<pre><code>I noticed that there have been several discussions around this topic already, but to me, it is essential to get some comparative information between the programs I am offered at each of the universities. As you may see from the title of this thread that, my enrolled program in is the Faculty of Science at McGill and Engineering Science at UT.
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<p>In my opinion, both U of T and McGill are considered two top universities in Canada. The conflict I'm facing is that my personal interest were more towards engineering program rather than science (not that I don't like science or anything), yet, I am attracted to the unique surroundings of Montr?al as a place of mixed cultures and the overall feeling I get from McGill.</p>
<p>I've never been to both universities, and so it is just possible that my feeling for McGill may be wrong, and so does my feeling towards the engineering program. All I know is that I'm good at physics and math, and also like to be involved in some kind of life science (I've heard that McGill has good life science programs).</p>
<p>So, here is my dilemma around which university I should attend. Please help me with some useful information about both programs at both universities, and if possible, something about the campus life.</p>
<p>p.s. for those who are also interest in this topic, I've post an exact same threat over at the U of T Forum.</p>
<p>You're going to get a high quality education from either school. If one program is better than the other, the quality is probably so minute that you won't be able to notice. UofT because of it's size will probably be a bit more impersonal in the first year though.</p>
<p>It comes down to what city you want to live in. </p>
<p>Diversity - Toronto wins. Toronto wins against every city in the world.
Art - Montreal
Culture - This depends. Toronto has many more cultures but most people think of culture as something distinctly European so Montreal would win. I personally think Toronto though because the mixing of cultures here give it a leg up plus the best museums, libraries, zoos etc. are all in Toronto
Music - Montreal, the indie scene here has been written about many times.
History - (ie: Which city has more old buildings) - Montreal
Modern - Toronto
Social Attitudes - Tie. Montreal has a lower drinking age though (18 vs 19)
Sports - Toronto. Montrealers love sports, but so do Torontonians and we have the pro sports teams to back it up.
Cool Factor - Currently, it'd be Montreal. It's a Sin City. Toronto has a lot of trouble marketing itself as cool, think of Apple vs Microsoft.
Money - Toronto, without a question.
Superiority Complex - This is important to any great city, it must think of itself as better than any other. Toronto thinks of itself as the Centre of the Universe. Montreal thinks of itself as not as bad as Toronto. I'd give Toronto the win.
Fashion - Montreal. North Americans in general are horrible dressers, Montreal has the leg up on the entire continent.</p>
<p>Overall - Toronto, this has been true since the late 70's. Montreal has been stuck in a rut since the 1976 Olympics and has lost it's image of the financial capital and largest city in Canada to Toronto. The economy is improving but it needs a lot of work, the city is slowly remaking itself into something else (it's more of a San Francisco-type city now, artsy and cultured). I'd love to see it in 10 years. 10 years ago Montreal was in horrible shape, today that position has improved greatly. Montreal however is still a city that takes pride in its history while Toronto is a city with an identity crisis that looking forward, another city I'd love to see in 10 years.</p>
<p>I'm in a similar situation. I'm also choosing between U of T and McGill, except for life science. I don't mean to take over the thread but if anybody has any advice i would appreciate it.</p>
<p>I would rate EngSci at U of T much higher than Science at McGill purely because EngSci is a very challenging program at U of T and almost has a 100% job recruitment. With a insanse drop out rate of 33%, EngSci grads are among the smartest in the University. Being an ECE student at U of T, I will also admit that EngSci's in many respects are more well rounded esp. with their extra activities.</p>
<p>Also EngSci is Engineering and and what you want to do in McGill is Science. They are 2 completely different things.</p>