An American in a Canadian School

Colleges and Universities A-Z McGill University
1

<p>I can't believe it but there is actually a good chance that I could be heading to McGill next year. It's taken me months to understand that the other schools I thought I would end up at are just so expensive for an undergraduate degree. Now I'm just trying to decide between my inexpensive state school (U of Maryland + scholarship) and a school that would lead me in a direction I never thought I would go. My parents and I have some questions...</p>

<p>I was accepted into Arts & Sciences and I plan to study Government. I was wondering if my classes would then be all about Canadian government? What is the transition like between going to school in Canada and then re-entering back into the United States?</p>

<p>Second, it is cold in Montreal! How does that affect things?</p>

<p>Third, is it easy to learn french since you're immersed in it daily?</p>

<p>If under "Basic/Major Scholarships" it said that you did not win anything, then is that it for financial aid? What about workstudy or any other financial help? After all is said and done, what is the full price of a McGill education?</p>

<p>Is the traveling back and forth from McGill to the US expensive after a while?</p>

<p>Is there any sort of stigma of being American on campus?</p>

<p>Okay those are all my questions for now. If you go to McGill right now or know the answers for some reason, please respond! I can't believe it but I might actually go to Montreal for college! Canada...whattt??! I never thought my life would go this way...</p>

2

<p>Uh, wow. I could very well be in your situation in a year. I live in Maryland and my mother is convinced that I will ultimately be attending the University of Maryland. My plan is also to study Politics, and I just don't think UM has that great of a program for that--nor for Linguistics, which would likely be my second major. She does not want me studying in Canada (too far away), but I've explained to her that other schools [in which I could be interested] are much too expensive for an undergraduate education, so this would basically leave me with UM and UMBC. As I said before, UM doesn't have what I want, and I don't particularly want to live in Catonsville, either. But all this is well and fine for her as long as I'm not in Canada. How do your parents feel about the possibility of you moving to Montreal? Are they accepting? Before you applied were they against the idea, and it's just now that you've been accepted they realise that it could be a reality? </p>

<p>Ah, so sorry for all the questions :&lt;/p>

3

<p>To be honest, I applied to McGill thinking that at the end of the day, if I didn't get into any of my other schools, I would have one other option besides the University of Maryland. It turns out that I'm still waiting to hear from 3 other schools...but I'm pretty sure that it'll come down to McGill and UMD since I doubt I will get much money from those schools, if I get in. UMD has always represented the safety school that I would never go to because I was going to go to Harvard. Of course over the past 4 years of high school I have realized that that wasn't going to happen...but I was still not okay with just going to UMD. My mom wants me to go to Maryland because its close by and because my sister goes there so she knows exactly what I'm getting myself into. Canada and McGill represents this great unknown. We've never been to Montreal and trying to get basic info on the school has been tricky since the website is ridiculous. It is very far away...in another country...and why would I want to leave the United States when people would kill to go to college here? </p>

<p>Currently I am waiting on these three schools to see if I'll have any more options. I plan to visit McGill and see if it is somewhere that I should even be thinking about. I really hope that I fall in love with the city like everyone else seems to have. I keep thinking that perhaps McGill represents going in a new and unexpected direction, trying something that I normally wouldn't and seeing where it will take me...instead of going to the University of Maryland where I can drive 20 minutes and be home, living with my parents in the same house I've lived in for 18 years. As selfish as it might sound, I have to consider just my feelings on the matter. I need to decide where I want to be for the next four years of my life. </p>

<p>It sounds like we are in similar situations. I will say that there are most definitely other schools out there that will probably fall into your price range (many private schools with financial aid) that have good government and politics majors. Make sure to stay open-minded. Remember, this is probably not the end for you and school. There is always grad school or law school or any other new instiution of even higher learning. Make surey our mom knows that this whole process is about YOU and that she needs to listen. </p>

<p>Anyway, good luck with the process! Sorry I wrote so much! I'll let you know how the visit went.</p>

4

<p>I can definitely relate to the feeling that Mcgill, or any other Canadian university, represents this new experience. This unknown. UM gives me this sense of familiarity that I really can't seem to shake. It's more than a fine school, that I don't doubt, but do I really want to be spending the next four or more years in this state? No, not really. I've tried convincing my mother that, hey, this college thing--it should be about what I think is right for me. I have not had much luck. She also changes her argument quite often--if the university is close yet expensive, it's the cost that has her saying "no", but if it's far away and cheap, the distance is the issue. Not that she's not entitled to a complex perspective or anything, but seriously, I have no idea what she wants. </p>

