A note about Canadian Universities (VS American)

<p>cdn - well im comparing canada to the us...canadian schools just arent as competitive to get into....but they weed people out once there. Its been discussed before. Its a difference in values. Canada is more socialist in that there is a strong emphasis in universal post-sec education. University of Manitoba for example (a pretty good school) only requires a Manitoba high school diploma for admission. However, this is like an opportunity...you have to work hard or ure out. In the US, some schools just hand out good grades.</p>

<p>82% is not the minimum. Im basically saying that if you have above 82%, ure in (not the minimum).</p>

<p>Please, please, write in proper english. "Ur", and such really irk me. I'm no grammar nazi, but writing "you're" is only going to take a micro- second longer and it's much more aesthetically pleasing to mine eye. And regarding canada's socialist system, you're right. We do offer more people more opportunities. After all, socialism is about equality despite birth rank. But as those opportunities are all too often wasted, i find that i favor america's capitalist approach to university admissions more.</p>

<p>i believe aca0260 is right with the info about admissions... i've heard from numerous sources that once you have that cutoff average that unis advertise, you're basically in...</p>

<p>Okay, thanks for the clarification. I think part of the reason that Canadian schools are less competitive, is that there are less people up here competing for spots than there are in the US. I mean, at one point there was a joke that the state of New York had a higher population than all of Canada. That is exaggerated, but the US does have a significantly higher population than Canada. With a few exceptions (UToronto, UBC, McGill, to name a few) the universities in Canada don't seem to attract as many internationals as the schools in the US do.</p>

<p>so if u were to decide among Berkeley, UT or Queen's....what would be your choice and why? I'm seriously considering UT or Queen's, but i really do not have sufficient info and i feel like i'm only getting one side of the story.</p>

<p>Ultimately depends on the program that you're intending to apply to.</p>

<p>Assuming that you're a Canadian resident, obviously the cost will be significantly lower for either Queen's or University of Toronto.</p>

<p>Berkeley, caz they have $$$$ to burn on ridiculous research that end up nowhere</p>

<p>soarthrulife, it's difficult to answer your question without having more information. However, as someone else said, if you're Canadian and money is an issue, then you certainly would be better off choosing U of T or Queens. You may be better off with either of those choices anyway! I have nieces and nephews (and in September, a daughter) at U of T, as well as at Queens. They are all happy with their choices and love their schools. Both U of T and Queens are top schools in Canada and you will get a great education at either of them. The experience will be quite different at each, obviously, large urban center vs. small college town. My D got into both, in addition to several others, and after visiting several times, talking to profs and students, looking at dorms, etc., she chose U of T. What are you going to be studying? What college at U of T?</p>

<p>Berkeley is an excellent school also but one complaint I've heard from several different sources, including the D of a close friend of mine, is that due to cutbacks in funding, it is often very difficult for some students to get all of their required coursework completed in four years, which has lead to a larger percentage of 5 year graduates recently.</p>

<p>I did mean "regurgitate" because I feel that many posts simply repeat what they have heard from the big PR machine.</p>

<p>Funny how no one mentioned how difficult getting into Canadian grad schools are. They are extremely competitive esp. MQT. I think most US students should go to US undergrad and Canadian Grad rather than the current trend of vice versa.</p>

<p>I think people are missing the point. MTQ are most selective of Canadian universities and will have many students, the vast majority, who would be equivalent to the students at top US publics like UCLA, UNC, Michigan, Berkeley, UVa, etc. Of course, HYPS will have the creme de la creme and cannot be compared to any of these schools mentioned in terms of the student body achievement. However, in terms of the actual education received, all will be superior and do a great job.</p>

<p>If you look at U of T - St. Georges campus, Queen's and McGill, they are no doubt in the top 30 in North America.</p>

<p>Whats MTQ- Museum of Tropical Queensland?</p>

<p>winston - we already discussed how admission standards are lower in canada....so how would the student bodies at UofT and Queens be superior to Virginia UCLA and Berkeley, theres no way. Remember, anyone with above 80% gets into UofT and Queens (for Arts anyways). Berkeley UCLA and Virginia regularly reject ivy acceptees, they are amongst the top publics in the world and they have stellar international repuations....Im not doubting the quality of canadian universities, just stating that in terms of selectivity, theres no comparison.</p>

