<p>These are rather different schools, esp. as far as student body composition, although there is some overlap of US people who apply to BC who also apply to McGill as a safety. </p>
<p>Although BC has become hard to get into, it is not known as the most serious-minded academic school around. I think it would be easier to get an A average at BC than at McGill. BC is popular among applicants because of its Div 1 sports programs (now going into the ACC), proximity to popular college city, Boston, and because it’s the second best-known name of national catholic universities (after Notre Dame). What’s their Med school placement record? Check out the studentsreview.com for some insight.</p>
<p><a href=“Boston College (StudentsReview) - College Reviews Student Opinion and Undergraduate College Ranking and Comments”>Boston College (StudentsReview) - College Reviews Student Opinion and Undergraduate College Ranking and Comments;
<p>McGill is a large, government-supported university. Government funding means: big and impersonal, make sure you can figure out what you need to do on your own, disappearing in a crowd if you want, and probably fighting to get extra help. Not much advising and no hand-holding like is expected from US private schools. I suspect some of the smaller departments can be better. The administration seems a little disorganized and under-staffed; it seems they are barely able to keep up with the size of the job. Realize also that Canadian schools only have enough housing for first year students. You need to file immigration papers. You’ll probaly want a new cell phone service there. There is a question whether Quebec itself is much in favor of funding an English-only university. Montreal no doubt is safe and clean, a great city experience, a great place to visit, and behind the times as far as smoking restrictions. 
See:</p>
<p><a href=“McGill University (StudentsReview) - College Reviews Student Opinion and Undergraduate College Ranking and Comments”>McGill University (StudentsReview) - College Reviews Student Opinion and Undergraduate College Ranking and Comments;