I am an international student. I got in Temple with a full tuition scholarship in honors BA for economics. I also got in McGill for BA in economics.
I’m not sure between the two. Temple will have small classes and I will have privileges as a president’s scholar. But McGill is ranked higher and considered to be the better one.
Any help or feedback will be appreciated.
What are your plans after graduation? Where do you want to live/work? What is the cost difference?
McGill undeniably has more prestige and a superior overall reputation. It is more affordable than most American universities, furthermore. How big a difference will there be in costs for you? Are you thinking about graduate school down the road? I have a child at Temple, and regularly sing its praises on this site, but McGill is great. Congratulations on such good choices.
The cost difference is around $8000. I’m not really sure after graduation…i might go to grad school! but beyond that no idea at all!
I would go with Temple Honors. If small classes, personal interaction, and research opportunities matter to you, you won’t find them at McGill and “prestige” only goes ao far - as anothrr poster said, in the end, the only name that matters is yours, what you actually do with the opportunities you’ve been offered.
The cost difference is significant though, and I assume that makes McGill a better choice financially. In addition, how advancedare you at math? Because if you’re very advanced McGill is probably a better choice since its econ program uses advanced math. Finally, do you speak French or care to learn?
@raag25 Temple is less expensive than McGill with your scholarship?
@Dunboyne Temple is less expensive. But ive applied to McGill for financial aid too.
@MYOS1634 I think i am kind of advanced at math… not sure though! i do know some french. Another consideration for me was that it is easier to work in canada after college than n the US.
Yes, and this is especially true if you speak French.
Just as the 8k difference made me consider McGill more seriously, this difference should make Temple a better choice.
The reality is that you could have the best of both worlds, get your degree at Temple for cheaper, then get your Master s degree at McGill provided you take advantage of everything Temple offers.
A major consideration would be your family’s financial status and how easily you can absorb the $32K+ extra cost for McGill. Will it be loans/debt or out-of-pocket? How much of a hardship will it be for your family? I’m not sure what you mean by having applied to McGill for “financial aid”. Do you mean scholarships? If so, how likely are they? Bottom line, you need to sort out whether McGill would pose significant financial concerns for you.
Do you think you will enter an Honours program at McGill: econ or econ/finance or econ/math? That increased (math) rigour might be important to you, versus Temple, if you want to pursue grad studies. McGill has a better international reputation/recognition, as well, which might be important to you if you want to head home or to Europe for work.
If you think a work visa will be significantly easier to come by in Canada, that’s a big consideration. Also, are you willing to become more fluent in French? That’s another issue because it would set you up for a gov’t econ job in Ottawa which, with just a BA Econ, might be your best shot at a decent job. On the other hand, the cost savings at Temple makes grad studies easier in the U.S., which would presumably increase your employment/visa prospects. If you want finance/banking, then think about a grad degree (as in, think about it now).
Temple probably has a more vibrant campus culture. Much of that stems from the harsher winters in Montreal, but also due to Canadian culture/people in general being somewhat more subdued/low-key. Montreal is a fun city, though. (I’m sure @woogzmama can fill you in re Philly.) McGill will not hold your hand as much, either, when negotiating your academic life. That can be a good thing for personal maturation, but an unfortunate thing if you start to have academic/personal problems.