McGill University attracts bright students from around the world. “We are committed to the rigorous pursuit of innovation, ideas, and inquiry, unbounded by orthodox perspectives,” says interim principal Christopher Manfredi. “Our strength lies in the diversity and talent of our students who join us from over 150 countries.” (Deep Saini takes over as principal later this year.) McGill has cultivated more Rhodes Scholars and Nobel Prize laureates than any other school in Canada. Its faculty and graduates have won 12 Nobel Prizes for pioneering work in areas such as economics, radioactivity and fission. As a research-intensive school, McGill is affiliated with more than 100 research centres and networks.

The main campus’s location between Mount Royal Park and downtown Montreal offers students lots of opportunities for off-campus activities (visiting art galleries, festivals and hundreds of restaurants, cafés and bars), and rent is generally cheaper than in most Canadian cities. The smaller Macdonald campus enjoys a scenic location on the island of Montreal, about 35 km west of downtown. It’s home to programs in agriculture, environmental sciences and nutrition. McGill offers peer support and mentorship programs for new students as well as a buddy program for international students.