McGill and University of Toronto: if they were in the U.S., where would they rank?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's easier to get into McGill than Harvard but harder to graduate from

This. This. This.

Finally someone understands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's easier to get into McGill than Harvard but harder to graduate from

Matriculate to Harvard and you've already won. Matriculate to McGill, and the game's just getting started.

[Anonymous]

Canadian colleges have a very different approach than US colleges.

Their view is accept everyone that meets a minimum threshold (which isn't impossible), but then its on the kids to either do well or drop out.

They don't believe a miniscule acceptance rate is a good thing, and just create more spots if more kids meet the threshold.

They also don't believe they need to provide housing or food for their students, though those are available. That said, a large percentage are commuter students.

[Anonymous]

Canadian colleges have a very different approach than US colleges.

Their view is accept everyone that meets a minimum threshold (which isn't impossible), but then its on the kids to either do well or drop out.

Actually this isn't a "very different approach" at all. It's the same approach that most US land grant flagships take toward their in-state applicants: let many in, but then weed out those that can't make it. Toronto and McGill graduate about 80-85% of matriculating undergraduates, and that's comparable to big US flagships. Yet again Canadians show they understand US institutions less well than their (frequently smug) comments about Canada's "different approach" suggest.

[Anonymous]

It's easier to get into McGill than Harvard but harder to graduate from

I believe McGill stole that line from U Mass Amherst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Canadian colleges have a very different approach than US colleges.

Their view is accept everyone that meets a minimum threshold (which isn't impossible), but then its on the kids to either do well or drop out.

Actually this isn't a "very different approach" at all. It's the same approach that most US land grant flagships take toward their in-state applicants: let many in, but then weed out those that can't make it. Toronto and McGill graduate about 80-85% of matriculating undergraduates, and that's comparable to big US flagships. Yet again Canadians show they understand US institutions less well than their (frequently smug) comments about Canada's "different approach" suggest.

Except Toronto and McGill are two of the top schools in Canada, and both are ranked in the top 50 internatlonally...while most US land grant flagships aren't ranked anywhere as highly...and even some of these lower-ranked American schools have actually much lower acceptance rates.

No smugness and not even Canadian...just pointing out a very different philosophy of a U Toronto vs. Berkeley or Michigan or UVA which are apt comparisons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Toronto is massive. Like 80,000 students.

Also, it’s common for a very high percentage of commuter students at Canadian schools.

I think the 80,000 figure includes 2 significant suburban campuses.

The main campus in the heart of the city is big, but still manageable. It is fairly compact, but doesn’t seem claustrophobic—there is a large park in the middle of the campus that is not part of the campus.

—American who got a master’s at U of T & enjoyed it very much