<p>According to Macleans, UofT has the 6th highest entering avg. McGill Queens UBC Western Montreal Saskatchewan and Sherbrooke are all ranked higher...not exactly top dog, even in the motherland (in terms of selectivity once again)</p>

<p>ivyleaguer - im not too sure about other grad programs but for law, Canada isnt ultra competitive. The only school that has entrance numbers equivelant to a top 20 US law schools is UofT....all the others fall short of that admissions standard.....Not to mention, that US Law school consider every year of undergrad whereas most canadians (cept Osgoode i believe) consider the best 2 or 3.</p>

<p>aca: U Of T has 3 campuses. The admit standard at the two suburban campuses are lower, therefore resulting in a downward movement for the university as a whole.</p>

<p>Also, 80% in a Canadian high school is not the same as 80% in a typical US high school. My impression is that their is less grade inflation in Canada, on average. I also read that Queen's admit min was 88% but this may be incorrect.</p>

<p>Winston, having been through both systems I will be the first to admit that 80% in Canada means more than 80% in the states. Having said that, while 80% is a good mark and nothing to be ashamed of, it isnt exactly the criteria for a selective university. When Berkeley is rejecting kids with 4.6 (out of 5) GPA's, 1480 SATs, and solid EC's throughout the course of 4 years, its selectivity cannot compare with someone who managed an 80% average throughout the course of 1 year (or 6,7 courses).</p>

<p>All in all, ive come to realize that we are comparing two different (as similar as they are) countries with two entirely different ideologies. After all, we cannot attack Canada for not being on par with US standards because Canadians have different objectives and different goals. In terms of universities, Canada is less selective in order to accomplish the liberal task of giving alot of Canadians a chance at university (that wouldnt have this chance in the states). However, there are downsides in that many people just arent cut out for university etc. The U.S. makes getting into university hard because competition is the marquee of U.S. ideology. Once there, students arent in for as much of a surprise as Canadians because 1) Most US schools are more leniant with marks 2) They have been more rigorously selected and are more qualified to be in their chosen university (this obviously doesnt apply to garbage uni's but rather to top 100-200). Its just a different approach to admissions. Having attempted and gained admission from both countries, ive learned that.</p>

<p>Oh and Queens will let in anyone (not the cutoff) with above 80% for Arts. You are talking about the Queens Commerce program that has a cutoff of 87 (but the avg is something like 92). I am most likely headed to Queens this year.</p>

<p>I go to a selective private school in Vancouver. The top 10% of our class goes to ivies + stanford, the next 20% goes to other American universities, and the others go either to UBC, U Vic, or McGill.</p>

<p>Are there any people in this forum that are actually in University? If you were man of you would have a wider range of thinking when comparing Canadian Universities to American ones. I've read a lot of posts of people mantioning that Canadian Universities are not up to par with the American ones. Being a fourth year university student I can tell you that those thoughts are wrong! I have many friends from the States attending my university who prefered Canadian universities, when comparing the price, level of education. Some even gave up ivy legue schools. As well many people keep mentioning ivy legue schools as if they are the best universities. The fact is goind to harvard to take an arts program is a waste of time and money. Harvard is known for it's great medical and law school, not it's science or arts program, trust me! Each university is specializes in a particular area of study. There are many good Canadian universities that have a better science program than Harvard. Also just to add I'm planing on going to graduate school and I'm aplying to the states, because many American universities increase Canadian averages, some even by 10%! So if i don't get into U of T for Biochemistry, and pharmacology, then I may have to go to the States.</p>

<p>sorry for the spelling mistake, i'm half a sleep</p>

<p>I have to agree with you, sugar_150. While Canadian universities may not have the "name-factor" that many US universities do, the Canadian ones are still excellent schools. The two countries approach the admissions process differently, leading some people to believe that one is better than the other, more selective, higher quality, etc.</p>

<p>Best of luck with your applications!</p>

<p>I agree with you that U of T is not the greates for undergrade, but U of T has a greater selection of programs than many other universities. I also agree with you that there are ppl who slack off for 3 years and do well in OAC and grade 12. I for one was not one of those ppl. I don't agree with you that the canadian high schools are easier. I for one did go to an american high school, and then my parents put me in a privet school, which was like going to a canadian catholic school, we moved back and i went to high school in mississauga. So I'm not sure where you are coming from, with some of your comments. Canadian schools for the most part are actully more dificult in some respects.</p>