Can't decide.

aricaan · 09-13-2009, 03:17 AM

I'm planning on applying to both for Sep. '10. I'm an international student. However, I can't decide which one to go to if I get accepted into both. I really like isolated and large campuses, and as far as I know, UBC is more rich in that area, and I also know a lot of people that go there that say they love it and that it's really friendly. I also know some people that go to McGill that say it's more on-your-own and free. I'm a non-drinker and am planning on being so, and I've heard that McGill parties a lot (I have no idea how UBC is in this aspect) and that's put me off McGill a lot. The thing is, some people have told me (and I've read) that I'd be putting off a chance by not choosing McGill because it's more prestigous and has more job offer chances, but is the difference really that big? I feel like I'd be slightly unhappier there, but I don't want to make a wrong choice either. Any help?

Oh, and I also have no clue as to what faculty, let alone major, I'm applying for.

noimagination · 09-13-2009, 12:37 PM

UBC Science is superb. They are very reputable on the West coast, a bit less so elsewhere. McGill has a number of excellent programs, but their engineering school is weak (if that's your thing) and it can be a big party school.

Blobof · 09-14-2009, 03:39 PM

You don't have to drink or party if you don't want to, and frosh is a big waste of time and money... Besides, it's only (some of) the Americans who consider McGill a party school and come to take advantage of the drinking age. It's more Montreal that's a "party city". The locals' crazy partying and binging days are usually behind them by the time they get to university (though they don't have a freshman year).

starbright · 09-19-2009, 11:13 PM

I think both schools, and like most large schools, tons of parties and drinking, but both big enough to find lots to do and lots of people to hang with that have nothing to do with partying or drinking. I also think both are equally 'on your own and free'. I don't think you could visit each campus and come away with a sense that one is more 'partying focused' than the other.

FreedayFF · 09-20-2009, 05:04 PM

I do think that McGill's engineering is more challenging than UBC's counterpart. Coming from EE in McGill, some courses are ridiculously difficult, e.g. PHYS 251 where they use the same textbook as MIT..

starbright · 09-22-2009, 10:41 AM

There is little difference in rigor of these schools, especially engineering. Mostly you will get rumors and stories, and no one who has been to both schools to make a real comparison.

I use the same textbooks at the Ivy I taught, the state I taught, and now the Canadian school at which I taught. That is extremely typical and normal. Faculty go to the same conferences with colleagues and coauthors at these various schools, use the same methods, notes, cover the same ground. Most of these content differences are imaginary.

Adeebah · 10-11-2009, 06:34 PM

UBC is a much larger and more isolated campus, with less partying. McGill parties a lot, but if you're not into that, you can make a lot of friends that have the same ideals as you.

McGill is more prestigious so if you really care a lot about rankings, reputation etc then go to McGill, but it seems like UBC is a better fit for you.

jersey101 · 11-01-2009, 06:11 PM

Honestly i would strongly suggest you to not come to McGill university. I am currently attending Mcgill and can safely say that social life does revolve around drinking. I drink sometimes, but i'd rather not if it weren't for the socializing aspect. Basically every thursday, friday, saturday or sunday people in my residence just want to get drunk. And if you're not part of it, then there's basically no other opportunity to hangout with them.

I was initially sucked in by the prestige also thinking that even if i didn't make any friends i would concentrate on my study. But i was wrong. so wrong. This will affect your studies. it surly has affected mine and so I'm planning to Transfer to UBC actually. next year. not a conventional thing to do for a Mcgill student but yeah this place isn't one for people who don't drink or party.

it's more so that you can't find people who don't drink. because there are so many people who do, you're unlikely to pick one out of the bunch that doesn't. I, so far, has not met a person who doesn't drink. which kind of sucks.

Blobof · 11-02-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Basically every thursday, friday, saturday or sunday people in my residence just want to get drunk. And if you're not part of it, then there's basically no other opportunity to hangout with them.

Bolding mine. Think outside the residences, as only a small fraction of students live on campus provided housing (particularly, a lot of Americans who came to take advantage of the drinking age). Have you talked with classmates? Have you visited your departmental undergrad society? How about whoever organizes the alternate frosh activities (QPIRG? some other group, I can't remember)?

jersey101 · 11-04-2009, 11:42 PM

okay true. a small fraction of students do live on campus since the university practically doesn't provide you housing for any other year other than your first. BUT keep in mind that the people living in the residences will be freshmen. the same as you.
and meeting people from other years who live off campus? most likely they will have their own group of friends. so if you're new, you'll want to form a group of friends from your own year. which will be the freshmen year.

Blobof · 11-05-2009, 08:38 PM

I understand your line of reasoning, but you're sort of making it a self-fulfilling prophecy if you stick with freshmen.There's a lot of students who start in U1 and are looking to make friends just like any other new student (and no, they're not all locals who know each other already). Don't be afraid to talk to students outside your year. It really doesn't hurt to make friends with older students, in fact, it's quite helpful in many ways.

jersey101 · 11-11-2009, 11:15 PM

Yeah....those who START OUT in U1, they're also freshmen. they too will be living in dorms and will be hanging out with the other freshmen.

Blobof · 11-12-2009, 09:04 AM

No, most live off campus. Dorm life is not part of the university culture like it is in the US.

jersey101 · 11-13-2009, 02:10 AM

the people who start out in U1 as in is in U1 right after graduating from high school are freshmen and do live in dorms.
perhaps you're referring to those who enter U1(2nd year) after U0

Blobof · 11-13-2009, 04:49 PM

I'm talking about the various Quebec and out-of-province residents who usually get an appartment off campus right away (though many settle in the McGill ghetto), without ever applying for on-campus housing (which is meant mostly for those who are not Canadian citizens, because it's a real pain to hunt for apartments from abroad...).