Anonymous
01/06/2025 15:02
Subject: Re:I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
The future of Canada is quite uncertain and horrifying. The country is at near collapse.
Anonymous
01/06/2025 14:57
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’ve been comparing the admissions statistics of top Canadian universities with those of similarly prestigious U.S. public institutions, and the differences are striking. When we look at applicant volume, acceptance rates, admitted numbers, first-year enrollments, and total student populations, it becomes even more apparent.
Top Canadian Universities
University of Toronto (U of T)
Applicants: ~60,000–70,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~40–43%
Admitted: ~25,000–30,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~14,000
Total Student Population: ~90,000+ (across all campuses)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Applicants: ~40,000–45,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~50%
Admitted: ~20,000–22,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~8,000–9,000
Total Student Population: ~65,000+
McGill University
Applicants: ~35,000–40,000
Acceptance Rate: ~40–46%
Admitted: ~14,000–18,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,000
Total Student Population: ~40,000
Top U.S. Public Universities
UCLA
Applicants: ~149,700
Acceptance Rate: ~9–10%
Admitted: ~10,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,400
Total Student Population: ~46,000 (undergrad + grad)
UC Berkeley
Applicants: ~128,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~14–15%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,700
Total Student Population: ~45,000
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Applicants: ~83,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~18–20%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~7,200
Total Student Population: ~51,000
University of Virginia (UVA)
Applicants: ~56,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19–21%
Admitted: ~9,950
Enrolled Freshmen: ~3,900
Total Student Population: ~25,000
UNC Chapel Hill
Applicants: ~57,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19%
Admitted: ~10,300+
Enrolled Freshmen: ~4,200
Total Student Population: ~30,000
Looking at these figures side by side, Canadian universities are admitting a significantly larger proportion of their applicants, often 2–4 times the acceptance rate of the U.S. schools listed. Despite these higher acceptance rates, Canadian institutions like U of T, UBC, and McGill still maintain strong academic reputations, appear prominently in global rankings, and consistently produce high-quality research.
It raises the question: Is something off in the way the U.S. system is structured? Are ultra-low acceptance rates in the U.S. more about prestige and scarcity than educational quality or capacity? Meanwhile, Canada seems to strike a balance—large, top-ranked schools admitting a greater share of qualified applicants and still delivering excellence.
What are your thoughts? Is the U.S. higher education model broken or overly exclusive? Could U.S. public universities adopt strategies from Canada—such as more robust infrastructure and funding—to support larger incoming classes without compromising on standards? It’s a puzzling contrast, and I’m curious to hear what others think about it.
There are far fewer Canadian universities, and they are not so stratified. There are perhaps three that are regarded as better than the others, but they are not necessarily considered hugely better. This is similar of the UK, where Oxford has a much higher acceptance rate (~16%) than most of our top universities in the U.S.
In the UK it is not possible for any old moron to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. There are minimum expectations in terms of A level outcomes (and GCSE track record). Also the percentage accepted are out of those interviewed for the most part, not out of the total who applied. It varies wildly by course.
I wish the US would apply these standards, but DEI advocates would start screeching. We need to bring back standards to American higher education.
Anonymous
01/06/2025 14:45
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’ve been comparing the admissions statistics of top Canadian universities with those of similarly prestigious U.S. public institutions, and the differences are striking. When we look at applicant volume, acceptance rates, admitted numbers, first-year enrollments, and total student populations, it becomes even more apparent.
