Lots of Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z McGill University
1

<p>Hey, I was recently accepted to both the individual faculties of Arts and Sciences (but not the combined program) and I have a laundry list of questions about the university that hopefully a current student could help me with. I really liked the school from what I saw when I visited, but a number of things I've heard, both on the boards here and elsewhere, have left me a bit apprehensive about accepting my admissions offer. Responding to any of the questions would really be appreciated.</p>

<p>-Is grade deflation an issue, and if so, can you explain how it works? Also, would it affect one's chances as a transfer or grad. student at another school? </p>

<p>-Are students prone to snobbiness given McGill's reputation?</p>

<p>-Has the underfunding at the school affected your education or personal life noticeably?</p>

<p>-Is it difficult to transfer from one faculty to the other? I am interested in both Linguistics and Biology (eventually going to med. school for the latter) but if I start on one and decide it was the wrong choice, can I turn back? </p>

<p>-Is the faculty of Arts considered to be as prestigious as the rest of the school? I know certain departments like engineering and science have been historically very acclaimed but Arts seems to be not on the same level.</p>

<p>-Is housing hard to find or more expensive after freshman year?</p>

<p>-Does McGill's reputation as an administrative bureaucracy with lots of red tape hold true? </p>

<p>-Are teachers easy to access and willing to help for the most part?</p>

<p>-Do US companies look at degrees from McGill in the same light as they would a degree from any other good US school? </p>

<p>Whew...I think that's it. It's pretty daunting, and again, any help would be of huge assisstance. </p>

<p>-Paul</p>

2

<p>congratulations about getting accepted! I'll do my best to answer your questions:</p>

<p>1) Grade deflation as such isn't really a huge problem as far as I've encountered. My GPA went down, but I think that was because it was very inflated in high school...but anyway. The grading system here is very different. It works something like this
A: 85% and up
A- 80-85%
B+ 75-80%
B: 70-75%
B-: 65-70%
and so on down the chain. You will have to work hard for your grades, and achieving a grade in the 80% range is a really good thing. don't expect a lot of 90% and up, it won't happen. Your percent grade doesn't really matter though, because letter grade is what goes on the transcript. And I've heard that the letter grade distribution is comparable with other more rigorous US universities. I know several people in science who came out of it with 4.0 or close to...it can definitely be done. </p>

<p>2) Student snobbiness. As far as I've observed, McGill students are some of the most down to earth and approachable I've met at various universities. Part of it is because unlike the ivies, most McGill students are from middle class families, and there's a great deal of both ethnic, cultural, and financial diversity around. Oh yeah, there's a few "I went to an elite private school, was accepted at several ivies, and my parents pay for everything, including my Mercedes and my new diamond earrings" people, but they are in the minority, and in general even the wealthy students are really awesome people. McGill students are proud of their school and it's reputation, but they don't flaunt it in the face of others. In fact, McGill students tend to get along well with Concordia students. I have yet to meet a McGill student who is snobby towards a Concordia student because they feel t hat McGill students are somehow "better".</p>

<p>3) This one is a bit hard to answer because I've never known McGill any different from how it is now. The classes are very large, at least in science. It's not that big of an issue for me, but yes, I could do with some more intimate classes. Also, the lights in Leacock that broke earlier this year and it took them awhile to fix. the SSMU clubs getting underfunded (both clubs that I'm in have had issues with getting funding). That was annoying. Just little things like that...it hasn't impacted my education in a big way at all but I can tell it's there.</p>

<p>4) I'm not sure...i think after Uzero it's pretty easy to transfer, however after completing two years it becomes more difficult and you may have to do an extra year/summer term to catch up. If this is your plan, I'd suggest talking to an advisor right away, when you register for classes. They are very nice people and will probably point you in the direction you want to go in...which could be either a double major in Biology and Linguistics, or completing the classes you'd need for first year and then transferring into Arts and Sci. I don't know about this, really, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be too bad esp. after only one year. I think it'd probably be easier to transfer from science to arts, rather than the other way around because the requirements for science are stricter than the requirements for arts.</p>

<p>5) Arts is not the most well known faculty at McGill. McGill's reputation is founded on it's science, medical, and research programs. most notably, other than music, it's weak in the fine arts (the music school is top-notch)...however I do happen to know that the McGill linguistics program is quite good. The faculty in general is not as renowned, at least to my knowledge.</p>

<p>6) Housing is easy to find and much cheaper than residence, rest assured about this. And if you decide you want to return to residence, that is easy and you will for certain get your first choice of residence. McGill has an off campus housing office with people who are eager to help, and then also there are multiple websites with apartments, and workshops are offered on the nitty gritty stuff about apartment hunting. It shouldn't be a problem. I suck at this sort of thing and it's been fine for me. </p>

