Admission glossary

The list below includes some of the most common admission terms found in Minerva and in our decision letters to applicants. Click on a term to view its definition in everyday language. (Note that this terminology may not apply to Dentistry, Law, Medicine and Music.)

Application status

Items Outstanding

Documents listed on your Minerva checklist have not been received. Please arrange to submit these as soon as possible.

Applicants failing to complete their files run the risk of file cancellation. Please submit ONLY what has been requested. Do not send or ask others to send additional documents (including references, personal statements or extracurricular information). This will slow the processing of your file and will not increase your chances of admission.

When all required checklist items on Minerva show as ‘Received’, this means that your file has been placed in our ‘ready for review’ queue and will undergo a review by an admissions officer.

Ready for Review

Your application appears to be complete and is in the queue for review by an admissions officer. No action is required of you at this time. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to check your file status regularly on Minerva as an admissions officer reviewing your file may request additional documents.

Reviewed–Decision Pending

We have received all the necessary documents.

In the initial review your application was deemed more competitive than those already refused but less competitive than those already admitted, placing your application in the “grey zone”. Gradually during the cycle, as we fill the spaces in each program, the “grey zone” will shrink and the final admission threshold will be determined.

At this time, there is little for you to do other than to check Minerva regularly for changes. Offers of admission are released in order of merit. See Estimated decision release dates for decision time-frames. Note that decisions may take longer for certain programs or for applicants with extenuating circumstances.

Applicants to the B.Sc. Architecture:

Where the applicant’s academic requirements are within the general required range, a decision of ‘Reviewed-Decision Pending’ is made on the file until the majority of applications to Architecture are reviewed.

Further Review Required

An admissions officer has reviewed your file and has requested additional information (the requested information has been added to your Minerva checklist).

Please verify your Minerva checklist and submit the requested information as soon as possible; this information is required before an admission decision can be made. Please submit ONLY what has been requested. Do not submit, or ask others to submit, any additional documents, including reference letters, personal statements, or extracurricular information. Additional documents may slow the processing of your file and will not increase your chances of admission.

Applicants are responsible for monitoring the status of their own application. When providing documents, please do so in the precise manner described. Applicants failing to complete their files run the risk of file cancellation.

When all required checklist items on in Minerva show as "Received", your file will undergo a further review by an admissions officer.

Waiting List

Applicants admitted to McGill are required to confirm by a certain date.  Once the confirmation deadline has passed, we admit applicants from the waitlist in order of merit depending on available space in each program. This is why we create waiting lists for some programs. You are on such a waiting list.  Please accept on Minerva if you wish to be on the list.

Note that accepting a waiting list offer will not impact the outcome of any other application response. As well, accepting an offer of admission will also not impact the eventual outcome of the waiting list.

Many candidates ask:  "what are my chances?" or "where am I ranked on the list?" Our waiting lists are not ranked and we cannot predict outcomes. If space becomes available, we then sort applicants on the list.

While on the waiting list, please do not send or ask others to send extra documents to be added to your file, including expressions of interest to study at McGill. This will not be part of the evaluation and may slow the further processing of your file.

Admitting from waiting lists may begin at any time, and continues throughout the months of June, July and August. Please consult your waiting list letter on Minerva for further information.

Name Confirmed on Waiting List

We have received your confirmation that you wish to remain on the waiting list and will advise you if a space becomes available. Please check Minerva.


Admitted

Admitted

Great news!  You have been admitted to this program. If you have applied to another program, that decision will arrive separately. Please consult your letter of admission on Minerva for the next required steps. Please note that the electronic letter of admission on Minerva is the official version and no other letter will be issued.

Admitted With Condition

Great news! You have been admitted to this program. If you have applied to another program, that decision will arrive separately. Please consult your official letter of admission on Minerva for your next required steps. Please note that the electronic letter of admission on Minerva is the official version and no other letter will be issued.

