McGill Acceptee Experiences Ennui

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello all of you lovely overachievers. Let me tell you my story. It's a long one, so sit down, have some popcorn, and press the "back" button if you really don't care...</p>

<p>I'm an English/Liberal Arts-oriented girl from outside of Albany, NY with a penchant for writing, and yet I'm not a "traditional" writer type in the sense that I really am not sure I want to be a creative writer. I basically applied to a bunch of random schools, some creative, some large universities, and even randomly SUNY Geneseo. This year I changed a lot and am thinking instead of switching to psychology. I'm still not entirely sure though, and think English teaching would be a cool way to combine my interests in writing and psychology. To make things more complicated, I recently discovered that I actually don't enjoy reading, I just happen to be a decent writer. Of course, senior year is a challenging year with far more AP classes than previous years, and I'm beginning to realize that even in writing I might be quite average (A C- on an English essay...GASP!).</p>

<p>I'm a little mentally unstable which might be a turnoff to some schools when they look over my application and see that I got suspended in eleventh grade for drinking on a school trip...sure, I got my hall principal to write encouraging words about me anyway, but then I ***<em>ed it up by mentioning it AGAIN on applications to Vassar College and Emerson College...basically making myself sound arrogant:"Sure I drank, but look at my amazing contributions to my community." I recently lost a huge chunk of weight very quickly I was obese) and mentioned that on *certain</em> applications (Emerson College in Boston, in the essay for Vassar and Binghamton) making it seem like an accomplishment, which it is, of course, but the colleges will probably look at that and be like "that girl has an eating disorder!" I've struggled a lot with my weight this year and it has certainly effected me a lot, but with the help of my doctor/school psychologist/lovely school nurses it certainly hasn't become a full-blown eating disorder. Everything's going good health-wise and my mental state is a lot better too.</p>

<p>Also, my grades in science are mediocre and my grades in math are simply horrid. My gpa is a mere 89. But that's Ok! I'm in AP English/AP History/AP Environmental Science/Debate Team/National Honor Society/Russia Exchange/Two foreign languages/Russian Olympiad/ Medals in foreign language competitions/Volunteer at animal shelter/you know the drill.
SAT--1280 (700 verbal 580 Math). 730 World History SAT II, 720 Writing, 520 Math IC
I inserted my stats just to show you what kind of applicant I am.</p>

<p>I just got my lovely Vassar rejection letter in the mail. Honestly, what was I expecting?</p>

<p>Yeah...so here's some schools I got accepted to. Let's pretend I'm going to be an English teacher, though I really don't know what I'm going to do with my life.</p>

<p>SUNY Geneseo--It's a nice enough school, especially for teaching. It's in the middle of nowhere, though. It's OK, not great, not bad. I suppose I could make Geneseo work for me.</p>

<p>SUNY Purchase--Ok. I applied here as a safety. My guidance counselor said that for writing, it has a good program. I needed a safety and don't want to stay local, hence U-Albany was not an option, although my parents are ALWAYS telling me I'm not mature enough to go away and are always threatening me to not let me go to college when I get in and make me apply for acceptance to U-Albany in December. ANYWAY, for the time being, SUNY Purchase was my safety. I visted it and hated it. What a mediocre school. The classrooms were dreary, depressing, and ugly, I could sense that hard drugs were going down there, and I could just sense that I wouldn't be challenged AT ALL by going there, except maybe my eyesight being challenged by the ugliness of that school. I got a $2000/year presidential scholarship, but yeah, I'm not going there. I would rather not go to hell until I die, thank you very much.</p>

