Montreal Pre-College Program: Explore & Grow

Course Description: Montreal Pre-College Program: Explore & Grow

Pre-College Program on the Campus of McGill (14 Days)

Live & study at McGill University — one of North America’s top academic institutions.

Experience an unforgettable two-week pre-college summer in Montreal, a vibrant, bilingual, incredibly student-friendly city. This program blends academic enrichment, college-readiness, independence, and adventure, all while living on the iconic McGill University campus — often referred to as “the Harvard of the North.”

Students enjoy the balance they need: freedom and exploration, paired with structure, support, and supervision. From engaging courses to cultural highlights, festivals, food, and unforgettable new friendships — Montreal is the perfect place to begin your pre-college journey. 🇨🇦✨

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🌟 Program Highlights

• Live & study on the campus of McGill University

• Choose from engaging morning and afternoon courses

• Explore Montreal — one of the world’s top student cities

• Stay active at McGill’s elite fitness facilities

• Enjoy jet boating, Six Flags, city festivals & more

• Meet new friends while living in residence

• Experience the independence of college life in a safe, guided setting

• Student’s Choice time: gym, sports, exploring, relaxing

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📅 Typical Weekday Schedule

(Lunch varies depending on course selections)

Option 1: Morning & Afternoon Courses

8:00 AM – Wake Up

8:30 AM – Breakfast

10:00 AM – Morning Course

12:00 PM – Lunch

2:00 PM – Afternoon Course

4:00 PM – Student’s Choice (sports, gym, exploring, free time)

7:00 PM – Dinner

9:00 PM – Evening Activities

Option 2: Full-Day Track

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Full-Day Academic Track

(With a lunch break at 12:00 PM)

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🎓 Courses

Students select one morning course and one afternoon course, or choose a full-day academic track.

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🌅 Morning Courses

Psychology of Human Behavior: McGill

Explore behavioral, cognitive, and clinical psychology through discussion, film, and hands-on activities. Topics include emotional intelligence, perception, memory, cognitive distortions, mental illness, stereotyping, and prejudice.

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French Language 🇫🇷

Beginner to advanced levels. Focus on grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and especially verbal skills — with plenty of real-life practice in Montreal.

Supplementary fee: $220.

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Cooking with Ateliers & Saveurs 🍳

Learn knife skills, create gourmet dishes, and cook alongside expert chefs in a professional kitchen. Students receive a full recipe book of dishes they’ve prepared.

Supplementary fee: $220.

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Business Entrepreneurship: McGill

Learn the fundamentals of starting a business: planning, strategy, launching a venture, and presenting a full business plan.

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Digital Photography: Montreal 📸

Master digital photography techniques using a DSLR, bridge camera, or phone. Study editing, scanning, printing, and Photoshop, ultimately creating a final photo project.

DSLR or bridge camera required.

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Stock Market & Investment Analysis: McGill

Learn how the markets work, what makes a good investment portfolio, and practice investing through simulated stock market competitions.

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Independent Workout

Create your own fitness plan using McGill’s world-class training facilities.

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English as a Second Language (ESL)

Improve reading, writing, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary with real-world cultural experiences.

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Social Justice & Human Rights Forum: McGill

Investigate global inequalities, human rights issues, identity, systems of power, climate justice, and pathways to positive change through discussion and analysis.

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Conversations That Matter: Tools for Tough Topics

Learn communication strategies to navigate difficult conversations, build trust, manage emotional responses, negotiate solutions, and communicate respectfully.

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Mastering Public Speaking: McGill

Develop confident, high-impact presentation skills through workshops, coaching, practical exercises, and personalized feedback.

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Community Service: Montreal ❤️

Work with youth, families, shelters, and local charities. Receive a certificate recognizing completed service hours.

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🌆 Afternoon Courses

Sports Management: McGill

Learn how professional sports organizations operate — marketing, sponsorship, fan experience, broadcasting rights, and sports law — through case studies and guest speakers.

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Emotional Intelligence & Professional Communication Skills

Strengthen confidence, teamwork, personal growth, emotional awareness, and career-ready communication skills through group collaboration and experiential activities.

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Cooking with Ateliers & Saveurs 🍰

The same exceptional hands-on culinary course is also offered as an afternoon option.