<p>Boston University has also interested me, as well as a few others in New England. BU is quite expensive, though I hear they're generous when it comes to financial aid--though I'll have to admit I'd feel so strange--almost guilty, even--going somewhere that initially cost almost $45,000. But that's me. </p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to respond! Hope your visit goes well. I'm also interested in some of your questions concerning Canada-U.S. travel costs and the atmosphere of the place.</p>

5

<p>"I was accepted into Arts & Sciences and I plan to study Government. I was wondering if my classes would then be all about Canadian government? What is the transition like between going to school in Canada and then re-entering back into the United States?"</p>

<p>If you mean political science (Is that government?), then there are coures offered about Canadian, American, Latin American, etc, politics. Granted there will be an emphasis on Canada, so I don't know exactly how well it will serve you if you want American Political science versus international."
There isn't really a big problem with reintering and getting a job in the states. Never heard any one complain about the transition.</p>

<p>"Second, it is cold in Montreal! How does that affect things?"</p>

<p>You complain a lot about the weather-- that's about it. Very rarely will people not go out (underground shopping and some underground tunnels at McGill), unless it's the coldest days of the year, where people will just bundle in and study. Clubs and parties happen no matter what the weather. Just don't expect to take long walks in the winter without a purpose.</p>

<p>"Third, is it easy to learn french since you're immersed in it daily?"</p>

<p>You aren't really immersed in french that much. You go to school in English, have majority of friends in english and shop in English. Montreal is fluently billingual and you really have to force yourself to learn it. Most Americans/Canadians pick up the basics fairly quickly, so they can easily get around.</p>

<p>"If under "Basic/Major Scholarships" it said that you did not win anything, then is that it for financial aid? What about workstudy or any other financial help? After all is said and done, what is the full price of a McGill education?"</p>

<p>As far as I know, you can get workstudy if you prove financial need. That's something you'll have to discuss with the financial aid office. Work study is the only way you can work in Canada. </p>

<p>I think Harpgirl mentioned something between 20-22k canadian in terms of full costs.</p>

<p>"Is the traveling back and forth from McGill to the US expensive after a while?"</p>

<p>Yes and No. If you live in DC area, you can usually catch a ride with someone. But you'll probably only go home at Winter Break (for 2 weeks), maybe during reading break and at the end of the school year. That's only two-three round trips, so about 200-600$. Our thanksgiving is only one day off in october-- some kids go home for American Thanksgiving, but not many.</p>

<p>"Is there any sort of stigma of being American on campus?"</p>

<p>Of course not-- why would there be one?</p>

6

<p>I agree with what littlecannuck's said. When I went to visit last week our tour guide who was a fourth year student from Boston or something said that there's about 5 months where there's no snow, but by no means does it mean that life stops when there's snow. Business runs as usual, as well as all other aspects of school life. I also asked her if she knew any French when she came to Montreal and she replied with, "I still don't know any French". So, I guess it can't be that bad if you don't know any French. Although, she also said that all her bills came in French, so that was a little bit scary, but she also had no problem finding someone who did speak French. I think McGill said that 20% of their students spoke French as their first language. I think it would be a good choice. I certainly loved it. lol, four years ago I also thought I'd be going to Harvard. McGill doesn't seem to be too shabby of an alternative though, from what I've seen. Although, don't expect huge, grandiose, super modern buildings either. Of all the Canadian universities, people tell me that McGill's the easiest to reinter the States from because of it's reputation in the States.</p>

7

<p>any one else have any comments?</p>

8

<p>mcgill rocks?? hehe i'm a canadian going back to canada so it's going back home. i started off the application process placing mcgill pretty low on my college list but i visited, researched, semi got over my bitterness towards french canadians (muahaha), and now i'd be honored to attend mcgill. </p>

<p>bittersweet--one of my main hesitations about going to mcgill was my chances of coming back to the US for med school. but i'm confident that if i work hard, mcgill's reputation and my assiduity would no doubt get me back over the border. and i think it's even easier for u because u r an american.</p>

