Hi everyone,
I have been admitted to both Michigan (LSA Honors) and Waterloo (Computer Engineering with COOP), but I have a difficult time determining which one to attend.
I believe Michigan can be a very good fit for me. I did some research and had compared it to other schools I am admitted to (Waterloo, Toronto). The pros for Michigan is more resources (in term of building, professor to student ratio, alumni), more satisfaction and student life, more liberal arts, as well as some privileges I can get from Honors program (better dorm/ class selection). Its international image exceeds Waterloo. Yet, its CS program is not as good as Waterloo or Toronto.
I am admitted to Waterloo for Computer Engineering with a little bit of scholarship. I am offered an honor COOP where I can enjoy two years of work in the industry along with studying, on a work permit. More graduates go to the Bay Area than those in Michigan do. This seems like a great opportunity I cannot forgo. The pet peeve is that it is a 5-year program. It might not have a great prospect for a master’s program as much as Michigan does (in terms of research).
I have no preference for CS or CE. I can afford both schools. Right now, I think I have a huge interest in studying HCI and AI for a master/PhD in the future.
I am not sure how can I balance program reputation with work prospects. Thus, I would really appreciate your opinion on this.
Thank you!!
It’s a 5 year program because you spend 2 years working. The number of school semesters is exactly the same. Students earn $10K to $25K CAD per work semester. Google Waterloo coop earnings engineering.
The research at UWaterloo in CE would be at least as good if not better than Michigan.
Are you a Canadian or US citizen? Is there a cost difference?
“It’s a 5 year program because you spend 2 years working.”
My personal belief is that the time spent working is very valuable. This will make it easier to get a job after graduation. However, I also think that it allows a person to get more out of their classes. You get some sense of “reality” when you are working, then you go back to class and learn things that you might get to apply in the future. You end up graduating with both a degree from a great university and also work experience.
I think that these are both very good choices for CS.
Two questions: What country are you from? Where do you intend to work after graduation?
If you are not from either Canada or the US, then getting a visa to work in the US after graduating from a US university is at best unpredictable. However, getting a visa to work in Canada after graduating from a Canadian university is much more predictable and much more likely to actually happen.
“I am not sure how can I balance program reputation with work prospect.”
They both have strong program reputations and they both offer strong work prospects, so there is nothing to balance there. Rather, as other posters have said, what matters most is your citizenship/work status.
@bouders Thank you for your insight on Waterloo research!! I am neither Canadian nor US citizens.
@PurpleTitan @DadTwoGirls Thank you! I am neither Canadian nor US citizens, so it seems like Waterloo is more ideal.
CS is such an in demand degree, why wait additional years to get it? Go to Michigan and enjoy your full collegiate experience.
“why wait additional years to get it”
Because the extra year before graduation comes with two years of work experience in the coop program.
It is true that both schools are excellent and jobs should be plentiful with a degree from either.
