The McCall MacBain Scholarships bring together exceptional students who strive to engage in positive change by taking on meaningful leadership roles. McCall MacBain Scholars connect with mentors and participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program while pursuing a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University. 

The scholarship covers: 

• Tuition and fees for the full normal duration of the master’s or professional program
• A living stipend during academic terms
• A one-time relocation grant for moving to Montreal

Scholars who are not pursuing an academic term during the summer may apply for additional funding to pursue meaningful summer experiences. 

Finalists who do not receive the award may be offered partial funding for a McGill degree or a regional award tenable at any public university in Canada. 

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Who Should Apply?

To be eligible, you must meet ONE of the following criteria:

• Be a current student on track to earn your first bachelor’s degree by August of the year in which the McCall MacBain cohort begins
• Be an alum who has earned your first bachelor’s degree in the last five years
• Be an alum who earned your first bachelor’s degree more than five years ago, and is 30 years old or younger

McCall MacBain Scholars typically have:

• Exceptional character
• A strong record of community engagement
• Leadership potential
• An entrepreneurial spirit
• Academic strength and intellectual curiosity 

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How to Apply

Current students and recent graduates who finished their degree less than 4 years ago must be endorsed by their university. Alumni who graduated more than 4 years ago do not require a university endorsement, but support from Drexel advisors is still available to them. 

For those seeking endorsement, we hold an open campus competition beginning each Spring. 

Step 1: Submit an Intent to Apply Form

Deadline: May 15

Students interested in seeking Drexel University endorsement for the McCall MacBain Scholarship should submit an Intent to Apply form to set up a meeting with a fellowships advisor to discuss the program and any steps you can take to become a more competitive candidate.

Qualified students who submit an Intent to Apply form by May 15 each year will work closely with a fellowships advisor and experienced Drexel faculty/staff, who will help the candidate clarify goals and values, assist with application details, and contribute to draft the letter of endorsement on behalf of the University.

Candidates who submit an Intent to Apply form after May 15 are not guaranteed the same level of advising but will be considered for university endorsement if they submit materials by posted campus endorsement deadlines.

Step 2: Campus Endorsement

Deadline: August 1

You must have a complete McCall MacBain application by this deadline to be considered for Drexel endorsement. We ask that your recommenders also submit draft letters to fellowships@drexel.edu by the campus deadline, to improve the quality of the endorsement. However, if your recommenders are unable to submit by the campus deadline, you will still be considered for endorsement; in this case, you will be asked to submit a brief explanation of your recommenders' expertise and your relationship with them. 

The Drexel University Selection Committee will evaluate your application according to the McCall MacBain selection criteria based on a review of your materials and a brief interview. The committee will recommend for endorsement only those candidates who demonstrate potential to be McCall MacBain Scholars. 

Step 3: National Deadline: September

Applicants should submit their complete application via the online portal by the national deadline. UREP will submit an institutional endorsement if applicable. 

Applicants should then apply separately to eligible programs at McGill University. McGill admissions generally open in September for the following Fall semester. Apply by the program deadline, or in December at the latest, if selected as a scholarship finalist. 

Semi-finalists will be called for a regional interview in November. UREP will coordinate mock interviews for those students called to an interview.  

Finalists will be invited to final interviews in Montreal. Travel costs will be covered.  

The final selection will be announced in March or April. 

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More Information

More information about the McCall MacBain Scholarships, including application tips and samples, is available on our Fellowships Resource Site.

For official information on the McCall MacBain Scholarships (which supersedes any information provided here) and access to the online application, please visit the McCall MacBain Scholarships website. 

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Related awards: 

Chevening Scholarship; Gates Cambridge Scholarship; Marshall Scholarship; Mitchell Scholarship; NIH OxCam; Rhodes Scholarship; Fulbright U.S. Student Program; Schwarzman Scholars

Last updated: May 2024