Down here south of the border – the border between the U.S. and Canada that is – we Americans don’t know a whole lot about Canadian colleges and universities. And what most of us do know is based on rumors and misinformation.
So let’s take a look at some of the common misconceptions and find out what the truth really is about attending college way up north.
Myth #1: Canadian universities are incredibly inexpensive. They do cost less than American colleges and universities. But they are still costly. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can expect to pay $16,000-20,000 for tuition (Canadian dollars) every year at a premier Canadian institution like McGill University in Montreal or the University of Toronto. Those costs do not include living expenses. Be aware that Canadian schools usually have three different tuition structures: Tuition is lowest for residents of the Canadian province where the school is located; more expensive for Canadians from outside that province; and highest for international students, including Americans. Also: If you read the fine print, you can make some interesting discoveries. If you are a dual citizen of the U.S. and France, for example, you could be able to attend McGill at the same tuition level as Quebec residents – as little as $4,000 (Canadian) per year. Now that’s a bargain.
Myth #2: All Canadian universities are huge. Some schools, like McGill and the University of Toronto, have tens of thousands of students. But in the last few decades, many smaller liberal arts colleges have flourished in Canada. Most are unknown in the U.S. – and they can offer a bargain to Americans. For example, check out University of King’s in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s a small, exclusive liberal arts college that charges about half of what a similar American school will cost you.
Myth #3: It is impossible to get information about Canadian colleges and universities. It is actually easy to check them out on a Website called UnivSource. Also, every March MacLeans (Canada’s largest magazine) publishes a special directory of Canadian colleges and universities that you can purchase online as either a PDF or printed magazine. Note: You can also view MacLeans ratings online for free, without buying the report.
Myth #4: McGill University is “The Harvard of the North.” Yes, this nickname has been applied to McGill for decades. But McGill is not a lot like Harvard – except perhaps for its high quality. The reality is that McGill is a large urban university. (Think of it as the New York University of Montreal.) And other Canadian universities offer a similarly high level of instruction, including the University of Toronto, Dalhousie University and the University of British Columbia.
Myth #5: You have to speak French to go to college in Canada. Some Canadian colleges and universities offer instruction exclusively (or almost exclusively) in French, like the University of Montreal. But many, like McGill, offer instruction almost entirely in English. If you visit the Websites of colleges and universities, you will quickly determine the language of choice of the institutions you are considering.
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