<p>I have been admitted to the University of Toronto for Engineering Science and to the University of Waterloo for Mechatronics Engineering. Toronto has PEY and Waterloo has Co-op. Thus, I will be able to gain work experience before I graduate. I am just wondering which program will be able to give me the edge in acquiring a job after graduation. Also, which one will give me the edge if I want to apply to some of the most renowned universities in the United States (such as Caltech, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, etc.) for grad school?</p>
<p>Both the programs are very good. </p>
<p>Waterloo is well known for their Co-Op programs. Mechatronics is unique in combining ME, EE, CS & Systems engineering.
Engineering science at Toronto is also unique in applying engineering to solve real world problems.</p>
<p>With Waterloo’s engineering + co-op training, it may be easier to get a job after graduation, while with UT’s engineering science, there is a higher chance (60%), of gaining admission to graduate school. </p>
<p>You may need further information.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Do the Professional Experience Year (PEY), and the Co-Op program guarantee acceptance to all the applicants? Just because the universities offer summer training programs does not mean that every engineering student can get into Co-op/PEY. </p></li>
<li><p>What is the average GPA of graduating seniors from both the programs? Gaining admissions to graduate Schools, especially the ones like MIT, CalTech etc. requires fairly high GPA (> 3.7).</p></li>
<li><p>What percentage of Mechatronics students co-op at non automotive companies? If it
is too automotive centric, it may steer the students to that industry for jobs after graduation.
Diversified co-op experience provides more options (at different industries) for jobs post graduation.</p></li>
</ol>