Canadian universities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Trent University for one does not match your stereotype and I'm sure there are others as well.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canadian universities are huge and offer a very different student experience than US schools. Very little on campus housing, nonexistent school spirit and scarce resources.

All those extras that have nothing to do with education and training are why college is so expensive in US compared to European countries. I went to college in EU and admitted to highly ranked grad school (Bio PhD) in US. The first year of grad school was more like the US college we see in the movies than my entire college experience in EU. As an outsider, the US college seems more like a resort (gym, activities, boarding, clubs) with a side dish of education…but l understand the appeal. It always seems strange to me when people go “visit the college campus”…it feels to me like you’re checking out a vacation destination….it seems like Canadian Universities are much more like say UK than US.

Ive lived in Europe, and you’re right PP. But you’re never going to convince Americans that our system is wrong or needs changing or that we should want otherwise. What is overwhelming and over the top to you is our rite of passage entrenched into our society by every Hollywood movie ever. Living here, you know this. And it’s why 9.5 out of 10 American students would rather go to an American Top 50 than Toronto or McGill

I totally understand the appeal. Heck, l loved my first year of “college campus life” as a grad student ( it got more business-like after that first year when we had classes and on-campus housing). I only wanted to highlight how different the experience is, and how it’s not necessarily worse. Students all over the world become successful professional w/o the US-style college experience. The fact that the application process and costs are different reflects the fact that the experience once admitted is also different. It’s great to have the opportunity to choose.

No, the cost issue reflects that it has become a big business in the US, like everything else and the public is convinced they have to buy into it in order for their kids to succeed. When I went to university overseas I was part of only 6% in my country who attended an actual university, whereas 60% were attending here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who went to undergrad care to comment on the experience? My DC has applied to a few. Is it basically like going to a large state school with fewer support services?

I am Canadian and went to undergrad at McGill. I went to law school in the US. I can't compare my experience to a US undergrad experience because I never studied in the US for undergrad. However, here is my take on the McGill experience. Please note that I graduated in 1993, so I am sure things have changed a lot.

The first year classes are very big and impersonal. It is difficult to get time from the professor. However, there are graduate assistants with office hours who will help with questions and getting through the assignments. First year students often live on campus, but many live in apartments in the community. I never lived on a college campus until I went to law school in the US.

As the courses get more specialized and advanced, the classes get smaller. I remember seminar classes with 8-10 students in my 3rd year.

There is little personal help for things like career advising, social/personal issues. Of course, I studied there in the early nineties, so things could have changed. In general, Canadian universities are mostly funded by provincial governments, so they don't have the funding to provide the extras that are available at US schools.

On the other hand, you have to grow up and fend for yourself; eg, find and rent an apartment in the city, figure out how to find appropriate services, etc.

I enjoyed my undergrad experience, but I didn't have anything to compare it to. As a Canadian, going to a US school was never an option due to the cost. We have moved back to Canada (after living in the US for 15 years) and I expect my kids to study at Canadian universities. I am not worried about it at all. It'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canadian universities are huge and offer a very different student experience than US schools. Very little on campus housing, nonexistent school spirit and scarce resources.

All those extras that have nothing to do with education and training are why college is so expensive in US compared to European countries. I went to college in EU and admitted to highly ranked grad school (Bio PhD) in US. The first year of grad school was more like the US college we see in the movies than my entire college experience in EU. As an outsider, the US college seems more like a resort (gym, activities, boarding, clubs) with a side dish of education…but l understand the appeal. It always seems strange to me when people go “visit the college campus”…it feels to me like you’re checking out a vacation destination….it seems like Canadian Universities are much more like say UK than US.

Ive lived in Europe, and you’re right PP. But you’re never going to convince Americans that our system is wrong or needs changing or that we should want otherwise. What is overwhelming and over the top to you is our rite of passage entrenched into our society by every Hollywood movie ever. Living here, you know this. And it’s why 9.5 out of 10 American students would rather go to an American Top 50 than Toronto or McGill

Honestly, I think 9.5 out of 10 kids don't apply to any international school (including Oxford, Cambridge, Canada, etc.) because it is international. It is strange and unfamiliar, and just not part of the college thought process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who went to undergrad care to comment on the experience? My DC has applied to a few. Is it basically like going to a large state school with fewer support services?

I am Canadian and went to undergrad at McGill. I went to law school in the US. I can't compare my experience to a US undergrad experience because I never studied in the US for undergrad. However, here is my take on the McGill experience. Please note that I graduated in 1993, so I am sure things have changed a lot.

The first year classes are very big and impersonal. It is difficult to get time from the professor. However, there are graduate assistants with office hours who will help with questions and getting through the assignments. First year students often live on campus, but many live in apartments in the community. I never lived on a college campus until I went to law school in the US.

As the courses get more specialized and advanced, the classes get smaller. I remember seminar classes with 8-10 students in my 3rd year.

There is little personal help for things like career advising, social/personal issues. Of course, I studied there in the early nineties, so things could have changed. In general, Canadian universities are mostly funded by provincial governments, so they don't have the funding to provide the extras that are available at US schools.

On the other hand, you have to grow up and fend for yourself; eg, find and rent an apartment in the city, figure out how to find appropriate services, etc.

I enjoyed my undergrad experience, but I didn't have anything to compare it to. As a Canadian, going to a US school was never an option due to the cost. We have moved back to Canada (after living in the US for 15 years) and I expect my kids to study at Canadian universities. I am not worried about it at all. It'll be fine.

