<p>I've read lots about how McGill has a great party scene, which is definitely something i'm looking for, along wiht great academics. But my question is about what the party scene is like. Is it like many other highly urban universities, where the students just go off and do their own thing, and go to concerts and bars on the weekends, or is it more like american colleges where there are huge parties with lots of students from the college? Since its right in the middle of a huge city, i dont know how it would be possible to have big parties, and i assume mcgill doesnt have fraternities.</p>
<p>wow, all these questions about McGill all of a sudden. This is great :)</p>
<p>Yes, McGill's party scene is really happening, but what type of parties there are really depends on your location and what sort of partying you like.</p>
<p>Since the drinking age is 18 in Quebec, and it's relatively easy to obtain free passes to certain nightclubs, and entrance is cheap anyway, a lot of people go out to the clubs and such, which provides a good party atmosphere. There are a billion clubs in Montreal, all different types. I even found a Reggae dance club.</p>
<p>As far as rez parties go, I think New Rez has the best scene--but you can't just get in, if you aren't a resident there you have to know someone who will sign you in and all that crap. Upper rez also has a lively party life. </p>
<p>There are a few frats, but really not that many and frat parties are not huge on the partying scene here.</p>
<p>Big parties...well if you know someone who has an apartment or lives in an appartment style rez, those can get pretty big. I went to a ski team party in a house on Bleury, and it was REALLY a rocking party (only time so far I've gotten utterly, totally smashed since I've been here). </p>
<p>If you want the party scene, trust me, whatever type of party you're looking for, you will find it. However if you want to study there are rezs like mine that really aren't into the whole party hard thing, and in general McGill students I think take the prize for being able to get really really drunk, then show up and act like geniuses in physics class the next day. it's really fun.</p>
<p>Yes, Mcgill students would party mostly off campus. BUt all that partying?! despite toronto having a Mega Huge party scene. Most of the students keep their heads in the books. I guess U of toronto, is still the academic powerhouse of Canada.</p>
<p>Montreal s a 24/7 always alive city.
A friend of mine that attends frequents the bars. There's always somewhere to go, he went on and on about going to one of the several pizza places at 4am, drunk, and eating "really good" pizza. </p>
<p>In retrospect, I don't really remember him talking about going to the school parties - I guess, with so much available to you, there's not necessity.</p>
<p>Montreal is the greatest city in North America for a college student. I'd say it's even better than Boston. The drinking age is 18 (not like that matters here--I was 16 and getting into bars and clubs WITHOUT a fake ID), the nightlife can't be beat, and we've got legal lap dances and a casino. Plus, it's not too expensive to live here.</p>
<p>it's true that the party life is fantastic here, but ivyleaguer, don't let my post mislead you into thining that students party 24/7, because most student study like crazy and party on the weekends. And come on, how much productive studying do you actually get done after 11:00pm on a friday night anyway?. I have had to work my butt of to succeed in classes here, and after frosh (you want parties...do frosh!!!), when classes start, the partying is cut to a halt because people have classes and studying and stuff.</p>
<p>It depends on an individual person, though!
After visiting Montreal, my brother said it wasn't a place he could necessarily stay in for a long time because of some of the crazy stuff that went down. He lives in New Orleans, too.</p>
<p>But, that's all opinion. Tons of people love it.</p>
<p>haha wow!</p>
<p>it is true that a lot depends on the person. There are aspects of montreal that I don't like--all the strip clubs on Rue saint catherine and all the homeless people, for example. However, honestly, as a student, your life revolves mainly around the campus, the dorms, and the student ghetto, sothe crazy stuff in the city doesn't impact you unless you make a concius choice to go out and get involved in the city.</p>
<p>Yeah and about clubs and partying...the last time I went to a club was two months ago (before the start of classes). since the start of classes I've been to a grand total of one party. A LOT of students are working harder than I am too...so I think the assumption that just because there are a lot of OPPORTUNITIES to party mean that everyone parties is groundless...just because if you want to party, you can, doesn't mean that everyone takes advantage of every opportunity. He asked a question about partying, so I answered it by providing every bit of info I know about what you can do if you want to party. A person who did all those things repeatedly would not last a semester ;)</p>
<p>Is the workload that bad at McGill?? I want to go somewhere that has good social life, where i can get pass-out drunk a few times a week, and at the same time has really good academics, but not where i have to study insane hours. Is it possible to party and still do well at McGill? How many hours of studying is required to succeed? And also, im still curious to know if ther are any parties in the style of american non-urban colleges, where its a large group of kids from the school rather than just going to bars or clubs in the city. Thanks for the imput.</p>
<p>Also, on another note, does anyone know anythign at all about the International Development Studies program?</p>
<p>I'm sure there are campus parties--however, given Montreal's long and varied list of bars and clubs, I'd venture to say that 80% of all partying is done off-campus. Not to mention that a few McGill residence halls are within minutes of St. Lawrence Street (the trendiest restaurants and shopping, as well as the best clubs).</p>
<p>Workload depends on program, but I'd say that if your goal is to go out and get drunk a couple times a week McGill is probably not a great option because you WILL have to put in significant study hours for decent grades :)</p>
<p>And what's funny, jpps1, is that with all the street signs and such in french, I saw your post and went "What the heck?? where's St. Lawrence street???" but then it clicked that you meant Boulevard St. Laurent, and I understood. LOL</p>
<p>I'm surprised you didn't catch on to that yet...you don't hear it colloquially ever?</p>
<p>No, never. it's always "I'm going to St Laurent, it's on st. Laurent, etc etc. however I would imagine that in the more english parts of town it's called St. Lawrence?</p>
<p>Yeah...but most English people here call it St. Lawrence...</p>
<p>Are your friends also out-of-towners, or Francophones?</p>
<p>I'm kinda intrigued by this.</p>
<p>this might be a stupid question but....do u need know to French to go to McGill and live in Montreal? or is English fine?</p>
<p>McGill is an english university---all classes MUST be conducted in english (except for foreign langauge courses LOL), so obviously you'll do just fine on campus without knowing any french</p>
<p>and you can get by in the city without knowing any french---everyone is bilingual and even those of us that speak some french find it easier to speak english most of the time. However, it is a good idea to know at least some french, so if you get accepted/plan to attend, maybe doing an intro french course, even one of those tape courses or whatever before coming couldn't be bad.</p>
<p>Montreal is an amazing experience in english. it's even better if you know some french. But you will still have a great time without knowing any french (not to mention you will pick some up LOL!!!) </p>
<p>Actually I have a LOT of friends here, including my boyfriend, who either don't speak any french or speak very very little, and they still love the school and the city.</p>
<p>And no, it's not a stupid question. Actually a very good and pertinent question.</p>
<p>Yeah...but most English people here call it St. Lawrence...</p>
<p>Are your friends also out-of-towners, or Francophones?</p>
<p>I'm kinda intrigued by this</p>
<hr>
<p>Most of my friends are out of towners....in McGill rez we meet very few actual Montrealers ;) And my "discover Montreal" class is conducted in french....so I've learned about the history of the city and stuff in french. But I've yet to hear someone call it St. Lawrence street.</p>
<p>bump........</p>
<p>uhhh, parties....yeah there are a lot of parties this weekend...house parties, clubbing, bars, you name it. All the arts students are partying because their midterms are finally over, LOL. Not to mention it's Halloween.</p>