Traditionally, McGill has placed a great deal of emphasis on academic performance when considering admissions applications from prospective students. Should other factors (athletic prowess, cultural background, extracurricular activities, leadership potential) be given more consideration?

Don Francis, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences

The only valid basis for admission to McGill should be intellectual ability. Unfortunately, the inclusion of any other criteria, however well intentioned, will hurt the mission of the University. The present system, based on previous academic performance, is also flawed. It favours those who have never made a mistake, or never dared to challenge their indoctrinators. The system is unforgiving and filters out brilliant iconoclasts and their lesser ilk. I would admit students on the basis of a standardized entrance examination designed to test intellectual ability.

Shaun Lovejoy, Professor of Physics

A very organized program is essential here; because of the class size, not every student will be personally known. Students must clearly know what is expected of them as opposed to having to guess "what the professor wants." Aids such as class notes, problem sets and old exams with answers are necessities, as is a class format with key visuals. In addition, question/answer opportunities both in and out of class (supplemented by e-mail, tutorials and personal contact) are important. Finally, it works well to provide multiple mid-term exams (two or three, as opposed to a single opportunity) presented with ample time for problem-solving (early evening) in a format adhering to Senate exam rules for scrambled seating.

Sarah Westphal, Associate Professor of English

We need to make certain that academically gifted students with athletic skill, leadership potential, cultural and linguistic diversity, etc., identify McGill as a good environment for their individual needs. We will get the best minds only by supporting the whole person. To say this in another way: if we particularize merit we may never hear from some of our most qualified potential customers.

Morton Weinfeld, Professor of Sociology

Yes, but only with great care. "No" to athletic prowess and to cultural background -- if by that we mean ethnicity and race -- with the exception of students with a First Nations background. I make an exception here because I think these individuals have had to cope with particularly difficult obstacles -- many of them the direct result of government policies. I would also take into account having to overcome significant physical and mental disabilities. I would ideally like to find a way to consider socio-economic background; students from low income homes may have had to struggle to reach certain academic levels, and this should be recognized. The problem would be how to document this. One option would be to enclose parental tax returns. Extracurricular accomplishments in some cases could also be important, but these should be accompanied by confirming documents in any application. A few students may inadvertently overstate their activities, and universities often do not check these things.