I'm Canadian, so I might be a little biased, but I would say to definitely go to McGill. It has a wonderful reputation in the States -- particularly with respect to the Montreal Neurological Institute -- and is one of about 4 or 5 Canadian medical schools that American schools really know about and hold in high regard. I have a few friends who attend McGill meds and they absolutely love it. The training is solid and will serve you very well in the future. As for Montreal . . . what can I say? It has a very European atmosphere, beautiful buildings, friendly people, and excellent restaurants and shopping. It is a myth that people only speak French in Quebec. Montreal -- with the exception of a few communities -- is largely English speaking (when I was there, a lot of the people working in the shops couldn't even speak French). If you don't speak French, though, I would recommend picking up a language course so that you can get the most out of Montreal culture. Plus, although the rent is rising in Montreal, it is still very reasonable if you convert it to American dollars (it is about $600-$700 per month Canadian, so about $400 American for nice one bedroom apartments). The only catch is the weather -- it can get very cold and it snows a lot in Montreal. If you're from California, it may be a bit of an adjustment, but I'm sure you'll get used to it. Good luck!
