r/LibraryScience • u/saturnbeam • 2d ago
program/school selection UofT vs UBC vs McGill?
It's been asked a gajillion times but I've read every thread and want to source some more experiences about these particular schools. I'm applying for my masters of information and interested in primarily libraries and archives. I'm torn between the three for different reasons. McGill would be my top choice due to cost of living and my love of the city but my lack of French and the no co-op scares me. Please share any advice or opinions! Thank u!
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u/Full-Decision-9029 2d ago
My first choices were UBC and McGill. My main concern was how to get an MLIS while broke with no scholarships, or no way to support multiple moves.
UBC is very much about archives - it has a dual major Masters for libraries and archives, though it does take about 4 years. It also does have a lot of placement options in the city, far as I can tell (some of them pop up on my regular job searches).
UBC was out of the question due to cost and some of the requirements. (They strongly implied they needed students to come with funding and also needed more referees than I could get my hands on). The lack of funding or scholarships meant that there was absolutely no way I could afford to live in Vancouver, much as I would have wanted to. The 790 a month my provincial student loans would offer would not get me far in Van.
So that left McGill.
At the time, there was some discussion of co-ops, or work placements but there were limited options in Montreal if you were not functionally bilingual. My French is ok, but not "I can answer reference requests" ok. My dread was having to complete a placement or Coop in Eastern Ontario with little financial support
You don't exactly need French to function in Montreal. McGill and Concordia and Dawson college are kind of slap bang in the most multicultural and generally more anglo parts of Montreal. McGill does have workstudy for grad students: https://www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/work-study but whether there's a special exemption for LIS students, I don't know. Most of these work study gigs will likely involve doing stuff in English for Anglophone students. (Like doing tech support for them)
However, I was kind of tired of Montreal at that point, and very, very over the idea of years more academia so I took a huge risk and went to UWO instead, which had the advantages of neither. And UWO had multiple start dates. Better start in May and get it over with than wait till the following December. As it happened UWO whoopsied twice on my start date and I got to start in December as it was.
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u/westcoastladybird 1d ago
I think it’s a mischaracterization to call UBC’s program “very much” about archives. There are plenty of classes in other areas and you don’t have to touch archives at all if you don’t want to.
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u/dr-nightmare- 1d ago
Consider the city as well.All are wonder cities, offering different cultures and experiences. I did grad school at McGill and can highly recommend. I am from Ontario.
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u/3tired5this 2d ago
Im in the UBC dual program and have enjoyed it so far! I applied to McGills as well and got in but the issue w/ Mcgill for me was the cost of tuition, if you're out of province its a little absurd. UBC does have higher cost of living but the tuition is quite reasonable for this program.
The dual is also good if you're interested in libraries and archives bc you have a lot more dedicated archives courses + you can take more practicum courses than you can in the standalone.