So, right now i’m an American junior in high school. The University of Toronto has caught my eye ever since I went to Canada two weeks ago, and my dad suggested it. I saw that it consistently ranked in the top 30 - even the top 20 by USNWR - globally. Generally I distrust global rankings, however, due to the fact that it is more research oriented rather than providing the best insight into academic quality. Nonetheless, I still think U of T is highly regarded in North America, but I still have worries of how highly it is regarded in America. Is the employability by American employers good for U of T grads? Lastly, it costs 55k USD total to attend, and with 10k per/yr student loans and a job part-time which will also pay 10k a year I can work it down to 35k total annually: is this price worth it? Is it worth it to study in Canada? My only other college prospects are Purdue, UGA, and Virginia Tech: do you think a U of T degree is seen as substantially better than a degree from these schools? Thanks.
Anybody who has an opinion on this please answer! I really need the advice );
You posted this in November:
And when another student asked if you were accepted or deferred, you responded with this:
So I’m not sure what your situation really is. If you’re a rising senior applying to colleges this fall, you need to set a budget. Can you borrow $10k/year in Canada? You can’t in the US. The federal loan limit is ~$5500/year. Who’s going to pay the $35k net cost? If your parents can pay $35k out-of-pocket you have lots of options. Why are your only other prospects 3 US universities? There are roughly 3,000 colleges in the US. Why are you only looking at 3 of them?
I’m planning to transfer, and I’m going to Purdue. I don’t know if i’ll like Purdue so my other prospects are Virginia Tech and UGA. The reason is these colleges are still cheap and good. There are not many out of state options like it (: Also, yeah you’re right about the 5,500, so ill have to take that into consideration. My parents can pay the hefty bill of 35k-40k, but I want to revert back to my original question: is U of T internationally worth more than going to Virginia Tech, Purdue, or UGA domestically? (Also keep in mind that U of T is also more expensive than these options).
Are you a high school junior or college freshman? That’s an important detail because transfers don’t get much aid. If you haven’t actually applied anywhere yet, you need some safeties on your list.
@DadTwoGirls can probably tell you about Canadian colleges. If they cost $55k and your parents can pay $35k, that leaves a $20k net cost. You can earn ~$3k over the summer and borrow ~$5500. That leaves over $12k for you to raise, + travel costs, books, living expenses, and possibly health insurance. How will you pay for that?
I have done the math. The total cost, including health insurance, tuition, books, housing & the meal plan, and travel will be just north of 70k CAD, which is 55k USD. At U of T you can work on/off campus for up to 20 hours a week as an international student, so I plan to work in the summer and during the year - $10,000. Then, I plan to take $5,500 out so - $5500. $10,000 + $5,500 = $15,500, $55,000 - $15,500 = ~ $40,000 (ballpark value), So yes, I have done the math. I have a very long and complicated situation to the “I’m a junior” situation but all you need to know is that i’m done with high school as a junior. (and thus am a rising college freshman).
I think 20 hours/week is a lot to work while you’re in school. What’s your package at UGA look like?
At UGA it will cost me 22K total. So in theory I will be paying close to double at U of T, and that’s after working a job and loans. Is that worth it? I know U of T is a better school, but is it better enough to merit such a price difference?
What would you major in at each school?
Business at both: not sure what exactly yet, but I know I want to go to each universities respective business college.
I don’t know much about their business programs. Start a new thread in the financial aid forum and title it something like “Purdue, VA Tech, UGA, or Toronto for Business?” and you’ll get more hits. Mention which colleges have accepted you and that all are affordable, but you’re not sure if you should stay at Purdue or transfer.
Alright thanks. Just posted.
Rotman (U of T) school of Business is excellent, but if you are considering going there then you might also consider UNiversity of Western Ontario(Ivey). They have an equally excellent Business school. I’m not sure if the cost of tuition is any less going there, but the cost of living is much less in London, ONT (300,000) than Toronto(5-6 M in the GTA), where the cost of renting is obscenely high.
I would not worry about how the school is regarded(there are a host of very good Business schools with little to choose between them in terms of reputation), but rather how good of a fit that school is for you. U of T is a huge urban school, and very competitive. It is known as being "intense", with a very tough grading curve. It also has a reputation as being impersonal, and where being politically correct is almost a Varsity sport. Some find the numbers and work load overwhelming.
If you can deal with the above, and love being in the middle of a large city with a host of things to do and eat, then perhaps U of T is for you, and you will flourish. If you want a college experience where the University dominates the town, then this is not the school for you. It has more in common with McGill, or NYU, than, say, Purdue or U of WI(Madison). I don’t know UGA or VaTech personally, so don’t want to compare to them.