If this has been covered elsewhere, I apologize. I'm wondering whether players in CIS hockey programs get preferential admissions like they do in NCAA programs and, if so, does it occur at the top academic schools like U Toronto and UBC, as well? Thanks in advance.
Two notes that will help address your question.
1) Within each university, faculties establish minimum entrance standards. Those are typically higher for some faculties (e.g., Business, Engineering) than others (e.g., Latin American Studies), BUT typically lower than the actual cutoff for admission. For example, a Business school might say minimum GPA is 3.0, but in reality nobody with less than a 3.5 is admitted. That minimum standard is where there's some room for a candidate with other desired attributes (e.g., Mature students, athletes) to be admitted when they're below the cutoff. Deans are not going to admit a student - athlete or not - who does not meet the minimum, but they do often admit students with other desired attributes who are below the cutoff but above the minimum. That's where athletes can get unique treatment.
2) Some universities look at extra-curricular activities in the admission process. I know Laurier is one that values well-rounded students, and factors that (participation in sports) into their admission decisions. But, the top academic schools (Toronto, UBC, McGill) certainly do not.
As an aside, I'm not sure where anyone would argue that McGill is average in hockey. They dominate women's hockey, and are University Cup regulars. That's remarkable given the strict admission standards at McGill versus their competition (UQTR, Carleton, Concordia).
