In short, I've been accepted at Southern Methodist University and McGill's business programs. (Other target schools I was wait-listed then turned down). I'm a transfer student from a non-target state school, currently interning in PE, and want to pursue IB after graduation and hopefully PE/VC/HF after that.
So gents, what do you have to say about Cox Business School (SMU) versus Desautels (McGill)? Remember, this is for undergrad.
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Dude go to McGill no brainer a degree from there will have a lot of value not only in North America but internationally as well. Business school OCR is very good as well from what I've been told by my buddies that are there.
Would you rather live in Canada or Texas during and after school?
I wouldn't necessarily mind Canada (I'm originally from the Northeast US anyway, so it's not far off) but I would prefer to live/work in the US after graduation, if that matters. (I know SMU is generally for Houston IB with a far shot at NY)
Go to McGill unless you want to live in Texas.
For what it's worth, as a current college student, it sounds to me like you're worrying about the wrong things. McGill and SMU are about as different as they get. From what I've been told by a friend's brother at McGill, it's very cold, not particularly fun, and a more traditional "liberal academia" sort of school. I know tons of SMU students and have spent time there, and it's a typical fun, football playing Southern school. Someone who would enjoy McGill would typically hate SMU, and vice versa.
In terms of which is better for getting into IB, neither school has much presense in banking, and it'll be equally difficult from either one. However, they're both good schools that people recognize so it's certainly possible, it's just much harder.
I would recommend SMU, even though McGill is considered a better school. You shouldn't have a hard time finding a job in Dallas, and its a great city to be in these days. SMU has a niche in Dallas that McGills doesn't have anywhere, which makes it easier to get your foot in the door.
They actually doesn't have much of a presense in Houston IB. They're almost non-existent in Texas' energy industry and thats what Houston banking is all about. Finance jobs from SMU are typically in real esate firms, wealth management, or a Dallas branch.
Are you serious? McGill is so far above Southern Methodist University.
Apart from quality of the school, Montreal is great. i'm actually going there with my girlfriend for a nice weekend in August on the way to Quebec City. In the winter, you can do a lot of good skiing at Tremblant and Jay Peak, etc.
Also, culturally.. Quebec is so, so different. For me, i much prefer the culture in Quebec and the larger Canadian culture, but i guess it depends on you.
Mcgill any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
I wouldn't say SMU has no presence in Houston, I already know a few students who have SA roles at BB energy groups, and I haven't even searched for alumni yet.
I think culturally and location-wise, I would prefer Montreal over Texas. However, SMU seems to be much more fun, and I've met with my fraternity chapter over there and they have a great group so the social aspect is definitely something to consider.
I know that McGill is probably considered a "better" school academically, but do US students there place well back in the States? Or are you stuck in Canada if you break into IB?
I'd say it all comes down to where you want to live. SMU recruits very well to Dallas as well as Houston. If you're set on NYC you can do it from SMU but it would be much harder than if you were at a target northeast school.
I don't know as much about McGill's recruiting--obviously well known globally so I'm sure Toronto would recruit well. NYC not sure but obviously I bet there are a ton of alumni on wall street.
I'm currently an employee at Goldman & Sachs in the Hedge Funds department on WS and an alumni at SMU (Cox). In my opinion SMU is a better school for networking and getting a job in IB whereas McGill might be better because the rankings are higher but in the end that means nothing. I say SMU all the way definitely has more pull on landing you a job on Wall Street whereas McGill will probably keep in Canada which isn't the best lifestyle.
I really hope this is a joke. I was deciding among Duke, Cornell, UPenn, U of T, Queens, and McGIll ... and went with McGill.
Lol, worst troll.
Duke ranks below McGill, and Cornell & UPenn rank same ... Only difference is that McGill is amazing in terms of females and social life, and that sealed my decision.
It's ironic how everyone who says McGill is from Canada, these damn Canadians still hate on our universities.
You don't have to be from Canada to know which school is better. Even if I was some kid from any country outside of north america ...McGill would be my choice between the two hands down. The value of the degree is what matters because in this day and age you could be switching professions multiple times during your career...you want to have the ability to be confident your degree can open the door for you anywhere you go...IN THE WORLD...and I seriously doubt SMU can do that because it will require you to network your butt off outside of the US..The OP may want to stay in the US but you never know where life takes you. McGill is not just a better university when comparing their influence in North America but internationally as well...with that value you will have the potential to work anywhere you want..not just Dallas and Houston.....anyway that's just my 2 cents worth.
McGill hands down. Great reputation, great school with lots of international students. Montreal is one of the most beautiful and cool cities in North America. I personally seen their alums in NY (great bunch of guys) and heard about their large presence in Toronto and in London UK. As long as you study well, network you should do fine at McGill.
If you want to go to the best university in Canada go to U of T...I still say SMU you honestly will not regret it in the long run, the connections I've made there got me where I am today on Wall Street.
U of T is a good school for research and stuff, but it is so not an old money hangout (so, I wouldn't say connections are that good ...). McGill and Queens are the only 2 Canadian schools that are home to offspring of some of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Canada. U of T is full of immigrants from families whose only connections are owners of convenience stores :P
I would add Western as another school where old money family comes from. A lot of members of the Rodgers family went there as well as the sons of the RIM founders. Plus plenty of offspring of bank execs from RBC, TD, and whatnot.
For Undergrad Business U of T Rotman is a no go if you live here for grad school yes but not if you are doing a bachelors...Queens, Ivey, Mcgill and UBC to slightly lesser extent...seriously why take the risk...? Go with brand name here,,go with a degree you can rely on man...SMU isn't the even top 10 in the US why go there instead of one of the best schools on the planet? I have no idea why you are even considering the other school man...in reality you can network your way anywhere but what are you going to say when your interviewer is like "I have 100 resumes from kids that go to the top schools in the world, why should even consider you?" don't let yourself be in that position...pick a school that will provide you the tools and exposure to succeed anywhere...that is what you should be thinking because in the end if you choose SMU, it will be an uphill battle as you will not have as much choice in locations you actually want to work in...don't limit yourself man...go to the best school available to you.
McGill is comparable to these three schools in reputation.
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/10/20/education/20iht-SReducEmpl…
Duke: #13 McGill: #19 Penn: #24 Cornell: #38
But we're talking about undergrad here right not MBA. MBA is a totally different story.
I was referring to undergrad as well.
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