<p>I have to decide soon! Where would you go? Why? This is a hard choice for me because I was born in Montreal and have been living in the Virginia most of my years. Having visited and researched both schools I am under the impression that:</p>
<p>McGill Pros: Nice city with a lot to do; Excellent international reputation; medium size engineering program; lots of family close-by; top school in Canada.</p>
<p>McGill Cons: Not much school spirit - commuter school? Hugh freshman classes; more difficult to get job in Virginia; I don't know anyone there.</p>
<p>VTech Pros: Strong alumni network and job placement in Virginia; strong school spirit; driving distance to home; residential school; lots of school friends will be going.</p>
<p>VTech Cons: Small isolated town; very large engineering program; academic rigor and recognition less than McGill? </p>
<p>how the ***** should that event bring down VATech's excellent reputation in one's consideration? no grad school or job recruiter will shun you for going to one of the best engineering schools in the U.S that had the worst shooting incident that was absolutely spontaneous.</p>
<p>you are MISSING MY POINT. Of course Virginia Tech's reputation won't be dimished, but it a question of feeling of personal security. Personally I would be troubled to go to a school that just recently had the largest school massacre in United States. I'm sure some people don't mind, and you are right perhaps it shouldn't be a factor to be considered, since VT is still an excellent school. I just think that, in september, i would be really sad to be constantly reminded that in the building where i take ____ class, 30 ppl were shot dead a few months ago.</p>
<p>Hockeyfan was my sister's log in which I am using...and yes she is a big fan of Dartmouth Hockey Teams where she is now studying....as for me I am not so much into Hockey although my uncle is putting his Habs season tickets under my nose as an inducement to go to McGill.</p>
<p>The shootings? Sad, very sad. On the one hand it would be a downer to be constantly aware of the tragedy and the lingering sadness. On the other hand it has been fantastic to see the school, the state, and the whole nation rally in support. Hokies are a very close bunch. I would be proud to be one. Security is no a concern.</p>
<p>I'd choose the school that just had the worst massacre on campus over the one that will have the next one - can anyone advise me on which school that might be? Didn't think so. </p>
<p>A new engineering building is slated to open in Spring of '08 that will help make the use of any classrooms in Norris Hall unnecessary. My guess is that Norris may continue to house faculty offices but I doubt if it will be used for classrooms ever again. </p>
<p>Two weeks ago, I was in New York City. It was the second time I had been since the attacks, and the third time over all. It's interesting, because New York really changed for the better after 9/11. Before the attacks, New Yorkers fit their stereotype as rude, indifferent, rushed jerks. (In my opinion as a Midwesterner, anyway.) Since 9/11, people are generally more polite, and spontaneous conversations with strangers happen more often; people where nicer in New York than here in Louisville, or Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, etc.. Tragedy often makes people appreciate life so much more, and it shows in they way the treat others. Anyone who suffered a painful loss knows that. It's probably the only upside of tragedy. </p>
<p>My point is that while it may be a downer go to Norris Hall, if you don't let the fact overwhelm you, you will be able to deal with it, and you will have the benefit of being around people who appreciate life all the more.</p>
<p>Before anyone trusts what you say, they should read your slew of posts which indicate an anti-McGill bias. Your posts notwithstanding, McGill's engineering has a great reputation in the United States. I know a number of students who had chosen McGill engineering over Illinois, Michigan, and Purdue engineering, and who are now pusuing graduate degrees at prestigious US universities, all of which are rated higher than VT engineering. They're all good engineering schools.</p>
<p>redknight--For the record, I work in NYC every weekday, and there has been little or no change in behavior among NYers following 9/11. I wouldn't use that as an argument for going to VT, which no doubt over time will get over this tragedy. I remember the sniper shootings in Austin in the 60s, and U Texas has gotten past that long ago.</p>
<p>Really? I guess since you live in New York, you'd be a better judge, but my mother and I both have thought New Yorkers have been a whole lot nicer. When I was in Canada, I read in Readers Digest a survey on politeness that found New York to be more polite; it quoted Ed Koch as saying it was 9/11.</p>
<p>also if you were born in mtl, mcgill is going to be so much cheaper
somethign around 3 000 $ a year !!
and mcgill is also one of the best university to party from what i,ve heard</p>
<p>do u ppl think engineering is too hard ?
i heard that mech and electrical were really really hard espeecially after the 2nd year its getting pretty impossible ... i am pretty scared actually :D
peaceeee</p>