Canadian Colleges, any information?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm currently a junior and have a newfound interest in some international schools. </p>

<p>I was just curious if anybody had any information or comments about some of the following Canadian colleges:</p>

<p>University of Toronto
McGill University
Queen's University</p>

<p>In the US, I'm interested in some Ivies (Harvard, Princeton, Columbia), Hopkins, and some UC's (Berkeley, LA, SD), so I was wondering how comparable the aforementioned Canadian universities are. </p>

<p>Furthermore, if anybody knows how those schools are in relation to pre-med/science programs, please share.</p>

<p>I've done some research on my own, but it seems like you guys always know more than school websites :)</p>

<p>Any comments would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Queens doesn't really have a name at all outside of Canada. Toronto and McGill's international reputations are amongst the best known in the world. In the US though, not so much. American's usually ONLY know of US schools, and of US schools they know very little about which ones are truly great (most people in the US don't know a thing about the research and discoveries that schools put out, and thus undervalue places like Berkeley, UCLA, UMICH, simply because they think they are huge (which they are, but they also pump out some of the most important research and discoveries in the world)). McGill and Toronto will get you far though internationally, and if you plan on going to grad school, academics know the reputation of the two schools.</p>

<p>I'de say McGill and Toronto are going to be similar to UCLA and Michigan in terms of programs and prestige.</p>

<p>Can't say I know much about pre-med/sciences at McGill or toronto.</p>

3

<p>BIGTWIX's comments are pretty much on the money in terms of prestige and international acceptance of McGill/UofT degrees.</p>

<p>Both McGill and UofT have well-respected programs in the hard sciences. Either would be fine academically for pre-med, although between the two, I prefer McGill, both for academics and social life.</p>

4

<p>Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. That seems to be the general consensus of what I found in other places, and I have pretty much ruled out Queen's anyway. Now I want to post some stats about me and tell me if I have a chance at McGill of U of T. I know this isn't a chance thread, but I would appreciate your comments</p>

<p>Male, US, California, fairly competitive high school, sends about 20-30 kids total to high UC's and Ivies, looking for good pre-med/science type programs.</p>

<p>GPA
3.99 W
4.6 W
Rank: 5/700</p>

<p>SAT I 2280
CR 730
M 790
W 760</p>

<p>SAT II<br>
Math II 790
Chemistry 780
US Hist. 760</p>

<p>ACT 32
English 35 (32 with essay)
Math 34
Reading 31
Science 29</p>

<p>AP Scores
European History 5
Calculus BC 5 (AB subscore 4)
Spanish Lang 3
Spanish Lit 4
Chemistry 5
US History 5
English Comp 4
English Lit 5
Biology 5
Music Theory 5 (5 nonaural, 4 aural)
Physics 4
US Gov 4
Statistics 5</p>

<p>EC's (not that they matter as much for Canadian universities anyway)
Orchestra (4 years, principal cellist 1 year)
Marching Band (4 years, section leader 2 years)
Drumline (4 years, section leader 2 years)
Pit Orchestra for musical (2 years)
Academic Decathlon (3 years)
National Honor Society (2 years, officer 1 year)
Science Olympiad (2 years)
Model United Nations (3 years)
Speech and Debate Club (3 years, VP 2 years)
District Honor Orchestra (2 years)
Lion's Heart Community Service group (4 years, officer 2 years)</p>

<p>Awards
nothing too special, a few medals at academic decathlon</p>

<p>Also did summer internship at UCLA that was medical-related</p>

<p>There you go. If I forgot anything, let me know. Also, besides the Canadian colleges, feel free to suggest US colleges that seem like matches for me.</p>

5

<p>McGill and Toronto don't take essays or check ECs unless you are applying for major scholarships.</p>

<p>That being said you're probably 100% likely to get into both, and with your stats they'll probably both offer you merit scholarships. If you apply for a major scholarship you might even get those because your stats are phenomenal.</p>

<p>What kind of schools are you interested in? What kind of locations are ideal? Urban, suburban, rural, 4 seasons, sunny with beaches? Want to go somewhere where there is so much to do all the time? Care about school pride?</p>

