I start my Engineering course in Fall 2005 in Canada. I have been offered place in Mechanical Engineering at UofT and Mechatronics Engineering (Co-op) at Waterloo (with Scholarship). I want advice on where to join.Both universities have there plus points. As I am a girl student,I also need to know the pros and cons of a co-op program as it will entail frequent change of location. I will appreciate prompt replies as I have to take decision within next few
weeks.
<p>engineering waterloo is the better of the two, hands down.
you're right - the coop will give you the advantage. Many who are educated at waterloo get internships in Toronto - its not too far away. I can tell you U of T is competitive, but waterloo engineering is the harder one to get into (less spots?) I've always admired girls going into engineering...</p>
<p>Thanks for the prompt reply. My concerns about Waterloo are its location; I don't know if students miss on city life and logistics. For Co-op every six months a student may need to find a job as well as a living unit near to it. I really need to know from anyone who has done Co-op; is it more difficult than it really is? Pl. advice.</p>
<p>I would say UofT would be the better choice as it is internationally ranked and it provides a better education for its students.</p>
<p>waterloo is better known internationally and provides a better education </p>
<p>Co-op heh i got in too and dont know much abt the finding living quarters thing and working in toronto either, anyone?</p>
<p>Waterloo has a much better reputation in engineering.</p>
<p>while my field of engineering is not mechanical, I agree with amrik that Waterloo has a stellar reputation in engineering overall. I visited there a few years ago & I agree its a bit out there though. Very new campus, and fairly small urban area.</p>
<p>I would strongly advise against mechatronics at Waterloo. The major is just too specialised for an undergrad degree. IMHO you're better off with a mechanical engineering degree from Toronto.</p>
<p>I want to thank CC forum member "bittersweet28" for sending me the following information on the subject :<br>
Both Waterloo and Toronto have excellent engineering programs. If finances are a concern for you, co op and scholarships will be of great help. However, U of T will also provide financial aid if you are unable to make ends meet as well. My chemistry teacher has said in the past that co op is very important as it gives you very valuable experience. You may need to change locations for your job, but if it is not in Waterloo you would probably come to Toronto for your employment. Toronto isn't too far and I'm sure they will help you arrange for a place to live. I have a friend who is doing co op at Waterloo and although she is not in the sciences she enjoys it very much because it's a good opportunity to gain hands-on experience and some money at the same time. In recent history (like, last year or two) Waterloo's engineering has been a very hot pick. It's very famous for its math, engineering and computer sciences departments. RIM is also a telecommunications company that started at UofW.Toronto is a bigger city and may present you with more opportunities and definately a better time, but I have heard many stories about students who are discontent with the college experience because there are way too many students at UofT and it's very difficult to get to know the students and teachers. This is especially bad for communter students who don't live on campus. Waterloo will have a better community environment, although I do heard that their buildings are not very attractive. Personally, I would go to Waterloo because its engineering is very well known, and because you are being offered a scholarship and co op. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>"hello"
Thanks for your kind response to my query on choice of college and discipline. I saw your previous e-mails and found one dated 7th May 2005 (enclosed) which motivates me for co-op program at Waterloo. Also 90 to 95% people are advising me to join Waterloo though I am inclined for U of T. Your further advise would help me. </p>
<p>nomad, go for Waterloo University. Its waayy better than Illinois IT. </p>
<p>If you're worried about costs, dont forget tht the coop program pays a lot, and after going through Waterloo's coop program you're virtually guaranteed a 60K job in Canada just weeks after your graduation.</p>
<p>hehe, nice work detective ;)</p>
<p>About nomad, well he got into the computer engineering program and waterloo's computer engineering is unbeatable in Canada. Btw that 60K thing is only applicable for Computer Science and Engineering :p</p>
<p>Again, about mechatronic engineering: Well I'm into robotics and I was seriously considering the mechatronic major at waterloo for quite some time. When I started asking ppl about the pros and cons of the program, they all agreed on one fact ie, the mechatronic engineering major is just 1 year old (i think) and since its relatively new I'm better off doing a more general engineering for undergrad - like Mechanical or EE and then moving on to mechatronics for grad. And all of them advised STRONGLY against any specialised undergrad program like mechatronic, nano engineering etc.</p>
<p>Had you been admitted to the Mechanical Engineering program at Waterloo, I would have recommended Waterloo in a heartbeat. But dont compromise your choice of major just to go to Waterloo. And right now, no one knows how a Mechatronic engineering degree will be recieved by employers (since no one has graduated from tht program from waterloo, yet).</p>
<p>IMO stick with the basics, go for Mechanical Engineering (undergrad) at UofT (you can do Coop there too), you'll find a high paying job easily dont worry :). And then if you're still interested in mechatronics then go for it in Grad school.</p>
<p>"Hello",
I appreciate your comprehensive reply and well judged arguments. StudentS opting for Mechanical Engineering at U of T still thave Mechatronics, Bio-Medical as well as Bio-Mechanical option available at the end of 2nd or 3rd year. You have rightly suggested that there is an optional co-op or Professional Enginerring Year (PEY) at the end of 2nd or 3rd year depending on student's choice.This will be at back of my mind always in the decision making process. Lets see if anyone has solid counter arguments for me to join Waterloo.
Regards</p>
<p>ppl your opinion is urgently sought on this matter of U of T or Waterloo; I will take final decision in next few days..Regards</p>
<p>heh thanks hello :)</p>
<p>i've always heard that engineering is BEST at waterloo. although both unis are topnotch, waterloo has the best engineering program. it is on level with MIT and it is actually very hard to get into as well.</p>
<p>It is almost time to decide now ..the more i explore and survey the more i get confused the verdict is still 50:50 for U of T and Waterloo. Kindly note that I need real help here..don't withhold your views pl. share your views urgently on whether it would be U of T or Waterloo; I will take final decision in next few days..Regards</p>
<p>well, i would like to guess that your 50:50 is based on the academics and the international prestige, i would like to help you tip the scale in favor of U of T, you see, going to waterloo, that city doesn't have as much to offer as U of T, for example, can you find a theme park in Waterloo/Kitchener? Another thing, i would imagine transportation would be much more convenient in Toronto, and you meet more interesting people in Toronto. There is also the Eaton Centre + the new Vaughan Mills. so... i say go to U of T</p>
<p>You have valid arguments in favour of U of T. Also I hear U of T has 400,000 stroung alumini which helps in getting jobs. On the other end they say Waterloo is MIT of Canada and is the cutting edge of Engineering. ppl i need more comments to decide, this is crucial time, will not come back again..pl. help m with your view point.</p>
<p>Regards</p>
<p>hmmm let's see again, do you really want to go to waterloo? Toronto is much better recognized!!! say if you graduate with an 85% avg at U of T, you can probably go to MIT afterwards, why go to MIT of Canada when you can go to MIT later. plus, cutting edge :s, waterloo isn't that cutting edge, you should know that in canada, u of t is the leading research school, they got the most money to bring its students the MOST cutting edge equipments in Canada! I mean plus, what cutting edge thing would you use? i don't think they'll let you use particle acceleraters in first 4 years either... so...
feel free to contact me: msn: jack_frost429@hotmail and AIM: sqingx</p>
<p>Thanks for your valuable reply, which will shape the course of my destiny. The winner is University of Toronto. I start my Mechanical Engineering there this fall. The research to decide on the right university out of the 12 offers which I received took me around 6 weeks. I am going ahead with lots of confidence on my decision. I need forum members benedictions and want to thank all who contributed in guiding me.
God Bless you all.
Best Regards
Suggs</p>