<p>7) I have had my run-ins with McGill beaurocracy. It's fine if you're just going about your business, paying tuition on time, taking care of things, no problem. They were great about handling my scholarship. But be warned--the tuition department won't take credit cards and so you have to go to some hassle if you're an international student like me, without a Canadian bank account, in order to get money for tuition. In general though it's not the horror that people make it out to be. </p>

<p>8) All the profs I've had have had well defined office hours and are usually there during those times. For the most part they've been nice and willing to help or talk to students. In addition a lot of classes have message boards where the students can post and discuss, and in several classes the professor is an avid participator on the boards (Prof Wiseman in Chem 110!!!). That's a good way to get questions answered or just chat about things non school related. After first year classes become smaller and you get to know your profs in class, rather than just being a face in a crowd too.</p>

<p>9) well, I see signs from all manner of US companies recruiting in the engineering and science buildings. Don't generally go in the arts wing, so I am not sure about that. But a McGill degree does seem to carry a good amount of weight in the US, largely because of it's excellent international reputation. And I know grad school wasn't a part of this question, but one of the RAs in RVC just got accepted to both MIT and CalTech, which is exciting :)</p>

<p>I hope this helped you some--I am just finishing my first year at McGill in the faculty of science, and I'm an American student.</p>

<p>noelle</p>

3

<p>Hey... I'm a student in the Faculty of Music as well as studying Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts.
First congrads on your acceptance.
If you visited McGill I'm sure you noticed how awesome the city of Montreal is- thats really one of the most amazing parts about being here. But there is the education too!
1. There was an interesting article in last month's issue of the Atlantic Monthly online in which they explored how grade inflation has risen so much at the ivies in the states. For instance back in the 1960's I believe the average CGPA of a graduate of Harvard was somewhere around a C+. Last year the average CGPA of a graduate was A-. Thats a huge inflation! Here at McGill that inflation does not exsist, you receive the grade that you deserve. It is hard to maintain excellent grades, but not impossible. I have friends with 3.5-4.0 GPA's and are in extremely difficult programs like Pre-Med and Engineering. So hard work pays off- and thats the best because it really prepares you for the real world!
2. We do have our elitist ways such as the T-Shirts you'll see during Frosh week that many McGill students where that says "Harvard, America's McGill" but its all fun. We don't walk around with our noses in the air, and most McGill students are pretty chill and fun to be around.<br>
3. It is mostly Government funded and the Quebec government is pretty stiff with Funding. But McGill is a huge research university which requires lots and lots of funding. McGill is currently in the process of several major projects. Just today they announced a new medical center for the Faculty of Medicine and a huge new Teaching Hospital to be built by 2010. The Music Faculty is almost finished with a new building which will house the world's most state of the art sound stages and recording studios, as well as the world's best research labs for music technology. The Science Faculty is planning a new Life Sciences Pavilion, the Faculty of Arts is planning a new complex as well. The University and the Students Society here both advocate and work towards getting funded, and it is working.
4. No inter-faculty transfers and inter-departmental are not hard. My friend transfered from Hispanic Studies to Linguistics in his final year here and got most of his credits done in one year. Some programs are hard to gain entry into, but once you're here you can basically go anywhere.
5. The Faculty of Arts is the most populated Faculty- and its got a great base of Faculty members. Many world-renowned in their fields. Some departments like Linguistics, and Islamic Studies, Economics, and Political Science are recognized as some of the best in the world. I see you're interested in Linguistics- I am in the department as well and the Faculty is superb, and the classes are amazing. The department is quite large, but very close knit. Stephen Pinker one of the world's leading linguists graduated from McGill.
6. There is no Housing Shortage in Montreal, live in rez first year (it's a great place to start out) and you'll eventually find a roommate out of the friends you make and you'll find a great apartment- Montreal apartments are beautiful- and cheap! But there are some ugly ones, just stay away from sketchy agencies.
7. You will get bureaucracy at any large university you attend. It sucks, but when you have 30,000 students to deal with you've gotta look at them in a numbers base way. You'll learn to be independent and not depend on your adviser for everything under the sun. If you educate yourself on the runnings of McGill Admin you'll find ways around it all.
8. All my teachers are in their office hours- and if you e-mail them you'll receive a reply ASAP. T.A.'s as well are always helpful, and are usually excellent.<br>
9. Of course! A McGill degree is probably one of the most internationally recognized degrees you can get. Huge international base here, and students are readily recruited here. Grad school acceptances are impressive. I have friends in their last year who have been accepted to Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics, Sorbonne, Harvard, MIT, UCB, etc. McGill is certainly known in the States, and its reputation there is growing!
G'luck on your decisions, and hope to see you next Fall.</p>

