<p>I have a bachelors degree in mathematics and currently finishing a masters in applied math. Both from the same unranked large unknown state school.</p>
<p>Could anyone offer some information on how it works in Canada in comparison with US? After looking at the math pages of Toronto and Waterloo I can see the mindset is very different such as requiring a masters before a Phd, whereas in the US it is very common to go from BS to PhD. However, they expect their PhDs to be done in 3 years so I guess that their Masters+PhD in Canada = PhD in US (since it takes around 5 here). Is this correct?</p>
<p>If so I would be doing another Masters in Canada, which I do not mind. I was prepared for 5 years of PhD in the US, and now that Im considering Canada it would be 2 yrs for Masters + 3 yrs for PhD, timewise being the same.</p>
<p>In terms of competitiveness, I assume Toronto and Waterloo are the best universities in Canada, how hard is it to get into them? Could anyone offer a comparison in terms of US schools? Such as "Toronto/Waterloo is as hard to get into as this US school ... " ?</p>
<p>Supposing I get my PhD in Canada, I wouldnt mind staying in Canada to live, but if I were to come back to the US, I suppose PhDs are international and there would be no need to re-validate etc?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>