This letter is normally issued to CEGEP students who are finishing their Diploma of Collegial Studies or Diplôme d’études collegiales (DEC). There are two main conditions to this admission offer:

  1. Maintaining your strong level of academic performance through to the end of your program. While there is no minimum final grade result to achieve, you are expected to continue to strive for excellent academic results. If grades fall significantly or should you fail a course or courses in your last pre-university term, you will likely be called upon to explain the circumstances. Without a reasonable explanation for the change, you may be at risk of losing your offer.
  2. Proof of completion of your DEC.

Admitted Pending Final Results

Great news! You have been admitted to this program. If you have applied to another program, that decision will arrive separately. Please consult your official letter of admission on Minerva for the next steps to take. Any required official documents should be submitted as soon as possible.

Please note that the electronic letter of admission on Minerva is your official version and no other letter will be issued.

There are two main conditions to this admission offer:

You are expected to maintain a level of academic performance similar to what you were achieving at the time of admission. While there is no fixed grade standing or percentage that you must attain in your final examinations, you are expected to continue to strive for excellent results. If grades fall significantly or should you fail a course or courses, you will likely be called upon to explain the circumstances. Without a reasonable explanation for the change, you may be at risk of losing your offer.

If you are a pre-university student, you are expected to continue your strong performance and to earn your diploma or leaving credential.

It is rare for students admitted to McGill to perform poorly in their last semester of pre-university studies. However, should your performance decline significantly or in case of failure, please do not panic. Instead, please notify us in writing of the circumstances and we will work with you to determine a fair outcome.


Refused

Refused–Academic Standards Not Met

We are sorry. We must refuse your application. Admission to McGill is competitive and dependant on availability of space. Admission decisions are based on demonstrated academic merit, including grades, test scores, and other specific program requirements. Unfortunately, your results do not meet this year’s standards.

It is not normally possible to reconsider refused applicants on repeated courses or improved final grades due to timing and limited space.

Refused-Ltd Space Available

All McGill programs attract many more applicants than their enrolment capacity. Accordingly, admission is very competitive and we must refuse a certain number of strong, motivated applicants like you each year. We are sorry.

You may have been on a waiting list, however in the final analysis, we could not admit you.

Refused-Language Requirement Not Met

We are sorry. We refused your application because you do not meet the English proficiency requirements for this program.

Due to space limitations and timing, it is not normally possible to reconsider applicants who retake tests to improve their scores. Please note that there may be factors in addition to your English, which disqualified your application. Therefore, providing a higher English test score will not necessarily qualify you for admission.

Refused-Missing Prerequisite

We are sorry. You are missing academic prerequisites for your program. Please note that in many cases, math and science courses completed more than five years ago are considered to be out-of-date and may not be used as prerequisites.

Refused-Ineligible

Sorry, you are ineligible for the program you have chosen. You may be presenting inadequate academic credentials; such as, having studied at a non-accredited school or not having completed all graduation requirements (e.g., not having completed the Chinese high school diploma, the Huikao). Another example of an ineligible basis of admission is the Quebec Secondary V diploma. It is wise to verify eligibility with your school before applying.


Offer withdrawn, cancelled

Offer Withdrawn

Previously, McGill admitted you; we must now withdraw that offer.

Some situations in which an offer would be withdrawn:

  1. Your grades have fallen significantly or you have several failures in key courses without an acceptable explanation;
  2. You have not provided the required academic documentation to us in a timely manner;
  3. We have identified unexplained irregularities in, or omissions from your application.

McGill reserves the right to withdraw, or reinstate an offer or otherwise modify an admission decision without prior notice.

Offer Withdrawn after Deadline

The deadline to accept the offer of admission is indicated in the admission letter. Admission to McGill is extremely competitive and we have many other applicants who are waiting to receive an offer. Once the deadline to accept has passed, offers are withdrawn and given to applicants on the waitlist. Accordingly, it is not possible for us to reinstate your offer of admission.

Cancelled by University

Your application for the program specified has been cancelled as it was either:

  1. Incomplete after the document submission deadline or;
  2. Submitted after the application deadline.
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