<p>I am going to either rpi or mcgill and i can't make up my mind. I live right by rpi so the convenience is nice. Also it is a much smaller school. I really like mcgill because of the location and the people there. I would have to spend like 5-10 thousand more to to to mcgill btw. I care the most about getting into a good graduate school (probably med school) but I want to be in a good social environment as well. I want to study physics and i've heard both schools have good programs (i'm less familiar with mcgill but I've heard good things). I feel like mcgill offers a better overall experience but i don't know if its worth it. Really, I would be happy at either, but I want to make the decision that i will be happy with for the next for years and beyond.</p>
<p>would I be at a disadvantage at either when it comes to applying to grad schools or would it not matter assuming i put in the same work?</p>
<p>I think Mcgill’s the better school but most on CC, who don’t know anything about Canadian schools, might try and convince you otherwise. Don’t listen to them. Go with Mcgill… its worth it. Also, I’m not sure but Mcgill’s rep might even be higher within the US than RPI’s. Also, I’m not sure about RPI’s physics program but they probably have a pretty good one considering the school is engineering/ physics focused.</p>
<p>Well, if you’re concerned about grad school, then RPI might be the place to go. RPI’s recognition is on the rise, but it has always been well know by other school and companies. You can look up graduate stats, but going to RPI will not hurt your chances at any grad school, it may actually be beneficial in many cases (MIT thinks highly of RPI apparently, among others).</p>
<p>McGill is also a great school and it’s the most well known school in Canada. Overall it might be ranked higher than RPI, but that’s only because RPI is a science and technology focused school. It might be a better option if you’re interested in Physics.</p>
<p>As far as social environment goes… we’re comparing Troy, NY to Montreal. Montreal is an awesome city, but it’s the campus that really matters because that’s where you’ll be spending the most of your time. I’ve visited both schools, and I like RPI’s campus more. It also seemed like on-campus clubs an activities are a much bigger thing at RPI, and most people are too busy to worry about things outside of campus.</p>
<p>That said, there is Albany and some other nice places in Upstate NY, and you can also take a bus or train to NYC, which is a much better city than Montreal.</p>
<p>I’d go to RPI… in fact, I am going to RPI…</p>
<p>I found this page that has most of the graduate schools listed that people went to from rpi (rpi.edu/dept/phys/undergraduate/careers.html). I was quite impressed to very good schools on there. Is there any data like this for mcgill?</p>
<p>I can’t find anything, but I’m sure you’ll find similarly good stats… however, since the majority of their students are Canadian, I wouldn’t be surprised if many of them go on to a Canadian graduate school. That said, there are probably plenty of people going to top grad schools.</p>
<p>Both of these schools are good enough so that getting into a good grad school will only depend on how well you do.</p>
<p>I’d recommend McGill. RPI is more of a tech school, and traditionally those have lower average GPA’s…not that you should go with an easy option, but just pointing it out… grad schools and especially med schools want high GPA’s regardless of where you go and the reputation of your undergrad school. A C average, even at a school with a great reputation like RPI that’s known for tough grading, is not gonna cut it for med school.</p>
<p>^i can imagine that mcgill would be tough as well but maybe not as much?</p>
<p>Part of the college experience is going away from home and experiencing new places and people. If you are from Troy, NY then RPI will not offer you much of a new environment, even if you live on campus.</p>
<p>
But Canadian schools are notorious for heavy, heavy grade deflation. At grad schools, the adcoms actually add to your cGPA if you come from a Canadian school, because it’s so difficult to get As.
although i’m pretty sure Montreal >>> Troy, NY (as long as you don’t mind the cold. Monreal offers amazing social scene and nightlife)</p>
<p>My son will be going to RPI to study physics…go there! 
</p>
<p>In all honesty though, I agree that a lot of college is about independence, which has to be hampered by being so close to home. (And yet, you’d be a great resource for those learning their way around…:D)</p>
<p>Im a little concerned about going to a big school in a big city but it would have the potential to be a lot of fun</p>