<p>I'm sure there are many top US schools that'll love your stats, so it's probably worth applying to anywhere you are interested in.</p>

6

<p>As a resident of Toronto, I can tell you that U of T is really really big. One of the biggest in North America, I believe.
Most Canadian universities (including U of T, McGuill has tougher standards) are very easy to get into (first year class will typically have more than 500) but make most of them drop out after a year or so. It is extremely hard to get A. Consequently, graduation rate is small, but that makes the graduates even more valuable. </p>

<p>McGuill is more known for its strength in pre-med, but McGuill's buildings are usually old (and grey) and the weather is gloomy (almost no sun).</p>

7

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

<p>BIGTWIX, as far as US colleges, I'm considering some Ivies (Harvard, Princeton, Columbia) but I'm not sure I really have a great shot at them, as well as some UC's (LA, Berkeley, SD), and also Hopkins. As far as regions, I do prefer the east coast, but I could deal with west coast if I had to (I live in SoCal right now, and don't like it). So yeah, if you could chance me for places like that, that'd be great.</p>

<p>dain3265, thank you for that, I didn't know about that graduation thing, so that's valuable info. also, i don't need a lot of sun :)</p>

<p>Keep the feedback coming!</p>

8

<p>I am thinking about going to U of T for graduate level electrical engineering. Just wondering how tough it is to get in and what are the requirements. Thanks.</p>

9

<p>bump</p>

<p>thank you guys, keep responding to the posts you see</p>

10

<p>Posted message on wrong thread.</p>

11

<p>I've applied to one Canadian school, Dalhousie University and I haven't seen anything about it on CC. It seems like a really great school and one of my friends is thinking of going to King's College, Dalhousie's honors college. I've never been to Canada. I was wondering if anyone is currently attending Dalhousie or has attended and what they thought of it?</p>

12

<p>I can tell you that even in Canada, Dalhousie isn't a big name and I know it only through my dad who used to work there. All I can say is that if you plan to transition from America to Nova Scotia, it will definitely be a large change in lifestyle.</p>

13

<p>boredomhall the grad program in elec eng. in UofT is pretty darn competitive, if you don't think you'd make it in the top 25 US then you won't make it there.</p>

<p>In response to a comment, McGill and Queen's are relatively selective, you make it sound as if anyone can get in.</p>

14

<p>well of course they are selective, but with the OP's stats, I don't see the point of discussing it.</p>

15

<p>Dalhousie has produced some top-notch doctors.</p>

<p>They’re MD program is really good, if that’s where you’re thinking of heading later on</p>

16

<p>How is UBC in terms of reputation/prestige?</p>

17

<p>I visited University of Toronto with my daughter last year. It is an excellent school, internationally ranked. One thing I noticed is that Canadians tend to go to the best school that is close to home. Thus UT has lots of commuters; people who live at home, rather than in the dorms. I can imagine that gives the place a different feel that the residential colleges of the US.</p>

<p>It’s in a great part of town and is huge (lots of majors and course options).</p>

18

<p>Mcgill is great for science and music. My DD is a junior, she loves it and she went to a small all girls school in CA. She hated the weather at first, but spent a summer there and got acclimated. She wanted a big school, she had already experienced the small LAC in high school, she also wanted to be in a city, not in the suburbs as so many US schools are located. She has been able to work in research labs with professors and grad students since her soph year, she also is in the honores program, gets lots of advice about her future from profs. They also have an extensive music program but I know only that much, check it out. Dorm food is awful, but you are only in the dorms first year and then you are on your own to find apartment. You should have no trouble getting in.</p>

19

<p>I would not rule out Queens. Of the three it actually has the more Ivy feel. yes, it lacks the reputation internationally than U of T or McGill but it has a great academic reputation in Canada, just as strong as Toronto, if not even moreso than Mcgill. It also has much smaller class sizes than both U of T and Mcgill and more school spirit because it’s not located in a large city, students tend to get involved and to actually live on campus. Plus Kingston overall is a great college town. I think if you are looking for a social life and strong academics take a second look at Queens.</p>