Canadian vs. American Universities
IECA members Whitney Laughlin and Kima Jones gave an excellent presentation today about universities in Canada. In addition to these fine presenters, representatives from three Canadian universities were on hand to offer their particular institutional perspectives.
Kima offered a list of the Top 4 Reasons to Study in Canada, which she explained in great detail in the presentation and on the handout. The Top 4 Reasons are:
1. International Recognition
2. Safety and Standard of Living
3. Diversity and Multiculturalism
4. Value
Whitney then offered a number of advantages and disadvantages to Canadian universities over U.S. options.
The advantages:
1. Canadian post-secondary education is both strong and standardized.
2. Application deadlines are generally later (but earlier is better).
3. Canadian universities tend to be more “gay friendly.”
4. Canadian schools are not as “rah-rah” as in the U.S.
5. The current economic downturn is hitting Canada less hard.
6. The majority of Canadian universities are close to the U.S.
7. Cost of attending a Canadian university is much less than attending a large, state university outside one’s own state.
8. Student visas (or “study permits”) can be obtained at the airport, as long as all documentation is in place.
9. Many Canadian universities have outstanding co-op programs.
10. Canada’s public universities, though large, are very user-friendly.
The disadvantages:
1. No need-based aid for U.S. students.
2. Canadian universities, with some exceptions, are much less residential in nature.
3. Canadian universities have not kept pace in faculty hiring, despite growth in student enrollments.
4. There are only 10 private colleges or universities in Canada.
This was a fun and informative session, and will be helpful to me as I look at Canadian universities for some of my clients.
Posted by Mark Montgomery, IECA (Colorado)
Related posts:
Thanks so much for your summary and comments Mark. Sorry it’s taken me a while to respond; I guess I need to monitor this site more often! Whitney is definitely the go-to person on this subject (since I mostly do special needs) and has said she is willing to follow up if anyone has any questions.
Thanks for the kind remarks, Mark! Kima and I really enjoyed doing the presentation and I’m so glad it was helpful. If anyone would like to have an e-copy of the PPT, handouts and my notes, they are welcome to email me at: laughlin@rt66.com.
Whitney
Whitney Laughlin, Ed.D.
Educational Consultant
Member: IECA, OACAC, PNACAC, RMACAC & NACAC
(250) 478-7762 landline
(505) 690-9054 cell
FAX: (250) 478-7026
Email: laughlin@rt66.com
http://www.whitneylaughlin.com
Victoria, BC & Santa Fe, NM