Montreal Pre-College Program: Unleash Your Potential

Course Description: Montreal Pre-College Program: Unleash Your Potential

🇨🇦 Pre-College Program on the Campus of McGill

Spend part of your summer in Montreal, one of the world’s top student cities, and get a real taste of college life on the campus of McGill University, often called the “Harvard of the North.”

This pre-college program is designed for high school students who want to:

• Explore academic interests in a supportive, university setting

• Build confidence and independence before college

• Enjoy fun excursions, festivals, and city life with new friends

Students live in residence, choose from a wide range of courses, and experience the balance of freedom + structure that parents look for: supervised, safe, but with room to grow. ✨

***

🌟 Program Highlights

• Live on the McGill University campus in downtown Montreal

• Choose from a variety of morning & afternoon courses or a full-day track

• Enjoy one of the world’s top-rated student cities

• Explore Montreal during Student’s Choice time (sports, gym, city exploring)

• Stay active using McGill’s Olympic-level fitness facilities

• Experience Montreal’s famous summer festivals, food & culture

• Make new friends while living in residence and sharing daily activities

• Enjoy highlight activities such as jet boating, Six Flags La Ronde, and more

***

🕒 Typical Weekday Schedule

Students can choose either:

• Option 1: Separate morning + afternoon courses, or

• Option 2: A full-day track

Option 1 – Morning & Afternoon Courses

• 8:00 – Wake Up

• 8:30 – Breakfast

• 10:00 – Morning Course

• 12:00 – Lunch

• 2:00 – Afternoon Course

• 4:00 – Student’s Choice (sports, fitness center, exploring, free time)

• 7:00 – Dinner

• 9:00 – Evening Activities

Option 2 – Full-Day Track

• 8:00 – Wake Up

• 8:30 – Breakfast

• 10:00 – Start of Full-Day Track

• 12:00 – Lunch

• 2:00 – End of Full-Day Track

• 4:00 – Student’s Choice (sports, fitness center, exploring, free time)

• 7:00 – Dinner

• 9:00 – Evening Activities

***

🎓 Academics & Courses

Students can build an academic experience that fits their interests: business, social sciences, languages, creative arts, communication, global issues, forensics, AI marketing, and more.

🌅 Morning Courses

Business Entrepreneurship: McGill

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? Learn the fundamental tools and techniques needed to launch a company. Students review the steps to create and maintain a business venture, then apply their new skills by developing and presenting a professional business plan.

***

Psychology of Human Behavior: McGill

Explore basic concepts in behavioral, cognitive, and clinical psychology through discussion, film, and in-class activities. Topics include emotional intelligence, limits of perception, cognitive distortions, memory, mental illness, stereotyping, and prejudice.

***

Cooking with Ateliers & Saveurs 🍽️

Learn basic knife skills and how to prepare both gourmet entrées and desserts in a professional kitchen with expert chefs. This hands-on culinary course helps students develop practical cooking skills and includes a take-home book of recipes they’ve prepared.

Supplementary fee: $220.

***

French Language 🇫🇷

Montreal is the second-largest primarily French-speaking city in the world after Paris. This course offers separate levels from beginner to advanced with a focus on grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and especially verbal communication. Students will have many opportunities to practice French in real-life settings around the city.

Supplementary fee: $220.

***

Digital Photography: Montreal 📸

With a DSLR, bridge camera, or phone in hand, students learn digital photography techniques such as scanning, color digital printing, printing digital negatives, basic darkroom methods, and Adobe Photoshop. Creativity mixes with technical skills and culminates in a final photography project.

A DSLR or bridge camera with manual functions and at least a 12MP sensor is required.

***

Stock Market & Investment Analysis: McGill

Understand the basics of finance, investment portfolios, and how markets function. Students learn tools and techniques for investing and practice by participating in a simulated stock market competition.

***

Independent Workout

Students design their own fitness regimen using weight training, cardio, and other options to meet personal health goals.

***

Social Justice & Human Rights Forum: McGill

Examine issues like climate change, religious freedom, racial injustice, and gender-based violence through a systems-thinking lens. Students explore how unequal distributions of rights and freedoms arise, reflect on their own identities and positions, and consider how to contribute to positive social change. Includes guided discussion and collaborative activities.