Top Canadian Universities
University of Toronto (U of T)
Applicants: ~60,000–70,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~40–43%
Admitted: ~25,000–30,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~14,000
Total Student Population: ~90,000+ (across all campuses)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Applicants: ~40,000–45,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~50%
Admitted: ~20,000–22,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~8,000–9,000
Total Student Population: ~65,000+
McGill University
Applicants: ~35,000–40,000
Acceptance Rate: ~40–46%
Admitted: ~14,000–18,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,000
Total Student Population: ~40,000
Top U.S. Public Universities
UCLA
Applicants: ~149,700
Acceptance Rate: ~9–10%
Admitted: ~10,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,400
Total Student Population: ~46,000 (undergrad + grad)
UC Berkeley
Applicants: ~128,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~14–15%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,700
Total Student Population: ~45,000
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Applicants: ~83,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~18–20%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~7,200
Total Student Population: ~51,000
University of Virginia (UVA)
Applicants: ~56,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19–21%
Admitted: ~9,950
Enrolled Freshmen: ~3,900
Total Student Population: ~25,000
UNC Chapel Hill
Applicants: ~57,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19%
Admitted: ~10,300+
Enrolled Freshmen: ~4,200
Total Student Population: ~30,000
Looking at these figures side by side, Canadian universities are admitting a significantly larger proportion of their applicants, often 2–4 times the acceptance rate of the U.S. schools listed. Despite these higher acceptance rates, Canadian institutions like U of T, UBC, and McGill still maintain strong academic reputations, appear prominently in global rankings, and consistently produce high-quality research.
It raises the question: Is something off in the way the U.S. system is structured? Are ultra-low acceptance rates in the U.S. more about prestige and scarcity than educational quality or capacity? Meanwhile, Canada seems to strike a balance—large, top-ranked schools admitting a greater share of qualified applicants and still delivering excellence.
What are your thoughts? Is the U.S. higher education model broken or overly exclusive? Could U.S. public universities adopt strategies from Canada—such as more robust infrastructure and funding—to support larger incoming classes without compromising on standards? It’s a puzzling contrast, and I’m curious to hear what others think about it.
There are far fewer Canadian universities, and they are not so stratified. There are perhaps three that are regarded as better than the others, but they are not necessarily considered hugely better. This is similar of the UK, where Oxford has a much higher acceptance rate (~16%) than most of our top universities in the U.S.
In the UK it is not possible for any old moron to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. There are minimum expectations in terms of A level outcomes (and GCSE track record). Also the percentage accepted are out of those interviewed for the most part, not out of the total who applied. It varies wildly by course.
Anonymous
01/06/2025 14:44
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’ve been comparing the admissions statistics of top Canadian universities with those of similarly prestigious U.S. public institutions, and the differences are striking. When we look at applicant volume, acceptance rates, admitted numbers, first-year enrollments, and total student populations, it becomes even more apparent.
Top Canadian Universities
University of Toronto (U of T)
Applicants: ~60,000–70,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~40–43%
Admitted: ~25,000–30,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~14,000
Total Student Population: ~90,000+ (across all campuses)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Applicants: ~40,000–45,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~50%
Admitted: ~20,000–22,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~8,000–9,000
Total Student Population: ~65,000+
McGill University
Applicants: ~35,000–40,000
Acceptance Rate: ~40–46%
Admitted: ~14,000–18,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,000
Total Student Population: ~40,000
Top U.S. Public Universities
UCLA
Applicants: ~149,700
Acceptance Rate: ~9–10%
Admitted: ~10,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,400
Total Student Population: ~46,000 (undergrad + grad)
UC Berkeley
Applicants: ~128,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~14–15%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,700
Total Student Population: ~45,000
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Applicants: ~83,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~18–20%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~7,200
Total Student Population: ~51,000
University of Virginia (UVA)
Applicants: ~56,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19–21%
Admitted: ~9,950
Enrolled Freshmen: ~3,900
Total Student Population: ~25,000
UNC Chapel Hill
Applicants: ~57,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19%
Admitted: ~10,300+
Enrolled Freshmen: ~4,200
Total Student Population: ~30,000
Looking at these figures side by side, Canadian universities are admitting a significantly larger proportion of their applicants, often 2–4 times the acceptance rate of the U.S. schools listed. Despite these higher acceptance rates, Canadian institutions like U of T, UBC, and McGill still maintain strong academic reputations, appear prominently in global rankings, and consistently produce high-quality research.
It raises the question: Is something off in the way the U.S. system is structured? Are ultra-low acceptance rates in the U.S. more about prestige and scarcity than educational quality or capacity? Meanwhile, Canada seems to strike a balance—large, top-ranked schools admitting a greater share of qualified applicants and still delivering excellence.
