McGill vs an LAC for humanities

College Search & Selection
1

Hi all!

The two best schools I’ve gotten into Colby and McGill so far, and am interested in the humanitied (Philosophy, English, PoliSci). I assume based on this that I will probably get into Hamilton and Oberlin too. I am really interested in McGill, Montreal seems like a more interesting place to go to college than a tiny town in the boonies. But the tight communities of the LACs seem really special. I have also heard that McGill isn’t a good place to get a humanities education, and that it might be looked down upon in the US. I’m interested in going into the Foreign Service/working in the government or teaching/being a professor later in life if that helps. These schools are so different I feel like I can’t begin to compare them.

This is a tough decision, what should I do?

2

In that it may pertain to your choice, note that philosophy and literature fall within the humanities academic division. Political science and related majors (government, politics, public policy, etc.) fall within the social sciences academic division.

Regarding the study of humanities, many LACs appear in this article on “literary” colleges: http://flavorwire.com/409437/the-25-most-literary-colleges-in-america.

With respect to your interest in government service as a potential career, you should consider a D.C. term at the appropriate time (e.g., https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/offcampusstudy/washington-program).

Regarding your choices overall, LACs hold their greatest appeal for students who are decisive in their preference for an undergraduate-focused, residential collegiate setting.

3

Wrong. But if you are looking for a tight knit community then McGill, or any large research university, is not the place to go.

4

If your main interest is Montreal…spend a term abroad?
McGill is a top-notch, huge, public university. So if you want small, interactive classes where the professors know you and invite you to dinner, McGill isn’t it.
What about costs? Are both equally affordable?

5

OP,

See my comment in this thread: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/22083856#Comment_22083856 . This thread also includes a link to another post in another thread where @TomSrOfBoston makes an important remark about McGill.