Canada · Current major entrance award instructions; confirm the 2027 intake dates
McGill major entrance scholarship application writing
McGill automatically considers eligible new undergraduates for one-year entrance scholarships, but its major entrance awards require a separate application shortly after the admission application. The single major-award form covers multiple awards. McGill says it may ask for an activity record, a general essay, and a one-page reference letter written about yourself in the third person; two referee-submitted letters are separate documents.
Writing format
Separate Applicant Portal application with an essay and possible third-person self-reference
What to prepare
- 1For the general essay, follow the live choice: a contemporary or historical person who influenced you, or an event that changed your outlook. Show the effect on your own choices rather than writing only a biography or event summary.
- 2If the portal asks for the self-written reference, use third person to describe verifiable strengths and contributions in one page. This is distinct from the academic and activity references submitted by other people.
- 3Prepare a factual three-year record of school, community, volunteer, artistic, or athletic involvement if requested.
How to approach the writing
- Apply for admission first, then open the separate major-scholarship form; McGill says you need not wait for an admission decision.
- Arrange the academic and activity referees early. McGill requires them to submit signed letters through the Applicant Portal, not by email or post.
Before you submit
McGill publishes different application and document deadlines for Quebec CEGEP, rest-of-Canada, and outside-Canada applicants. Verify the year and region in the live portal; the public instructions say the writing items may vary and the award deadline does not move if admission is allowed late.
Read McGill major entrance scholarship application instructions ↗Official source checked 2026-09-26.