University of Washington, or U of Toronto?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Washington
1

<p>Hey Everyone,</p>

<p>I now have to make a decision between University of Toronto and UW. Here are a few categories between the Universities I came up with, so just say what you think. I am from California.</p>

<pre><code>Location, Quality of the location-I felt Seattle was much better than Toronto, with better weather and being much more beautiful.

Departments in Near East Studies, Ancient Near East, archaeology-Both schools had excellent departments in these areas, though UT had way more in the ancient near east. (Both had plenty of stuff with the Islamic world, which is my main interest, ancient world is secondary).

School Spirit-UW definitely has more.

Amount of campus life-UW is more focused on the actual college experience than UT, with UT having a 70% commuter population.

commuter vs. not commuter-UW has less commuters than UT, but both have commuter aspects.

Overall reputation, prestige, ranking-Both the same, maybe UT is better known for my areas of interest (I don't think it really matters for undergrad, both are excellent). UT is top for Canada, but not as well known in this country. Not to sure though/

Dorm Life-UW has more.

Greek Life-UW has more.

How comfortable my parents are with the school?-My parents are more comfortable with UW.

Distance, how close I will be to the “scenes” in the U.S., east vs. west coast, how often I will go home (more often preferred)-UW

How well known-Not sure

Likelihood of getting a job in the U.S., working for the U.S. Government-UW, my cousin in the CIA said it would be better to go to school in the U.S. but that it doesn't matter that much.

Chances of grad school in Neat East Studies, archaeology, or law school-Not to sure.

Activities in the area-Both have a lot.

International Experience, international students-UT will have much more of an international feeling, but I can just study abroad to feel "international."
</code></pre>

<p>Leave your comments.</p>

<p>Thanks so much! Your guys' advice will be very helpful. If you have anything else to say, just feel free to! (Such as other things about academics, anything you feel is important.)</p>

2

<p>It seems like in all your categories, UW is winning out. So, go there.
Have you visited both campuses? The feel of the school has a lot to do with where you go.</p>

<p>Oh, and you’re interested in Islamic studies? That is so cool. Just a warning, I am Muslim and my brother took a religion class at UW and was dissapointed with the amount of facts the professor got wrong when concerning Islam. Then again, that would probably happen at a lot of schools…</p>

3

<p>I’ve visited both campuses, both were beautiful, though UW seems a bit more green. Yeah, I am very interested in Islamic Studies, I’ve had a passion for it since 7th grade. The fact that the professor may have got stuff wrong could happen with religion classes anywhere, simply because of different perspectives and interpretations. Are you going to UW?</p>

4

<p>Quality of the location - UW
NES departments - tie except Toronto for ANES
School spirit - UW
Amount of campus life - UW
Overall reputation, prestige, ranking - tie
Dorm life - UW
Greek life - UW
How comfortable my parents are with the school - UW
Distance - UW
Likelihood of getting a job in the U.S., working for the U.S. Government - UW
Activities in the area - tie
International experience - Toronto</p>

<p>UW: 8/12
Toronto: 1/12
Tie: 3/12</p>

<p>It seems that UW is a better fit for you.</p>

<p>While I agree that UW does not offer much in the way of ancient Near Eastern studies, it is not entirely devoid of scholars working in that field. Scott Noegel is an excellent lecturer and researcher whose works I have often consulted, and Robert Wenke (if he’s still around) has been a key figure in shaping our views of ANE archaeology.</p>

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<p>If I want to get a PhD in lets say Egyptology, do you think it matters if I go to Toronto or UW? I just know that many ancient near east scholars and egyptologists didn’t necessarily major in ANES as an undergrad. What is your opinion, if I want to keep the doors open to going into Islamic Studies or ANES/Archaeology?</p>

6

<p>Yeah, it can happen anywhere, which is why I dont think its a huge deal.</p>

<p>And I am considering it. It’s either UW or Syracuse for me, and I’m in the midst of making that decision.</p>

7

<p>

That depends entirely on your language preparation and where you apply. Toronto regularly offers Egyptian and Akkadian; UW does not. Courses in ancient civilization, religion, archaeology, etc. are useful but not really required.</p>

<p>Despite the claims that Egyptology/Assyriology programs do not require prior knowledge of those languages, in practice that is patently untrue. Certain programs (Brown, Penn, Yale, Brandeis) do not admit students without at least one or two years of Egyptian or Akkadian, and others strongly favor applicants with that background.</p>

<p>I recommend that you contact the [department</a> at UW](<a href=“http://faculty.washington.edu/snoegel/contact.html]department”>Scott B. Noegel - Contact Information) to see how readily available those languages would be.</p>

8

<p>Languages such as Akkadian and Egyptian are offered a few times a year for a quarter, and Biblical Hebrew is offered almost every quarter. Plus, I can do independent study. Do you think I should consider UT more then? Because for me, it seems that UW is more all around better suited for me, plus I’m more interested in the Islamic world. Also, do you know which school is more prestigious, or does that not even matter?</p>

9

<p>Archaeology, what you say makes me worried and makes me lean a little more towards UT. However, I mostly want to learn either Arabic or Persian, and do not want to do intensive study of more than one language at the moment. However, I do want to keep the ANES option open. What do you say? Btw, any other comments are welcome.</p>

10

<p>bump. Anymore comments? Please give your input.</p>