91社区

Admissions FAQ

91社区

The following page contains answers to commonly-asked questions about admissions received by the School of Information Studies. Visit the main Programs & Courses page for links to full admissions information for each program.

When can I apply?

Quebec residency

Submitting an application

MISt application

Funding, working, housing


When can I apply?

Q: When can I apply? What are the deadlines?

础:听Application deadlines can be found on the main Admissions page for each program or on the 91社区 eCalendar. Dates vary from year to year, so be sure to check for the current dates. Please note that these are deadlines for completed applications -- including transcripts, responses from referees, etc. Be sure to begin your online 91社区 Application for Admission early to allow time for the uploading of documentation and for referees to submit their references. If you have difficulties with the online application process, please contact admissions.sis [at] mcgill.ca

Q:听Can I start my application early, before the application period opens?

础:听Yes! You can set up a 91社区 any time and add your profile information (education, etc.). Please note, however, that you will need to wait until the application period opens before you will be able to see the program in the dropdown list. To review documentation and application requirements, visit the admissions pages on this site for the specific program you are interested in applying to.

Q:听Can I apply for Winter or Summer entry?

础:听The PhD听program accepts applicants for winter admission and听the Graduate certificates accept Canadian applicants for winter admission.听 There is no Summer admissions for any of our programs.

Quebec residency

Q:How is Quebec residency determined?

础:听To find out if you are considered a Quebec resident for the purposes of tuition fee assessment, start here.

Submitting an application

Q:听Can I request a paper application? Can I submit an application by regular mail?

础:听No, only online applications and supporting documents are accepted. See below.

Q:听How do I submit documentation?

础:听91社区 requires that all supporting documentation, including references is submitted online. For detailed instructions on how to apply and how to upload required supporting documents, please see Uploading your documents.

Q:听How do I submit references?

础:听Applicants provide referee contact information, including valid institutional email addresses for referees. The referees specified on the applications will receive an automated email request from 91社区 to upload letters of recommendation to the system. Letters of reference can no longer be submitted directly to the School by mail or email; all references must now be uploaded by the referees themselves following the stated procedures. To reduce delays, please ensure that referees will be checking their email and are prepared to receive a request to upload a letter of reference. Should one of your referees decline you will be able to replace them with new referee contact information on the application portal. See 91社区's Frequently Asked Questions about the admission form and documentation uploading here, including FAQs about references.

Q:听Are there any guidelines for references?

础:听Yes. Letters must meet the following conditions: More information about references is here.

  1. The program the student has applied to must be clearly indicated and the letter should include information that would aid an admissions committee in making an informed decision.
  2. Letters must be dated and not be more than 12 months old.
  3. The referee must indicate his/her position and full contact information at the institution.

Q:听Do I need to submit a transcript if I have a course in progress?

础:听Yes. If you are currently enrolled in courses and your transcript does not yet include the current semester's grades, you are still required to upload unofficial transcripts by the application deadline to prove registration in these courses.

MISt application

Q:听Can I still apply for the Master of Library & Information Studies (MLIS) program?

础:听No. Admissions for the MLIS program are now permanently closed. Students applying for the Master's program at the School of Information Studies will apply for the Master of Information Studies (MISt) program.

Q:听Do I need to indicate a supervisor and research area in the online 91社区 Application for Admission form?

础:听Applicants for the MISt-Coursework concentration can leave this section blank. Students applying to the MISt-Project concentration will identify potential three research supervisors. Supervisors will only be selected and confirmed after an offer of admission has been made, accepted, and the student registers for Fall courses.听

Q:听The 91社区 Application for Admission form has a field which asks if I am applying for various research funding options. Do I need to fill this field out?

础:听The online form is generic for all graduate students, including PhD students. The research funding field applies to PhD students and master鈥檚 students who are doing a thesis or research option. It does not relate to scholarships and financial aid. IF you are a master鈥檚-level student planning to pursue the research stream and have applied for or are applying for external research funding from government agencies, use this field. If you are unsure or have questions, please contact us.

Q:听Do I need to provide a separate CV?

础:听Yes. As space is limited in the applicant statement area in the online form, we require that you upload a CV (resum茅) and covering letter of intent separately. Note: If you have any questions or difficulties, feel free to contact us directly.

Q:听Can I transfer courses from another institution?

础:听In general, students may not count credits for courses taken toward another degree as credits towards the MISt degree.

In special cases, credit for appropriate courses previously taken outside the School at another ALA-accredited Masters program in the area of library and information studies may be transferred to the MISt program, but only with the approval of the Director, and only if negotiated at the time of admission to the program.

As a rule, no more than 6 credits (equivalent of 2 91社区 courses) can be credited with courses from another university.

Transfer credits must be approved by the MISt Graduate Program Director (gpdm.sis [at] mcgill.ca). Requests for transfer credits will only be considered at the time of admission to the MISt program.

Q: I'm an international student. Do I need to submit GRE information?

础:听No. GRE scores are not required.

Funding, working, housing

Q:听Where can I find information on financial aid, scholarships and funding?

A:Start here

Q:听When will I know if I have been selected to receive an entrance scholarship?

础:听Normally, recipients are notified in mid- to late April.

Q:听Am I eligible for 91社区's on-campus Work Study program?

础:听The Work Study program, administered by the 91社区 Scholarships & Student Aid Office, is based primarily on financial need. Canadian, US, and other international students - please read the eligibility criteria carefully, including the section on government aid. Contact the听Scholarships & Student Aid Office directly with any questions about program eligibility.

Q:听I'm an international student. Can I work on or off-campus?

础:听Please visit 91社区 International Student听Services听Work & Permits page for all information and advising relating to working as an international student.

Q:听Where do I find information about housing? Do most SIS students live on or off campus?

础:听Information about student housing is found here, including graduate residences. As the cost of living is reasonable in Montreal, many of our students locate housing off-campus. More information about off-campus housing.


Still have questions after reviewing the website? Please contact us.

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