UMichigan vs McGill vs UofT vs UBC for Economics

ubcucsd
Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:57:00 +0000

I also struggled with the decision of McGill vs. UBC when I applied to transfer to McGill last year and was accepted.
I stayed at UBC based on econ rankings, which was like I said a bad call on my part. I’ve heard really good things about student life at McGill, but not so great things about their internship offices from friends that go there.
Overall, I don’t think that it is going to be a huge deal which one you choose. Most employers look to see how personally motivated and accomplished you are as an individual. As long as you go to a generally decent school, all of that stuff about rankings most of the time doesn’t matter too much (unless say you are ranking Harvard vs. a community college). I highly doubt an employer, based with two students, one a UBC grad and one a McGill grad, would choose the UBC student off the bat.
You should visit the campuses, and choose which one you feel best at and which one you think you will have the best time at. After all, college is supposed to be the best four years of your life, right? Why waste your time choosing “rankings” over personal happiness.

As for your choices in political science at UBC, I can say that UBC poli sci, coming from an econ student, is quite easy here. I took one class in poli sci thinking about it as a minor and it had to be the driest course I have ever taken. I went to about half the classes because it was so boring, and I got an A. Obviously, thats an opinion of mine, others might feel differently, but thats the general impression that I got.

As for your “gpa killer” comment, I also have to warn you that UBC econ is a really difficult program. A lot of students that come in first year that want to major in econ end up in poli sci because they cannot pass the requirements. I think nearly 40% of students in my calculus class in first year failed. Its tough, but college is tough anywhere.

My advice overall I guess is to visit the schools, see how you feel at them, and consider the rankings as a small factor because you option of schools is already great. Choose where you will feel happiest.