Transferring to McGill From Overseas? (From S. Korea)

NosCouleurs
Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:19:56 +0000

I am an American student studying at a Korean University (Top 6 school, top 25 in Asia, hopefully in this year’s ranking it will be a top 20 school, last year was # 21), and I am desperately trying to transfer to McGill.

I will be finishing my first year over the next few months, though my GPA is not that great.

In Korea, it is government regulation that only 20% of students at most per class can receive A’s, is the stupid grading curve.

I actually failed one class this semester (Chinese, but can retake it next semester for a grade lower, meaning if I secure an A, it is bumped down to a B), as all Korean students can write Chinese and 80% of my classmates were either ethnic Chinese or have studied there for years.

Well, my transcript is not the best, 2 A’s, 2 B’s, 1 C, and then Chinese… (I can retake the class I received a C in as well).

But I have become a professor’s assistant during the international summer semester (Received a letter of recommendation, was the first student from a Western nation ever to be), have letters of recommendation from two professors at my uni., 3 from other universities, 1 from the director of a volunteer organization here, 1 from a foreign student support centre here (in which I gave a speech at Korea’s parliament this year about education for foreigners), and am trying to secure one from a PhD adviser from the Sorbonne. Also was the first foreign member of AIESEC at my school’s chapter.

I hope next semester to have a 3.5~3.7 GPA, though it is extremely difficult in Korea, especially for foreign students.

I also have done much volunteer work (Was in the news twice), have taught English to North Korean defectors, worked at a kindergarten for a while, had an internship with a government agency for a time, have solid references, will retake my SAT’s this Autumn (Hope it doesn’t matter that I have graduated from high school a few years ago, am 22 now, had to study Korean at another university for 2 years in order to matriculate at uni. here).

I also can speak conversational French and fluent Korean (In addition to English of course), and will take HSK 1, DELF A2 or B1 this year, in addition to the Korean equivalent, level 5/6.

… So to wrap up, my question is, does anyone think I have a decent shot?? I know I am in a very precarious situation, an American studying at Korean university trying to transfer to a top uni. in Montreal, is not the usual applicant they receive. My GPA is not the best, but I hope to raise it, and I hope that my extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation (I worked hard for those, they are professors/directors that highly recommend me) can help to offset it a bit.

Do I have not a long shot, but a good chance? Anyone with advice as how to make myself more attractive to admissions officers?

I am entering an economic essay contest with one of the top newspapers here, and I hope to place in the top 3, as well as a few random other things by the end of the year.

Anyone ever transfer from an Asian university to McGill??

Will it be frowned upon??

What do you guys (With experience) think my chances are?