McGill Desautels

Montreal, Canada · Public · Full-time MBA, up to 16 months, fall (August) start only

Average GMAT Focus: 605
Average GPA: 3.30
Program tuition: C$76,857 (full program, international rate)

Deadlines

First deadline (Fall 2027 cohort): Nov. 15, 2026
Second deadline (Fall 2027 cohort): Jan. 15, 2027
Final deadline for international students: March 15, 2027
Final deadline for Canadian citizens and permanent residents: May 15, 2027

Essays

Essay 1 (500 words)

Why do you intend on pursuing an MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path and how will the Desautels MBA program add value to your future career?

Essay 2 (500 words)

What qualities would you look for in an MBA classmate when working on a team project and describe how your background and leadership skills will enhance the experience of others?

Essay 3 (500 words)

Describe a difficult decision you made and the process that you went through to make it.

Editor's notes

Early beats on time here. McGill reviews files as they arrive and says decisions usually come within four to six weeks, so a November file competes for seats that a March file won't see. If you need a Quebec CAQ and a study permit, March 15, 2027, is your real last date; the May 15 deadline is for Canadians and permanent residents only.
There's no way around the test. McGill grants no GMAT or GRE waivers, and its English bar is high: TOEFL 100 with at least 20 per section, or IELTS 7.0 with no band below 7.0, taken at a test center. The last incoming class averaged a 670 GMAT. Aim for your score to sit at or near that before you submit.
Pick your program length before you draft Essay 1. The 12-month path has no internship and, for international students, a work permit of at most one year after graduation. The 16- to 20-month path includes an internship and a permit of up to three years. If you're switching careers on the short path, say how you'll do it without an internship.
Choose recommenders who have supervised you and can write from a work email. McGill rejects academic letters and letters from personal addresses. Its form asks referees to rank you against peers, from top 2% down, on six traits, one of which is defending your point of view in English. Pick people who have watched you do that.