Thanks for posting about your experience. I went to a large state school in the 90s, and it sounds very similar actually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canadian universities are huge and offer a very different student experience than US schools. Very little on campus housing, nonexistent school spirit and scarce resources.

All those extras that have nothing to do with education and training are why college is so expensive in US compared to European countries. I went to college in EU and admitted to highly ranked grad school (Bio PhD) in US. The first year of grad school was more like the US college we see in the movies than my entire college experience in EU. As an outsider, the US college seems more like a resort (gym, activities, boarding, clubs) with a side dish of education…but l understand the appeal. It always seems strange to me when people go “visit the college campus”…it feels to me like you’re checking out a vacation destination….it seems like Canadian Universities are much more like say UK than US.

Ive lived in Europe, and you’re right PP. But you’re never going to convince Americans that our system is wrong or needs changing or that we should want otherwise. What is overwhelming and over the top to you is our rite of passage entrenched into our society by every Hollywood movie ever. Living here, you know this. And it’s why 9.5 out of 10 American students would rather go to an American Top 50 than Toronto or McGill

Honestly, I think 9.5 out of 10 kids don't apply to any international school (including Oxford, Cambridge, Canada, etc.) because it is international. It is strange and unfamiliar, and just not part of the college thought process.

yeah, those half-kids are bold and outgoing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canadian universities are huge and offer a very different student experience than US schools. Very little on campus housing, nonexistent school spirit and scarce resources.

All those extras that have nothing to do with education and training are why college is so expensive in US compared to European countries. I went to college in EU and admitted to highly ranked grad school (Bio PhD) in US. The first year of grad school was more like the US college we see in the movies than my entire college experience in EU. As an outsider, the US college seems more like a resort (gym, activities, boarding, clubs) with a side dish of education…but l understand the appeal. It always seems strange to me when people go “visit the college campus”…it feels to me like you’re checking out a vacation destination….it seems like Canadian Universities are much more like say UK than US.

Ive lived in Europe, and you’re right PP. But you’re never going to convince Americans that our system is wrong or needs changing or that we should want otherwise. What is overwhelming and over the top to you is our rite of passage entrenched into our society by every Hollywood movie ever. Living here, you know this. And it’s why 9.5 out of 10 American students would rather go to an American Top 50 than Toronto or McGill

Honestly, I think 9.5 out of 10 kids don't apply to any international school (including Oxford, Cambridge, Canada, etc.) because it is international. It is strange and unfamiliar, and just not part of the college thought process.

My high school freshman is talking about wanting to go to college in Europe for four years. How does the cost compared to an in-state VA state school? What other comparisons can be made? How would it compare to simply doing a semester abroad? Is there a good book or online resource I could read? I'm not sure if I should be encouraging or discouraging the idea!

[Anonymous]

Probably about the same as State colleges...unless you get into a German university which has a nominal fee of like 500 euros depending on the region. You have to take the Abitur however and do exceptionally well. No mean feat.

[Anonymous]

The real appeal of Canadian or UK universities is the cost compared to the US. My daughters went to school in the UK and my husband and I both went to school in Canada. There are only a few good universities in Canada so they draw all kinds of people which give them a broad appeal. This is opposed to the US universities that each have a kind of culture of their own. The big Canadian schools would be like a state university here, but with a lot more "high stat" kids as they have nowhere else to go. The same with socioeconomic, there is no financial tiers, everyone goes to the same place.
Classes get smaller starting in second year. Most people live in dorms the first and sometimes second year and then they group together and get apartments (or flat in the UK) with friends from school. It's a different experience but it is a great one as well. Different strokes for different folks. There is little hand holding compared to the US so it would suit an independent social kid who would likely thrive. Quiet kids may get lost in the shuffle. Very good choice financially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canadian universities are huge and offer a very different student experience than US schools. Very little on campus housing, nonexistent school spirit and scarce resources.

All those extras that have nothing to do with education and training are why college is so expensive in US compared to European countries. I went to college in EU and admitted to highly ranked grad school (Bio PhD) in US. The first year of grad school was more like the US college we see in the movies than my entire college experience in EU. As an outsider, the US college seems more like a resort (gym, activities, boarding, clubs) with a side dish of education…but l understand the appeal. It always seems strange to me when people go “visit the college campus”…it feels to me like you’re checking out a vacation destination….it seems like Canadian Universities are much more like say UK than US.

Ive lived in Europe, and you’re right PP. But you’re never going to convince Americans that our system is wrong or needs changing or that we should want otherwise. What is overwhelming and over the top to you is our rite of passage entrenched into our society by every Hollywood movie ever. Living here, you know this. And it’s why 9.5 out of 10 American students would rather go to an American Top 50 than Toronto or McGill

Honestly, I think 9.5 out of 10 kids don't apply to any international school (including Oxford, Cambridge, Canada, etc.) because it is international. It is strange and unfamiliar, and just not part of the college thought process.

My high school freshman is talking about wanting to go to college in Europe for four years. How does the cost compared to an in-state VA state school? What other comparisons can be made? How would it compare to simply doing a semester abroad? Is there a good book or online resource I could read? I'm not sure if I should be encouraging or discouraging the idea!

Scotland has 4 year degree programs (you leave with an MA or MS degree built-in) but the UK, Ireland, Wales have 3 yr programs for undergraduate study as does much of continental Europe.