I grew up in Montreal but by the time I applied to McGill, we were living in Europe. McGill had a fabulous reputation and there was no question in my mind that I would attend McGill – I didn’t even think to apply to US programs. Admission was particularly competitive given that I had completed high school abroad and was applying as an international student.
I was thrilled to attend McGill. It was academically rigorous – the program knocked me off my feet. You had to be determined to get through the pre-med program. The sink-or-swim mentality ultimately prepared me for my professional life, and for any school I went to thereafter. I owe that to McGill.
Both my husband, who completed his medical degree at McGill, and I give back because we recognize that the education we received groomed us to be dedicated physicians and to take on leadership roles in our community. We received a world-class education in Canada for an excellent price.
My advice to current students is not to take this education for granted. Looking back, I have no regrets – it is a real privilege to have studied at McGill.