McGill or U of T?

[Joey]

Well, I was accepted at these two schools and I must decide between one. Basically, McGill seems to have a better name internationally, seems to be better structured and organized, but U of T has a nicer city, program is more practical (which appeals to me) and seems to offer a better electrical engineering course in general. So what now? I have also pasted a copy of the letter I've sent to my school describing my experience when visitng the schools.

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to keep you guys updated on how my trip to Canada has been. I've visited U of T and McGill already. We first arrived at Toronto on Monday afternoon and I was amazed by the beauty of the city already. It was very green, well spaced out and nice looking. A true college town. Young people cycling all about, walking and talking in the streets and cafes, studying by the trees. But it was late and we weren't going to visit the University till the next morning. On Tuesday we woke up early, had a horrible breakfast that felt more to me like I was eating a brick (bad food in the hotel), and went to visit the University. The Campus was huge and beautiful, but it was hard to distinguish between city and campus as they seem to be fairly integrated. We had two campus tours, one general and one specific to the engineering facilities. I thought the inside of the campus was worn down; it looked like it was not really well taken care of, and the classes looked sort of rustic. The outside was awesome but the inside not so much. Nevertheless, having come from so far I wasn't going to judge the college by its looks. The sports facility also looked ok but they also felt sort of worn down. Anyways, we then met the Liaison of Engineering and that got me excited. I learned about all the cool 'hands-on' project I'd get to do right from first year, as well as visiting some of the labs and seeing student built projects. That turned me on in a way. (Sorry I can't find any other way to describe it). The course also sounded very appealing with loads of practical and lab work, an awesome co-op program and whatnot. But there was something about the school that didn't feel right. People seemed too robotic I guess, boring, minding their own business and walking around to get to their whereabouts. The ambient was not of a tight community and the fact that it seemed to me as I was in Hong Kong, because of the large proportion of Orientals that seem to compose much of the student body, made me feel slightly segregated. Not that I have anything against Asians, but I just felt out of place. The school as well felt as if people didn't care too much about it, it felt spiritless and to me that was something that just tinged in the back of my mind throughout the visit on campus. People seemed too quiet; too individualist...I don't know....that was my impression.

We left for Montreal on Tuesday and after a 6 hour drive (nice countryside but I'll spare you the details) we came to the outskirts of the French Canadian city. It was funny to see how the road signs almost instantly displayed instructions in French rather than English, and how somehow the roads under French territory were bumpy and full of holes in them. I guess cars must not be the French’s thing, and anyone who has owned a Peugeot or Renault might agree So the coming into Montreal was far less impressive as we almost instantly faced brutal and challenging traffic! Yes cars are definitely not the French’s thing! Anyway, the city of Montreal slightly reminded me of Paris but it was dirtier than Toronto and gave an impression of a more degraded urban landscape when juxtaposed to its American counter-part. I must say I wasn't too excited by it, but then again I was planning of sparing my criticism to the campus tour that awaited me only about 14 hours in the near future. As soon as I entered the McGill campus on the following morning I knew it would be very different to U of T. It felt more European, more classy, traditional maybe, and quite more serious. I quite liked the tour through its Gothic looking facilities, grand halls and historical landmarks, and this culture was what I think U of T lacked. The way the campus guide (he was a student) talked about the history of the place, the way statues, tombs, and even McGill tracksuits were proudly displayed across Campus really gave me the feel that this culture bound the students together. The school felt more united, like everyone pushed in the same direction, and that did bring me a certain amount of comfort. Its impressive organization, good facilities and seriousness reminded me of St.Paul's - that also brought me comfort. The campus and its facilities looked well cared for unlike the ones I visited previously. I liked McGill.

[Abu]

I would go McGill, it's more well known, more European and the chance to pick up some French.

[__inthemaking]

I would go for McGill probably because I hate the U of T St. George campus..it's wayyy too big and my friends that go there say that it's a huge hassle needing to cross several busy streets to get from one end of campus to another. I like campuses that are enclosed within one area. Also my engineering friends at McGill seem to have more fun and McGill also has nicer residences haha. I've never been to McGill though. But I think overall my impression from my U of T and McGill friends is that engineering science at U of T > engineering at McGill > engineering at U of T. So since you're not going for eng sci at U of T, I'd pick McGill.