What are your thoughts? Is the U.S. higher education model broken or overly exclusive? Could U.S. public universities adopt strategies from Canada—such as more robust infrastructure and funding—to support larger incoming classes without compromising on standards? It’s a puzzling contrast, and I’m curious to hear what others think about it.
There is a filter in Canada before you can even apply.
In the US, all you need is the application fee and a dream. Crazy americans have convinced themselves that because grades and test scores are not the ONLY things that matter, they can apply to UVA with crappy grades and test scores because they believe they are an interesting person.
Yay no. Not the case. So easy to get into Canadian schools. You keep on about that "filter". Go home.
You can call it whatever you like, but if you apply to McGill with a certain (pretty high) average, you WILL be rejected
Anonymous
01/06/2025 14:27
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’ve been comparing the admissions statistics of top Canadian universities with those of similarly prestigious U.S. public institutions, and the differences are striking. When we look at applicant volume, acceptance rates, admitted numbers, first-year enrollments, and total student populations, it becomes even more apparent.
Top Canadian Universities
University of Toronto (U of T)
Applicants: ~60,000–70,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~40–43%
Admitted: ~25,000–30,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~14,000
Total Student Population: ~90,000+ (across all campuses)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Applicants: ~40,000–45,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~50%
Admitted: ~20,000–22,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~8,000–9,000
Total Student Population: ~65,000+
McGill University
Applicants: ~35,000–40,000
Acceptance Rate: ~40–46%
Admitted: ~14,000–18,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,000
Total Student Population: ~40,000
Top U.S. Public Universities
UCLA
Applicants: ~149,700
Acceptance Rate: ~9–10%
Admitted: ~10,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,400
Total Student Population: ~46,000 (undergrad + grad)
UC Berkeley
Applicants: ~128,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~14–15%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,700
Total Student Population: ~45,000
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Applicants: ~83,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~18–20%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~7,200
Total Student Population: ~51,000
University of Virginia (UVA)
Applicants: ~56,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19–21%
Admitted: ~9,950
Enrolled Freshmen: ~3,900
Total Student Population: ~25,000
UNC Chapel Hill
Applicants: ~57,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19%
Admitted: ~10,300+
Enrolled Freshmen: ~4,200
Total Student Population: ~30,000
Looking at these figures side by side, Canadian universities are admitting a significantly larger proportion of their applicants, often 2–4 times the acceptance rate of the U.S. schools listed. Despite these higher acceptance rates, Canadian institutions like U of T, UBC, and McGill still maintain strong academic reputations, appear prominently in global rankings, and consistently produce high-quality research.
It raises the question: Is something off in the way the U.S. system is structured? Are ultra-low acceptance rates in the U.S. more about prestige and scarcity than educational quality or capacity? Meanwhile, Canada seems to strike a balance—large, top-ranked schools admitting a greater share of qualified applicants and still delivering excellence.
What are your thoughts? Is the U.S. higher education model broken or overly exclusive? Could U.S. public universities adopt strategies from Canada—such as more robust infrastructure and funding—to support larger incoming classes without compromising on standards? It’s a puzzling contrast, and I’m curious to hear what others think about it.
There is a filter in Canada before you can even apply.
In the US, all you need is the application fee and a dream. Crazy americans have convinced themselves that because grades and test scores are not the ONLY things that matter, they can apply to UVA with crappy grades and test scores because they believe they are an interesting person.
Yay no. Not the case. So easy to get into Canadian schools. You keep on about that "filter". Go home.
Anonymous
01/06/2025 14:02
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:I’ve been comparing the admissions statistics of top Canadian universities with those of similarly prestigious U.S. public institutions, and the differences are striking. When we look at applicant volume, acceptance rates, admitted numbers, first-year enrollments, and total student populations, it becomes even more apparent.
