<p>Help me make the most important decision of my life...</p>
<p>I already SIR'd to UCSD and thought I was going to go there until I got of McGill's waitlist today! I was accepted into McGill Desautel's B-com program and am absolute torn between McGill and UCSD.</p>
<p>I am a California resident and US citizen. Money isn't an issue and both are relatively cheap. I know both are great schools but very different.</p>
<p>Pros and cons of each..</p>
<p>McGill:
Pros: -vibrant city of Montreal
-amazing social scene/nightlife from what I've heard (drinking age 18+, beautiful women, etcc.)
-presitigious
-diversity
-a new, multicultural experience</p>
<p>Cons: -I will pretty much be starting fresh as I don't know anybody there
-in Canada, far away from home
-French
-very very cold
-so different from America (I will have to get used to new currency, metric system, government, laws, everything)
-will probably be a hassle (commuting, student visa, etc..)</p>
<p>UCSD:
Pros: -weather's amazing!
-on the beach!
-I have friends there and know I will fit in</p>
<p>Cons: -socially dead?
-not diverse (mostly asian/white)
-no D1 sports/football
-boring?</p>
<p>I know both are academically strong and I'm not too worried about the education I'll receive. I'm just want some input/opinions on which you think would be better for me.
I will want to receive a quality education but at the same time enjoy college life to the fullest, meet great people, and have an active social life.</p>
<p>Sorry bro but no D1 sports in Canada. Are you in a pure business curriculum at UCSD, because that’s what you have at McGill? McGill is in a very upscale area, but Montreal winters are something to be avoided. McGill students frequent all the local establishments.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m aware of the lack of D1 sports in Canada :/, but both schools are lacking in that department…
I forgot to mention I’m going to be majoring in Economics in UCSD. I don’t think there is a pure business curriculum so I will be taking a lot of GE classes with probably a focus in business or econ.
I still have no idea which place will be a better fit. UCSD is likely the “safe” pick because I kinda know what to expect. McGill seems much more exciting and unique for a US student like me, but the different experience/culture could very well be a good or bad thing.</p>
<p>Also if anybody could comment on the flexibility of switching majors for each school that would be great appreciated.</p>
<p>You have to travel to Montreal to make this decision. You are comparing two VERY different places, and in two different countries.</p>
<p>My understanding is that it is easier to switch out of BCom than to switch in. Desautel BCom is business school with a core business curriculum of accounting, finance, marketing, management where you can major in economics. You can also do an economics major from another faculty at McGill. It is also my understanding BCom has more international students than other faculties.</p>
<p>For the cost difference, which doesn’t concern you, it’s worth it to see if you like McGill and if there really are “beautiful women” compared to UCSD. If you don’t have a passport there are companies that will get one for you on short notice - like 48 hours if you have an airline ticket to Canada.</p>
<p>I’m pleased to see your assessment of montreal’s attributes; as a former montrealer, I’d say your pros are pretty close…done your homework. You missed one pro…the food is fabulous.</p>
<p>Can’t resist a few tweaks:</p>
<p>It’s not very very cold. It’s hellishly, brutally cold up the side of that mountain in january. Make sure you study up on what every montrealer knows about treating frostbite before you leave home.</p>
<p>I believe mcgill itself is english, and most montrealers speak some english, certainly enough for you to get by.</p>
<p>The money’s essentially the same, just more colourful. But you will have to learn some canadian spellings, like colourful and centre.</p>
<p>Not so different from the US.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! I will probably visit McGill soon to get a better feel of the school. Any additional information about these two schools or opinions on which would be better for me are greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>See the other thread above, tufts versus mcgill, for a bit more info</p>