<p>I'm from Chicago, what's the weather like comparatively?</p>
<p>Also, will t-mobile work up there, or should I invest in something else?</p>
<p>hey!</p>
<p>It's actually very funny. I was in Chicago to see Northwestern and then at McGill. The weather is pretty much similar, although one night in Montreal was worse than chicago's bitter cold, as in i felt like i was going to throw up if i breathed in any more air. It's intense, but not now; in mid february it was FRIGID, but then again so was evanston lol. Once it gets to about 19, and below, it all starts to feel the same after awhile hehe.</p>
<p>it's much much much colder. i'm from nortwest of Boston, which gets pretty cold itself, and it takes frigid weather to another level. given, it's bareable... you'll be fine. just don't expect to be walking around in flip flops come november. i was just there two days ago and it was -10F (not including wind chill)... in the second week of March. </p>
<p>i walked around in it for 8 hours during the day with a couple layers, a jacket, scarf and hat, and i was at most maybe a little uncomfortable at times. just be prepared with long johns and all the other goodies and it won't bother you.</p>
<p>i feel bad for people coming from warm climates.. but it's going to be hilarious.</p>
<p>wow that weather sounds great. :D</p>
<p>January to early March can be ridiculously cold. It was -31 Fahrenheit (with the windchill) or colder for about 2 weeks in February. November and December is just fine no more then -4 Fahrenheit. The rest of year well it's like everywhere else I assume.</p>
<p>I've actually heard it gets VERY warm during the summer in Montreal.. even hotter than Boston (which is cooled by the ocean). </p>
<p>Luckily for us, it'll only be uncomfortable for August and September. I think New Rez has AC too if you're living there.</p>
<p>During the summer ( mid-June to mid-September) you can expect highs between 86 and 104 sometimes lowers. The max last summer 113 with humidex if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>I thought only country which uses Fahrenheit is US. Does Canada use Fahrenheit too?</p>
<p>No I just converted everything into Fahrenheit for you guys since if I would have said 40 degrees Celsius you wouldn't have understood, and would have converted it yourself.</p>
<p>So general consensus is Montreal is some-what harsher than Chicago?</p>
<p>I have no idea what the weather is like in Chicago but I highly doubt it gets colder then here.</p>
<p>I agree with the description of winter weather, but the summer heat is
somewhat exaggerated in above posts. The summer can be muggy, but the temperature only goes over 90 degrees a few times a year, there is usually one very hot spell. But it almost always cools down at night.</p>
<p>Thee warmest month of the year is July, which has an average high of 78 degrees and an average low of 62 degrees. August is 76/60. </p>
<p>Summer is the best time of year in Montreal. There are outdoor festivals, with free shows, just about every weekend: Just for Laughs, Grand Prix, Jazz festival, Nuits d'Afrique, St. Jean d'Baptist Day, Film Festivals, ect.
The weather is usually very comfortable.</p>
<p>Chicago is not as cold, but is a little more windy. If you can survive in Chicago, you will do fine in MTL.</p>
<p>That's great news! Now all I need is an acceptance.</p>
<p>Also, anyone hear about T-Mobile's reception up there? Is it non-existent?</p>
<p>According to T-Mobile's website, parts of southern Canada, including the entire Saint Lawrence River Valley going from Montreal up to Quebec City, are actually included in their coverage range (go figure), however, you have to pay roaming charges if you use your phone there. </p>
<p>With regards to their weather, I have to think that what is being said about Summer is a bit ridiculous. It gets hot, however, it certainly doesn't get as hot as it does in places like Los Angeles, where it can commonly top 100. 79-85 seems to be the range of maximum temperatures during July/August, I think. Of course there's always the occasional heat wave or indian summer, but those are the exemptions, not the rules.</p>
<p>To McGillDad: I know you post often and you are obviously fond of McGill. I visited the campus recently and overall my impression was favorable. I was concerned, however, with the condition of the physical plant, seems like a lot of deferred maintenance to buildings. It made me wonder if other aspects might be sliding as well due to budgetary problems. I read they had a drive to hire new professors, so maybe academically quality is still there? Any comments to allay my concerns? And sorry from changing about the topic of weather.</p>
<p>BOW</p>
<p>I'm sure McGillDad will post an informative reply, but as another father with one recent McGill grad and another child accepted for the upcoming term, let me add my perspective on McGill funding. Due to a variety of political issues relating to funding for an Anglophone institution in Quebec, McGill did suffer from a good deal of deferred maintenance. However, Quebec has realized that it has a world-class university and begun funding it accordingly. In the last four years, I've seen quite a change in the condition of the buildings and grounds, and it seems to be continuing at full speed. New construction as well. Money for new staff is also part of the reinvestment underway.</p>
<p>Yeah, one thing about funding and old buildings: funding comes with strings attached, and it usually means that priority is given to building new things rather than renovating old buildings. Money for computers can't be spent on replacing decrepit chairs and desks... Eventually, they do renovate, and as jpm150 pointed out, there has been an influx of investments recently, so don't worry.</p>
<p>I agree with Blobof and jpm150, although I am not familiar with the quality of the science labs. The condition of the physical plant has improved recently (as has Montreal's downtown). The quality of instruction remains very high overall, of course different professors vary in their teaching skills and interest ( and among TA's ability to speak clear English.) Another political issue has been the activism of Quebec students to keep in-province tuition low. This has led to less funding for the College, higher fees for every student and increased international tuition. The international students are not organized like the Quebec students.</p>
<p>If you are going to McGill, dont worry, be happy.</p>
<p>Well, thanks for the replies about the funding and condition of the buildings. It's not that I was expecting or even desiring for my son a plush, state-of-the-art campus like I saw at other (private) schools. It's just that going to school at McGill already entails sacrifices for my son that he is not even considering at age 18, like leaving his COUNTRY, for one, with its attendant network of friends and family. But, of course, leaving one's comfort zone offers great possibilities for growth and will expand his horizons, so I will be encouraging, and I'm rather proud of his decision, but I do need assurance he will be getting a great education in return. So the condition of the buildings did make me a tad nervous about the state of affairs there generally.</p>
<p>I don't know too much about labs in particular, but computer facilities haven't been neglected as far as I know. And, when it comes to hiring profs, McGill standards are as high as ever (though top researchers don't necessarily equate to good teachers, but that is true of any research intensive university).</p>