Hi all,
I’m having a very difficult time deciding between these two schools, and would really appreciate some helpful opinions.
I’ve been accepted to University of Washington’s Foster School of Business with a $5,500 scholarship per year, bringing the total cost of yearly tuition to $43,208.
I have also been accepted to the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program at McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management. Being a French citizen (I speak French fluently, but I live and have always lived in California), I would pay the same tuition as Canadian students. This would come out to a total of roughly 18K per year (dependent on which housing I choose).
I’m basing my decision on,
International/U.S reputation (as I plan on returning to the U.S for my graduate studies),
Academic prestige/quality,
Social Environment (I am a very friendly, extroverted person)
Weather/Conditions,
and,
Cost.
I would really really appreciate some help guys! Thank you.
P.S, I’ve also been accepted to UC Davis International Studies Dep, UC Santa Barbara Economics, Calpoly SLO Business, and San Diego State University Business Program in case you think any of those would be a better choice.
almost same situation here. still hoping we can get some help. In my case, UW for Pre-Engineering and McGill for MechanicalEng. We may see each other someday heh
I don’t see why you would choose U Wash over McGill for that cost difference. McGill has a solid reputation internationally and in major financial centers in the US. Plus, you intend to go to grad school: the extra dollars will come in handy, and your terminal degree will matter to employers as much as your undergrad degree.
McGill, given the cost of attendance, and its stellar overall reputation, would be the top choice. The only downside is the harsh winters. Also keep in mind that out of state tuition generally tend to go up much more than in-state, and a majority of students take more than 4 years to finish their UG degree. Over the next 4 years, the overall price may be closer to $200K at Washington (Seattle).
Are you a US permanent resident (work legally in the US?), and will you be paying in-state California tuition for the colleges in California?
Another vote for McGill.
The education will be comparable at both schools, so you should save your money for a US grad school.
I agree that a four-year plan can run afoul at many large state flagship schools and may take four and a half or five years to complete a degree, depending on how impacted the program is. Be sure to ask the average time to graduation. Additionally, be sure to check the current state funding health of U ‘Dub’
3: McGill is primarily a commuter campus. Students hardly live in residence halls except at the McDonald campus (and even there it’s quite commuter/suitcase). You’ll go to class but your social life will be limited. Both universities have about 40,000 students, but UWa has a real campus. Average class size at Desautels is 52, with many lecture classes in B.Comm at 250-300 and discussion sections ranging from 25 to 40 - you may want to compare with UWa. However, compared to UWa and most American universities, you have to be very proactive and support is minimal - students are expected to be independent and fend for themselves, it’s a bit sink-or-swim. So, overall, the experience is pretty anonymous and impersonal. You have to find your group quickly or it can be a bit isolating. Fortunately, there are many French students in Montreal and if you come from abroad you may be able to live in one of the residence halls.
Did you make Honors COllege at Uwa? You should compare this with UWa’s collegedata numbers.
Both cities are awesome. Montreal wins on cosmopolitanism though. Weather will depend on personal preferences: McGill wil be cold and snowy, with temperatures below zero for a couple months a year, but overall it'll be sunny and bright. You'll need to buy a good parka/coat with a fur-trimmed hood :p. UWa will be rainy and gray most of the time, but the temperatures will be mild. You won't suffer from "windburns" due to the windchill, or the humidity in your nostrils won't turn into little stalactites when you're outside, and then melt in your nose and make you sniffle as soon as you are inside. (Personal daily experience.) I got used to the cold, hate the rain, but many people can't stand the cold and can't wait for April to arrive so they can be a little outside instead of cooped up inside with "cabin fever".
What are the net costs at each of your other choices?
UC Davis International Studies Dep, UC Santa Barbara Economics, Calpoly SLO Business, and San Diego State University Business Program
=> in my opinion, UCSB Economics (especially if you could augment it with a minor in statistics) would be a great choice. Calpoly SLO is another great choice. Then SDSU Business. Did you get accepted into Honors Program/College at any?