***

English as a Second Language (ESL)

This program focuses on improving overall English fluency through real-life cultural experiences. Students work on vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and writing skills, and participate in guided field trips that allow them to practice English in authentic settings.

***

Conversations That Matter: Tools for Tough Topics

Develop essential communication skills for navigating difficult conversations. Students learn how to build trust, manage emotional reactions, negotiate solutions, and strengthen relationships through clear, respectful dialogue. Practical activities and scenarios help them apply these tools immediately.

***

Mastering Public Speaking: McGill 🎤

A workshop-based course that builds confidence and skill in public speaking. Students learn how to prepare and deliver presentations, overcome mental and emotional blocks, and receive constructive feedback and coaching in a supportive environment.

***

Community Service: Montreal 💙

Make a meaningful contribution to the local community. Sample projects may include working with youth and families, sorting donations for families in need, or serving meals to the homeless. A letter of completion recognizing hours of service and projects accomplished is issued after the program.

***

🌆 Afternoon Courses

Sports Management: McGill

Gain an overview of the business side of professional sports, including finance, marketing, and technology. Through lectures, case studies, and guest speakers, students explore live events, broadcasting rights, athlete marketing, sponsorship, the fan experience, and sports law.

***

Crime Scene Investigation: CSI Montreal 🧪

Study forensic science through both theory and hands-on training. Students explore CSI procedures, forensic anthropology, biology, and bloodstain pattern analysis. A simulated crime scene allows teams to collect and interpret evidence before acting as expert witnesses in a mock trial.

***

Emotional Intelligence & Professional Communication Skills: McGill

Based on the idea that success is driven largely by emotional intelligence, this course helps students better understand and leverage their E.I. to build self-confidence and navigate new situations. Through experiential exercises and group collaboration, they define personal goals and learn how to use their skills and knowledge effectively in academic, social, and professional settings.

***

Cooking with Ateliers & Saveurs (Afternoon Option)

The same hands-on culinary experience is also available as an afternoon course.

Supplementary fee: $220.

***

Contemporary World Issues & Global Affairs

Students examine different worldviews arising from varied cultural and socio-economic contexts. The course covers shifting international power structures, emerging global powers, causes of conflict, and key modern global issues.

***

Independent Workout

Afternoon option for students who want to continue fitness training or balance academic courses with physical activity.

***

Digital Journalism & Creative Writing

Explore how journalism is evolving in the digital age. Students learn professional standards for gathering, processing, and publishing information, analyze news pieces, and practice writing impactful stories for online platforms. They develop interviewing skills, writing clarity, and an ability to craft messages that resonate with readers.

***

Intro to Modern Art

Discover modern art through Montreal’s museums and galleries. Students study influential modern artists such as van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí, and Warhol, and visit the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and other galleries to see works firsthand.

***

Montreal Culture: Behind the Scenes

A field-based course where the city becomes the classroom. Students explore the “Place des Festivals,” historic Old Montreal with its 17th-century streets, and Mount Royal Park. Along the way, they visit cultural venues, taste local specialties like poutine and smoked meat, and gain insight into French-Canadian culture.

***

AI-Powered Social Media Marketing 🤖📱

Learn how to plan and execute effective social media campaigns in today’s AI-driven landscape. Working with experts, students study platform strategy, content planning, consumer journeys, advertising, influencer marketing, and how to use AI tools for content creation and analytics. Ethical considerations of AI in marketing are also explored.

***

🔁 Full-Day Track

Business Intensive (Full Day)

Students combine a morning business course with an afternoon business course to create a full-day intensive track focused on entrepreneurship, marketing, or management topics.

***

Theatre & Performing Arts (Full Day) 🎭

This course introduces students to the foundations of dramatic and performing arts. Through practical workshops, field trips, and panels with industry experts, they explore directing, acting, playwriting, production, and theatre history. Students develop creative confidence and performance skills in a city renowned for its festivals and live performance culture.

***

🏫 College Life at McGill

McGill Campus

McGill’s downtown campus is set at the foot of Mount Royal — with the city on one side and green spaces and trails on the other. Students experience campus life in a truly urban university environment.

