<p>Now the major thing is not which school has better programs. The most important thing is which one is a better school. </p>
<p>I heard mostly negative views on Uof T, like class discussions rare, professors inapproachable, classes hard, students unfriendly and cliqueish etc. Which are the main things that hold me back from UT, I fear I'll be lost . On the other hand, I didn't hear much from Queen's, only knowing it's a much smaller u and harder to get in, and seems students are more sociable...</p>
<p>So obviously according to the information that I got I should go Queen's, however, I wonder how true the stereotypical descriptions about UT are true. Could anyone who've been to Queens or UT enlighten me? I reallly do not want to be misinformed and make a wrong choice. Thank you very much~!</p>
<p>Queen's is definitely more sociable , particular due to it's small community feel. But classes being hard should not be a deterrent at U of T. Why would you want easy classes? LOL. What particular science are you majoring in? </p>
<p>It's seems you already made up your mind for Queens already: small classes, size, more sociable. I don't know if professors are any less approachable or unapproachable at Queen's but due to the smaller class size they have more time to devote to you than they would perhaps at U of T. However, I must say the class size at U of T being a hinderance is vastly exagerrated. I think once most students attend the classes they don't really see it as a hinderance toward learning. However advantages of small classes at Queen's cannot be denied.</p>
<p>I'm glad to see Queen's being mentioned now by US students. For a long time on this board it seems it was U of T versus Mcgill and Queen's has just as good reputation as those two schools and in some programs is even better.</p>
<p>Why don't you visit both schools before you make up your mind, seeing for yourself is always better than asking for advice?</p>
<p>actually, everyone I know (Canada) hates UofT because of the qualities said in the preceding. It is a huge school with huge classes, less selective, zero community feel, zero school spirit etc...almost not even a real university, just a place to learn.</p>
<p>Everyone I know loves Queens, Western etc...people like the community feels and thats why Kingston and London are liked because they contribute to the tight-knit feel...they are small towns that cator to their students.</p>
<p>Both UofT and Queens are hard...I guess its all about what you enjoy more...a city? a town? etc. It sounds like you enjoy the community feel so got to Queens. But let it be known that Queens isnt known in the states.</p>
<p>Thank you,ivyleaguer, dooit and aca0260 for replying to my post:)</p>
<p>TO ivyleaguer: I'd be glad if I were an American, but in fact I am from Asia, I would be very glad too to visit both campuses, but they are a thousand miles away! :)</p>
<p>To aca: your opinion is typical of what I heard, and it strengthens them.</p>
<p>You all seem to agree that Queen's is not well known abroad.</p>
<p>The major advantage of attending UT is they give me 4 credits straight upon my entrance (20 credits is what you need to graduate in UT), based on my work done in High School (A level). But Queen's just replied to my query saying that they do not give credit for A level. SO it's like if I go UT I could graduate in 3 years and avoiding learning things I've already learned, while Queen's I got to solidly finish the 4 year course...I'm 21 years old already, and do not have much money. Except that, in every respect I like Queen's more...it's a tough decision</p>
<p>Well, if you really enjoy the country atmosphere then go ahead and join Queens. personally, I prefer toronto (because im from the GTA) but that's my choice. But either way, the results should be the same :)</p>
<p>Youssarin, it seems that international reputation is the most important factor to you because you will be moving back to Asia. Fair enough then. So, to defend U of T, it's lack of social atmosphere is due mostly to its location at least in my opinion. It's in Toronto. So many students run off campus for fun. It really has very little to do with the university in general. With so much to do in Toronto, who wants to stay on campus. </p>
<p>that aside, as far as community feel, U of T feels like it's own little community within a community because it's a little bit of green in a concrete jungle, so once you step on campus you actually feel like you're in a sanctuary. At least I always do when I visit the campus.</p>
<p>Take my advice. you really won't find the class size a problem and would probably end up asking yourself what all the fuss is about. </p>
<p>There are also many ways to be more sociable at U of T and to get to know fellow members of your student body: Join a fraternity, join a sports team, join a student group and live on campus. If you do any of these you'll find your experience there VERY rewarding. </p>
<p>Or you could choose a suburban campus. Erindale or Scarborough, both share many profs with downtown with smaller classes and GREATER sense of community and being social because they are relatively small and isolated from downtown and you can always take any courses, if you wish, downtown too. </p>
<p>In terms of reputation, I'd say you can't go wrong with either. Be aware that Queen's has a reputation for being full of kids with $$$$$$. It's very preppy, so make sure you're comfortable with that sort of atmosphere before going. U of T would definitely be more diverse socio-economically. Queen's is in a kind of smaller town, so the kids have to make their own community, and as a result they're more tight-knit. If you go to UofT, you'll have the whole of Toronto at your doorstep, but that means that a lot fewer students live on-campus or nearby, making the community a little more scattered. With a little work, though, you could carve out your own niche there.</p>
<p>Yes, I attended U of T. It was a great experience I got accepted to Columbia University grad school from there. I wouldn't have traded U of T for Harvard. the academics there were second to none. I actually didn't want to graduate. Try taking a class at scarborough your first year ( maybe a half a course, you don't want to trek there in the winter). If you like it and feel isolated downtown then transfer to scarborough for your second year. the dorms at Scarborough are cooler than downtown cause you feel like you're in a village of students. it's quite an experience. </p>
<p>If you haven't chosen your college downtown yet go for Victoria, Trinity or St. Michaels, they are the most beautiful buildings. Make sure you visit Hart House and Old Vic, no matter what college you get. Beautiful architecture. The Great hall at Hart house is fantastic, and University college is not too shabby either. Oh yeah, party at the Brunswick house ( it's a university tradition) and you must Do Frosh week! You'll make all the friends you need for your 4 years during this week.</p>
<p>It's is quite severe, ibkid, but most U.S graduate schools realize this. If you get a C+ in a course, take that as an A- at Harvard. You'll find U of T be very challenging academically but very stimulating as well.</p>
<p>Queen's has much more of a US-mid size univeristy feel. The kids love the school and spend much time on campus or around campus. It is preppy but so what...it at least has a distinct identity. I would atke it over U of T for undergraduate but not for grad school.</p>
<p>hmm, in terms of academics.... ut is strong in sciences and queen's is..business..? i'm thinking about going to one of these 2 as well as a school in the US...but i'm not really informed about the canadian schools... help, neone...?</p>