My Personal Opinion

Program (based on what I've heard from friends and family who have attended both programs) - Western has more diversity in terms of meeting your strengths (ie. if you didn't take high school physics, it's not a pre requisite for bio med and you can take an intro to physics course as opposed to being thrown into a biophysics or uni level physics) and more options for modules, as well as more personable/funny/kind profs, less stressful lab environment and overall I've heard people have a better experience. However, I'm near certain that life science at mac has smaller classes (probably not by a significantly less amount i'd imagine) and in terms of overall program, at either program you can achieve the necessary requirements to attend graduate school, masters programs, etc. and they are probably on par in terms of overall difficulty, getting a good GPA, that sort of thing.

Campus - Western is huge. McMaster is small. That's key. What's most important about campus is visiting and getting a feel for it and see which you enjoy better. I wouldn't really say that one has nicer buildings than another, they are quite different campuses so it's kind of like comparing apples to oranges in a way. You just have to choose what you like better.

University Life - Western has parties, sure, but that rep is kind of an outdated one. Put young adults in an unmonitored environment, living with their friends alone for the first time for an entire year, and there will be parties no matter where it is or what the reputation is. I know for a fact that both McMaster and Western are good schools in terms of getting your stuff done, like it's not like your studying will be inhibited by unrelenting parties. But I'm sure you can find a party wherever you go. I'm not very sure about extra curriculars, athletics, etc. at Mac because I don't know anyone who got involved in things like that but I know it's very easy to get involved at Western whether it's clubs, societies, sports, etc. and there's always something going on. This is also something I think you need to experience. If you have a friend in first year at either school, I'd recommend staying for a weekend (I guess it's a bit late for that now unfortunately) but that would be the best way to judge what university life you personally connect more with and think you'll have a better time with.

Ive actually seen westerns campus several times. and i have to say its absolutely stunning. i cant compare it to macs because i haven't seen macs. but western on its own is a beautiful campus. its HUGE, yes, but its kind of like harry potter meets queen elizabeth. the architecture of some buildings are so pretty. but to be honest, i personally didnt like the fact that it was such a huge campus cause in a way i felt a bit...small? if that makes any sense at all. but then again, like everyone says, its completely u to the way you feel and i think even if its too late to stay at campus for the weekend..definitely take a couple hours outta ur day to visit it, walk around and get a feel of what ur life could be like. hope that helps!

Thanks guys for the long and detailed responses!

I have been to both campuses and I like both of them. Although I think I like Western's campus better mainly because MAC feels a bit small. Just a personal reason, I feel that a bigger university campus gives me more of a university environment, rather than the feeling of a bigger high school, if that makes sense.

Yes, many people are telling me that MAC has a better reputation than Western and their science courses are better. If you might be going to the states for med school, would telling them that you went to MAC sound better? I heard that the states judge you by the reputation of your undergrad school :S.

One more question, I'm aware that at Western, they give you a bachelor of medical science while at MAC they only give you a bachelor of science. Does it really make a difference which one you get, although they both get you to med school?

Thanks again guys (:

No, it does not matter. The names of programs or degrees are not standardized. Just because it has "medical" in its name does not give you any advantage. You can get into med school with any program anyway.

I also heard about a few people getting in with dance degrees. I still can't fathom how they did well on their MCATs.