Top Canadian Universities
University of Toronto (U of T)
Applicants: ~60,000–70,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~40–43%
Admitted: ~25,000–30,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~14,000
Total Student Population: ~90,000+ (across all campuses)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Applicants: ~40,000–45,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~50%
Admitted: ~20,000–22,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~8,000–9,000
Total Student Population: ~65,000+
McGill University
Applicants: ~35,000–40,000
Acceptance Rate: ~40–46%
Admitted: ~14,000–18,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,000
Total Student Population: ~40,000
Top U.S. Public Universities
UCLA
Applicants: ~149,700
Acceptance Rate: ~9–10%
Admitted: ~10,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,400
Total Student Population: ~46,000 (undergrad + grad)
UC Berkeley
Applicants: ~128,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~14–15%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,700
Total Student Population: ~45,000
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Applicants: ~83,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~18–20%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~7,200
Total Student Population: ~51,000
University of Virginia (UVA)
Applicants: ~56,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19–21%
Admitted: ~9,950
Enrolled Freshmen: ~3,900
Total Student Population: ~25,000
UNC Chapel Hill
Applicants: ~57,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19%
Admitted: ~10,300+
Enrolled Freshmen: ~4,200
Total Student Population: ~30,000
Looking at these figures side by side, Canadian universities are admitting a significantly larger proportion of their applicants, often 2–4 times the acceptance rate of the U.S. schools listed. Despite these higher acceptance rates, Canadian institutions like U of T, UBC, and McGill still maintain strong academic reputations, appear prominently in global rankings, and consistently produce high-quality research.
It raises the question: Is something off in the way the U.S. system is structured? Are ultra-low acceptance rates in the U.S. more about prestige and scarcity than educational quality or capacity? Meanwhile, Canada seems to strike a balance—large, top-ranked schools admitting a greater share of qualified applicants and still delivering excellence.
What are your thoughts? Is the U.S. higher education model broken or overly exclusive? Could U.S. public universities adopt strategies from Canada—such as more robust infrastructure and funding—to support larger incoming classes without compromising on standards? It’s a puzzling contrast, and I’m curious to hear what others think about it.
There are far fewer Canadian universities, and they are not so stratified. There are perhaps three that are regarded as better than the others, but they are not necessarily considered hugely better. This is similar of the UK, where Oxford has a much higher acceptance rate (~16%) than most of our top universities in the U.S.
Anonymous
01/06/2025 12:20
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Fewer applicants to begin with, to the CA universities as well, if you look at your own figures.
Anonymous
01/06/2025 11:31
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:Canadian universities are larger relative to the population than US universities. Canadian schools have (sensibly) expanded while US colleges don't, probably in part to keep selectivity high.
It's similar in the UK. Say, Cambridge is twice the size of Harvard, in a country with maybe one-sixth the population.
This is key. Canadian colleges don't look at a low acceptance rate as anything other than a failure to create a top system holistically. If for some reason, 90% of Alberta is applying to University of Toronto, they evaluate two things: (i) making UT larger, and (ii) figuring out why University of Calgary is failing to attract enough of its residents.
Anonymous
01/06/2025 09:39
Subject: Re:I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:McGill grad here from many years ago. Several of my dorm friends "graduated" in December of their Freshman year. There was a chemical engineering course that was notorious for being the reason why students failed out - it was called Intro to Chemical Engineering, or ICE for short. During one of my junior year exams, the professor announced before the exam started that he was planning to curve the exam by 20%, and would likely curve it by 40%, he did, and the average was still a C+. On the final exam in a sophomore CS class, 5 people out of 80 passed the exam (55%+). I got a 45%, which was curved up to 85%. McGill could be no joke at times.
I have a kid interested in McGill - social sciences. How do we learn about the drop out/kick out rates? I think they'd "survive" but I am not sure I want them in an environment like that
Anonymous
12/24/2024 11:09
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Canadian universities are larger relative to the population than US universities. Canadian schools have (sensibly) expanded while US colleges don't, probably in part to keep selectivity high.
It's similar in the UK. Say, Cambridge is twice the size of Harvard, in a country with maybe one-sixth the population.
It's similar in the UK. Say, Cambridge is twice the size of Harvard, in a country with maybe one-sixth the population.
Anonymous
12/24/2024 01:01
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:I’ve been comparing the admissions statistics of top Canadian universities with those of similarly prestigious U.S. public institutions, and the differences are striking. When we look at applicant volume, acceptance rates, admitted numbers, first-year enrollments, and total student populations, it becomes even more apparent.
