Confused American

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hello! I’m and American looking at potential schools in Canada. I have just a few questions if anyone could help out, thanks! Question 1. If I go to school in Canada can I get a job in the US?
2.Is exchanging from American life to Canadian life difficult?
3. What’s the best part of Canada to be in?
Again any answers will help. Thanks!

2
  1. Yes. But a lot of recruiters do target local area schools. Others put more effort into looking nationally. Experience always helps.
  2. What would you answer to a Canadian if they asked what the best part of the US to be in? Isn't that subjective?
3

I moved from Canada to the U.S, then a few years later in the reverse direction, then a few years later back to the US again.

  1. Yes. However, some employers may not be as familiar with the name of the university. That can be a hindrance. Canadian universities are just as accredited as US colleges and universities are though.
  2. yes and no. There are some language and cultural differences which may not be obvious at first glance. Canadians tend to keep a bigger distance when standing in line. Word usage can be a little different - do you say soda or pop, restroom or washroom for example. Measurements are in the metric system. In general, they're little differences, but it can make for some culture shock.
  3. Very subjective. Universities can be in very urban areas, like the University of Toronto or in small cities or towns. The cost of living will be higher in larger cities. The better the weather, the higher the cost of living too.
4

I’ve realized how subjective question 3 is, but thank you for answering my main concern which is question 1.

5

Canada is a suburb of Detroit and Seattle.joking aside the difference for a college student between the united states and canada would be minimal. culture shock would be heading to a farming town in Bulgaria or attending college in El Salvador. I have nothing against canada at all, but what is the point in going to Canada for college?

6
  1. If I go to school in Canada can I get a job in the US? yes, but the difficulty of doing so can dependent on what school you go to for specific programs, as some schools will have stronger alumni/presence in the states for specific industries
7

@zobroward It can be cheaper (especially if you hold Canadian citizenship), and since admissions are for the most part academically-driven, it is a good option for students who did not participate extensively in extracurriculars during high school.

8

orchidbloom
op mentions nothing about Canadian citizenship

on a side note other than the elitist schools most school in the united states are not concerned about…
“it is a good option for students who did not participate extensively in extracurriculars during high school”. .

9

@zobroward, UToronto and McGill are roughly equivalent to UCLA and UNC, but while the latter 2 are holistic and care about EC’s, an applicant would have a pretty good idea about whether their numbers are good enough for the former 2 or not, making them good safeties.

Also, some degrees from McGill are considerably cheaper for Americans (as of now) than OOS at UNC/UCLA.

10

" holistic" is a code word I am not sure that Canada does not play those games too. that said many colleges in america take a majority 50.1% or more of applicants. to avoid the “holistic” game avoid the ivies, stanford and a few other elitist schools.

11

@zobroward, you can be not sure if you want, but the facts are the facts.
You sound like a co-worker of mine who’s astounded that legacy doesn’t count for anything in French higher education. Not everyone is like the US.

And yes, many colleges in the US take 50% or more or applicants. Very few that are at the level of UNC/UCLA or above, however (if you are OOS). Arguably only UW-Madison is close.

12

If you’ve ever visited Canada, you know the answer to that!

13

purple titan, I do not think every place else is like the united states not sure how you got that from what I said.

14

@zobroward, you said that you are not sure that Canada doesn’t play those games too (when it comes to holistic college admissions). But the reality is that very few first world countries have unis that do play those games. The US is exceptional in that regard. If you didn’t assume that everyone is like the US, then why would you doubt that Canadian unis go off of simply stats when someone tells you that that is how they operate? Holistic admissions outside the US is actually pretty rare.