<p>I am having a terrible time deciding. I have been leaning more towards Northwestern, but today I started thinking about McGill. I get so much more excited when I think about McGill.</p>
<p>The thing is: I want to study Math or Computer Science. McGill is not particularly strong in these departments. But what does that really mean? Would it be foolish to turn down these other offers for McGill?</p>
<p>McGill is so appealing because it is in Montreal. I really like the idea of going to McGill and taking advantage of the opportunities there. I would learn French. There is just so much character. I think I would love it.</p>
<p>It is also a good bit cheaper, but travel expenses would be a lot.</p>
<p>Out of NU, JHU, & CMU, I think I most like Northwestern. I love its campus and the quarter system. There is a lot more flexibility in course selection. It also has a great reputation. But I think it is kind of boring. The social scene makes me nervous. I know I could be happy there, and the job/internship opportunities would be fabulous. But NU is also not giving me any aid whatsoever. We can still afford it, and my parents are willing to pay for it, but is it worth it?</p>
<p>I think I would really like the social scene at CMU. I would fit in well. Its computer science program is without a doubt the strongest of these schools, but I applied to the Mellon College of Science. I'm scared that I would get stuck in a specific track and wouldn't get to explore all of my interests. They also offered me a 9k scholarship which would help. But Pittsburgh is not Montreal or Chicago.</p>
<p>I've pretty much eliminated Hopkins. I just don't think I would be happy there.</p>
<p>Thank you for any advice. I am having a hard time deciding. I don't want to make a foolish decision.</p>
<p>“NU is also not giving me any aid whatsoever. We can still afford it, and my parents are willing to pay for it, but is it worth it?”</p>
<p>What would the difference in cost for 4 years at McGill and NU be? Don’t forget to factor in travel expenses. What other fun stuff could you do with that much money? What other things could your parents do with that kind of money?</p>
<p>I’m guessing that NU is not enough “better” than McGill to make the additional expense worth it. And besides, you are much more excited about Montreal. If I were you, I’d be at Barnes & Noble tonight looking for the Berlitz pocket guide to Canadian French.</p>
<p>The atmosphere at Mcgill is very different. I’ve known kids who have preferred McGill to the other schools you have mentioned. I suggest you visit your top two choices, say McGill and NU and shadow a student in the discipline you want to study for a day or so. Maybe you will have a strong preference to one place over another. </p>
<p>We did this with my kids for schools that were total unknowns to us. In fact he spent several days at two of such schools. He left knowing that one school was no longer high on his list for specific reasons, and he loved the other school which became his first choice.</p>
<p>The Math department is relatively small, very intense (really harsh grading) and from what I’ve heard is staffed by great mathematicians but relatively poor professors.
If you do well at McGill your chances of getting into a top grad school are pretty sweet. I was friends with three kids from Math, and they are all doing great: one is now pursuing his PhD at MIT and two others are doing their PhDs at Hopkins.</p>
<p>You can’t ask for a more favorable location than downtown Montreal. You should visit; McGill isn’t everybody’s cup of tea.</p>
<p>I’m a big fan of Northwestern, CMU and McGill. So, to me it gets down to money and best fit. For some majors I would suggest McGill over these other schools even if the money were the same. But in your major, CMU definitely has the edge. </p>
<p>I’m also a big fan of Chicago and Montreal. Except, you wouldn’t be in Chicago, you would be in Evanston. At McGill, you would be in Montreal - big difference. </p>
<p>You should see Montreal and get a feel for the city, but it’s too late to visit campus as they are in finals right now. Unless seeing a bunch of frazzled kids with little sleep is something you want to see. </p>
<p>I found this about McGill, I found it to be remarkably candid:</p>
<p>McGill would be a FANTASTIC choice. The chance to live in cultured, exciting, multicultural Montreal will enrich you, you’ll improve your French, you’ll go to a great school, you’ll expand your horizons, you’ll drink great beer, you’ll impress your friends and neighbors, you’ll get enough maple-flavored everything to last you for a lifetime, you’ll get to eat Tim Horton’s doughnuts, and best of all, you’ll get to hang out with Canadians, who are the most adorable people on earth!</p>
<p>McGill is an awesome school! the money saved would be worth it, especially since you seem to like the environment a lot.</p>
<p>I say go with your gut and do McGill. 100k in savings can get you through some of grad school at Northwestern, if that is what you want in the future :D</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=k&s]
On a racial basis - Chicago is actually more diverse w/ less than 39% of its pop. comprised by whites; in Montreal, whites make up 74% of the pop.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>It may be if one looks strictly at race. However, diversity isn’t just about race. I found Montr</p>