9

<p>lol, what are you talking about? I'm a Canadian as well. I agree though, if you work really hard, you'll go back to the States successfully. Although this is based on what all of you are telling me, I think that going to McGill will make it easier. But going back to the States is about them recruiting talent; it's not all about what school you come from. It's what you make of it there. I'm sure if you went to a school with a much smaller reputation like Western Ontario or something but proved to be a great leader or crazy genius, I'm sure it wouldn't matter what school you came from. crazychai, what did you want to study again? at least at Mcgill you wouldn't feel alone since there are already so many. Because honestly, I think in some parts of Canada there are some ill feelings towards Americans; mostly because of Bush probably though. All my friends are telling me that going to McGill would definately not be a mistake.</p>

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<p>lol i'm so retarded. i just assumed that ppl posting in this forum were americans even though DOY I'M NOT AND I'M POSTING! ahaha woooo! anyway ya i'm hoping i can do an honors or major program in physiology with a minor in management. </p>

<p>i still keep in touch with a lot of my friends back in T.O and ya they REALLY hate bush. and i really hate Bush too but i don't think it's as bad as them. btw which part of toronto do u live in. i was at yonge and eglinton. anyway and i have to admit, before moving here, my attitude towards americans was pretty bad. once i got here, i mean there are typical cocky americans who u know think the rest of the world hates the US because they're jealous but then there are also a lot of others who use their brains and do research and actually know what's going on. okay more anyhoo, GO LEAFS GO!</p>

11

<p>Hey Guys!</p>

<p>Let me respond to a few of your comments...
Studying Government (Poli Sci) will be everything. You've got Canadian Politics, Quebec Politics (specifically), American Politics, Latin America, European, Asian, African... etc. Yeah it's pretty diverse, and the Poli Sci faculty is excellent.<br>
Reentering into the states would be no problem at all! A McGill degree is considered one of the tops, even in the States with our ivy leagues. McGill is known as the "Harvard of the North" and most of my friends that have or will graduate and re-enter the states have been accepted to top grad schools, or top job markets! McGill's reputation is great in the states, and even greater across the world!
Yes it's cold in Montreal, specifically from December till February. It's now pretty nice out in the 40's... and the summer and fall here are amazingly beautiful! But oddly my home (Massachusetts) actually got more snow than Montreal did this year, so its not really as NORTH as we like to think of... and seriously Montreal has so much to do, that you really won't mind the weather too much after a while...
Learning French... Montreal is bilingual, and so you won't have trouble if you don't speak a word of French. You will pick up phrases and words quickly, since you'll hear them a lot- and most kids here that don't speak french end up taking it... I'd say at least half the population here can speak French, I know that 20% of the population actually hold it as their native tongue. But if you don't speak it, its fine... you can always learn! During the Summer there are actually Free French Courses/Immersion courses throughout Quebec- may be interesting to check them out (the Quebec government pays for YOU to learn French basically!)
I was on Work Study the first semester- and I applied for a loan directly from the Student Aid office- but if you're an American, then you have to PROVE you can afford the tuition to the Quebec government before even getting here to apply for aid. Look into outside loans from banks, stafford loans, and possible scholarships.
I'm from MA, I don't go home often because I'm a busy guy and I'm involved in a LOT of things here in Montreal- but when I do go home it cost about 90 bucks to go via bus to Boston. You can get a StudentAdvantage card from Greyhound/Amtrak and you get a 20% discount on Train/Bus fares.
Americans make up nearly 50% of the International population here so theres a lot of us... this year was big for America due to the elections and war etc... Canadians like Americans, they just don't like our current Government. Most of McGill is of the left political spectrum, and most of the American's that come here are of the left side too- so most people share the same feelings about things... but I've never received any resentment when I say I'm American, usually people will crack a joke about our President, but thats all. It's good though! You are opened up to so much here, because you get to view YOUR country from the outside and with such a huge international base @ McGill, get lots of views from various people!<br>
In response to how your parents feel about you going to Canada... my parents were totally iffy about me applying to McGill- they didn't like the idea of me being in a different country or the whole immigration process which is totally confusing... It's a little weird at first "WHAT I'M MOVING TO CANADA!?" and you'll get blank stares from people when they ask you "where are you going next year?" and you say "mcgill" they'll say "oh is that in the south?" you'll say "no it's in canada" they'll say "WHY ARE YOU GOING THERE?" well believe me, it's worth it. McGill/Montreal are two fabulous places, and I am so happy I chose to come here. Visit! If you fall in love with the city, you belong here... it's like no other! </p>

