Any experience with Canadian Universities?

[Anonymous]

DC has added some Canadian schools to their list. Overall they seem like great schools and a good fit. Wondering though about the admissions process and what it would be like to be an "international student". I know we can find answers to specifics (like Visa requirements and health insurance), but wondering what we are not thinking about asking or general experiences others have had. At this point DC is not interested in staying in Canada long term.

[Anonymous]

Microsoft, Google, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and other big US tech firms have been recruiting CS and ECE grads from Waterloo, McGill, U. Toronto (St George), and UBC for decades now - to work either in Canada or the US.

[Anonymous]

There are many Americans at places like McGill, U Toronto and UBC.

It’s not a traditional college experience. No sports teams and a much higher %age of commuter students at places like the above compared to top US universities.

Admissions to McGill is straightforward and just grades and scores. U Toronto was similar to applying to UC schools (though they do want test scores).

Canadian schools want to see high AP test scores in certain areas for you to get admitted…especially STEM.

Toronto is huge…like 80,000 kids.

[Anonymous]

Queen's U is great in cute town of Kingston. Scottish vibes and great academics.

U of T is enormous. But is picking up lots of professors from US ivies like Yale thanks to Trump's brain drain out of US.

[Anonymous]

The quality of universities in Canada is generally excellent. It’s true that going away to college is less of a thing, so many people live at home and go to their local university. I grew up there and that’s what I did. Agree that sports and fraternities are far less of a focus. No one would perceive your child as an international student or treat them differently. Canadian cities are super diverse and generally great places to live. In terms of where it might take your child after graduation, I got admitted from my Canadian university (not a top 3) to a full ride at a top 10 PhD program in the U.S. and there were several others in my program as well. People who know about the quality of education know a Canadian undergrad education is a good and rigorous thing.

[Anonymous]

NP: the top Canadian universities all have large international student body. Admissions are strictly based on scores and grades. In fact, most (esp the top 5) would tell high schools what their grade cutoff will be this year based on scores from last admissions cycle and your high school won’t let you apply unless you meet that requirement, otherwise it’s a waste of their resources and make the high school look bad. Because of this, most top students (they don’t call them seniors in Canada) know where they will likely get admitted by summer before they apply, making the process a million times less stressful than in the U.S, and most only apply to 1-3 schools. This also explains why the acceptance rates are so much higher than in the U.S., despite schools like U of Toronto ranking higher than all Ivies except HYP in global rankings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP: the top Canadian universities all have large international student body. Admissions are strictly based on scores and grades. In fact, most (esp the top 5) would tell high schools what their grade cutoff will be this year based on scores from last admissions cycle and your high school won’t let you apply unless you meet that requirement, otherwise it’s a waste of their resources and make the high school look bad. Because of this, most top students (they don’t call them seniors in Canada) know where they will likely get admitted by summer before they apply, making the process a million times less stressful than in the U.S, and most only apply to 1-3 schools. This also explains why the acceptance rates are so much higher than in the U.S., despite schools like U of Toronto ranking higher than all Ivies except HYP in global rankings

U of Toronto is an exception to this at least for international students. It requires essays, LORs, etc.

[Anonymous]

Canadian unis are great, but they are all public and LARGE. U of T has some classes with 1500 students.

[Anonymous]

UVic is small and lovely...less competitive thoigh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canadian unis are great, but they are all public and LARGE. U of T has some classes with 1500 students.

U of T has ONE class in the whole campus that has 1500 students: Psych 101. By week 3 after free add/drop period it’s down to 800. Don’t exaggerate.

[Anonymous]

Nephew found McGill to rigid (had a great first year, but ended up transferring because he changed his mind about his major, and McGill wouldn't let him make the change he wanted). Transfered to a European college and is doing great. And, made lifelong friends during that one year at McGill.

[Anonymous]

This is OP- thanks for all the info and perspectives. Very helpful.

[Anonymous]

I know a bunch of American kids who started at McGill and then transferred to US schools.

I work with Canadians in Quebec. Their kids seem to live at home during university and take the bus back and forth.

[Anonymous]

UT (St George) has a residential college system, somewhat analogous to the “house system” at Yale. This is the campus in downtown Toronto.

UT (Mississauga) is firmly a commuter school. In a sense, this campus ought to be spun out as its own university given its location and how different it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a bunch of American kids who started at McGill and then transferred to US schools.

I work with Canadians in Quebec. Their kids seem to live at home during university and take the bus back and forth.

Do you know why the McGill kids transferred to US schools?