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McGill or UCLA??
- Thread starter ramz
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This is coming from someone who knows little about McGill except what I have read on here. But personally, I would go to UCLA as a Californian who is not that fond of cold weather and because I do not speak French. I know they are both great schools and would probably both be thought of highly for residencies. I would think that going to school in L.A. might give you an advantage if you want to practice in California ultimately. You would become more familiar with state programs for the uninsured and other resources if you planned to stay in the area. I would assume you would gain more knowledge of the Canadian system at McGill which might not be very useful for practicing in America. But you can't beat going to school for free, especially at such a good med school, so there is no doubt that cost should be considered. But UCLA tuition is lower than most. I would probably visit both schools again and pick based on which city I liked more and which school I was most comfortable at.
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That's a good question... I'm no expert so take this all with a big grain of salt. I think you might actually end up paying out-of-state tuition for all four years. I am not quite sure how it works for med school but I did work in a lab at another UC with several PhD students who were not U.S. citizens. All had to pay out-of-state tuition their entire time and were going to remain in the country after they got their degree either by getting on the visa of their spouses who were on visas or by finding a company to sponsor them for work visas.
I am not sure how this would work for a med student... these students I worked with were from India and the Middle East. I do know that many foreign med students take U.S. residencies every year so there I am sure it can be done. Definitely get some more info from someone who knows more about this or from UCLA itself. But if you have to pay out-of-state tuition for 4 years maybe it wouldn't be as worth it to go to UCLA.... I dunno. Good luck.
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The only reason that I can think of to go to UCLA is for a change of scenery and an opportunity to leave your comfort zone. But is that really worth the hefty price tag? I guess that's something you'll have to decide.
Oh, you can check premed101.com for info about returning to Canada for residency.
C.
Oh, you can check premed101.com for info about returning to Canada for residency.
C.
Dear Ramz,
I can say that from what I have heard McGill is a wonderful institution. Perhaps the best medical school in Canada along with U Toronto. But, I am a bit baised myself being a UCLA Med Student. UCLA has an excellent reputation. There are countless research opportunities, and we have one of the best hospitals in the country. Almost every department is nationally regarded. But, none of this is as important as student satisfaction. I can not speak for McGill, but at UCLA our classes are strictly Pass/Fail for all four years. This takes the pressure off of learning that extra factiod so you can simply get an honors. It gives you the time to learn all of the basics and focus on what intrigues you the most.
The professors teach at a demanding level, but you are very well prepared for the tests and passing is not an issue at all if you keep up with the work through out the semester. There is a wonderful air of cooperation. I get notes on a weekly basis from helpful classmates via email because the competitive premed stigma is removed with the pass fail system.
As for the tuition, in state tuition is about 10,000 a year. Out of state tuition is 20,000 (I think). But you pay out of state tuition for only one year and then in state for the remaining three. As for canadians I am not sure if this applies. But I think it does. I know of one canadian that is in our class. You can call the admissions office or the financial aid office and get the information directly from the source.
The UCLA general info line is 1-310-825-4321
Ask for the School of Medicine Financial Aid Office. I think they reopen on the 2nd or 3rd of Jan.
As for Los Angeles, it is fantastic. I go for runs after lab all the time year round as do many of my classmates. Living near campus can be a bit expensive, but well worth it. The beach is near by as are lots of clubs in Santa Monica, Hollywood etc. Definately give going to UCLA some thought and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Best of
I can say that from what I have heard McGill is a wonderful institution. Perhaps the best medical school in Canada along with U Toronto. But, I am a bit baised myself being a UCLA Med Student. UCLA has an excellent reputation. There are countless research opportunities, and we have one of the best hospitals in the country. Almost every department is nationally regarded. But, none of this is as important as student satisfaction. I can not speak for McGill, but at UCLA our classes are strictly Pass/Fail for all four years. This takes the pressure off of learning that extra factiod so you can simply get an honors. It gives you the time to learn all of the basics and focus on what intrigues you the most.
