<p>No no, I didn’t apply to them. What I said was that I could have applied to those schools also whereas I didn’t.</p>
<p>U of Chicago definitely…</p>
<p>Hmm, it seems that Chicago is leading, and then comes McGill. Some people say McGill is better, but most say Chicago. Maybe the competition should be between Chicago and McGill from now on. Chicago or McGill?</p>
<p>1 has said Mcgill only because of money. 20 have said Chicago.</p>
<p>Answer your question?</p>
<p>From a Canadian/biological sciences perspective, most definitely Chicago. McGill has been sluggish in the past 20 years, it simply rides off its past prestige.</p>
<p>With respect to Toronto, McGill has been much less dynamic.</p>
<p>I have also heard that University of Toronto is like the Harvard of Canada, not McGill.
Go visit Chicago if you can and get a feel for it. Is that possible?
They have a brand spanking new Science center. They also have a separate science library that looked very impressive when I visited.</p>
<p>Which arts/sciences in particular are you interested in? And don’t let those Torontonians fool you, though UofT is great too, McGill is still a research powerhouse in Canada. When it comes to jobs in hi tech and biotechnology, Montreal has nothing to envy Toronto, but as a finance center it’s another story (so if you want to study economics, by all means, go to Chicago, no contest).</p>
<p>If I were you I’d go to McGill over Chicago, only because
a) I like Montreal better than I like Chicago.
b) Montreal is closer to me than Chicago is.
c) I have an interest in French.
d) I have friends at McGill.
e) McGill dorms = awesome (Note: I know nothing about Chicago’s dorms)</p>
<p>I can see why most would pick Chicago. </p>
<p>If finances (I don’t mean tuition) are an issue, the cost of living in Montreal is probably much less than it is in Chicago.</p>
<p>You have to explain what you mean by prestige. On CC, I agree with the majority opinion: UChicago, McGill, UMD/Rutgers and then Pitt. In terms of worldwide prestige, McGill would be way out in front. In terms of the general public, then eithers Rutgers would be in front because it was heavily associated with the ivies in the middle 1900’s or Pitt because they have the best sports teams. Among the academic community, then UChicago and McGill would be close to being tied. The problem with using prestige as a guide is that you have to define what group of people you are trying to impress. Lets face it, nobody really knows that UChicago is more than a city college or that UPenn is not a public university. Some schools have it both such as Duke where you can impress the academic community and sports fans at the same time.</p>
<p>If you are looking for the biological sciences I’d rethink the list a bit…</p>
<p>Chicago is amazing from everything I’ve heard…if money is of no issue, and you are sure you’re ready for the work-load…by all means go there…</p>
<p>I believe for biological sciences, Pitt and Rutgers are about equal…Pitt has an amazing medical school and I’m not quite sure why it gets such a horrible rap prestige-wise.</p>
<p>Maryland is an ok school, but I truely believe the others are much better.</p>
<p>Another thing you must think about is where you want to live for the next 4 years or so of your life. Quality of life in my opinion can outweigh ‘prestige’ anyday!</p>
<p>I was making the point that “prestige” is basically just about who you are talking to. In USNWR which measures the prestige of acceptance: UChicago:15, UMD:55, Pitt:58, and Rutgers:60. I don’t think anyone would split hairs between #55, #58 and #60. </p>
<p>McGill is of course not rated by USNWR, but worldwide a nation can only have so many well known (prestigious) colleges. The US has Harvard, Yale, and MIT and maybe one or two more. English has Oxford and Cambridge. Japan has University of Tokyo. Canada has McGill and Toronto.</p>
<p>Well, im gonna step up and say McGill, and not because of the money. It’s a much nicer college experience for undergrads overall. Montreal is a beautiful city, and i can’t say that much for chicago</p>
<p>also, i heard the social life at McGill kicks ass, while i haven’t heard too many good things about chicago</p>
<p>I will cast my vote for the U. of C. I will be attending there next year as a freshman.</p>
<p>I have lived in Hyde Park and on the campus for the majority of my life, and I cannot think of a better school or a place where I would more enjoy to spend the next four years. I have taken classes here and know many students, both grad and undergrad, and the intellectual environment is quite stimulating.</p>
<p>As for the social scene here, there are frats, yet there are also the eggheads who spend the majority of their time in the library. But, overall, UChicago students tend to be studying types. I have even heard frat boys discussing their latest struggles in analysis class. </p>
<p>Of course, it is necessary to visit all of the schools in which you have expressed interest. The visits will be what will make it or break it for each school. All schools have their distinct personalities, so it is best to see where you fit in instead of solely looking for a name and prestige.</p>
<p>That said, my pick is Chicago. But, as a future Chicago undergrad, I must admit that my opinion is a bit biased. :)</p>
<p>dufus3709 You mentioned not splitting hairs between those close rankings but if you are measuring prestige aloneyou should look at the Peer assessment score. </p>
<p>Uchicago-4.6(it is ranked low at 18 with this score, that is why people say it is underrated. Michigan i feel is the same way with a ranking of 25 but a score of a 4.6 which is really a high score compared with the schools ranked around it. The rankings take a lot more into concideration)</p>
<p>UMD- 3.7
Pitt-3.4
Rutgers-3.3</p>
<h2>Other schools with a 3.3 are Missouri-Columbia, University of Kansas, and boston University. At 3.7 there is UofM twin cities. There are no other ones but a 3.8 there is penn state and NYU and at 3.6 there is Rensselaer polytech inst. and UC santa barbara.</h2>
<p>edit
i see there are others at 3.7 like IU but here is a list based on peer assessment on this site
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=152068[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=152068</a></p>
<p>how did you manage to hear about funding already? These places haven’t even sent out acceptances yet? And are you or are you not in the honors program at MD?</p>
<p>that is what I am thinking. I am seriosly waiting on Maryland’s package. Scholar students I hear sometimes get free room and board and I will get some grant money because my efc is below 1500. I should get like 3000 in grant money and if i do get free room and board that ups it to about 10,000 of the 20,000 paid for. I’ll work so that is some more. I’ll take out loans for the rest. I don’t understand how you would know you had full funding?</p>
<p>Well, I know that I have a free ride at UMD because my mother works there. (I may or may not attend… I got scholars.) Perhaps the person you are asking about is in a similar situation.</p>
<p>eh, efc???</p>
<p>Your mother can’t work in 4 or 5 different places, however</p>
<p>Yes, she works at UMD. So I just have free tuition there.</p>