Supplementary fee: $220.

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Crime Scene Investigation: CSI Montreal 🔬

Explore forensic anthropology, biology, bloodstain analysis, and crime-scene procedures. Work as an investigative team and testify in a mock trial.

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Contemporary World Issues & Global Affairs

Understand global conflicts, shifting power dynamics, cultural perspectives, and challenges facing the modern world.

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Independent Workout

Access McGill’s facilities to continue your personalized fitness routine.

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Digital Journalism & Creative Writing

Learn professional standards of journalism, analyze major news pieces, and develop your voice as a writer for digital platforms.

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Intro to Modern Art 🖼️

Discover Montreal’s vibrant art scene and study groundbreaking artists like van Gogh, Warhol, Dalí, Picasso, and more through museum and gallery visits.

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Montreal Culture: Behind the Scenes

A field-based deep dive into Montreal’s French-Canadian identity — from historic Old Montreal to festivals, museums, street art, and culinary highlights.

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AI-Powered Social Media Marketing 🤖📱

Study with McGill’s experts to explore AI-driven content creation, analytics, influencer strategy, platform selection, and ethical digital marketing.

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📘 Full-Day Intensive Track

Business Intensive

Combine a morning business course with an afternoon business course for a full-day immersive experience.

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🏫 College Life

Residence: La Citadelle – McGill University

Hotel-style student accommodation in downtown Montreal featuring:

• Twin rooms

• Private bathrooms

• Air conditioning

• Wi-Fi & housekeeping

• Common lounges

• Laundry room

• Walking distance to classes

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🏋️ Athletic Facilities

Enjoy full access to McGill’s world-class facilities:

• Olympic swimming pool

• Strength & cardio training center

• Squash & racquetball courts

• Basketball & tennis courts

• Indoor track

• Organized sports (basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee)

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💬 Positive Social Experience

Students live, study, and explore together — building friendships, gaining independence, and getting a real taste of college life in a warm, supportive environment.

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🍴 Meals

Includes breakfast and dinner daily.

Lunch is chosen freely at nearby cafés and restaurants.

Montreal’s food scene includes:

🥯 Famous Montreal bagels

🥪 Smoked meat

🍟 Poutine

🍰 BeaverTails

🌮 Global cuisines

Dietary needs such as vegetarian, lactose intolerance, gluten-free, allergies, or kosher-style can be accommodated.

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🚍 Excursions & Activities

🎪 Montréal Complètement Cirque Festival

Outdoor acrobatic and aerial shows in the Quartier Latin.

🏙️ Old Montreal

Cobblestone streets, architecture, cafés, and the historic waterfront.

🎢 La Ronde – Six Flags Amusement Park

Roller coasters, evening fireworks, and adrenaline-filled rides.

🚤 Jet Boating

An unforgettable high-speed adventure through the Lachine Rapids.

🍽️ The Food Tour

Taste the city’s most iconic dishes and explore food markets.

🎨 Saint-Laurent & Sainte-Catherine Streets

Murals, shops, cafés, and Montreal’s trendiest neighborhoods.

⛰️ Mount Royal

Hiking, viewpoints, Tam-Tams festival, volleyball, food trucks.

⛸️ Ice Skating

Evening skate at the Atrium Le 1000 indoor rink.

🎡 Observation Wheel

Ride Canada’s tallest observation wheel with stunning 360° views.

🎓 McGill University Campus Tour

Discover North America’s most beautiful urban campus.

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🧭 What’s Included

✔ Residence accommodation

✔ Breakfast & dinner daily

✔ All listed excursions & activities

✔ Use of McGill athletic facilities

✔ Wi-Fi

✔ Academic courses (supplementary fees may apply)

✔ Transfers for flights in designated times

✔ Taxes & gratuities

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❌ Not Included

✘ Flights

✘ Lunches & snacks

✘ Personal spending money

✘ Laundry

✘ Application fee

✘ Optional travel insurance

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🎒 Tools to Prepare for College Admissions

Workshop 1: Choosing the Right School & Application Process

Learn university selection strategies, Common App guidance, building your profile, timelines, and application planning.

Workshop 2: College Essay Writing

Understand essay prompts, structure, storytelling, editing strategies, and how to craft a standout personal statement.