How does McGill compare to universities in the U.S.

<p>I am a rising senior and I am looking at various options including my in-state school (UW-Madison, an amazing institution), Colorado College, Middlebury, and various other LACs. I also have begun to look into Canadian schools, chiefly McGill. I am fairly confident I could get in, but I have heard that their economics program is not highly regarded. Attending the school makes sense financially, it is in a great city, and there are numerous research opportunities; however, would it bode well for my future if I wanted to return to the U.S.? Any input would be appreciated, regarding opportunities after graduation from McGill, or commentaries on the school itself</p>

<p>McGill is excellent, but no moreso than UW-Madison. If you are set on returning to the U.S., I would expect McGill and UW to be of roughly equal standing for graduate school admissions. Wisconsin’s huge alumni network should help you more in the U.S. job market. The only basis for clearly preferring McGill, imo, is the experience of living in Montreal, which is a wonderful, cosmopolitan city. I think it is the best city in Canada.</p>

<p>“I think it is the best city in Canada.” </p>

<p>Don’t know if this is true, but it sure edges out Medicine Hat and Moose Jaw.</p>

<p>I agree with HST that the academics there would be roughly comparable to those of U of Wisconsin. Weather would be about the same, too. The biggest difference on campus would be the whole sports thing. At McGill there would be no noticible interest in intercollegiate sports, nor any of the things that flow from that (tailgate parties, roadtrips to away games, etc.). But if you’re one of the many students who don’t care about such things, then it is of no concern.</p>

<p>The women in Montreal, on average, are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen in any city, and they are known to have a rather blase’ European-style attitude towards sex. The standard would be slender, about 5’5", with light-brown to brown hair. From what I’ve seen in Madison, a more husky, outdoorsy, blondish, German/Scandanavian type would the norm. (Certainly lots of exceptions in each place, but some guys like to play the percentages.)</p>

<p>“From what I’ve seen in Madison, a more husky, outdoorsy, blondish, German/Scandanavian type would the norm. (Certainly lots of exceptions in each place, but some guys like to play the percentages.)” and I would add for Madison–a rather blase’ northern European attitude toward sex.</p>

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<p>Wow - all 1.8 million of them? </p>

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<p>The typical Caucasian woman is slender, 5’5", with light-brown to brown hair.</p>

<p>The drinking age in Quebec is 18. Take a look at this article re: the drinking age:
[Drinking</a> outside the box](<a href=“http://www.mcgill.ca/reporter/38/01/drinking/]Drinking”>http://www.mcgill.ca/reporter/38/01/drinking/)
There is even a reference to UW.</p>

<p>OP, check out the McGill thread in CC. There have been others like you who have asked this question:
[McGill</a> University - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/mcgill-university/]McGill”>McGill University - College Confidential Forums)
Especially the “Ask a McGill Alumnus” and “The City You Will Llve in for Four Years” threads.</p>

<p>Gadad, I don’t think your average caucasian American woman is slender. Have you ever been to Montreal?</p>

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<p>Yum. Is not being able to speak French a significant barrier in Montreal?
And also, I’ve been reading about UT, so any comment on Toronto women? :D</p>

<p>A knowledge of French is not required for admission or graduation at McGill. Living in Montreal as a student would not require French either, unless you plan to work off campus.</p>

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<p>but what about talking to Montreal women?</p>

<p>I have a master’s degree from U of Toronto. I’d say in Toronto they are thinner and a bit more cosmopolitan than your average American female, but it doesn’t compare to Montreal in regards to quantity, quality, or lack of morals. Apparently if you go in just about any strip club in any part of Canada, a high % of the dancers will be from Montreal.</p>

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<p>By whom? Let me guess…anonymous highschool students on website forums. Oy. </p>

<p>Taking this prestige thing in economics way too seriously. Really, even PhD economists selecting students for their program are not going to be judging you on the basis of whether your undergrad program at McGill was as good as Middlebury or better than Wisconsin. What matters is WHO you work with there, your GPA, your GRE, the research you get to do, your letters. </p>

<p>Why do I keep bothering…falls on deaf ears.</p>

<p>^
The reason I said this is because McGill itself won’t even take economic students into their grad program without them taking honors</p>

<p>Honours programs in Canada, at least at McGill, generally involve taking more courses in your major than non-honors. They are not the same as the “Honors Colleges” that are popping up in many US universities.</p>