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Candidates for M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees and Graduate Certificate should indicate in some detail their fields of special interest when applying for admission. An equivalent cumulative grade point average of 3.0/4.0 (second class–upper division) or 3.2/4.0 during the last two years of full-time university study is required at the bachelor's level. High grades are expected in courses considered by the academic unit to be preparatory to the graduate program. Experience after the undergraduate degree is an additional asset.

Applications will be considered upon receipt of a completed application form, $100 application fee, and the following supporting documents:

Transcripts – Two official copies of all university-level transcripts with proof of degree(s) granted. Transcripts written in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. An explanation of the grading system used by the applicant's university is essential. It is the applicant's responsibility to arrange for transcripts to be sent.

It is desirable to submit a list of the titles of courses taken in the major subject, since transcripts often give code numbers only. Applicants must be graduates of a university of recognized reputation and hold a bachelor's degree equivalent to a McGill Honours degree in a subject closely related to the one selected for graduate work. This implies that about one-third of all undergraduate courses should have been devoted to the subject itself and another third to cognate subjects.

Letters of Recommendation – Two letters of recommendation on letterhead (official paper) of originating institution or bearing the university seal and with original signatures from two instructors familiar with the applicant's work, preferably in the applicant's area of specialization. It is the applicant's responsibility to arrange for these letters to be sent.

Competency in English – Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English, by appropriate exams, e.g., TOEFL (minimum score 550 on the paper-based test, or 86 on the Internet-based test with each component score not less than 20) or IELTS (minimum overall band 6.5). The MCHE is not considered equivalent. Results must be submitted as part of the application. The University code is 0935 (Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Montreal); please use department code 31 (graduate schools), Biological Sciences – Agriculture to ensure that your TOEFL reaches this Office without delay.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) – The GRE is not required, but it is highly recommended.

Documents submitted will not be returned.

Application Fee (non-refundable) – A fee of $100 Canadian must accompany each application (including McGill students); otherwise, it cannot be considered. This sum must be remitted by credit card only.

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration – For dates for guaranteed consideration, please consult the following website: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/programs. Then select the appropriate program. It may be necessary to delay review of the applicant’s file until the following admittance period if application materials including supporting documents are received after the dates for guaranteed consideration. International applicants are advised to apply well in advance of these dates because immigration procedures may be lengthy. Applicants are encouraged to make use of the online application form available on the web at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

Financial aid is very limited and highly competitive. It is suggested that students give serious consideration to their financial planning before submitting an application.

Acceptance to all programs depends on a staff member agreeing to serve as the student’s supervisor and the student obtaining financial support. Normally, a student will not be accepted unless adequate financial support can be provided by the student and/or the student’s supervisor. Academic units cannot guarantee financial support via teaching assistantships or other funds.

Qualifying Students – Some applicants whose academic degrees and standing entitle them to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies, but who are considered inadequately prepared in the subject selected may be admitted to a Qualifying program if they have met the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0. The course(s) to be taken in a Qualifying program will be prescribed by the academic unit concerned. Qualifying students are registered in graduate studies, but not as candidates for a degree. Only one qualifying year is permitted. Successful completion of a qualifying program does not guarantee admission to a degree program.