FIRST YEAR AT MCGILL DONE! Q&A

Hey everyone! To wrap up my first year at mcgill I decided to answer some of the McGill-related questions I've been seeinf frequently on my channel! I hope you find this helpful, and feel free to drop any questions I didn't get to below and I'll do my best to answer them!
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Thank you!

[@gracek5544]

Hey just so you know French is the first language in Montreal not the second, all of Canada is bilingual and most places have English as the first language but Quebec is one of the exceptions

[@Jaijaibinkx]

^^^ This. The McGill campus is an exception to this rule generally, but as you move farther away from campus french becomes more and more prominent.

[@jordanorion5656]

Instablaster.

[@l.1244]

Cap

[@meaghanwood4689]

I love the drinking age in Quebec, it avoids the whole ‘getting a fake ID’ or having an upperclassmen buy you alcohol phase.

[@elizabethpaquin5730]

Just discovered your channel, binge watched your videos, fell in love with your personality, but I didn't know you were actually living in the same city as me... and were friends with a girl I knew from elementary school! What the hell hahaha small world

[@aliciamad]

I have one question, what does exactly the meal plan cover? Do u have every meal cover of every day of the week?

[@khalilh1552]

Alicia Madrid yea

[@kingbibihabibi]

You can get every meal, every day on the plan but if you do you will run out of money before winter break, especially if you like getting desserts and lots of other extras. You'll have to get some meals at cafes/restaurants or cook some yourself too.

[@aliciamad]

@@kingbibihabibi Okay thank you! Do you know how much money do you have until winter beak?

[@photonalchemist6574]

@@aliciamad About half of the cost. Which is about 1.9k

[@ana-zu8ox]

Just accepted my offer! I'm so excited

[@TechNerdNolan]

ana What’s your major? And congrats!

[@ana-zu8ox]

@@TechNerdNolan i'm going into u0 in the faculty of arts and i'm planning on majoring in psych. thank u!!

[@TechNerdNolan]

ana Nice! And you’re welcome!

[@Lowblowing]

Same! Also in the Faculty of Arts!

[@Mookieeeeee2345]

Hey just wanted to let you know that at&t offers a package that you can use internationally. It obviously costs more per month than a regular plan but I have a feeling it’s cheaper than a whole new plan. You also get more data. My brother is at uni in Canada so that’s what we do for him.

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

Olivia Simmonds I live in very northwestern Washington so my phone plan already covers Canada and Washington because I’m north of Vancouver island, most people opt for a new plan tho :)

[@meaghanwood4689]

I’m a bit biased.. but I think Canada’s Uni is more academic. Vs the other associated American college factors.. subscribed and I’m excited to watch videos. 🙂🇨🇦 I’m from CA but went to college in the US.. I was premed & a dance major! Where in Montreal are you taking classes? :)

[@fazeenshahzad4295]

Your the nicest person ever and I love your videos about college😊 I wanted to know though if you had any idea about their law studies and also are their events and parties that take place?

[@julienielsen4462]

Good job keep up with your studies!!!

[@caitlinstarr7448]

My dream school is McGill and I’ve been waitlisted for the architecture program. Any advice for me? I’ve been accepted for the Freshman Arts program and am most likely going to commit to McGill but I’m hoping I get accepted off the waitlist before September...

[@YourOneOpportunity]

Quick question, have you ever heard of anyone getting rescinded from McGill during the admission process? There are rumors that the "maintain your current level of academic achievement" phrasing simply means graduate... Any thoughts on this? :)

[@matchasketch8224]

YourOneOpportunity Hey, I think I’ve heard of stories similar to those before, but I think to be safe just graduate with about the same grade you got in with

[@LauraSmith-pk9lo]

Hey! When picking your top 3 residences does upper Rez count as one choice or can your top 3 choices be molson, McConnell , and gardner? Also are there any major differences in the different upper rezs or are they generally the same?

[@davo1822]

Laura Smith this year on the application it’s just labeled “upper Rez” as opposed to individual halls

[@davo1822]

Do you have to get a Canadian bank account? If you do, how hard is it and what’s the process like?

[@shajeedislam1181]

Not hard. You'll just need to have relevant documentation on you. Go to bank of choice and just tell anybody manning the front of ur intentions. It may be worth just sending an email or calling them beforehand as regards what documents you'll need to open up a student banking account.

[@vaidehinair4266]

Does this all information apply to master's students too?

[@bitte12pouce]

Very thoughtful and intelligent young lady.

[@theylikestars]

Extremely helpful!!!!!

[@zeinabmakki5293]

Ayeeeeeeeeeee Alena with the god love youuuuuuu❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tyrent0078]

How is the faculty of science as i am applying for Masters In Biotechnology so wanted a insight on that and I think you are the right person ....as a student .🙂

[@Mookieeeeee2345]

Hey so I was reading a bunch of stuff on reddit about McGill and there seemed to be a lot of dislike. Could you share more about your experience? Ex. Is the course load tough, do you feel a sense of school spirit, are people nice, how hard was it to make friends, in general is it fun haha?? Do you regret choosing a Canadien uni?? Ok I’ll stop now

[@Lowblowing]

Now you’ve just scared the shit outta me... 😱😬

[@JT181001]

thanks for sharing!! it really helped :)

[@shadimadani4383]

How much can your grades drop so u don’t get revoked

[@debbieo2354]

Does mcgill have internships or placements or anything similar? If so, do you need to be able to speak french for those?

[@dennydutton6227]

Do you recommend getting a summer job or internship right after the first year? You mentioned you are going home, does that mean you do not intend to do any research or internship in Montreal over the summer?

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

im working all summer at home!

