<p>Wow... so I haven't been on this forum since I was a high school senior. Now, I'm about to graduate college and I'm a bit lost. I was looking at pharmacology and neuroscience programs in Canada (because it's 3 AM and I'm bored) and I noticed that some don't require GRE's for US applicants with a bachelors... is that true?? The UofToronto explicitly stated that on its application instructions page for the pharmocology program. I'm not sure about McGill... can anyone clarify? I just want to know if this is pretty standard in Canada.</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong. I'm not looking for an easy way out (well, maybe, who isn't?). I still plan on taking the GRE's and applying to U.S. schools, but I was going to put that off for a year or two. If this thing about the Canadian schools and the GREs is true, then that may give me some incentive to apply to some programs right now.</p>
<p>Finally, just out of curiosity, what are the best pharmaco and/or neuro programs our northern neighbor has to offer?</p>
<p>The University of Toronto, McMaster University, and the University of British Columbia offer the best life science programs in the country. U of T easily gets the most funding and has literally, a high rise building devoted to pharmaceutical research. It's a pretty new building, but frightening when you think of all the funding that goes into pharmaceutical science here. Plus, you're literally across the street from half a dozen hospitals. </p>
<p>U of T is overall stronger than the others in the sciences (McGill tends to be more of a social science/humanities school...its Law program is top notch and probably better than what we have here). McMaster is about equally as strong when it comes to neurology and psychology (they were the ones who got to operate on Einstein's brain in 1998!). I don't know much about UBC but I've heard it's top notch also. My cousin is premed there, so once she gets back from Australia, I can ask her about it.</p>
<p>So I'm guessing admissions work the same way (minus the GRE's). I'm really thinking about applying to Toronto. I was actually looking at Canadian schools for undergrad but I think my dad had it in his head that they were somehow inferior. Would I be at some sort of disadvantage if I did my graduate education in Canada and came back to the U.S. for my career?</p>
<p>Also, and this may seem like a stupid question (okay, it def. is), but I am considered international, right? Do I get the same stipend as domestic students if I am accepted to and enroll in a doctoral program? Or do students not receive stipends as they do here in the U.S.? I went to the websites and they talk about applying for this grant and this loan, so if I will get no stipend at all... well, that's a little disheartening.</p>
<p>I took a look at their Behavioral Neuroscience program. It doesn't seem to be part of the MNI... that place has a diff. graduate program. I think I'm more qualified for the behavioral neuro program-- does this one have the same reputation?</p>
<p>The MNI is the one with the prestige, but Im sure Behavioral Neuroscience at McGill is well regarded, especially in Canada. With any Canadian university you have to realize that its prestige is mainly contained to Canada and does not stretch much fruther. As such, if you want to work in Canada, a McGill degree in neurobiology or behavioral neuroscience will get you places in Canada but wont neccesarily open dorrs left and right anywhere else.</p>
<p>Well, you never know, you might like Canada and want to stay here! =p You are international, but we do guarantee every doctoral student funding. Pharmacology is not an easy program to get into. Depending on your grades and other things you might be able to go straight from your BSc to the PhD level. Don't think because we don't require a standardized test that it will be easier to get in or is an inferior program. I don't think a University of Toronto PhD will handicap you in any meaningful way. As always with graduate studies, it's less the reputation of your university than the reputation and quality of your work that determines whether you'll sink or swim. </p>