<p>McGill--How did I get into McGill? Well, everyone on my dad's side of the family went there (he is from Quebec). I'm sure that helped a little. Also my hall principal wrote a nice letter of reccomendation. I applied to the college of arts and sciences and got rejected, but got accepted to the school of Education with a concentration in English. Hooray for backups! I'm very very excited about this opportunity because I used to live in France. With McGill, I could be in Montreal and re-learn my French. At first I was really reluctant to apply here because I thought that there's no way in hell I would get in. I didn't think it would be worth it, and my dad and I had many screaming matches over it. I had Vassar-mania at the time and was truly convinced that I was a LAC girl. I threw in the application to McGill, and lo and behold, I got in. I think about how much I love the city of Montreal and I'm convinced that I should go to McGill. My parents are excited for me but within reason. Here's why we haven't just gotten it over with already and paid the deposit:
1) Why go to a foreign country to be educated by be a teacher? ( I could always transfer to the Arts and Sciences college at McGill, but would my credits transfer?)
2) Is the reputation of McGill's Ed. school actually good?
3) Would the credits transfer to NY state or any other state if I wanted to teach there?
4) Apparently Education school doesn't open any doors except for teaching. Also, it might just be better to major in my subject and then take ed classes on the side. I know about this because my mom is a teacher.
5) The inconvience factor with the various immigration documents. Also I will be 17 for the first two months of McGill, so by law I have to find someone in Montreal who would be willing to take on legal guardianship of me for my first 2 months. Not a problem as far as people we know, we know plenty of people in Montreal, but it's a lot to ask of someone.</p>

<p>Those are the cons that my parents have presented me, and although they make perfect sense, being the perfectly irrational person I am, I let my heart get involved in this decision and (insert pouty face here) "BUT I WANNA GO TO MCGILL! WAAAAH! I LOVE MONTREAL!" </p>

<p>I really feel like McGill is the best possible school I could have gotten into, and it would be ridiculous to not take this opportunity.</p>

<p>Pros for going to McGill:
1) Montreal
2) French language
3) My dad's a Canadian citizenship, meaning that I could qualify for reduced tuition after my first year
4) The opportunity of it all
5) It's an excellent value</p>

<p>Talking to my parents always makes me feel like I'm not ready to go to college, however. My dad thinks I'm being really immature, thinking only with my heart as opposed to actually picking a college based on the quality of the particular program. It is pretty ironic that he was the one begging me to apply and I was like "no!" and now I'm the one begging to go and he's telling me to wait until I hear from Binghamton. Yes, going to McGill might not be easy as far as paperwork and red tape...it might prove to be quite a hassle until I actually got there and settled into things. Right now I wish I had applied to more schools I actually LIKED, but of course every time I tried to get my parents to take me out on college tours they acted as though I was imposing on them and again threated to make me go to U-Albany. So I had to make a few blind decisions--Vassar I had been to and liked. Geneseo I had also been to. It was OK. McGill I had been to several times and liked, even though it isn't necessarily a liberal arts school. Then there was Binghamton, Emerson, and Purchase, three schools I had never been to before applying. My parents say I'm not ready to go, I say they're the exact reason I want to go.</p>

<p>My dad's like "it's not that big of a deal that you got into McGill's education school anyway. Education schools are the "backwater" of most college campuses."</p>

<p>That makes me feel REALLY inadequate, and now I'm scared I won't get into Binghamton or Emerson. After all, it's not like I'm anything special. I only got into the EDUCATION school at McGill. Rejection from those places might actually be a blessing in disguise, however, because it would mean that we would be forced to look at McGill more seriously, and the thought of that lovely city Montreal and that excellent school McGill and that LOVELY country Canada not run by Bush occupies my daydreams. </p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

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<p>ahem...bump.</p>

3

<p>Hi nonconformity,</p>

<p>I'll try to address your questions as much as possible, so you don't feel neglected! (Although patience! It is easter sunday and people must eat!)</p>

<p>I'm in English at McGill, my mom got her degree at the school of education (and my bro graduated from engineering, but that doesn't really matter!). My boyfriend is at Stony brook, so I have some knowledge of the SUNY system. </p>

<p>Education is at times seen as seperate at most schools, but at McGill students take a lot of courses within the English department. That said, it's true that some courses for education are quite common sense based. However, most education kids are respected (yet quite segregated) by the other faculties as people who know what they want to do in their career. I don't know how easy it would be to transfer straight into arts, but a lot of your credits should transfer over. Nonetheless, who cares if you got into education through a back door or not. In the end, you'll end up with a piece of paper from the same place and training in specific field.</p>

