisions are rendered within two weeks following the application deadline

    This section applies to students whose academic standing is:

    1. “Unsatisfactory” at the end of the Winter or Summer semester;
    2. “Unsatisfactory” or "Interim Unsatisfactory" in their last term of registration.
    3. “Probationary” or "Interim Probationary" in their last term of registration.

    NOTE: Students who are currently registered and fall into Probationary standing at the end of Winter term do not need to apply for Readmission.

    Readmission following Unsatisfactory Standing – 2nd Time or more:

    • Multiple readmission requests are unlikely to be approved.
    • Students who are readmitted will be required to meet with a Faculty Adviser regularly to review their readmission conditions. If they fail to meet those conditions, a future readmission request will be refused.

    Students in Satisfactory Academic Standing planning an Independent Study Away after readmission

    • If you are planning to pursue an Independent Study Away in the semester for which you are applying for readmission, indicate it in the “Student Comments”;
    • Include the name of the host university you plan to attend. Consult the listings of approved host universities, under Step 2 of the Transferring Credit section on our website.
    • Once your readmission has been “Faculty-Approved”, you must accept the readmission offer before you can proceed with a Minerva Study Away Application by the required deadline.
    • If you are readmitted, it does not automatically mean that your Study Away Application will be approved. The two applications are separate. Consult the Study Away website for guidelines.

    Students who Studied at Another University during Absence (ie. Interruption of Studies)

    • Studies completed at one or more universities during an interruption of studies from McGill MUST be disclosed. For transfer credits:
      • It is unlikely that any will be awarded for studies completed at another university, particularly if studies were either not pre-approved, or where they were pursued at an institution not on our approved list.
      • Consult the listings of approved host universities, under Step 2 of the Transferring Credit section on our website.
      • Refer to Interruption of Studies for more information.
    • Studies pursued elsewhere during your absence from McGill:
      • Will be evaluated in the context of your readmissibility
      • Transfer credits will be assessed where they have been completed:
        • During your absence from McGill
        • Within the last four years,
        • Depending on applicability to your degree/program
        • In line with the Faculty of Arts Online Education policy.
    • In your Minerva readmission under ‘Student Comments’, include the following information:
      • Name of the institution(s)
      • Courses taken or currently in progress
      • When the courses were taken. If they are in progress, when will they be completed
      • If the courses are part of a Bachelor’s program or Independent Studies

    If you obtained a Bachelor’s Degree at another institution, do not submit a Readmission application; you must apply via Admissions. Please visit www.mcgill.ca/applying.

    If you have completed more than one year of study at another university during your absence from McGill, apply to be considered for Visiting Student status.

    In addition to the documents indicated under “Required Supporting Documents”, the following documents must be submitted for a final decision to be made on your application.

    • If you are/were registered in a degree program at the last host university you attended, confirmation of university withdrawal is required.

    Simultaneous Readmission & Inter-Faculty Transfer into Arts

    You withdrew from your previous McGill degree program and are seeking to apply to transfer to the BA degree.

    • Submit a Minerva readmission request (for the Fall term only)
    • Select Arts as your Faculty (do not select the Minerva Inter-faculty transfer request).
    • Readmission/transfer is neither automatic nor guaranteed.
    • Refer to the Inter-Faculty Transfer page.
    • Questions: submit a request via the ARTS Oasis Service Desk Portal.

    Readmitted after interrupting studies for five consecutive years or more

    If readmitted after a period of absence:

    • You are subject to the program and degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
      • Note: You cannot be readmitted into a retired program.
    • Regardless of how many credits you may already have completed towards your degree, students readmitted after a lengthy absence may be required to complete a minimum of 60 additional credits to satisfy your degree and program requirements.

     

    Application Decision

    • It is your responsibility to check the Minerva Readmission module and your email account regularly to avoid missing important information. 
    • "Unsatisfactory" or "Probationary" standing:
      • Your application will remain "File Incomplete” or “Submitted” until at least two weeks after the application deadline.
    • Notifications will be sent to the email address on your Minerva account informing you that there is an update in the "External Comments" section of your Minerva readmission application.
    • A final decision will be available to you via the "External Comments" section of your Minerva readmission application.
    • If "Faculty approved":
      • You must accept or decline the readmission offer on MINERVA within three weeks or your application will be cancelled.
        • Your offer to the BA degree will not carry forward to the next term of study.
      • Once you have accepted the offer of readmission, it will take approximately 3 - 5 working days to re-activate your Minerva record.
      • Read the Minerva offer of readmission carefully as there may be further steps to complete.
      • You must register for at least one course for the term to which you have been readmitted to avoid late registration fees
        • If you do not register for courses, or if you withdraw from the University before the withdrawal with refund deadline and receive a refund, your readmission term will be cancelled.
      • Consult Recommendations and Resources to ensure a successful resumption to studies.
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