4

<p>hello! i was wondering are there a lot of students applying to US medical schools from McGill? and if so, what's the acceptance rate? Also, does mcgill's own med school take a lot of its own undergrads?</p>

5

<p>Thanks so much, harpgirl and rideltrain. That really helped dispelling some of the bad McGill rumors I've heard. Assuming it is financially feasible (and I don't get into Northwestern) McGill is where I'll be heading.</p>

6

<p>couple of questions here..</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I havnt heard a single thing about the faculty of Management and its reputition. I would appreciate if some ex or current students can enlighten me about that.</p></li>
<li><p>From what i have heard Montreal is a party city and it is very easy for someone to get distracted and get involved into inappropriate things. To what extent is this true? How easy is it to keep a balance b/w social and academic life?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>ive been accepted to faculty of managment and still considering my choices of UWO, SHULICH, UFT, MCMaster..</p>

<p>Regards</p>

7

<p>I to was wondering about the Faculty of Management and its reputation and weather they get good job placements?</p>

8

<p>In response to the Faculty of Management-
The MBA program was rated as one of the top 25 in the world by the Financial Times and The Economist last year.
The Bronfman building was recently renovated with a new lobby and cafe (which has excellent food).<br>
The students win tons of scholarships and competitions. Last month the Faculty won third at one of the world's leading university case competitions. Last week they won first at the Scotiabank Case Competition.
The alumni base is quite vast. Some major companies have been headed by McGill alum's including Aldo Shoes, Le Chateau, Royal Bank of Canada, Matrox International, The Bay, Harlequin Enterprises, Seagram's Distillers, 3M Corporation, Atlantic Monthly Corp. The list goes on...
I'm a not a student in the program, but from what I understand it's a leading program. G'luck.</p>

<p>Regarding the city of Montreal and it's huge night life and cultural aspects...
Montreal has SO much to do, and you can never get bored.
The drinking age here is 18- so naturally American's come here thinking "wow, I'm legal three years early!" and FROSH will certainly introduce you to the wonders of it all... but if you're worried about getting wrapped up in the night life and fun... you won't! We all learn very quickly that you have to work hard to do well here at McGill, and everyone wants to do well. You will learn to manage your time efficiently, and you will surely have you share of fun... I have had many times when all my friends have gone out and I have chosen to stay home and work on a paper or finish an assignment, and it happens to everyone- you'll find everyone at McGill is very committed to their studies, and if you come here without that attitude you'll quickly gain it. You'll party hard, but you'll also study hard. Montreal is an amazing city, and you'll take it in- but McGill will also constantly remind you that you need to work too!</p>

9

<p>how is the faculty of engineering?</p>

10

<p>Do you know if American investment banks recruit from McGill's BCom program?</p>

11

<p>In one the previous posts, there was a reference to the Chemistry forum. Can I get a link to it? Also, are most people able to maintain an A- average if they work hard?</p>

12

<p>I recently visited McGill a couple days ago and I absolutely loved it. The school, the city, everything. I am very confident that I would pick McGill, but I have applied for the faculty of management and I haven't heard all that much about it. Queen's is one of my other options and its MBA ranked first in the world excluding the American schools in Business Weekly or something. Ivey also did really well. How does McGill's compare? It seems as if their requirements are quite high too (89%?), but its faculty doesn't seem to come close to the other faculties, such as the medical faculty or even the arts faculty. Queens is also very well-known for their school spirit. Also, why is it that McGill doesn't care about extracurriculars when making acceptance offers? Is it difficult to make ends meet if you don't get a scholarship to McGill? Is it a good idea to get a part-time job? And if so, is it difficult to find one without being fluent in French? And finally, which residence would you recommend?</p>

13

<p>What American schools is McGill at a comparable level to in terms of high school SAT, GPA, etc, education, and grad school placement?</p>

14

<p>why is McGill a more widely known name when better Canadian universities (i.e. Toronto, Waterloo, Queen's) are less known worldwide?</p>

15

<p>I don't know about Toronto or Queen's, but McGill has history and comparatively speaking, Waterloo is really new.</p>

16

<p>besides, people usually only go to waterloo for math, engineering, or co-op.</p>

17

<p>So Mcgill engineering isnt so hot?</p>

18

<p>I have no idea about McGill's engineering, although I do hear that their sciences are generally pretty good.</p>

19

<p>wht about management? any good?</p>

20

<p>McGill engineering is quite good...very difficult program though, or so I've heard </p>

<p>Management is good at McGill..probably not as good as Schulich, but it carries the international reputation with it.</p>