<p>Illinois Dad–UBC gave TheKid a merit scholarship–$C5K–which equated to about a 25% discount. </p>
<p>Thank you for all the info. We are left coast libs–it will be interesting to see how TK adapts to the politics–he originally put UBC on his list in the event McCain got elected–his game plan was to leave the country if that happened. </p>
<p>I hope to keep this thread floating on page one as Canadian Universities compare really favorably to the big US publics if you are OOS–so if you want UW, UC, Michigan, UNC, UT, or similarly highly ranked big publics, check out Canada. Know that for right now anyway funding seems to be more stable than in the states.</p>
<p>Living in Canada is interesting politically, we found people to be far more interested in and informed about our politics than many Americans. In BC the most conservative party was the Liberals. By the same token, the most liberal party was in charge and the province was in the dumps financially, a short time later a more comparatively more conservative party won the election and things got better and better financially for the locals.</p>
<p>Regarding McGill University, to my knowledge there are no honor classes. As Canadian students come as 13th year students, I don’t see this as a negative as (for most American students) competing in classes is like competing as a freshman against sophomores. A student can graduate with honors and that usually involves writing a thesis, but there are no honor classes per se. Students doing well are permitted to take upper level courses or even graduate courses so one need to worry about being challenged or interested and yes these are smaller classes or seminars. </p>
<p>With required classes, it is likely that first year courses will be half large lectures but this is a non-issue after first year. </p>
<p>McGill also participates in Stafford Loans and/or work study. </p>
<p>Canada did away with grade 13 about six years ago.</p>
<p>You are right, and I was mistaken, about first-year honors programs. I think my daughter’s friend did Arts Legacy in its first year of existence, which then required a competitive application, and now apparently is filled first-come, first-served. On the other hand, almost every major in the university offers a separate honours track, with special courses and additional requirements.</p>
<p>I am one of those ‘fiercely passionate’ Mount Allison alumni, and our graduates do very well. I don’t have any stats about how its grads do compared to McGill/UofT grads. It doesn’t have the best name recognition, even within Canada (a lot of Canadians west of Quebec can’t even locate New Brunswick, the province in which it’s located, on a map). However, those who have heard of it generally have a very very high opinion of it. I have some alumni friends now going to pretty prestigious schools in England and the U.S. for grad programs, and tons going to various graduate programs within Canada (where Masters degrees tend to be fully funded), so obviously it’s got name recognition among those that matter. Those of us who are now working are also doing pretty well. </p>
<p>I can speak more to the actual experience of going there, if you have any questions.</p>
<p>I’d love to hear more about the general experience at MTA. What are intro classes like? I’m concerned that the majority of English classes appear to be lecture instead of seminar. Can you compare MTA to a typical LAC in the States? How difficult (or even possible) is it to double-major in unrelated fields (e.g. English and Computer Science) while still finishing in 4 years?</p>
<p>We’re going to be investigating Mount Allison and sloopysteph, I’d love to talk with you at some point. I’ll PM you to take the next step.</p>
<p>Montreal is a splendid city and a terrific college town. It is helpful to speak French, but not necessary. It used to be the case that when anyone spoke English, the Quebecois would be mad. Now, they don’t seem to be unhappy if it is an American. Less clear if it is a Canadian. </p>
<p>But, I think the issue for going to McGill would be how to get into smaller classes and get attention. Honors (actually honours) seems to kick in during the last two years when one does a more intensive bit of work in one’s major and likely some research. Not all that different from some US schools I’ve come across. But, is there a way to avoid the huge, impersonal classes in years 1 and 2?</p>
<p>My kids go to a competitive h.s. and kids and parents alike envy the families who can get Canadian tuition at McGill; highly respected program and everyone we know who has gone there has loved it.</p>
<p>I briefly considered McGill–since I’m a Canadian citizen and can get cheap tuition–but was off-put by the urban location and the enormous class sizes. McGill, alas, is pretty much the polar opposite of an intimate small LAC like, say, Swarthmore.</p>
<p>The big difference between Mount A or any other small Canadian school and a private American LAC is money. Plain and simple. Our public schools do not have the enormous endowments of some of the American private schools. This means that our facilities may not be as modern, the library holdings may not be as extensive, and our class sizes might be a little bigger than they should be.</p>
<p>It also means that the socioeconomic makeup of the student body tends to be more diverse, as the schools are more affordable (of course, they’re still not affordable enough or diverse enough, but there’s less stratification than in private American schools).</p>
<p>Speaking to Mount A in particular, I can’t imagine that the quality of teaching, the academic rigour, the opportunities for students, and the calibre of the student body would be any less than at American LACs. </p>
<p>Keilexandra, many students at Mount A do double majors, and many major and minor in unrelated fields. However, if this was what you decided on, I would work closely with your advisors as often certain classes are only offered in certain years, so you’d have to be pretty vigilant to make sure you got all of your prereqs.</p>
