University of Toronto or McGill??

[mayhemily]

I have been accepted to both U of T and McGill's English M.A. programs, and I really love both!!

I have done my undergraduate degree in English at McGill, and if I return for the two-year thesis program, I have been offered a $1500 RAship w/ a supervisor of my choosing. Because I have spent the past four years here, I have strong connections with my professors and am familiar with the expectations of the program.

However, U of T has some really appealing options. It is a one-year non-thesis program, which potentially might make me a less enticing PhD candidate (although I do have an undergraduate thesis, so I wouldn't be devoid of research experience), but the courses expect papers of about 20 pages, which is the typical writing sample size for PhD programs. What is most appealing to me is the English community at U of T, as from QS rankings (especially the subject specific ones, which place McGill at 31st for English worldwide and U of T at 12th) it seems that U of T might challenge me more. It's a bigger program, however, and from what I hear it isn't very easy to get to know profs.

What would you recommend? Asking for advice from anyone, but especially people familiar with either school and anyone with M.A. experience. I am really interested in doing a PhD program in the States, so that is also something I've been trying to take into consideration.

Thank you!!