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Health Sciences Calendar
2005 - 2006


7.2.3 Admission Requirements

Applicants are not required to submit proof of proficiency in English if they meet one of the following conditions: their mother tongue/first language is English; they have completed both Secondary V and a Diploma of Collegial Studies in Quebec; they have completed the last five years of study in a French Baccaulaurate International Option program, or in a French Lycée located in an English speaking country; they have completed A-Level English (other than English as a Second Language) with a final grade of C or better; their last five years of study (preceding application) have been at a learning institution where English is the main language of instruction (including applicants taught in English in Kenya, Liberia and Singapore).

Quebec CEGEP Students

Applicants must have completed a two-year Quebec post-secondary collegial program (CEGEP) in the Pure and Applied Sciences, Health Sciences, or Science de la nature. (Applicants who have completed the DEC en sciences, lettres et arts are also eligible for admission. Applicants who have completed a DEC in a technical area will be considered on an individual basis.)

McGill uses the cote de rendement au collégial (cote r) rather than CEGEP percentage grades for admission decisions. The cote r is a method of comparing and ranking students from CEGEP; it measures how far above or below the class average a student places, with adjustments based on the relative strength of the group.

The current CEGEP profile for the B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.) is Biology (00UK, 00XU); Chemistry - NYA, NYB, Organic Chemistry I (00UL, 00UM, 00XV); Mathematics - NYA, NYB (00UN, 00UP); Physics - NYA, NYB, NYC (00UR, 00US, 00UT).
Based upon entry with the appropriate DEC, the B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.) is offered as a 90-credit, three-year program for Nutrition and a 115-credit, three and one-half year program for Dietetics.
Applicants from Other Canadian Provinces

Applicants from provinces other than Quebec and Ontario must hold a high school diploma giving access to university education in their province/territory and have completed Grade 12 Mathematics (pre-calculus); two of: Grade 12 Biology, Chemistry or Physics; Grade 12 English or French (see note below explaining when English or French is required). Consideration will be given to the results for Grade 11 and 12 level courses (regardless of the calendar year in which they were taken), with emphasis on grades obtained in courses most relevant to the intended program of study. Generally speaking, all marks are taken into consideration in determining admission, including those of failed or repeated courses.

If the applicant comes from a school where the language of instruction is English, then Grade 12 English must be included in the academic record. If the applicant comes from a school where the language of instruction is French, then Grade 12 French is required. English and French Second Language courses are not accepted as prerequisites.

Applicants from Ontario

Applicants from Ontario must have completed the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), a minimum of six OAC, 4U and/or 4M courses combined. (At least one of: OAC Calculus, OAC Algebra and Geometry, MCB4U or MGA4U; Two different science subjects from the following list: OAC Biology or SBI4U, OAC Chemistry or SCH4U, OAC Physics or SPH4U, OAC or 4U English or French - see note below explaining when English or French is required.)

If the applicant comes from a school where the language of instruction is English, then OAC English or 4U level English or EAE4A must be included in the six courses. If the applicant comes from a school where the language of instruction is French, then OAC French (FRAOA or FLIOA) or 4U level French or English EALOA or EAL4U must be included in the six courses. Please note: English and French Second Language courses are not accepted as prerequisites.

At least four of the six required courses, as well as all prerequisite courses must be taken at the OAC or 4U level. Admissions criteria will focus primarily on the top six OAC, 4U and/or 4M courses (including specified prerequisite courses). Generally speaking, all marks are taken into consideration in determining admission, including those of failed or repeated courses.

Every attempt has been made to report accurately on admission requirements in effect at the time of printing. Given the recent Ontario curriculum reform and the resulting array of new courses, it should be noted that McGill reserves the right to revise its admission requirements without prior notice.

Applicants from U.S. High School Programs

Applicants who are applying on the basis of a high school diploma from a school in the United States must have completed a pre-calculus course in functions, and at least two of biology, chemistry, and physics. Applicants must write College Entrance Examination Board tests including the SAT I and three SAT IIs. SAT IIs must include mathematics and at least one science. ACTs are also acceptable.

Applicants who have completed Advanced Placement Examinations in appropriate subjects with a grade of 4 or better will be granted some advanced standing, up to a maximum of 30 credits.

Students who are accepted on the basis of a high school diploma enter a program which is extended by one year to include the 30 credits which comprise the Freshman Year.

Applicants from Other Countries

The normal basis for review of a file is completion of the credentials which lead to university admission in the applicant's country of study.

Students from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries may be admitted if they have completed Advanced Level examinations in chemistry, physics, and mathematics with two B's and one C or better in each, and five appropriate G.C.S.E. subjects at the Ordinary Level, including biology and English.

Advanced Level examination results which are appropriate to the intended program of studies will be assessed for advanced standing and credit when the results are received directly from the appropriate Examination Board. A maximum of 30 credits is granted for Advanced Level papers and a maximum of 10 credits for papers in Mathematics. Credit is normally granted only for grades of C or better.

Students who have a very good academic record in Lower Form VI and excellent results in at least five G.C.S.E. subjects at the Ordinary Level may be considered for admission to a program requiring the completion of a minimum of 120 credits.

For students applying on the basis of the French Baccalaureate, the minimum requirement is the Diploma in Series S in the "Première Groupe" with Mention "assez bien".

Applicants with the International Baccalaureate

Applicants should have completed Higher or Subsidiary Level mathematics and normally two of biology, chemistry, or physics. Ten advanced standing credits may be granted for mathematics and science Higher Level subjects completed within the IB Diploma, up to the maximum of 30 credits, while 6 credits will be given for non-science Higher Level examinations taken as part of the Diploma or for Higher Level Certificate subjects.

Transfer Students

Students wishing to transfer from other universities and colleges are considered for admission on the basis of both their university work and previous studies. A minimum of 60 credits of work must be completed at McGill if a degree is to be granted. Students must also fulfil the requirements of a degree program. Credits are determined only once a formal application and all the necessary supporting documents are received.

Basic science requirements are: two semesters of biology; two semesters of general chemistry, with labs; one semester of organic chemistry; two semesters of physics (including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and waves and optics), with labs, and one semester in each of differential and integral calculus. A grade of B or better is expected in prerequisite mathematics and science courses.

This same policy is applicable to holders of undergraduate degrees.

Transfer Students - Inter-Faculty

Students wishing to transfer from one faculty to another must complete an inter-faculty transfer form. The deadline for submitting a transfer form for admission to the School is June 1 for admission in September and November 1 for admission in January.

Mature Student Admission

Residents of Canada who will be 23 years of age or older by September 1 (for admission for the fall session) or January 1 (for admission for the winter session) and who lack the academic background normally required for admission may apply for entrance as mature students. Individuals interested in being considered for entrance under this policy should contact the Student Affairs Office for complete details.


McGill University
www.mcgill.ca/student-records
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