The professors teach at a demanding level, but you are very well prepared for the tests and passing is not an issue at all if you keep up with the work through out the semester. There is a wonderful air of cooperation. I get notes on a weekly basis from helpful classmates via email because the competitive premed stigma is removed with the pass fail system.
As for the tuition, in state tuition is about 10,000 a year. Out of state tuition is 20,000 (I think). But you pay out of state tuition for only one year and then in state for the remaining three. As for canadians I am not sure if this applies. But I think it does. I know of one canadian that is in our class. You can call the admissions office or the financial aid office and get the information directly from the source.
The UCLA general info line is 1-310-825-4321
Ask for the School of Medicine Financial Aid Office. I think they reopen on the 2nd or 3rd of Jan.
As for Los Angeles, it is fantastic. I go for runs after lab all the time year round as do many of my classmates. Living near campus can be a bit expensive, but well worth it. The beach is near by as are lots of clubs in Santa Monica, Hollywood etc. Definately give going to UCLA some thought and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Best of
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honestly i dont know what to do...ucla is amazing, and so is mcgill.
honestly, if i can pay instate for the next 3 years after first, then i think i would go to ucla. i guess i'll pay the office a visit when i go there at the end of jan.
can i work in the states as a canadian?
honestly, if i can pay instate for the next 3 years after first, then i think i would go to ucla. i guess i'll pay the office a visit when i go there at the end of jan.
can i work in the states as a canadian?
I did my undergrad at McGill and can't recommend it enough. Obviously, the med school is different, but Montreal is seriously one of the top cities on the continent. Now, I think the facilities might be pretty rough and the curriculum might be trad, but when I was there, they were planning a massive merger of all city hospitals into a "Superhospital" where all levels of care, specialities and services were to be offered. McGill Med would be the academic institution affiliated with the project, which must mean some excellent experience for its students. I am sure you can call their admissions office with questions about residency, etc - they must get it all the time.
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If u are willing to go to UCLA over mcgill if u save 30k... i think u should go to mcgill. I mean 30k is nothing more down the road in debt. I personally would go to UCLA if i were you. I am a canadian myeslf and moved to the western states when i was in H.S, and i think its been great, alot more opps here in hte states.. definetly if you have chance to go to UCLA go for it!
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I assumed that you interviewed at UCLA but not yet at McGill. I have known Canadians who interviewed at UCLA in the past but none has gotten in so far. So concentrate on getting in first.
I would say go with gut feeling. And if not, go with cost!
I would say go with gut feeling. And if not, go with cost!
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I did my PhD at UC Berkeley when I was a Canadian on a student visa. I had a scholarship to cover non-resident tuition, which is required for all non-citizens/non-permanent residents. You cannot get in-state tuition after a year unless you are a citizen or have a green card.
It is terribly expensive to pay US $ for your education here in the U.S., even if the school is really good. You need to calculate how much it is going to cost and figure out whether you are willing to carry that much debt - think on the order of $180,000 Canadian for 4 years. You are not eligible for financial aid in the U.S. if you are just on a student visa.
A better option might be to do your MD at McGill and then your residency in the US (if that is an option, I don't know). Also, don't underestimate the culture shock of moving to the U.S. - it is a whole different world down here.
If I had had to pay non-resident tuition for my PhD, it would never have been worth it, even though it was the best school in the world in my specialty.
It is terribly expensive to pay US $ for your education here in the U.S., even if the school is really good. You need to calculate how much it is going to cost and figure out whether you are willing to carry that much debt - think on the order of $180,000 Canadian for 4 years. You are not eligible for financial aid in the U.S. if you are just on a student visa.
A better option might be to do your MD at McGill and then your residency in the US (if that is an option, I don't know). Also, don't underestimate the culture shock of moving to the U.S. - it is a whole different world down here.
If I had had to pay non-resident tuition for my PhD, it would never have been worth it, even though it was the best school in the world in my specialty.
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