<p>So, its either Ontario, Canada or Philadelphia, PA. I'm looking to specialize in astrophysics, but not completely sure yet. Please share your thoughts on the pros and cons of both countries and career prospects, thank you.</p>
<p>I don’t know very much, but my HS senior went to the U of Waterloo, Canada for his physics degree< He was smart and should have got into some US college at least></p>
<p>Hmmm, do you know why he chose canada over the states?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Tuition and fee in Canada is cheaper when compared to US.</p></li>
<li><p>Waterloo is the home to RIM, the company that makes Blackberry.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Read more here about the impressive facts on Waterloo,</p>
<p>[Waterloo</a> facts | About Waterloo](<a href=“http://uwaterloo.ca/about/who-we-are/waterloo-facts]Waterloo”>http://uwaterloo.ca/about/who-we-are/waterloo-facts)</p>
<p>Canada or U.S. for BS in Physics? - simple question, complicated answers. You really need to consider what your end-goals are before you make the final commitment; this will have second- and third-order effects down the line. Both countries have excellent institutions, but the bottom line is what you plan on doing with your degree when you are done with it. The obvious question would be: why Astrophysics?</p>
<p>About 20 years ago, someone made this comment: if you plan on getting just a BS, pick a Major that when you add “-ing” to it, it spells a career field. Example: Engineering, Nursing, Educating (Teaching), etc. you get the point. It makes sense when you think about it. That argument changes once you pursue an advanced degree (MS/MBA/etc.) - that changes your career options dramatically.</p>
<p>So back to the original question: US or Canada? Anialways mentioned Waterloo - excellent school, good reference to RIM - but what would you do at RIM with an Astrophysics degree? And not to mention RIM’s current state of health.</p>
<p>You mentioned Philadelphia - UPenn be any chance? Excellent top-school; good hard sciences program (Phys/Chem/Bio) - career options are endless if you go to UPenn and then pursue an advanced degree after a few years. On the other hand, if it’s a no-name school in the Philly vicinity, then you probably shouldn’t waste your time (and money - and yes, Canada would be a lot cheaper tuition-wise). And then there’s the plethora of choices in the U.S. Go to any recognizable name school here, and you can bet that most employers around the world have heard of them (University of [pick your favorite state]) vs. University of Manitoba - you should probably consider that angle as well when picking a school.</p>
<p>If you are really hellbent on doing Astrophysics, my recommendation would be to pick a top-10 (or so) school in the U.S. and contemplate on pursuing a graduate degree shortly thereafter. There are other career options for people with hard science/analytics background - finance, strategy, etc., but you’ll need to bolster your resume with more than just the degree to really take advantage of those options. It will probably cost you a bit more initially, but the long-term payoff math should easily point you in the right direction.</p>
<p>Would be interested in hearing other peoples’ take on this topic.</p>
<p>‘Anialways mentioned Waterloo - excellent school, good reference to RIM - but what would you do at RIM with an Astrophysics degree?’</p>
<p>The context was purely to highlight Waterloo for what it is. The challenging situation of RIM today in no way can and should undermine the force it was to begin with. All I am saying is Waterloo is a great university, as far as my knowledge goes. And would like to share where I gather it from. And at no point in time am giving a decision or passing a judgement. Do not know much about astrophysics anyway, so just my two cents…</p>
<p>Also with regards to Physics all I know about in context of Waterloo is from the following link,</p>
<p>[Perimeter</a> Institute for Theoretical Physics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perimeter_Institute_for_Theoretical_Physics]Perimeter”>Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>"Stephen Hawking Centre at Perimeter Institute</p>
<p>Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is an independent research centre in foundational, theoretical physics located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1999.
In addition to research, Perimeter also provides scientific training and educational outreach activities to the general public. This is done in part through Perimeter’s Educational Outreach team.</p>
<p>Designed by Teeple Architects, a new 55,000 square feet (5,000 m2) expansion, the Stephen Hawking Centre at Perimeter Institute, completed in September 2011 and is the first building to which Stephen Hawking, a Perimeter Institute Distinguished Research Chair has ever lent his name. "</p>
<p>Also</p>
<p>[Waterloo</a>, Ontario - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo,_Ontario]Waterloo”>Waterloo, Ontario - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>“The city is also home to three well known think tanks – the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, an advanced centre for the study of foundational, theoretical physics and award-winning educational outreach in science; the Institute for Quantum Computing, based at the University of Waterloo, which carries out innovative research in computer, engineering, mathematical and physical sciences; and the Centre for International Governance Innovation, an independent, nonpartisan think tank that addresses international governance challenges.”</p>
<p>And if you are interested in rankings, then again, it is a good place to go to,</p>
<p>[2012</a> QS Canadian University Rankings: Physics and Astronomy |Top Universities in Canada](<a href=“http://www.university-list.net/canada/rank/univ-7016.htm]2012”>Materials Sciences | QS Ranking of Top Universities in Canada 2020 | Best Canadian Universities - Education Rankings)</p>
<p>@Anialways - UWaterloo is quite good, and I go there often, and the surrounding area is somewhat of a mini high-tech hub; however, in answering the original question re: Astrophysics, I’d be skeptical about the value of pursuing that at UWaterloo without a concrete plan to pursue something beyond that.</p>
<p>As for locality - Philly, being located between DC and NY, trump the opportunities that Toronto and Detroit have to offer.</p>
<p>Best regards.</p>
<p>–
S. Mohammad, Ph.D. - GradTree</p>