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I feel that I will be more competitive for admissions at a Canadian university, since there is an emphasis on your grades during your last two or three years of high school (which is good because I bombed 9th). What are some of the most competitive, and do any of them offer a strong liberal arts education?

By Stephable (Stephable) on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 12:39 am: Edit

Some of the more competitive Canadian U's, just off hand, are UBC, U of Toronto, Queen's, McGill, and Waterloo. If you're looking for liberal arts, there are a number of small but prestigious schools in the Maritimes: Acadia, Mt. Allison, St Francis Xavier, and others. I would strongly recommmend getting your hands on a MacLean's guide to Canadian Universities. It will give you the info you need. Are you Canadian? If so, where do you live? At any rate, I hope this helps!

By Shoshie (Shoshie) on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 01:39 am: Edit

I'm applying to McGill...top notch education for state school price. Whoo.

By Coureur (Coureur) on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 07:39 pm: Edit

I've heard McGill referred to as "The Harvard of Canada", but I don't know much more than that about it.

By Zlovesta1 (Zlovesta1) on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 07:35 pm: Edit

Are there any top schools in canada near great ski slopes??????????

By Canadian_Idol (Canadian_Idol) on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 08:12 pm: Edit

UBC's 2/3 hours away from Whistler which is co-hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics with Vancouver. Great ski resort.

By Ivyleaguepleaz (Ivyleaguepleaz) on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 09:31 pm: Edit

Quote from Zlovesta
"Are there any top schools in canada near great ski slopes?????????? "

The UofC in Calgary 3 hrs from best skiing in Canada, and there is also UofAlberta in Edmonton, but you have to live in Edmonton

Also just a few weeks ago FX (Francis Xavier) was named the top school in Canada. I have heard tha McGill is amazing!

By Curiousgeorge23 (Curiousgeorge23) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 04:12 pm: Edit

St. FX was named the top school in Canada but i would question the accuracy of that claim and how that conclusion came about.

as far as skiing goes go to U of C because you have the most options of places to go. UBC and UVIC are also close to Whistler and Mt. Baker though.

By Compewter (Compewter) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Where did you guys hear that St. FX is top school?

I've heard from someone who knew an alumnist, that it was really good (But I'm in Canada). So what are your sources people?

By Michigander (Michigander) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 09:58 pm: Edit

It's in Macleans, a magazine similar to Newsweek and US News, that has an annual issue for universities:
http://www.macleans.ca/universities/article.jsp?content=20031106_131327_3352

By Compewter (Compewter) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 10:02 pm: Edit

Oh Macleans, Yeah I saw the article before. Anyways I was researching the University, and they say they have 4 Rhodes scholars in the last 13 years. Is that good?

By Coureur (Coureur) on Friday, November 21, 2003 - 12:41 am: Edit

That's very good. Stratospheric schools like Harvard and Yale get Rhodes scholars every year, but there are many universities that have never had a single Rhodes scholar in their entire history.

By Stephable (Stephable) on Friday, November 21, 2003 - 02:41 am: Edit

St. FX got ranked as the top PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE university this year. There are two other categories for schools: Comprehensive and Medical-Doctoral. University of Toronto won for Medical-Doctoral, and I forget who won for comprehensive. The ratings are a bit arbitrary and quite flawed anyhow - you'd really need to scrutinize the breakdown of the points before you could get any legitimate idea of a school's strengths and weaknesses. And choosing a school based solely on the MacLean's rankings is pretty foolish - you should look at the school's website, contact some profs/students/alumni, and make a visit, if possible, before deciding just what best university is FOR YOU.

As we're speaking of Rhodes Scholars, I should mention that Mt. Allison, a prestigious university a few hours from St FX, has stratospheric numbers of Rhodes Scholars, including two in the past two years.

By Nocrunner (Nocrunner) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 04:49 pm: Edit

Personally, i feel there is way too much hype over mcgill (just because a school is competitive to get into does not make it the best school). Mcgill is far from "the harvard of canada" and should not be compared with such a school. The school used to be good about 5 yrs ago, but has recently gone downhill (check the princeton review). Heres how it is:
#1's= UofT (medical)(even though this school is primarily focussed on #'s rather than shaping a student towards excellence), Guelph (comprehensive)and Mt. Allison i believe was #1 for primary undergrad.