Choosing between UofT, Waterloo, UBC or Mcmaster

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hi everybody,
I am an international student from Russia and I am going to enter one of canadian universities within a year. All of them have their positive and negative points and I am really torn between them. I want to enter maths/computer/business program
So there is what I know now:</p>

<p>UofT:
pros: high reputation, located in Toronto, a lot of research
cons: highly competitive, the university keeps its GPA low artificcially, so impossible to get high grades, no school spirit or social life, easy to get lost because of its size</p>

<p>Waterloo:
pros: high reputation. good co-op program, much attention to mathematics, located near Toronto
cons: highly compeptitive, no social life, all students are nerds, no white people (no racism, just the fact that it is possible to be alone), poor condition of a gym (important for me), ugly dorms,located in isolated and gloomy town.</p>

<p>UBC:
pros: easy transfer (through Columbia College), beauty of Vancover, reputation as a top university, a lot of research
cons: located in British Columbia (fewer work opportunities), mostly asian, many bad reviews about profs.</p>

<p>Mcmaster:
pros: good social scene, lovely campus, education of high quality, good co-op program (or not?, good maths department, located near Toronto
cons: nothing special, doesn't have a reputation as a top university, possibility of not getting work experience after graduation, poor choice of maths programs.</p>

<p>So, as you can see, I want to achieve a balance between social lofe and academics and get some work experience. What is the best combination for me? I also wonder if the information I have gathered is right and trustworthy.
Please, give your opinion.</p>

2

<p>You pretty much nailed it. You should also look into Western (amazing party scene, top 10 in NA), Queen’s, McGill, etc.</p>

3

<p>I’m from British Columbia and I have to say UBC is a pretty awesome school.
I wouldn’t say that BC has fewer job opportunities necessarily. Vancouver is a very interesting and diverse city with so many opportunities and UBC would be able to give you strong job networks through Co-op programs etc with local businesses.</p>

<p>Another nice thing about B.C compared to Ontario is the weather. It does rain quite a bit during the winter, but it is fairly moderate and doesn’t have the hot and cold extremes like Ontario.</p>

<p>Also, UBC business is very highly regarded and is considered one of the best in Canada. The only school on your list that may be considered better is U of T, but is it arguable. Personally, I think for a really good mix of academics, social aspects, city, and job opportunities UBC and Vancouver is the best option. :)</p>

4

<p>Waterloo has the best program if you’re considering math/computer science/business. I believe they even have a double degree program with Laurier. You get a math degree from Waterloo and a business one from Laurier. Best of both worlds! Here is a link for more info: [Business</a> Administration and Mathematics Double Degree | Future Students](<a href=“Future undergraduates | Mathematics | University of Waterloo”>Future undergraduates | Mathematics | University of Waterloo)
And it’s true, you will most likely get a job coming out of Waterloo and it has a pretty good reputation.</p>

<p>Waterloo actually has a great social life, you just need to make an effort to socialize and get involved in the community. And people there are not nerds. I know lots of people at Waterloo and they love the community there. I guess the people you’re talking to don’t get out very much. And you will not be alone as a white person. I actually don’t even know what that means. Will you only socialize with white people? I’m curious as to why you’re attracted to Canadian universities in the first place. In the end, the social life is what you make of it. </p>

<p>The campus at Waterloo is not the most attractive I have to say. But every university has a decent athletic facility and there isn’t much difference between them in each university. Unless you’re a world-class athlete, I think you’ll be able to live with it. Waterloo is actually a pretty nice college town. There are a lot of universities in the area and like you said, it’s near Toronto so it’s not that isolated. </p>

<p>U of T is everything you said, but there is a lot of school spirit, especially within each individual college. I don’t know if you’re aware yet, but U of T has numerous colleges and you get placed into one when you’re admitted. Your college is your residency and most of your friends will probably be from your college. There is a lot of community in some of the colleges, especially the smaller ones. I would suggest applying to Trinity or Victoria and listing them as your top choices. </p>

<p>U of T has one of the most vibrant social scenes, I don’t know where you got the idea of a dead social life from! And U of T is big because it has three campuses. You’ll probably be placed in one of them. I think you’ll find your way alright. The St. George campus is absolutely breathtaking.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Business…Ivey (Western) and queens commerce also both are party schools… if your thinking accounting consider Schulich (York) </p>

<p>Computer science…UW or uoft</p>

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<p>Yeah there is no school spirit but there is skule spirit (sorry had to)…no it is not impossible to get high grades. Im in engineering and there are people who have high gpas and a social life… it comes down to how hard you are willing to work. </p>

<p>No you will not get “lost”. There are many people here yes but you will make friends all the same alot of people are international students so have no fear. </p>

<p>Im not sure where you got the notion that there is no social life…if your 19+ its awesome the club and bar scene in toronto is great. Its not as good till your 19 but you can still have a good time. </p>

<p>If your thinking comp sci im gonna go ahead and say waterloo is the best in terms of work experience. You can land some sweet jobs even in first or second year. The social life will be what you make of it. </p>

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<p>Dude (or dudet?!?)…if your going into comp sci or math that automatically means you willl be among nerds and thereby are a nerd. We welcome you…</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

6

<p>There are no white people at Waterloo? None?</p>

7

<p>That would be very incorrect.</p>

8

<p>Wow you ahve summed up the stereotypes very well! The sad thing is there isn’t a lot of basis for it in real life.</p>

<p>Take U of T. The only school that actually provides class average next to actual grades…as a faculty member that reads transcripts a lot when we recruit for grad school, we can readily see how a student did compared to their peers (the actual grade then is irrelevant).</p>

<p>Take jobs at UBC. Just as many American and Canadian recruiters go to UBC as U of T or McGill and region is not relevant here (or if you want to play region card…take note of the tremendously booming economy in the province right next to UBC …).</p>

<p>All of these schools do tremendous research…and there is no way the difference in level would be remotely noticeable to an undergrad. </p>

<p>There are plenty of ‘white people’ at Waterloo…</p>

<p>Okay I gotta stop because this is really silly.</p>