Welcome to Mac4U! Your university journey starts now
Join us for a new summer transition program launching in August 2025 for incoming students in the Access Program. Over the course of the program, Mac4U will be a launchpad into university life. Before the term starts, join fellow students for four days and three nights of:
- University prep to help you feel confident and ready
- Community building with peers and mentors who truly understand your journey
- Guided support through the many processes and systems at McMaster, from course selection to campus life and more
- Fun and opportunities to make friends in a welcoming, supportive space
- Overnight stay in McMaster residence (shared rooms, no cost to you!)
Application deadline: July 14, 2025
Who can participate?
Mac4U is open to incoming first-year students in the Access Program. This includes students from equity-deserving or historically underrepresented backgrounds.
- Students who wouldn’t attend post-secondary without additional programs or supports
- Students with parents who did not attend, or complete, post-secondary studies (first-generation university students)
- Indigenous students Students with disabilities
- Certain racialized minority students (especially youth with Afro-Canadian and Latin American backgrounds)
- Students from low-income families and neighbourhoods
- Adult learners who are new to post-secondary education
- Students from rural communities
- Women (in some disciplines)
Have questions?
Email access1@mcmaster.ca.
We have some exciting activities planned for you and your peers! Check it out
We can’t wait to connect with you! More details will be shared with all participants closer to the program start date.
Day One
August 6, 2025
Afternoon
- Arrival
- Welcome Session
- Campus Scavenger Hunt
Evening
- Dinner
- Session: Getting Prepared for September
- SSC Movie Night
Day Two
August 7, 2025
Morning
- Breakfast
- Shadow Day: Morning Lecture
Afternoon
- Lunch
- Shadow Day: Afternoon Experiential Class
- Shadow Day: Wrap-up and Reflections
Evening
- Social: Off-Campus Dinner and Fun Activity
Day Three
August 8, 2025
Morning
- Breakfast
- Session: Well-being and Identity/Intersectionality
Afternoon
- Lunch: Cooking Class/Competition with Student Wellness Centre
- Choose Your Own Adventure: Physical Activities with Athletics & Recreation
Evening
- Dinner
- Bonfire
Day Four
August 9, 2025
Morning
- Breakfast
- Upper-Year Panel: Tips for University
Afternoon
- Lunch: Friends and Family BBQ
Primary Location: Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL)
We’ll meet you at PGCLL at the beginning of each day. This is also where you’ll be staying during Mac4U.
This new 340,000-square-foot multi-functional building opened in fall 2019 and is the largest building on campus. It features a 500-bed residence, two new 600-seat student lecture halls, a state-of-the-art active learning classroom and more.
Primary Location: Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL)Campus map