Do not go to McGill if..

Colleges & Universities McGill University
41

<p>"Ivey and Queen’s are the only decent business schools in Canada, that’s a pretty accurate statement. "</p>

<p>BS. </p>

<p>Schulich (York), Rotman and John Molson at Concordia, HEC at UdeM. Ivey and Queens are great schools as well, but it comes down to what you want to specialize in. For investment banking, since you’ll likely be majoring in Finance, I’d say Rotman or Schulich are the better choices because they’re Finance programs are better than Ivey or Queens. On top of the better program, you’d be going to a school in Toronto where the financial center of the country is, where do you think the easiest access to the recruiters would be, London (Ontario), Kingston or Toronto where UofT is literally a couple minutes walk from Bay Street? Please. Another bonus about studying in Toronto is that a lot of small financial firms recruit from there only.</p>

<p>“It’s all relative. A lot of Canadians are fine with going to McGill, studying econ, and working as bank tellers afterward. I’m not because I was raised in the U.S. where we’re taught to make as much money as possible.”</p>

<p>LOL, sure be more smug. Your info is still wrong. Canada by the way is actually a more socially mobile society than the United States.</p>

<p>“Then of course you have all the bros, alcoholics, junkies, jerks, and the occasional “how the **** did they graduate from here, let alone get in?” students”</p>

<p>Oh please, this is what makes you mad? Are you kidding me? I hate to see what your reaction would be after you see a bunch of financial big shots pass around an 8-ball at their infamous parties.</p>

<p>“I’ve heard everything in between 2. I’ve heard of kids coming here just so they can get laid, or because you can drink at age 18,”</p>

<p>Not my fault you hang out with ******bags. For every story of an entitled upper middle class American frat boy you got, I got a story of people coming from the lowest rungs of Canadian society and worked their asses off to get here. Venture out of the ghetto/residence every once in a while. Those kids aren’t the types of kids that can afford (read: lack rich parents) to live in a $700 single. They live in St. Henri, Verdun, NDG, Cote-des-Neiges, Hochelega-Maisonneuve and commute. Maybe they won’t make as much money as you when they graduate, maybe they can’t afford the $400 fee that Wall Street Prep charges for a modeling course and they might even get lower grades than your entitled ass because they have to work part time to make ends meet, but don’t mistake that for lack of work ethic.</p>

42

<p>“Oh please, this is what makes you mad? Are you kidding me? I hate to see what your reaction would be after you see a bunch of financial big shots pass around an 8-ball at their infamous parties.”</p>

<p>I’m mad? Since when? I get a good laugh from those types of people. </p>

<p>“Not my fault you hang out with ******bags. For every story of an entitled upper middle class American frat boy you got, I got a story of people coming from the lowest rungs of Canadian society and worked their asses off to get here. Venture out of the ghetto/residence every once in a while. Those kids aren’t the types of kids that can afford (read: lack rich parents) to live in a $700 single. They live in St. Henri, Verdun, NDG, Cote-des-Neiges, Hochelega-Maisonneuve and commute. Maybe they won’t make as much money as you when they graduate, maybe they can’t afford the $400 fee that Wall Street Prep charges for a modeling course and they might even get lower grades than your entitled ass because they have to work part time to make ends meet, but don’t mistake that for lack of work ethic.”</p>

<p>Wait! huh? The reason why I’ve heard of kids that came to McGill for that is because I meet them and realize that I either A) think they are dumb, or B) are just not the type of person I want to hang out with. </p>

<p>I’m in a frat? I have frat boy stories? I don’t leave the McGill ghetto ever?
hhmmmmm…</p>

<p>Oh, and btw, I love McGill. Wouldn’t trade here for anywhere else really. All my profs this year have been amazing, I’ve learned a ton in my classes, gotten to love the city, met tons of awesome people, great memories…etc.</p>

<p>The fact that I think a fair amount of students here really arent always the brightest kids, or the best of character, doesn’t mean I don’t love being here. Honestly I hope everyone on these boards comes to McGill. If you can deal with the bureaucracy then I’de say nobody should have regrets about coming here for school. It’s awesome.</p>

<p>P.S. I like you when you get angry at me;) And I also really love McGill</p>

43

<p>“The fact that I think a fair amount of students here really arent always the brightest kids, or the best of character, doesn’t mean I don’t love being here.”</p>

<p>Hi, there. My name’s Robert, I’d like to introduce you to the real world where some d-bags can get ahead.</p>

<p>It’s not exactly notable.</p>

<p>Also, the Plateau doesn’t count as “exploring the city”.</p>

44

<p>^I live in Little Burgundy with my parents. Nice try though.</p>

<p>There are no “hard” neighborhoods in Montreal. I live in arguably the toughest neighborhood in all of Montreal (some may argue Montreal North) and it’s a walk in the park. Never had problems. That’s why Quebecers are lazier; they have such a massive social safety net. Y’all aint hungry. The projects here are like 5 star hotels. </p>

<p>All the people I know who made it here did it by either selling drugs or starting nightclubs or bars (often both). Because of the way the tax code is set up, it’s almost impossible to make it as a salaried professional. That’s socialism for you.</p>

45

<p>Whoever said schulich and rotman are better than Ivey for investment banking is living in the clouds.</p>

