studying in mcgill

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jun 15, 2008

Yes, it is expensive to attend McGill if you're not a resident of Quebec. Tuition is roughly 3 times as much for residents of other Canadain provinces so I shudder to think how much it would be for an international student. The cost of living can be quite high, depending on where in the city you live. Westmount and Notre Dame de Grace are the two areas closest to the university, and the rents are very high. The city is very culturally diverse with a huge ethnic population, but remember that it is in Quebec and because of that, you should have at least some rudimentary French so you can read the street signs. You don't want to be like the tourists from New Jersey who drove the wrong way into a tunnel and died in a fireball because they didn't know that the red signs on both sides of the road that said "RECULEZ" meant "BACK UP". There are nursing jobs available in Quebec for new grads, but that is one of the provinces with the lowest pay scales and poorest benefit plans in the country and there is a requirement that nurses be fluent in French.

My daughter is a PhD candidate at McGill right now and she's getting a good education from a school with a stellar reputation. But she has sacrificed a lot to be there and does not plan to remain there when she's finished this degree. (She's gotta do a post-doc after that... sh'es been going to school for 25 years already and I'm despairing of her ever getting a real job!)

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jun 15, 2008

Yes, it is expensive to attend McGill if you're not a resident of Quebec. Tuition is roughly 3 times as much for residents of other Canadain provinces so I shudder to think how much it would be for an international student. The cost of living can be quite high, depending on where in the city you live. Westmount and Notre Dame de Grace are the two areas closest to the university, and the rents are very high. The city is very culturally diverse with a huge ethnic population, but remember that it is in Quebec and because of that, you should have at least some rudimentary French so you can read the street signs. You don't want to be like the tourists from New Jersey who drove the wrong way into a tunnel and died in a fireball because they didn't know that the red signs on both sides of the road that said "RECULEZ" meant "BACK UP". There are nursing jobs available in Quebec for new grads, but that is one of the provinces with the lowest pay scales and poorest benefit plans in the country and there is a requirement that nurses be fluent in French.

My daughter is a PhD candidate at McGill right now and she's getting a good education from a school with a stellar reputation. But she has sacrificed a lot to be there and does not plan to remain there when she's finished this degree. (She's gotta do a post-doc after that... she's been going to school for 25 years already and I'm despairing of her ever getting a real job!)

faith08 · Jun 15, 2008

Thank you so much. I am canadian by birth and was told i will be paying in state since i was born in montreal. I do not plan on staying there when I am done but I have been told this is a good school so I will stick it out. This was so helpful. thanks again!

rubriam · Jun 27, 2008

I lived in Montreal for 3 years my husband did his post-doc at Mcgill. I really enjoyed the city. It was a little bit expensive. the cost of living is compared to Chicago as per one of the salary websites....

I agree with janfrn is culturally diverse. I call it New York without the crime, It has crime but not as bad as in New York. You are going to love the city it has a lot to offer specially in the summer. Is one the fashion capitals as well they have a lot of designer if you are into that you are going to love it. Let me know and I can give you some tips on canadian designers. It is a party city specially in St laurent street and in the plateau.

Usually students live in what is called the Ghetto but do not think that is like the ghetto in the US. That is the area closest to Mcgill but the rent is overpriced for what it is. I lived in the plateau Close to Mont Royal and St Denis. I loved that area because there is a lot of shopping and a lot of restaurants. I would recommend for you to live very close to a metro station 5-10 walking distance in the winter is very convenient.

Opportunities for you to stay you have plenty, the only thing is that you must speak french and pass the french test given by the "office de la langue francaise." I think you will have a year after graduation. You can get more info once you start your program.

The school is a good school and their big thing is research, specially in nursing, Mcgill has a lot of nursing researchers. You can look that up in the mcgill website. You will be working closely with Mcgill Hospitals. There are a network of 5 hospitals. Anglophone hospitals, I worked in one of the 5 hospitals. I worked at the Montreal General Hospital in the ED. I will strongly recommend for you to enroll in a french course if you can, that way you can soak up the french canadian culture and enjoy your stay more. It is not necessary that you speak french but it makes your life easier.

Any further questions PM me.

I hope this info helps you

mayana · Jun 30, 2008

I can tell you that, yes it is very culturally diverse, especially around McGill. It's a great atmosphere, I'm sure you will enjoy it, if you already know a little about it. Don't worry much about the French if you're planning on staying in the McGill area and not working there after. You'll pick up survival French fast enough.

Unfortunately the rents have doubled, maybe tripled in the last ten years, but if you're willing to share a small space, you can find an interesting place to stay.