<p>The biggest difference here is that BC offers the most complete “classic American” college experience (self-contained campus, big time sports, most students living on campus, lots of on-campus activities) of any university in the Northeast except perhaps Penn State (and maybe UConn?). Many people don’t care about such a thing, and are more than happy at places like the Ivies (smalltime sports) or NYU (small sports, no campus, minority living in university dorms).</p>
<p>I have first-hand experience with Canadian universities, and they are very different from this “classic American” college experience. Again, if such an experience isn’t important to you, then McGill offers an interesting alternative (though very cold weather, and the Canadians aren’t really friendly with Americans…don’t be surprised if almost all your friends end up being other Americans there…trust me on this one).</p>