<p>Hi, I'm a Canadian citizen who has lived in the US for the past ten years. I have a pending Green Card that I am likely to obtain by next year. My family is planning to move to California, so we will be able to pay in-state tuition at Berkeley for the next three years (although we will still pay the 10k/yr property tax on our house in New Jersey since we don't plan on selling it). Even if I don't go to Berkeley, my dad wants to find a job in California anyways. McGill also offered me a one-year entrance scholarship of 3k (although I didn't apply for one and their tuition for Canadians is already so low...but it's nice of them xD). However, since I lived in the US for so long, I really really REALLY want to stay in the US >.<. It's also more convenient for my pending green card and visa if I remain in the US. I plan to major in physics and applied math :D.</p>
<p>I don’t think McGill’s academic environment is as cutthroat as it would be at Berkeley so that’s a factor to consider. However, both are well-regarded by employers and academia alike.</p>
<p>@Catria: I’m actually leaning towards berkeley xD …It’s just I want to make sure that it’s worth the extra money in comparison to Mcgill
Academics, research opportunities, and location are a huge factor for me…but the best value is ultimately the deciding factor</p>
<p>I don’t really know much about McGill since even though I’m Canadian, I pretty much grew up in the US. Its so difficult to find information comparing the two undergrads…so I wanted to know more about how McGill’s academics compared to Berkeley in terms of applied math and physics.
Why do you say that Mcgill’s academic environment is not as cutthroat as Berkeley’s?</p>
<p>Have you confirmed you are eligible for in-state tuition at Berkeley? As I understand it, the general rule is you have to have graduated from/attended a CA high school for at least 3 years to get in-state tuition, and it sounds like from your original post that you do not yet live in CA? I mention that since you do say ‘the best value’ is the deciding factor for you.</p>
<p>My D, a California native, was accepted to both Berkeley and McGill and chose McGill. Academically, I would say the two institutions are comparable, and since they are both large, public universities, class sizes will be similar, research opportunities similar, etc. The differences will be location, climate and perhaps where you plan on settling in the future. From your post, it sounds like you currently live in NJ - my D has quite a few classmates at McGill who are from the NJ/NY area so I believe the McGill name is quite well-recognized on the East Coast. In CA a little less so, though we find more people than we originally expected to be are familiar with McGill here in southern California. Of course, no comparison to Berkeley, though!</p>
<p>Yes, I emailed the office and they confirmed that if my dad works there, pays California taxes, shows an intent to make California our permanent residency, and arrives there 366 days before I file a change of residency, then I will be able to pay in-state tuition for my sophomore, junior, and senior years. We also know a friend who knows a friend now in Berkeley from New Jersey whose father works there even though they still have a home in NJ and the rest of his family live here, but he will be paying in-state tuition for his following three years. I want to double major applied math and physics, and maybe a minor in comp sci…and thus Berkeley is academic-wise a stronger option than McGill for those three areas.</p>
<p>Well it sounds like you’ve done your research on the in-state tuition process so my only caveat would be that those are a lot of "if"s you’ve listed! I would definitely include in your decision-making process how your family would handle finances if you end up having to pay out-of-state tuition at Berkeley for more than just your freshman year.</p>
<p>Otherwise, it sounds like you feel Berkeley would be the best fit for you. You certainly can’t go wrong there. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>I had to make the same decision few weeks ago between Berkeley and UBC. Again the price issue. Afterall, I decided to go to Berkeley ,also majoring in math and physics.</p>
<p>@ROBOTSpwns: What made you finally decide Berkeley over UBC? Have you found a method to pay for it?
It would be nice if I could at least get a job on campus there ): I’m also thinking of doing triples if I go to Berkeley to save on the costs. Hopefully I get awesome roommates xD.</p>