Any experience with Canadian Universities?

[Anonymous]

Our American DS chose between U of T and McGill this past spring. Hard choice -- loved both during visits. Ultimately went with U of T because it seemed better funded and the site of better research in his (STEM) field. Preferred both Canadian schools to US WASP schools, two of which also accepted him. Even top LACs are losing grants and seeing their research funding cut, which weighed heavily with DS.

One thing to note about U of T's administration is that you deal almost exclusively with your college, not with the university as a whole. So it's not so different from a LAC in actual practice. U of T colleges range in size from 2k to 6k, but that includes non-resident (communting) students. If you only count students in residence, each U of T college seems similar to a mid-sized LAC. It's a bit like Claremont in that respect, but with twice as many colleges, additional commuting students, a massive research emphasis, and smack in the middle of an enormous, thriving, pedestrian-friendly city. (DS was comparing U of T to Claremont's 5C system. As much as I love the latter, this was no no-brainer for DS.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our American DS chose between U of T and McGill this past spring. Hard choice -- loved both during visits. Ultimately went with U of T because it seemed better funded and the site of better research in his (STEM) field. Preferred both Canadian schools to US WASP schools, two of which also accepted him. Even top LACs are losing grants and seeing their research funding cut, which weighed heavily with DS.

One thing to note about U of T's administration is that you deal almost exclusively with your college, not with the university as a whole. So it's not so different from a LAC in actual practice. U of T colleges range in size from 2k to 6k, but that includes non-resident (communting) students. If you only count students in residence, each U of T college seems similar to a mid-sized LAC. It's a bit like Claremont in that respect, but with twice as many colleges, additional commuting students, a massive research emphasis, and smack in the middle of an enormous, thriving, pedestrian-friendly city. (DS was comparing U of T to Claremont's 5C system. As much as I love the latter, this was no no-brainer for DS.)

I meant, of course, to type: it was *a* no-brainer for DS.

Let me add that McGill's residences seemed similarly easy to navigate. DS was going to be in a residence for 'scholarship students' (I don't quite know whom that includes, but he did get a competitive scholarship -- perhaps this would be a bit like an honors college?). Other residences have similar specialized focuses (we toured one for music students). As with U of T, the school seems dauntingly large till you realize that a lot of the students aren't actually living on campus.

[Anonymous]

Not OP and hoping I'm not opening the Pandora's box.
This is a question for folks who have DC attending U of T or McGill or have done research beyond rankings.
Would you consider these universities on par with UChicago, Northwestern, Duke, etc.? I find Canadians more authentic and see value in having DC experiencing different culture on the same continent so it's not too different either to adjust back here in the US. In fact, it's more appealing than St. Andrews or Edinburgh with easy access. Feel free to bash my simplistic view if you really know these universities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP and hoping I'm not opening the Pandora's box.
This is a question for folks who have DC attending U of T or McGill or have done research beyond rankings.
Would you consider these universities on par with UChicago, Northwestern, Duke, etc.? I find Canadians more authentic and see value in having DC experiencing different culture on the same continent so it's not too different either to adjust back here in the US. In fact, it's more appealing than St. Andrews or Edinburgh with easy access. Feel free to bash my simplistic view if you really know these universities.

As a hiring manager in STEM, I would be very happy with a STEM grad from UT, UBC, McGill, or Waterloo. All 4 are well known for STEM here in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP and hoping I'm not opening the Pandora's box.
This is a question for folks who have DC attending U of T or McGill or have done research beyond rankings.
Would you consider these universities on par with UChicago, Northwestern, Duke, etc.? I find Canadians more authentic and see value in having DC experiencing different culture on the same continent so it's not too different either to adjust back here in the US. In fact, it's more appealing than St. Andrews or Edinburgh with easy access. Feel free to bash my simplistic view if you really know these universities.

DCUM would interpret "on par" as a question about some intangible species of "prestige" adjudicated by, what, investment bankers? 'white-shoe' law firms rumored to hire through undergrad brand-loyalty? I can't comment on that, but from an *academic* perspective, U of T is probably better than the schools you list. In the field I know from the inside, U of T is certainly top-ten in the world (perhaps top-five). Across the board, it's at least a peer of the very best US and UK research universities. McGill isn't quite in that league but still good -- probably on par with the UK schools you list but not with the US schools -- for now, since all US schools will suffer from the new funding cuts. (UBC is probably the second best Canadian school from a purely academic perspective.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP and hoping I'm not opening the Pandora's box.
This is a question for folks who have DC attending U of T or McGill or have done research beyond rankings.
Would you consider these universities on par with UChicago, Northwestern, Duke, etc.? I find Canadians more authentic and see value in having DC experiencing different culture on the same continent so it's not too different either to adjust back here in the US. In fact, it's more appealing than St. Andrews or Edinburgh with easy access. Feel free to bash my simplistic view if you really know these universities.

NP above: U of T is considered in STEM circles to be above the American colleges you listed, and definitely in international rankings. Waterloo is also considered stronger by American STEM employers than those American schools. Silicon Valley employers line up to hire Waterloo grads by junior year. McGill is a tier below them but has a good brand name because years ago Montreal tourism invested in luring Americans to Montreal by naming McGill the Harvard of the North. Funny thing is no one in Canada or at Harvard would agree with that.