Residence: La Citadelle – McGill University

Students stay in La Citadelle, a hotel-style residence in the heart of downtown Montreal, close to cafés, boutiques, and parks. Rooms include:

• Twin beds

• Private bathrooms

• Air conditioning

• Wi-Fi

• Housekeeping

• Personal desks

The residence also offers:

• Common lounges

• Laundry room

• Easy walking distance to classes

***

🏋️‍♀️ Athletic Facilities & Sports

Students have complimentary access to McGill’s athletic facilities, which include:

• Olympic-size swimming pool

• Free weights & strength training area

• Cardio machines

• Basketball courts

• Tennis courts

• Indoor jogging track

• Racquetball & squash courts

A sports coordinator organizes games such as basketball, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee.

***

😄 Social Life & Atmosphere

This program is designed to mirror key aspects of college life, but with built-in supervision and support. Students:

• Live together in residence

• Choose their own academic courses

• Enjoy free time in a structured framework

• Join evening and weekend activities

The result: a warm, friendly, community feel, ideal for building confidence before university.

***

✈️ Travel & Logistics

Flight to Montreal, Canada

• Students may fly into Montreal and be greeted on arrival with a complimentary transfer (for flights in designated times) to the residence.

• Support is available for planning flights and connections if needed.

• Students may also be dropped off directly at the residence if arriving by car.

Return Flight from Montreal, Canada

• For departures within designated times, airport transfers are provided and staff remain with students until flights have departed.

• Students may also be picked up at the residence if preferred.

(Note: Some text refers to the 21-day program in the original brochure; for a 14-day listing you would simply adjust dates/wording on the site.)

***

🍽️ Food & Meals

Breakfast and dinner are included daily.

• Breakfast: Variety of hot and cold options.

• Lunch: Students choose from local cafés and small restaurants in smaller groups.

• Dinner: Sometimes the whole group eats together; other times students dine in smaller staff-led groups at local restaurants to sample different cuisines.

Montreal’s food scene is a highlight in itself — think:

🥯 Montreal bagels

🥪 Smoked meat

🍟 Poutine

🍩 BeaverTails

Most dietary preferences and allergies can be accommodated, including vegetarian, lactose intolerance, gluten-free, and kosher-style options.

***

🧺 Laundry

Students only need about one week’s worth of clothing. Laundry can be done either:

• At a local wash-and-fold service, or

• Using the residence laundry facilities

***

✅ What’s Included

• Accommodation in residence

• Breakfast & dinner daily

• Listed recreation & entertainment

• Day and weekend excursions

• Use of McGill athletic facilities

• Wi-Fi in residence

• Campus identification fee

• Academic courses (some with supplementary fees)

• Airport transfers for flights in designated times

• Taxes & gratuities

***

❌ Not Included

• Transportation to and from Montreal

• Lunches and snacks

• Personal spending money

• Laundry

• Application fee

• Optional travel insurance

***

🎓 College Admissions Workshops

Workshop 1 – Choosing the Right School & Application Process

Students learn how to research universities, build a realistic college list, understand the Common Application, and plan timelines for essays and supplements.

Workshop 2 – College Essay Writing

Covers brainstorming, storytelling, prompt analysis, structure, voice, and editing. Students examine sample essays and learn practical strategies to write a compelling, authentic personal statement.

***

🎡 Montreal & Mont-Tremblant Highlights

Students enjoy a curated selection of local experiences, such as:

• Montréal Complètement Cirque Festival – outdoor circus performances in the Quartier Latin

• Old Montreal & Old Port – cobblestone streets, architecture, cafés, street performers

• La Ronde – Six Flags – roller coasters and evening fireworks

• Jet Boating on the St. Lawrence River – thrilling ride through the Lachine Rapids

• “Just For Laughs” Comedy Festival – world-famous international comedy event (when running)

• The Tam-Tams at Mount Royal – a unique weekly drum & dance gathering

• Atwater Market & Lachine Canal – bike ride and local food market experience

• Saint-Laurent & Sainte-Catherine – shops, murals, cafés, urban culture

• Bell Centre Tour – home of the Montreal Canadiens

• Urban Zipline, Ice Skating, Water Park, La Grande Roue Observation Wheel

• Dragon boating in the Olympic Basin

• McGill University campus tour

• Mont-Tremblant village day trip – mountain resort atmosphere, luge, beach club, crepes & BeaverTails