echelon99 wrote:
cofre wrote:
Hi! Probably my first post ever!
I don't think they have deadlines. according to their website, admissions are rendered on a rolling basis, about 4 weeks after they get the whole material (probably more at this time of the year, with the holidays coming). Anyway, I wouldn't worry much about that, since you're submitting in December, so you're way ahead of most people (me included).
I'll apply to pretty much the same schools you're applying to, from what I can see from your profile. Have you made your mind about which one is your priority? I have some ideas, but would love to hear different opinions. Also, just out of curiosity, any reason why Canada if you're from the US? (I'm from Latin America and my reason for Canada is easier work permits).
Good luck with your app!
Hey cofre,
I hope submitting early gives me a fighting chance with the app. I'm a bit worried about the GPA, but adcom was very encouraging (unlike some other schools). Scholarships and tuition fees will probably ending up deciding which school I go to, as is the case with many students. But say, if tuition for all schools is exactly the same, then the only real competition is b/w McGill and Rotman.
Rotman has location on its side, its basically one train stop away from Bay Street. Plus its more national-oriented than internationally focused, which is good since I would like to work in Canada. On the other hand its a very competitive program and since I want to major in finance, I'll be up against half the school.
McGill has a very good environment and seems community oriented, specially because of the small class size. The students seems very happy and the placement rate is off the charts. On the other hand, location is not good at all. As a non-french speaker, I probably wont be working in Montreal, which means I'll have to network across borders. Not an easy thing.
P.s. why would you think I'm from US? Deep, deep south Asia. Same as you, I'm heading to Canada for the working conditions!
Echelon,
It's because your profile says Location: United States (maybe you hadn't realized that until now?
GPA will also be sort of an issue for me, but I have contacted admissions people from Schulich and Rotman and both schools encouraged me to apply.
As for schools: I'm finding it kind of hard to decide among Canadian schools. It's not like in the US where some schools (HBS, Wharton, Stanford) are obviously better than others. The rankings differ a lot, and personally I'm more inclined to Rotman, then Schulich, then McGill. They are all great schools, but the location to me will be very important, since I don't speak French either. If I were to sum up the pros and cons, they would be:
Rotman - pros: location, international reputation, good rankings; cons: tuition.
McGill - pros: international reputation, job placement rate, smaller program (I have the impression this could mean it's easier to get a job); cons: location, small network (the "other side" of a small program)
Schulich - pros: good rankings, location (not as good as Rotman, but still Toronto) and tuition; cons: York doesn't have great overall reputation.
If you plan to go to finance, I'd say Rotman would be the best choice. Yes, you're going to be just one more of half of the class, but then again the best opportunities might be there after all. That's just my opinion, though. I'll probably have a more informed one after I visit the schools. And just like you, scholarships will play an important role in my decision. All things equaled I'd go to Rotman, but I'd need a generous scholarship from them for that condition to be true (and no scholarships from the others).
Now, even more important than which school, what do you think it's gonna be like in the Canadian job market for foreigners like us? I contacted a girl from Rotman and she said it's actually hard to get a good job. A guy from Schulich was more optimistic and said that it's totally possible to get a good job on par with Canadian-born MBAs.