bags

I don't know how much rankings matter, but doesn't McGill consistently rank in the top 100 universities in the world? As far as English goes, I've heard some good things about there, I know someone who really wants to get into the translation program (for French and English) because they are the school with the best combination, but I'm Canadian so...McGill probably looms larger up here.

Well there is the "library situation" in Calgary right now. They're trying to open up a new one and its been a bit of a disaster. Then again in the age of the internet and with inter-library loans it shouldn't be a huge obstacle, as long as I can learn to plan ahead. But, otherwise Calgary is able enough to handle my field at the master's level. Indeed, the academic career path is a little shaky these days. Well, I'm going to accept the funded offer, even though my heart will break a litttle when I send my rejection to Toronto. Perhaps next time! Thanks for all your responses!

That does make me feel better about it, thanks for sharing your experience. It does seem more practical to take the funding, ah well, I suppose I can wait a little while longer to see the world!

Toronto and Calgary. I don't think its hard to guess which is which, but Toronto's the top school and Calgary's a good school.

I got accepted into the MA for U of T, but yeah, they don't fund history students at the master's level. McGill apparently won't give you a funding package until you've accepted their offer and paid the deposit, so... I have no idea there. I might end up staying in Calgary for my Master's to keep the debt down and try my luck with funding at the PHD level. Still waiting on UBC though....

Thanks, for your response. My supervisor at this school is just about the nicest professor I've ever met, I'm unsure about the big school--I'd have to go hunting this summer. Certainly something to think about!

I'm having trouble deciding for my master's program. Should I go to one of the best schools for my field even though I am getting no funding in the hopes that It'll pay off sometime down the road or should I settle for a less well recognized, but still a good school with a good advisor, that's going to give me a full ride? I guess my question is whether I should take the money and try my luck with the top schools in a PHD program, or go into debt to attend a prestigious school for my MA?

Thanks. I applied for the MA however so it probably won't make a difference. If anyone lurking has a vested interest in McGill or U of T History MA's in medieval history I'll probably turn them down soon in favour of funding at a less prestigious school so there's still hope!

I got an email from U of T for the MA program last week. My status has not updated on the website yet.

I'm not sure if anyone is reading this anymore, but I thought I'd try and vet some opinions. I'm going for my MA in the fall and I've got two choices. One is my top choice where I didn't get any funding, nor did I expect to, but its a one year program that practically has a whole department dedicated to my sub-field, medieval history. The other school surprised me with a generous funding package, but honestly I never really meant to go there--it was mostly a backup school in case the others rejected me. There is really only one medieval history prof there, she's a very good teacher, but... I'm lucky enough to have enough saved up that I would only have to take out a couple thousand dollars in loans to go to my dream school, but I'm wondering if I should take the money and try my luck with the PHD program instead. It's a really tough decision for me. A few thousand dollars in debt for one year wouldn't hurt me terribly in the long run and it is what I had planned for anyway, but its tough to turn down money. Any opinions? Edit: I should add, most PHD programs in Canada guarantee funding for accepted students, so if I get accepted for PHD in the future I'll have some minimum funding.

I only heard from Toronto last week, so they're still making decisions! And I haven't heard from UBC at all, if it helps.

We are prejudiced against Canucks fans!! (I know, I know, we're just jealous right?) I don't know about the city feeling like a 'small town', but the campus is certainly large and diverse. I don't think racism is a huge problem.