Top Canadian Universities
University of Toronto (U of T)
Applicants: ~60,000–70,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~40–43%
Admitted: ~25,000–30,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~14,000
Total Student Population: ~90,000+ (across all campuses)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Applicants: ~40,000–45,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~50%
Admitted: ~20,000–22,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~8,000–9,000
Total Student Population: ~65,000+
McGill University
Applicants: ~35,000–40,000
Acceptance Rate: ~40–46%
Admitted: ~14,000–18,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,000
Total Student Population: ~40,000
Top U.S. Public Universities
UCLA
Applicants: ~149,700
Acceptance Rate: ~9–10%
Admitted: ~10,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,400
Total Student Population: ~46,000 (undergrad + grad)
UC Berkeley
Applicants: ~128,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~14–15%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~6,700
Total Student Population: ~45,000
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Applicants: ~83,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~18–20%
Admitted: ~15,000
Enrolled Freshmen: ~7,200
Total Student Population: ~51,000
University of Virginia (UVA)
Applicants: ~56,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19–21%
Admitted: ~9,950
Enrolled Freshmen: ~3,900
Total Student Population: ~25,000
UNC Chapel Hill
Applicants: ~57,000+
Acceptance Rate: ~19%
Admitted: ~10,300+
Enrolled Freshmen: ~4,200
Total Student Population: ~30,000
Looking at these figures side by side, Canadian universities are admitting a significantly larger proportion of their applicants, often 2–4 times the acceptance rate of the U.S. schools listed. Despite these higher acceptance rates, Canadian institutions like U of T, UBC, and McGill still maintain strong academic reputations, appear prominently in global rankings, and consistently produce high-quality research.
It raises the question: Is something off in the way the U.S. system is structured? Are ultra-low acceptance rates in the U.S. more about prestige and scarcity than educational quality or capacity? Meanwhile, Canada seems to strike a balance—large, top-ranked schools admitting a greater share of qualified applicants and still delivering excellence.
What are your thoughts? Is the U.S. higher education model broken or overly exclusive? Could U.S. public universities adopt strategies from Canada—such as more robust infrastructure and funding—to support larger incoming classes without compromising on standards? It’s a puzzling contrast, and I’m curious to hear what others think about it.
There is a filter in Canada before you can even apply.
In the US, all you need is the application fee and a dream. Crazy americans have convinced themselves that because grades and test scores are not the ONLY things that matter, they can apply to UVA with crappy grades and test scores because they believe they are an interesting person.
Anonymous
12/21/2024 09:28
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
To be honest, as a graduate of one top Canadian school, I learned more about how hard the profs could be than I learned about the actual content.
When I took Real Analysis I’m not sure that I learned very much. There’s a point where the profs were so far above our abilities that much was lost on us. A few kids (3/50) got As.
My dc is at an ivy engineering program. There was a gradual ramp up in academics over the four years. I think that they are learning much more than I did.
When I took Real Analysis I’m not sure that I learned very much. There’s a point where the profs were so far above our abilities that much was lost on us. A few kids (3/50) got As.
My dc is at an ivy engineering program. There was a gradual ramp up in academics over the four years. I think that they are learning much more than I did.
Anonymous
12/20/2024 19:20
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
No sports per se
Anonymous
12/20/2024 18:45
Subject: Re:I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
McGill grad here from many years ago. Several of my dorm friends "graduated" in December of their Freshman year. There was a chemical engineering course that was notorious for being the reason why students failed out - it was called Intro to Chemical Engineering, or ICE for short. During one of my junior year exams, the professor announced before the exam started that he was planning to curve the exam by 20%, and would likely curve it by 40%, he did, and the average was still a C+. On the final exam in a sophomore CS class, 5 people out of 80 passed the exam (55%+). I got a 45%, which was curved up to 85%. McGill could be no joke at times.
Anonymous
12/20/2024 18:11
Subject: I don’t understand why top Canadian universities have such high acceptance rates compared to the U.S.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Canadian universities have application requirements to begin with that are based on test scores and grades, so that limits the number of applicants.
Once you do apply, the process is mostly based just on scores and grades as well.
So...same as US
No, not the same as the USA. In the USA, colleges generally do not ban students with certain numbers from applying.