[Aliase]

Go with the one you prefer. If you think the programme seems more interesting in U of T, then go for it. You are the one that's going to "suffer" through it. As long as you are happy, that's all that matters.

Besides, does the reputation of a school really matter in the long run ? Do you plan on doing research ?

About McGill, you said students are "bound" together by "culture" ?!! You should know there is still some animosity between the Francophones and the Anglophones and that the two cultures are radically different(well from my perspective !).

[Joey]

What I prefer is not only about Program but a series of factor. Remember I'm an international student from Brazil and sports as well as my social life is as important as the program. Anyone has any other input? I got to decide by Sunday.

[greaterthaninfinity]

UofT is a big commuter school. The competition is there is intense and from what I've heard from friends who go there, it's every man for himself. I guess it's all just hearsay but I've actually heard horror stories about UofT kids ripping out pages from the library books to deter others from doing well. IMO, that's wayyy too much of a stretch. Still, even if it's just rumours, I think there has to be an extent of truth in these rumours because why would students who go to UofT attempt to smear its reputation on purpose? There is definitely a slight trent towards people being dissatisfied with their education and experience at UofT. Regardless, UofT is indeed a school which is very well-known internationally. So much research goes on there... it's definitely a good school to go for grad, but not necessarily undergrad.

However, I must say that McGill is also a VERY big school. Structurally, it is similar to UofT in numerous ways. I'm not sure if you know French, but if you don't, it's definitely going to take time to adjust to because you'd be living in a city that is essentially totally French-speaking even if the language of instruction at McGill is indeed English. One of my McGill friends loves it there because it's a generally very spirited school. However, she feels at the same time as if she "lives in a bubble" because while the city of Montreal is essentially francophone, her university isn't. I'd imagine that to be a very strange experience because of how different the city environment and the university environment are.

Edited May 28, 2009 by greaterthaninfinity

[bohemian03]

I am going to say McGill. I don't know much about the school but a lot of students from my school go there and they love it at McGill. I also know of a student who is very smart. 4.0+ gpa and everything and her goal is to go to McGill.

[Mattias]

I think that although McGill is more prestigous, you should go to U of T, because you seem to like it a lot more.

That is what is ultimately important, and plus, the more you like a school/course, the better you will do.

Go to U of T.

Toronto is legit as well

[CommeDesEnfants]

I'd definitely say McGill. Toronto's an exciting city, but McGill is probably a lot more cultural, and French.

However, what really matter are your desires for majors and grad school and the such. Try to see which school will have more opportunities and choices specifically for you. For example, my friend recently transferred back to UBC because McGill only takes 1% of students from out of the province to go on to specialist and med school.

[herbert]

You may have already chosen your school by now, but I would say U of T.

Toronto is probably the best well known city in Canada, and therefore I think you would have a lot of international exposure.

Plus, you say you like the city and the program.

[emmiez]

I wouldn't say particularly that Mcgill is definitely better than U of T - even though it's more internationally renown, U of T is one of the up and coming universities. Personally I would choose U of T as it's in Toronto, which is a more diverse city, in my opinion.

U of T offers co-op programs, as well as a great downtown campus that has 'college's (very similar to Oxbridge) and so will guarantee a great college on-campus experience.

Moreover, U of T has the 3rd largest university library in North America, after Harvard and Yale!

If I were you, however, I would go with my gut feeling. Go to the one you felt more comfortable in. Go to the one you can see yourself having a good time in. Go to the one with a better course, certain professors or, in your opinion, a better environment.

You should listen to our opinions, but ultimately, base most of your decisions on YOUR feelings. That's the most important!

[powa2]

U of T's engineering programme is the best in Canada and top ten in the world. McGill's engineering isn't as spectacular, McGill excels in other programmes like Social and Natural sciences. Overall I think you should go with U of T, even though McGill might be more prestigious, U of T will give you

world class educations and will set you with excellent co-op jobs.