46

<p>Ivey seems like a great school…but how come most people outside Canada have never heard of it?!..Is enrolement very limited or is it new?</p>

47

<p>@Inquilaab253
Honestly, most people in the United States haven’t heard of Canadian schools, and they have far more contact with graduates from Canadian schools than in any other country (with the obvious exception of Canada itself).
Americans say “Oh University of Toronto [or, for that matter, UBC], that’s in Canada, right?” not because they’ve heard of UBC or U of T, but because they know British Columbia or Toronto is in Canada. Most of the people who’ve heard of McGill either work in education or in medicine.
So, it’s unsurprising few outside of Canada have heard of Ivey.</p>

48

<p>McGill served me well in my career (as an alumnus). Everyone in the Boston area near Harvard and MIT all respect the McGill name (at least in the biomedical areas). The McGill name got me interviews and offers in the US although I had trouble finding a job in Montreal itself. Everyone in the Boston high-intellect area recognizes the Mcgill name.</p>

<p>My only complaint about McGill is that because it is not private (no schools are in Canada), the infrastructure is not as well maintained as BU, Harvard, MIT etc… We had bad ventilation in some of the labs, the cafeterias were mediocre, the AC was poor. </p>

<p>All-in-all, to me, McGill is a wonderful school, but I believe biomedical sciences, classical music, architecture and law are its strengths. Choose the department with the best teachers (after talking to other students). </p>

<p>It’s what you make of your education that counts most. I know several unemployed and unhappy Harvard and MIT grads, so the school name does not guarantee success.</p>

49

<p>Hopefully this comes off as pragmatic and not lofty…</p>

<p>You’re a finance major complaining about finding jobs during the greatest recession in XX years, a recession stemming from the collapse of the global financial system. ??? This is similar to a GM puzzled by a decline in SUV sales at $4 a gallon. Doctors and engineers deserve to be paid more because they work much harder. They have job security because there is always a shortage of people willing to work that hard. Management courses are gilded education-level courses. Jumping-through-hoops 101. Hopefully you chose your field because of passion, not potential. Surely someone who could undoubtedly educate me on capitalism understands that you have to work your ass off to get to the top. </p>

<p>While McGill often leaves me with a headache, it’s hard for me to complain because it delivers as advertised. No where have I read a claim by McGill to hold my hand when I’m feeling lonely or to give me a piggy back when I’m tired. Oftentimes I wonder why I didn’t go to a state university where I’d have a full scholarship and wouldn’t have a problem attaining a high GPA. Maybe I’d even get into a better graduate school. But the beauty of McGill is the environment. It’s stressful as hell, but it builds character and discipline. McGill graduates don’t succeed solely based on their degree, they succeed because they are driven and hard working. The professors are my favorite thing about McGill. Accomplished, inspiring, outstanding. I can only speak for chemistry/the biological sciences (don’t get me started on the math department… horrible). Maybe your Harvard art history major friends will get a job before you, but don’t expect them to be the next Bill Gates just because they went to Harvard. And if you could have gone to Harvard, I’d suggest you made a bad decision coming to McGill if your measure of success is your wallet. </p>

<p>In my experience, the vast majority of jobs are acquired through networking. They don’t simply hand them out with your diploma. Private colleges might have an advantage because they tend to be in bed with other private companies, but it’s only an advantage if you’re too unmotivated to go out and meet the right people. Will my McGill degree deliver me success? Who knows. It certainly won’t inhibit success. Plus, the number of Noble Laureates associated with McGill in science speaks loudly enough for me. Constructive advice: instead using time lamenting over McGill’s downfalls (and yes, there are many), apply for an internship somewhere. Volunteer if you have to. The ball is in your hands. Ivy league degrees might give you a head start, but that doesn’t mean you’ll win the race. </p>

<p>Bottom line: No free lunches</p>

50

<p>Also, as for those critiquing the student body, I’m actually shocked. To me, the biggest turnoff of private colleges in the states is the surplus of self-entitled, pompous, arrogant students. I’m not saying you won’t find them at McGill, as you’d find them anywhere, but to me the appeal of McGill is its lack of bias. What do you need to get into McGill? Relatively high marks and test scores for international students. Daddy has a nice boat? Don’t give a ****. Probably the only thing keeping me from transferring to a cakewalk university is the people I’ve met here (other than Montreal being an incredible city). Why? They push you. And they are the most down to earth people and diverse people I’ve met anywhere. The friends I’ve made here, other than my family, have had the most profound, positive influence on my life. Call them stupid, boisterous, whatever. I’m grateful to have them.</p>

51

<p>yeah there’s a lot of great kids here too (despite there also being kids not so great IMO). But I think you hit the nail on the head with one of the best points mentioned yet: no free lunches. I find it really funny in the united states, the current measure for “best school” usually comes down to the most student-friendly education. Basically the school that holds your hand when you walk to class, tucks you into bed at night etc. And then when you graduate and get into the real world, you have no independence, nothing, because you never learned how to man-up before. </p>

<p>–That’s one of the best things about McGill, for sure.</p>

52

<p>It’s nothing to do with the prestige of McGill. </p>

<p>The folks at the Caps office are just incompetent. Period.</p>