Introduction

Do you have aspirations of earning a fully funded master’s degree with worldwide recognition? McGill University’s 2025 McCall MacBain Scholarship is the ideal opportunity, providing mentorship, leadership development, tuition, and a living stipend. You’ll learn what it takes to ensure your future at a top university and obtain one of the 30 coveted scholarships (20 Canadian, 10 foreign) in this book. Let’s get started!

 What Is the McCall MacBain Scholarship?

Sponsored by a historic $200 million gift from John and Marcy McCall MacBain, this scholarship wasn’t just designed to relieve financial burden—it aims to mold global leaders. Recipients become part of an interdisciplinary leadership community, equipped with mentors, coaches, and engaging experiences en.wikipedia.org+13mccallmacbainscholars.org+13linkedin.com+13scholarshipscorner.website+3mcgill.ca+3mccallmacbainscholars.org+3linkedin.com+1uwaterloo.ca+1uwaterloo.cauwaterloo.ca+2mccallmacbainscholars.org+2scholarships.berkeley.edu+2youtube.comscholarships.berkeley.edumccallmacbainscholars.org+1mccallmacbainscholars.org+1.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet these key conditions:

• Bachelor’s degree earned by August 2026 (current students or graduates from the last 5 years) mccallmacbainscholars.orgscholarships365.info+5mccallmacbainscholars.org+5linkedin.com+5.

• If your bachelor’s is older, you must be 30 or younger as of January 1, 2025 uwaterloo.ca+1linkedin.com+1.

• You need admission eligibility for at least one 45+ credit McGill master’s or second-entry professional program mcgill.ca+10mccallmacbainscholars.org+10scholarships.berkeley.edu+10.

• Proficiency in English, plus any specific academic requirements.

 Benefits Breakdown

Here’s what the scholarship offers:

• Full tuition and fees for the normal duration of your program youtube.com+11mccallmacbainscholars.org+11scholarshipregion.com+11scholarships365.info+3uwaterloo.ca+3scholarships.berkeley.edu+3.

• Monthly stipend of CAD 2,300 during academic terms scholarshipscorner.website+5uwaterloo.ca+5scholarships.berkeley.edu+5.

• One-time relocation grant to help you settle in Montréal mcgill.ca+5mccallmacbainscholars.org+5linkedin.com+5.

• French language courses, from beginner to advanced, at McGill mcgill.ca+8mccallmacbainscholars.org+8uwaterloo.ca+8.

• Up to $5,000 for meaningful summer initiatives if you don’t study during that session scholarships.berkeley.edu+5mccallmacbainscholars.org+5scholarships365.info+5.

 Eligible Programs at McGill

The McCall MacBain Scholarship supports a wide range of master’s disciplines—from Arts and Engineering to Public Policy and Social Work—and second-entry professional degrees such as JD, Medicine, and Dentistry en.wikipedia.org+13mccallmacbainscholars.org+13scholarships365.info+13.

 Leadership & Community Components

The scholarship isn’t just financial support—it’s a leadership experience:

• Mentorship & coaching, with executive advisors scholarships.berkeley.edu+3mccallmacbainscholars.org+3mccallmacbainscholars.org+3.

• Cohort-based gatherings, including workshops, retreats, and seminars at the McCall MacBain House mccallmacbainscholars.org.

• Interdisciplinary networking designed to tackle complex societal challenges mccallmacbainscholars.org.

Application Timeline

• June 1, 2025: Application portal opens mcgill.ca+1uwaterloo.ca+1.

• Aug 20, 2025: International applicant deadline, 4 PM ET mcgill.ca+1uwaterloo.ca+1.

• Sept 24, 2025: Deadline for Canadian and U.S. applicants uwaterloo.ca+4mccallmacbainscholars.org+4linkedin.com+4.

• Oct‑Dec 2025: Regional interviews scholarshipregion.com+13mccallmacbainscholars.org+13uwaterloo.ca+13.

• March 2026: Finalists interview in Montréal scholarships.berkeley.edu+9mccallmacbainscholars.org+9uwaterloo.ca+9.

• Sept 2026: Up to 30 scholars begin their studies—a life-changing start mccallmacbainscholars.org+3mccallmacbainscholars.org+3mccallmacbainscholars.org+3.

 Application Process

Step 1: Campus Endorsement
Many universities require an internal endorsement. Check your institution’s nomination process .

Step 2: Online Application
Submit essays, transcripts, resume, and endorsements via the portal scholarships.berkeley.edu.

Step 3: Recommendations
Provide two letters (academic and community-focused) scholarships.berkeley.eduuwaterloo.camccallmacbainscholars.org.

 Evaluation Criteria

Applications are judged holistically on:

• Exceptional Character: integrity, resilience, intellectual curiosity mccallmacbainscholars.org+3scholarships.berkeley.edu+3uwaterloo.ca+3.

• Leadership Potential: proven in real-world contexts mcgill.ca+2mccallmacbainscholars.org+2scholarshipscorner.website+2.

• Community Engagement: service and social impact linkedin.com+6scholarships.berkeley.edu+6mccallmacbainscholars.org+6.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: initiative and innovation uwaterloo.ca.

• Academic Strength: strong fit and curiosity for future field mcgill.ca+2uwaterloo.ca+2mccallmacbainscholars.org+2.

Tips for a Competitive Application

1. Tell your story—why does McGill matter to your vision?

2. Highlight leadership and impact, not just roles.

3. Be specific: name mentors, research goals, career plans.

4. Choose recommenders who can speak to both impact and potential.

5. Prepare hard for interview: reflect, revisit essays, practice tough questions.

 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Delaying endorsement—start early.

• Vague essays—tailor them to mission and outcomes.

• Incomplete forms or late references.

• Sounding generic—inject personality and clarity.

 Successful Cohort Examples

The 2025 Scholar cohort, including students from Ghana, South Sudan, Pakistan, and Canada, are diverse changemakers—proof that global vision and societal impact matter .

 Post-Scholarship Expectations

Scholars are expected to:

• Be active in McCall MacBain community events.

• Stay eligible academically.

• Leverage mentorship—and later, pay it forward.

Conclusion

The 2025 McCall MacBain Scholarship offers more than money—it offers a launchpad for tomorrow’s leaders. If you’re someone who cares deeply, acts with integrity, and leads with purpose, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Start early, lean into your strengths, and go for it!

 FAQs

1. Who can apply?
Students finishing first bachelor’s by Aug 2026; if earlier degree, must be under 30 now linkedin.com+13mccallmacbainscholars.org+13mccallmacbainscholars.org+13.

2. What programs are eligible?
45+ credit master’s or second-entry professional degrees at McGill linkedin.com+3mccallmacbainscholars.org+3scholarships.berkeley.edu+3.

3. How much is the stipend?
CAD 2,300 per month, plus a relocation grant and summer funding scholarships365.info+4mccallmacbainscholars.org+4scholarships.berkeley.edu+4.

4. When is the deadline?
August 20 for international applicants; Sept 24 for Canada/US scholarships365.info+6mccallmacbainscholars.org+6linkedin.com+6.

5. Do I need campus endorsement?
Yes, most universities (e.g., Waterloo, Berkeley) require institutional endorsement m.facebook.com+11uwaterloo.ca+11scholarships.berkeley.edu+11.

 Watch This Helpful Video Guide

Best of luck! Let me know if you’d like help refining any section or preparing for interviews.