<p>I just got in and I need to pay the place another visit. From the outside, though, can any of you comment on whether my personality would be good at McGill?</p>
<p>About Me:
I am a Jewish Northeasterner who wants to study Creative Writing and political science. I enjoy a good hippie/hipster/alternative culture at any school, but was turned off by the extreme level of inwardness I found with the students at Wesleyan. I would like to go to college where students are genuinely engaged with their studies and will take stimulating/intellectual discussions outside of the classrooms. I appreciate diversity and even though I lean left politically, I am somewhat frustrated with an intense level of political correctness to the point where it becomes discriminatory. I'd like to see a diversity of opinions in my school as well in order to have a fuller and more mature conversation. In regards to substances, I'm okay with drugs and alcohol around me but not to where it's the only thing to do for fun.</p>
<p>i can’t really answer your question since i am only a mcgill applicant, but i had to say you sound very much like me haha! all except the NE part (though the majority of my family lives there.) i agree 100% with your estimation of wesleyan… it could be said i am part of the culture you describe, but it was just too much of one thing and not enough of anything else. it also had a weird vibe generally.</p>
<p>that said, i don’t think i’ll end up at mcgill either… even though it had been my top pick for like 5 years. too damn cold.</p>
<p>hey there, how do canadian universities such as mcGill or Univ. of Toronto look once I get out of university if I plan on going back to the US?
Also, in terms of how selective mcGill is, since it’s like the “top” university of Canada, is it as selective as Harvard/Yale?</p>
<p>Montreal has a strong Jewish community. There is the Jewish General Hospital and it is affiliated with McGill. I graduated a long time ago (I’m a parent of a senior waiting to hear for McGill) but grew up in Montreal and went to McGill. The Jewish community is very diverse and there is a good artsy crowd of musicians and such - both at McGill and in Montreal in general. (I’m not Jewish but there were many very bright, funny intellectual Jewish people in Montreal when I lived there -and I mainly met them at McGill.) But I hope you’re willing to learn some French or know some French or else you won’t be able to journey far from the McGill area.</p>
Not really true. While some French knowledge will allow you to experience the city more fully, it is not really necessary as a student. Despite 35 years of language laws, the island is nore English than ever, or at least more bilingual. The west end and West Island are still majority anglophone.</p>
<p>@choppergunner: I can’t speak for the U of T but a McGill degree would open doors for employment, especially if you have an interest in international business. It worked for me! Both schools of course are fully recognized by American grad and professional schools. </p>
<p>‘econgrad’ will likely chime in here that it is not the best route to Wall Street but that’s his dream.</p>
<p>As for selectivity, McGill and all Canadian schools are public. The selectivity is comparable to most top US state schools.</p>
<p>I agree with tomofboston that French is unnecessary for enjoying McGill and Montreal. My son has almost no French and thoroughly enjoys the city, as well as McGill. </p>
<p>Montreal has traditionally had the strongest Jewish community(ies) of any Canadian city. </p>
<p>Canada, of course, is to the left of the US and generally Canadians are less dogmatic and entrenched about their political views. Because of the variety of schools within McGill, you will generally see a broader range of opinion within the university as a whole than you would at a typical four-year liberal arts college. Of course there are enclaves of homogeneity, backwardness, and small-mindedness anywhere, but perhaps those enclaves are more easily avoided at McGill than at many other places. </p>
<p>The student body is probably more diverse than at most US schools: about a fifth of McGill’s students are international whereas places like Harvard, despite their expensive attempts at crafting diverse classes, usually only have about half that proportion. My son had friends from every continent except Antarctica and South America within a couple of months.</p>
<p>If you are from the NE, then you are accustomed to long wet winters, one of the drawbacks for some people.</p>
<p>With a drinking age of 18 and tons of clubs nearby, alcohol is definitely part of the culture, but for many, getting wasted is not the exclusive goal of a Friday night.</p>
<p>As far as speaking French goes, I suppose my sentiment comes from having grown up in Montreal during the separatist movement. I left Montreal after the last referendum on separation, and in part due to the tensions. I think it has all calmed down now. McGill itself however is a wonderful school for the English. Still, I think people fluent in French are better off than those who can’t speak French, even in the West Island (where I grew up). It’s just my opinion of course.</p>
<p>I agree completely that anyone planning to settle in Montreal needs to be fluent/near fluent in French but for a student not to know the language would not significantly limit their experience.</p>
<p>tomofboston, what you say is true. BUT-- if someone decides to go to Montreal to study, one should (1) have some desire to explore learning some French and getting to know the French culture and (2) be aware of the history and culture- don’t go blindly thinking it’s like any other North American city. I think it is an absolutely terrific place for someone who wants a different cultural experience. Otherwise, Montreal is somewhat like Boston (I now live in Boston).</p>
<p>What kind of relationship (because some are considered unethical :D)? But, yes, it is possible, even in large classes, but you’re the one who has to initiate it by going to office hours and discussing things. The profs will not come to you, and may not be able to give in-class attention in most cases.</p>
<p>Are large classes too impersonal? They can be impersonal, and to some people that’s a problem, but let me say this: “don’t knock it until you’ve tried it”. All new students coming to university are in the same boat when it comes to large classes (you just don’t see such large classes in high school, at least not in North America), and most do fine. So unless you’re the type that absolutely requires personal attention to succeed in class, you shouldn’t worry about that.</p>
<p>EDIT: I should mention, however, that Creative Writing is not McGill’s forte.</p>