<p>When I tell people I wanted to go to the US, they always ask, "why?" I often just reply, "cuz they are better," which is something I think we can all agree. Though I'd like to hear your opinion as to why you want to go, and how American universities are better than Canadians. =]</p>
<p>P.S. Another reason that I just want to go is cuz I think their admission process is way better than Canadian schools...</p>
<p>I chose an American University because of the oppourtunities. The quality of education at an Ivy League versus U of T/Western/Queens/McGill is slim to none - both sets of schools offer an amazing quality of education. </p>
<p>The difference for me was that the bigger schools in the USA have a) a more undergraduate focus b) more resources for students and c) better alumni connections. </p>
<p>Going to school in Canada is a great choice and it WILL provide you a successful career (if you have a semblance of drive and intelligence) but being the USA makes it that much easier to make contacts and excel (at least in my chosen field of business)… Think about it… a school that is both hundreds of years older (in some cases) and in a country with 10X the Canadian population – can you scream way better networking chances?</p>
<p>Fatum: The top 20 or 25 universities in America may be better than anything in Canada but below that, you are dead wrong. Also, if you phrase it that way to Canadians, I would imagine that you do not have many friends up there. </p>
<p>There is no reason for a Canadian to go to an American school ranked below the top 25 unless you just want to get out of Canada. Also, below the top 25, American schools do not provide any need based aid so hopefully your family can afford the mega tuition. Also, not all top 25 schools award need based aid to internationals.</p>
<p>Personally I’m only aiming at certain Ivies and one or two other top schools. I think those schools fit into your description. I do agree with you tomofboston, if not for those schools, I would not bother with applying to the US, since Canada definitely have some great schools. I was just curious to see if people have unique reasons. I do reply “because they are better” to friends who ask me, and tell them what I think about the difference in admission, I don’t know what other answer to give. :)</p>
<p>I see. In your original post, it comes across that you are saying that US schools are better across the board. Your friends know what you are talking about but the post wasn’t clear. :-)</p>
<p>PS, I’m an American BTW.</p>
<p>Better need-based aid (at top schools… does need-based aid even exist in Canada?).</p>
<p>Better merit aid (at second-tier schools).</p>
<p>Less grade deflation.</p>
<p>ooh need-based aid is definitely a major reason as well…I haven’t hear about that in Canada.</p>
<p>I don’t qualify for need-based aid >_<, so I’ll probably stay in Canada.</p>
<p>^ Smile, you’re rich.</p>
<p>I think thatguy100 pretty much sums it up. Nice job 
Opportunities is really the key word (true for doing research as well).</p>
<p>Finance is really not the problem. In fact, most of the time it’s better to stay in Canada because
<p>On the other hand, American schools are ridiculously expensive, even the top tier ones are tightening their FA pool for internationals, and you can’t qualify for the US federal financial aids. It’s even worse trying to find a job/internship, especially during the summer, since a lot of internships are american citizen/permanent resident-only, you can only do on-campus jobs, and the school doesn’t provide you with work-study during the summer.</p>
<p>I am studying for American universities too
but personally, i think its completely useless, unless you get financial aid at Top Ivy schools</p>
<p>i mean…think about it
financially i cant take that much load, my family is very low income</p>
<p>having a great connection with your alumni is good too, but whats the use for people like me who will come back to Canada for work
I am not American, I dont fit there </p>
<p>There is such a good canadian university
and the cost is amazing</p>
<p>probably i will never be able to pay back all the student loans if i go to america</p>
<p>There really isn’t that much difference between Americans and Canadians… I’m sure you’ll fit somewhere.</p>
<p>It is true though that if you don’t get into a school that gives generous international FA, you’re probably better off staying in Canada.</p>
<p>Haha thanks @JakobCreutzfeldt!</p>
<p>And for @nobelium102, I just was wondering what makes you think you dont fit in the USA at all and will guaranteed be coming back to Canada? I actually thought the same thing – Canadians and the rest of the world have a pretty negative view of the USA (Its mostly true… but ya)… Ive noticed that the people I met there that are American are amazing, and I feel right at home in various cities (New Haven and NYC being chief among them)</p>
<p>And, to comment on your note about alumni connections being useless if you come back to Canada (which is a valid choice… I was just curious why you wrote off the USA immediately)… I would just like to say it isnt true. Top Tier schools attract kids from all over the world (especially the Ivies, MIT, Stanford)… So whats to say that you wont find alumni connections where ever you are in Canada? I know a Cornell grad living in Ottawa, and she told me shes found her fair share of Cornellians… As well… looking to name recognition… it always helps, just saying.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why people always say that it’s better because they have need-based aid. So what? Tuition in Canada is nothing compared to tuition at Canada and the people on these boards are definitely in the upper echelon of students so I am sure they will be able to snatch private scholarships, school bursaries, etc. etc. and make going to a Canadian school very cheap. These schools have entrance scholarships and by the looks of past threads a lot of people have 95+ averages so these students will receive 3K immediately. Plus, add private scholarships you can apply to and the HUGE scholarships like Queen’s Chancellor/the one at Western/others and you have a super cheap education…</p>
<p>I don’t think aid is any reason to go to the US tbh. Also, there are scholarships/aid for students that can’t afford university in Canada. You need to do more research because I can’t remember the exact names.</p>
<p>Some of us are poor and would get automatic full rides because of need-based aid, fool.</p>
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<p>Someone hasn’t done their research. Every province has their own system for need-based aid.</p>
<p>No one cares; it’s obviously not going to compare to full need meeting Ivies.</p>
<p>And, psh, you’re going to go at me and not the out of touch rich kid who goes “I don’t understand why top American schools are better because of need-based aid… I’m so damn rich they wouldn’t give me a penny and I’m just going to assume everyone else here is like me.”</p>
<p>^Um, actually I’m not rich lmao, not even close. I need FA to attend those schools.</p>
<p>I’m saying that there are entrance scholarships, hs school bursaries, hs school scholarships, private scholarships, and big name uni scholarships for schools in Canada that make them very affordable (on top of the already low tuition…in comparision with tuition at top US schools of course). Plus, if you live in a place like Toronto, going to UfT would not cost you housing. </p>
<p>Also, I’m pretty sure the government or something gives aid to people of low income. I don’t know the name of what it is in ON, but I am sure there is something. My friend said her cousin goes to uni in ON for almost free because of this need based aid from somewhere…sorry, really vague</p>
<p>So, my point is that you can get by with a great education in Canada for not a lot. So, the FA in the US should not be a huge factor. That’s all I wanted to point out.</p>
<p>^ I think your friend received OSAP. </p>
<p>Yes, Canadian universities are far cheaper than their British and American counterparts but the caliber of students at even the best schools is depressingly bad.</p>
<p>Canadian schools are easy to get in, but hard to graduate. Apparently the reason for that is because the universities want our money…or so I’ve heard. x.x</p>