The other way around.

It seems it'd easier to ask your wife to visit you. It's easier for her to get Canadian visitor visa rather than you get US visitor visa (B visa). She can come back to US within 30 days without new US F1 visa. Unless you are a Canadian PR, and have lived in Canada for more than one year. Your case looks tough to get your B visa.

Or you apply for schools in US, then apply for F1 visa after you got your I20. The visa duration starts from the day it's approved. It is printed clearly on the visa.