Help! Cannot decide, running out of time!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi all! So I was admitted into Stony Brook University as a WISE scholar and to the Faculty of Science at McGill University, and am having a very hard time deciding between the two. There are a lot of pros in both situations, yet cons too. </p>

<p>Before I explain, let me mention I am a New York resident, but have dual citizenship in the US and Canada. Here is the problem:</p>

<p>MCGILL: </p>

<p>Pros:
- I get the Canadian tuition : circa $7000; total costs for everything would be between $20,000-25,000
- Great reputation, big name (in Canada and the Northeast US at least)
- Fun and pleasant atmosphere, the whole college experience
- Internationally acclaimed University
- Family nearby
- will learn a new language
- challenging and enticing classes
- in Montreal, a lively city</p>

<p>Cons:
- Far away from home, costs of transportation add up
- Big transition; will have to change phone, debit card, and more
- Grade deflation; harder to maintain a high GPA
- difficult to explore different fields; once you're in the Faculty of Science, you're restricted to majoring within that group unless you change after your first year (a bit hazy as to the exact details and ways of going about this)
- no one hands anything to you, you have to go out and seek advisers and opportunities</p>

<p>STONYBROOK:</p>

<p>Pros:
- WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) Scholar, get priority in class selection, a $3500 renewable yearly scholarship, emphasis on research, one-on-one advising, internship opportunities, study groups
- will be among the top group students, easier to keep grades up
- opportunity to try out different sorts of classes, might want to change major eventually if I hate science
- closer to home
- cheaper; final cost will be about $13,000</p>

<p>Cons:
- commuter school; not many students stay behind on weekends
- not as great a reputation (I think?)
- campus is sort of depressing
- not as exciting as McGill</p>

<p>So what do you think? I know it's a lot; many thanks in advance!! (:</p>

2

<p>I forgot to mention; I’m strongly considering Medicine as a profession, not sure if that makes a big difference</p>

3

<p>Considering you got the WISe scholarship, I would assume you are a hard-sciences or engineering major. That being said, a 2.5 in engineering to me, and, I think, many employers is no different than a B average in a liberal arts major. So, if you do choose McGill, which in my opinion, has a stellar reputation, the fact the the grading may be a little more stringent is a non-issue. Also, if it has a reputation for stringent grading, gradschools and employers will take this into consideration.</p>

<p>posted reply after you said you wanted to go to med-school. Well, that makes a difference and GPA is important. I’d recommend looking at the stats of students from both schools who are accepted into medical school.</p>