<p>Totally off topic but for whoever said that BU is generous with their financial aid? That's not true, they did not give me nor anyone I talked to who was accepted any money, and they're the country's most expensive university! CRAZY!</p>

12

<p>That is only what I had heard/read about Boston (from a few students themselves, but eh...), not what I had actually known for sure. I might apply... but I wouldn't go there unless there was some serious aid involved. </p>

<p>But about McGill, I looked into train fares for Amtrak and found that typically round-trip from Baltimore to Montreal was around $160 USD. But this seems too low, to be honest. I would have thought $300+. Is what they are estimating really accurate?</p>

13

<p>i checked it out, and applied my student discount card to it... yes its 160$ for round trip... and 140$ with student discount.</p>

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<p>crazychai- you're a Leafs fan?!?! ahhh!! If we both go next year I won't be the only Leafs fan there! well, I'm pretty sure there are a few, but you know. Apparently hockey tickets are much cheaper there, so I'm hoping on going some time...when the league is up and running again. I live in North York, but my school's sort of down by York Mills, although further east.
Distance is another factor that is deterring a lot of my friends from coming with me. A trip to Montreal from Toronto is about 7 hours by bus and way too expensive by train. So, I guess we're all sort of in the same boat in that sense. I think it's worth it though. Besides, you get to get away and start afresh. I look forward to starting a new life, meeting new people, and pretty much immersing myself in a new sort of culture too.</p>

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<p>i love the leafs and hockey!!! lol big surprise there. but omg when the canadian men's hockey team won that gold medal, me and my friends were out celebrating on yonge street the entire night. then in 9th grade, during the playoffs, when gary roberts scored the winning goal in the playoffs against the senators in OT, I WAS HYSTERICAL! back on yonge street and celebrating!</p>

<p>i agree that it's totally worth it to start a new life and learn about a new culture. i mean college is about getting into the real world and meeting ppl who may not be cut from the same mold as u. i've moved so many times in my life and every experience has been great. i get sooooooooooooooooooo excited when i think about the next 4 years in montreal!!!</p>

16

<p>Hmm, $140 is definitely doable, then. </p>

<p>Part of me hates that I'm putting my mother through all this, considering I have my own insecurities as to whether I could even get into McGill. She says, though, that it's better to talk it up now than later. When did you guys become interested in McGill, anyway?</p>

17

<p>for me, i was hardcore in 9th grade. then interest died down in 10th and half of 11th. since then i donno know what happened, but i started to love it again. i think it may have been that i got out of my "HAVE TO GO TO IVY LEAGUE" phase and started thinking about where i would be happy.</p>

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<p>Wow, ninth grade? That early, huh? I've never had that I-must-go-to-an-Ivy dream. I suppose I'm not the sort of person who would ever be comfortable in situtations of extreme competition. Ivy League admissions are just a little ridiculous, I think. It's only a university. That and besides Harvard the locations of the Ivies don't appeal to me. I'll admit that I was once very passionate about Georgetown, though. Visited there, talked to one of the deans and all. Love Washington. But a combination of the cost and the fact that my GPA is only a 3.6 or something definitely had me thinking, "Uh, let's move on, then, shall we?"</p>

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<p>potente, you sound a lot like me. in fact, georgetown was my "first choice" but i was deferred and finally rejected a few days ago. i applied to the school of foreign service. it was a reach, but its funny how you can slowly convince yourself that a school a tad out of your range is a good fit. i have a 3.65 gpa and i come from a really prestigious magnet school in maryland. i thought it would make a difference. funny how i've possibly ended up at mcgill. and to be honest, the more i look into it, mcgill could be the perfect place for me.</p>

20

<p>My plan was to apply to SFS, as well. But realistically I never had the support of my family (because of the cost, which was fair; Georgetown is bloody expensive), so it really was just me and my knowledge that I was most likely not good enough. Sorry to hear that you weren't accepted; I imagine that you were definitely qualified, coming from a magnet school. I go to Parkville, also a magnet school (for Math/Science), but I wouldn't know what our quality is.</p>