[@Jaijaibinkx]

Generally, a lot of people are burned out after their first year and head home or work for cash only. A lot of people I know (especially those who were in rez first year) get more comfortable in mtl second year and that year is when a lot of students go for internships and co-ops. Hope this helps! (Source: I'm a third year science student @ McGill)

[@ulama7828]

They say Canadian universities are harder and better academically than American universities. Is that true?

[@rockdamic]

How will you spend your last couple days in the city :)

[@puneetkauraulakh]

Hey alena, as you said that when one gets accepted, there is a line in the letter which says valid only if you maintain your current grades....so with in what range do I need to keep my grades...like m from india currently in class 12 n my grades r in percentage

[@caitlinstarr7448]

Puneet Kaur Aulakh on the website it recommends you keep your grades at the same level they were when you received your acceptance. Hope this helps!

[@anoukjoubert9225]

how inconvenient is it to come to McGill as a 17 year old? I got in but I'm a little worried about things like frosh and going out. I am turning 18 in november so it's not too bad, but just wondering if you have any advice or information to share?

[@jeuen6933]

Same, are you french??

[@abbyfenwick6584]

I came to McGill as a 17-year-old and it was absolutely no problem. Specifically for frosh, you will have a wristband that says you are underage but you will be let into all of the clubs that the rest of your group goes into - also your frosh leaders will often get drinks for you so I wouldn't worry about that. In terms of 'going out,' you might have to stick to things like fraternity parties until your birthday, but there are some places that might not card you. I personally just waited until my birthday to start going to clubs.

[@anjakroon7690]

@@abbyfenwick6584 Thank you! I will also be 17 during frosh and this helped a lot. I was worried about how frosh would go being underage. My birthday is in September though so it's not as long of a wait!

[@aliciamad]

@@jeuen6933 I am also 17 and I am french. I'll be attending Mcgill too

[@anoukjoubert9225]

jll d I am French but I live in the US

[@maheknair9673]

hoping that watching this will bring me good luck to get accepted!

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

good luck!

[@sebastianuhrich8767]

what were your grades like to get into mcgill arts

[@raphaelle1400]

thanks for this video, it was really helpful ! I just don't get how international development is part of your courses if you are an art history major ? :)

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

Ra phaëlle I’m a double major!

[@sabrinawan7325]

Hi there! As a freshman in Macdonald campus in 2020, i wonder if there is a single room with private bathroom at specific residence? I'll be appreciate if u answer me!

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

There are some in the hotel residences!

[@inactivenewgmailaddressiji7948]

How large are your classes as an International Development major and how good/dedicated/available do you feel the faculty is for these classes?

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

its such a diverse major, classes range from 10-700 students, and again its impossible to generalize about availabilty. I always look on rate my profs for each indivudal teacher

[@vivekkandathil4131]

Really useful thanks!!

[@aliciamad]

Love this! Thank you

[@Chris-uw9ds]

I am a freshman too in college except I regret the whole year. I kept getting distracted by friends and smoking and my grades are so bad....

[@Jaijaibinkx]

We've all been there dude, you're not alone I promise! Make a study plan and get a group of pals to study with on campus. If you find anybody with the attitude to join you for that, join a FB group for your classes orgo join some clubs and you'll find the right folks. It gets better.

[@jeuen6933]

Hey, to anyone starting mcgill next year watching this, what do you think about creating a group on instagram/facebook/whatever to chat?

[@aliciamad]

I think it is a very good idea! What faculty will you be in?

[@mireyfrancis5865]

Hey!! there are already group chats created, go on the «McGill entering class of 2019-2020» Facebook page and ask to be added to them, according to your Faculty/interests :)

[@kiwanypatrick5350]

im planning on applying to mc gill nxt yr lets make a group on instagram :)

[@arinushka6816]

Hi, idk if I'm too late but I'm going toMcGill next year (pending my acceptance) and have tried looking for a group like this and can't seem to find any, instagram maybe?

[@jylssoup]

I applied to mcgill for 2020 fall, leTS MAKE A GROUP CHAT

[@zoeengelbert3028]

did you tour mcgill before you chose to go there?

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

yes!

[@zrzarah2799]

Is frosh the same experience for underage students?

[@katiew9074]

Yes, the 17 year olds were allowed to do everything in frosh

[@zrzarah2799]

@@katiew9074 thank you!

[@ukisbeggar8462]

Are u an International student or local student??

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

international!

[@charlottereed5094]

Is Mcconnell not divided by gender anymore?

[@jessica45qt1]

Not sure are you going to check out montreal pride parade on the 18th.Maybe we will bump into each other.What is there to do as i haven’t been back to Montreal in a long time as we use to have a place there in Montreal.

[@vitorialara6573]

can u go to all the events on frosh if u are 17 ?

[@AlenaMcKenzie]

yes you just wont be served alcohol, you have a wristband

[@wavinsouth7327]

Bobby Shmurda @ 0:13😂

[@worldsnowdays3308]

but i got into UCLA in USA !!

[@worldsnowdays3308]

Mcgill's admissions they hate africans they don't want black student to study there ! i have rejected not because i don't have want they asked me ! i gave them all thing they require !! but i don't have idea why they rejected me!!

[@shajeedislam1181]

Acceptance rates vary from program to program. Just because you sent everything in does not mean you were competitive compared to other international student candidates. I'm going out of my way to mention this because the university takes pride in its multiculturalism and diversity.

[@tz6100]

Shajeed Islam i second your comment.

[@tz6100]

It is not because you don't get into a program that it makes that school racist.

[@photonalchemist6574]

Usually a reason is stated. Sometimes its just because of lack of space or simply due to the competitive admission process.