Greville Smith Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ One Major Entrance Scholarship application on the Undergraduate Admissions Applicant Portal (opens October 1), submitted by January 21, February 7 or March 7 depending on where you study
• ✓ Two letters of reference (one academic, one activity-related), submitted by your referees on the portal
• ✓ A signed statement of your class size and class rank from your school, if your school provides one (schools outside Quebec CEGEPs)
• ✓ Be ready for the application to ask for a list of your school and community activities, a general essay, and a one-page letter of reference written by you about yourself in the third person

About this award

You can receive $12,000 per year, and this scholarship is renewable up to 3 or 4 years provided you meet the renewal criteria. As a scholarship, this money is yours to keep — there is nothing to repay. This is for you if you have a record of academic excellence and have taken on significant leadership roles in your school or local community. There is one Major Entrance Scholarship application for all of McGill's major entrance awards, on the Undergraduate Admissions Applicant Portal from October 1. Apply by January 21 if you attend a school outside Canada, February 7 from a school in the rest of Canada, or March 7 from a Quebec CEGEP. Two letters of reference (one academic, one activity-related) are due by the same date. Selection committees choose winners based on academic achievement and outstanding leadership in school or community activities. They prioritize academic excellence first, followed by demonstrated leadership. Ask McGill University how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask McGill University during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. To renew it, you must complete at least 27 McGill graded credits in the fall and winter terms each year, with a sessional GPA of at least 3.50 in first year and at least 3.70 in second year and after.

Who qualifies

You must be a Canadian citizen or a legal permanent resident of Canada to qualify for this specific $12,000 award. You must be a first-time university student entering a full-time undergraduate degree program. You are not eligible if you are a Transfer, Mature, Diploma, Exchange, Special, Part-time, or Visiting student. Starting in Fall 2026, students from CEGEP (the public college system in Quebec) admitted to the BCL/JD (Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctor — a combined law degree), Dent-P (Doctor of Dental Medicine — a dentistry program), or Med-P (Doctor of Medicine — a medical program) will not be eligible for this centralized scholarship.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to high school students
• ✓ Resident of Quebec

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

4. 4

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• LeadershipAvoid simply listing the clubs you joined or activities you participated in. Instead, describe a specific time you led a project or organized a group to achieve a goal. Give a concrete example of the impact your leadership had on others.
• SupportAvoid submitting your application without reviewing the minimum academic requirements first. Instead, compare your current grades to the university's standards to ensure you are a viable candidate. McGill's estimated minimums are high: about a 97% average for Canadian high school applicants, or an R-score (CRC) of 36 for Quebec CEGEP students.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until after you are admitted to look for funding. Instead, prepare your separate scholarship application immediately after you submit your application for admission. Mark the October 1st opening date on your calendar.
• RealismAvoid counting on an award just because you meet the minimum requirements. Instead, remember that these are competitive and decided by a committee. Apply for other smaller bursaries as well to diversify your funding options.

Questions students ask

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