<p>I am a student from China and will enter U of Waterloo to pursue my PHD degree in theoretical physics. I also get offers from Stanford and UT Austin, but I declined both of them, due to the fact that Waterloo is extremly excellent at theoretical physics.</p>
<p>I would like to know whether Waterloo is a good school in the eyes of the Americans. If I graduate from Waterloo, how much the chance I can find a decent job in U.S.?
Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>I’ve heard of Waterloo, but not much. I’ve only heard about its actuarial science program from a friend of mine. I can’t say I know too much about it, though.</p>
<p>I think people in the U.S. will recognize UT Austin and Stanford more than Waterloo, but I don’t think that will necessarily hinder your ability to find a decent job in the U.S.</p>
<p>Yeah, one of my friends, when he was thinking about going into actuarial science, was heavily looking into Waterloo.</p>
<p>It depends on your goals. </p>
<p>Since you are getting a PhD in theory, I assume you want to pursue a research/teaching career. Anybody of influence in the physics world in the US will have heard of Waterloo and understand the excellence of its program. You will be competitive with students from major US universities.</p>
<p>If you want to pursue a job in the business world, you will find Americans very inward looking and some recruiters will not appreciate the degree or even have heard of Waterloo.</p>
<p>Waterloo has long had a strong reputation as well in computer science. Bill Gates has often remarked that he loves to hire Waterloo students and considers them among the best in the world.</p>
<p>I am not a physics person, but your turning down Stanford worries me a little bit. Is Waterloo that much better? Stanford has a much better general ambience and weather and it is not far from one of the best cities in the world. Winters are rough in Waterloo!</p>
<p>For theoretical physics, I would think that the Perimeter Institute ([Home</a> - Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics](<a href=“http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/]Home”>http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/)) in Waterloo would be an attraction. It’s loosely affiliated with U of Waterloo (cross-appointments for faculty, joint research, seminars, etc.).</p>
<p>Professionals in your field will recognize University of Waterloo.
It kind of reminds me of Caltech since the average person may not know the name, but companies in science/engineering definitely regard Caltech with respect.</p>
<p>Both my parents went to U of Waterloo…my dad was in physics and my mom was in the school of optometry I believe…we live in California right now, and neither of them ever had any problems finding jobs in Canada or US</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your advices.</p>
<p>Just because it has to be said…</p>
<p>Isn’t the university of waterloo a lousy name to pick? </p>
<p>waterloo- (noun) a decisive or crushing defeat: The candidate met her Waterloo in the national elections.</p>
<p>Good luck getting in, though.</p>