<p>First year English is broken up into small seminars. After that it is a mix of lecture and seminars, although a lot of profs don’t really bother making a distinction - many so-called ‘lecture’ classes will involve class discussion. It is also very easy to do an independent study with a professor in your upper years, if you so wish. Feel free to PM me if you want more details.</p>
<p>I had a friend from Boston and she chose University of Toronto because her parents thought it had a good reputation. She couldn’t get into Harvard so she came to UofT. She really liked it and her attitude changed a lot. She used to be a bit of snob in first year but living in Toronto with its diverse people really changed her attitude. She matured a lot throughout the 4 years. She’s now working in the States and loves her job. </p>
<p>If you’re looking for a university with a good reputation in Ontario then UofT and Waterloo are well known. Humber and Sheridan are good colleges and teach a lot of hand-on skills. </p>
<p>If you’re looking for a less tuition schools in Quebec cost way less and the living expense is less than Toronto. But kids party out way more in Quebec and Montreal so if that’s is your concern then don’t consider.</p>
<p>While schools like McGill University, the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto are quite exceptional, I think a lot of international folks aren’t aware of other great universities that Canada has to offer. These kinds of schools are very commonly overlooked for one reason or another and I’d strongly recommend that one really considering university in Canada, to look into more than the three schools that are more internationally recognized than the others because there are plenty of places that offer a unique education experience and its own advantages.</p>
<p>For somebody considering Canada for post-secondary education, I’d recommend the following schools: *Note: obviously certain schools will excel with certain programs but generally, all of these universities offer a well-rounded education no matter what you study:</p>
<p>-University of British Columbia
-University of Toronto
-McGill University
-University of Western Ontario
-Queen’s University
-University of Waterloo
-University of Alberta
-Dalhousie University
-University of Guelph</p>
<p>These are merely a few of the schools in Canada that offer a great education. Personally, I look for a good reputation, a good program and a lot of interaction with my classmates and professors. This is why I will likely be attending the University of Western Ontario - King’s campus. It offers class sizes that are under 100 students - even in first year. Many classes get as small as forty or so. Plus, you’re getting a degree from the University of Western Ontario - which is a very reputable school.</p>
<p>All in all, before making a decision it’s essential that you do your research. Sure you can listen to everybody’s experiences and look at rankings but that shouldn’t be your deciding factor. Don’t rule out a school because it doesn’t make the list of top ten, for example. The top ten universities list tends to me made up of large graduate institutions that focus primarily on their graduate students and their research as opposed to their undergraduate students.</p>
<p>Schools that focus on their undergraduates, which tend to be smaller universities, tend to have low ranking. However, that does not mean they should be ruled out. Take all factors into consideration and try to avoid getting caught in the extreme hype of reputation. The education system in Canada is very different than in the USA. While it may be better to go to Harvard vs. Boston U, it’s not necessarily the case with schools like McGill vs. York U for example.</p>
<p>I’ve been looking into the University of British Columbia. Anyone have information regarding the the college? Also, would it be cheaper, more expensive, or about the same as an OOS public school?</p>
<p>OOS public university tuition is all over the map. Look a the OOS you have in mind and then look at UBC. It isn’t that hard to figure out tuition and board costs.</p>
<p>While it was a while ago, I attended Carleton University in Ontario and continued onto a graduate degree at UBC. Carleton’s intro classes were large, but at the time, they had videotapes of the professors giving lectures that you watched in small sections with a TA. Then there were live question periods once a week with the professors. I made a point of going to question sessions, and my professors all knew me. I never felt like I was in large classes. Not sure what they are doing now. </p>
<p>UBC is huge, and I would have been overwhelmed as an undergrad. Fortunately, I was in a graduate program that was under 100 students.</p>
<p>What was hardest for me in Canada was having full year courses with my entire grade being dependent on a midterm and final or a paper and final. I hate high stakes testing and was always worried that I would invest a year in a class and fail a final weighted at 60% of the grade.</p>
<p>In my experience, any school can be intellectually challenging–it depends on what you make of it. Carleton isn’t Canadian ivy league, but I made the effort to know my profs, seek out challenges and spend time in the department I was doing my degree in. I had as much, if not more of a graduate experience as an undergrad, than I had as a graduate student–at UBC and at an ivy in the states.</p>
<p>Canada has some great universities that are worth looking at. And while I think UBC is one of the more expensive, the last time I checked, tuition and board varied from school to school just like it does in the US.</p>
<p>I need your help people. I am planning to come to Canada next year 2010. I am not sure which college to choose for University Transfer. I am thinking either Douglas College or Columbia College in Vancouver. After 2 years of study in College, i will like to go to UBC. Btw, i want to study Business Management. So i appreciate if you guys can give me an idea.
Thanks a million.</p>
<p>I need your help people. I am planning to come to Canada next year 2010. I am not sure which college to choose for University Transfer. I am thinking either Douglas College or Columbia College in Vancouver. After 2 years of study in College, i will like to go to UBC. Btw, i want to study Business Management. So i appreciate if you guys can give me an idea.
Thanks a million.</p>