<p>In terms of quality, McGill is the best school you got into. However, if you are a liberal arts type person be prepared for a shock. This is a big research instituion. Hands down, it will be hard for you to adjust to the size. You do have to work hard to make the school's size work for you, rather than against you.</p>

<p>English (as well as all programs) has a lot of writing, not only novels but also critical essays. Better start liking it because it's inevitable.</p>

<p>McGill doesn't care whether you drank in high school or not. Everyone drinks at the begining of the year on campus. The only school trip I took for a class here at McGill, our prof dropped us off at Duty Free and said, have a blast, as long as you meet the group in the morning. I don't think that drinking on a school trip necessarily will ruin your character at mcgill. (We love drinking stories!)</p>

<p>That all said (I don't even know if it helps) but in terms of certification, going to McGill in education won't help you necesarily get a teaching job in the states. Quebec only requires a B. ed and New York state requires master's degree. Perhaps your student teaching will help you get into an MA program in the states, but it will also affect (to a certain extent) your college experience. If I were you, I'd try to transfer (once you get here) into the Faculty of Arts. If your grades in science are horrible, and your APs are in Humanties/social sciences, (with the exception of Enviro-- McGill School of Environment offers both BAs and BScs) why on earth would you do science?</p>

<p>Are you considering becoming a teacher only because your mom is one?</p>

<p>Again, my bf came from NYC and said paperwork were basic. There really is nothing complicated about it at all. It's so easy coming into Canada from the USA. Additonally, I've never, ever heard of having to have a guardian in the city for you. Where does it say that? You'll be in rez. You only may need a guardian to sign a lease for an apartment. I'm curious about this-- did your parents tell you this is something you need to have/do?</p>

<p>I'll be honest: McGill will probably be good for you. One year in rez and then your out on your own. I think it will definately mature you.</p>

<p>PS: Quebec has its fair share of problems... Canada isn't perfect.</p>

<p>Please excuse all typos.</p>

<p>-Littlecannuck.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
Additonally, I've never, ever heard of having to have a guardian in the city for you. Where does it say that? You'll be in rez. You only may need a guardian to sign a lease for an apartment. I'm curious about this-- did your parents tell you this is something you need to have/do?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'm not the original poster, but it was in the booklet that McGill sends to accepted international students. </p>

<p>"As a non-resident student under the age of eighteen studying at McGill, you must show proof that you have a legal sponsor/guardian in Montreal to act as guardian until the date of your eighteenth birthday. All international students who will not be 18 on the first day of classes at McGiill will be required to have a sponsor/guardian."</p>

5

<p>Well call me stupid!</p>

<p>I thought that English was found under the college of arts and sciences! I thought McGill combined "arts" and "sciences"?</p>

<p>Would anyone like some of the crack I was clearly smoking?</p>

<p>It's found in "Arts?"
CRAP!!!</p>

<p>I emailed McGill letting them know my huge, huge error. Dammit...if I had only clicked more carefully I wouldn't even be IN this situation...of COURSE they would reject me for SCIENCES. I'm not even in honors or accelerated math and science. I'm in all AP humanities--THAT'S where I stand out.</p>

<p>This would be comical if it weren't so detrimental to my entire future. Do you think McGill will reconsider my application to the Arts school now that I let them know what happened?</p>

6

<p>I think ur a moron, and dont knock bush</p>

7

<p>You're entitled to your opinion, but don't post anything if it doesn't have anything to do with the post thread. I'm allowed to dislike Bush, it's a free country.</p>

8

<p>Beg, plead, (don't cry). It's a natural mistake. You can do English and a science major in BA and BSc but English is decidedly in the BA program. Most schools do combine faculties of Arts and SCiences (Think NYU). </p>

<p>If worst comes to worst, just settle into education for a semester, and try to switch into Arts. At the most, you may have to spend a few Mays in the city to catch up on extra credits so you graduate on time.</p>

<p>(I can totally imagine the confusion at admissions)</p>