Colby vs McGill

<p>I have recently gotten into both Colby College and McGill University. Coming from a huge high school, I have been quite set on going to a small college. However, when I got into McGill, and after doing some research on the university, it sounds amazing. Now, I am stuck between the two. Help!</p>

<p>Colby
- Smaller student population
- Proffesors are more accessible
- Would play a D3 sport
- Very beautiful natural setting (but also in the middle of nowhere)</p>

<p>McGill
- MONTREAL
- More course options
- Offers Engineering
- Atmosphere/ student life/ French!</p>

<p>I have gotten into the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering. When applying I marked General Engineering, but admissions said I had to choose a specific major so I choose Electrial, computer, and software engineering. I am thinking about trying computer science or engineering, but I have never taken such classes before. I am afraid that if I dislike it and want to switch majors or faculties, it will be very complicated (Although I don't know much about how this whole faculty thing works, so if any one could shed some light?). At Colby, I would be able to switch easily and explore different subjects whereas McGill is, as I've heard, would not be as flexible.</p>

<p>I know the schools are very different (huge v small, city v rural, etc) but I think both are good choices for me. I have visited Colby many times (a sibling attended), but I have not been able to visit McGill yet(my passport expired the night before I was supposed to go). If I knew more about McGill maybe my decision would be a little easier. From what I hear, McGill has an amazing reputation, but such a huge student population makes professors inaccessible. Sorry for writing such a long entry :) but any advice/info would be appreciated!</p>

<p>Is it possible to study Engineering at Colby? Most small LACs do not offer it.</p>

<p>Colby has a 3-2 Engineering program in collaboration with Dartmouth. Here’s a link:</p>

<p>[Colby</a> College Physics Department](<a href=“http://www.colby.edu/physics/engine.html]Colby”>http://www.colby.edu/physics/engine.html)</p>

<p>Yes the Dual Degree Program is an option, but it has pretty strict requirements. Playing a D3 sport might make it complicated as well. Also, I heard the McGill’s engineering program is ranked much higher than Dartmouth’s.</p>

<p>McGill…</p>

<p>I am leaning towards McGill, it’s just I hear pretty bad reports on the faculty and their unwillingness to help students. I’m also not sure whether engineering is the major for me yet. I have taken a lot of physics and math classes, but I still don’t know and without good guidance it might turn out badly.</p>

<p>McGill is gigantic and I believe there are actually two campuses, one in the middle of Montreal and one out quite a bit from the center of the city. Some majors are in one spot, some are in the other. You might check on this, I was told about it by a nice waiter while I visiting the city. According to this young man the campus on the outskirts was not nearly as convenient as the city one and less appealing. A quick look at the website wasn’t enough to figure out where the electrical and computer engineering programs are.</p>

<p>I’ve been to the Colby campus and was struck by how concerned the administration is with the welfare of the students, and true, it’d be much easier to switch around majors and get good student advising there.</p>

<p>At McGill, Agriculture, Environmental Science and Nutrition are at the West Island campus. Everything else is in downtown Montreal. At McGill, the faculty is willing to help students. It is just that you have to seek them out and ask for the help. They won’t approach you. Also, if you go to a faculty member for advice and it is obvious that you have not even looked up the program info on line in advance, you may be told to do so and come back later. </p>

<p>BTW Surprisingly, Ivy League Engineering schools are not that highly ranked (except for Cornell).</p>

<p>I agree completely with tom. Engineering is 100% at downtown campus.</p>