<p>On the verge of a major decision here; due to financial constraints, I intend to transfer from UC Berkeley to U Waterloo or Virginia Tech or U Minnesota next fall.</p>
<p>I don't know much about U Waterloo; but I've heard they have a solid engineering program - by far the best in Canada - and that their co-op program is also pretty nifty.</p>
<p>Any input whatsoever on U Waterloo would be greatly appreciated - academics/student life/weather/town/eating/shopping/pickup soccer...anything!</p>
<p>UWaterloo is one of the best in the world for engineering even. probably in the top 10 or so.</p>
<p>I've been to visit once. campus is pretty nice, especially the math department. weather is decent, as far as Canada goes. but the town is quite small and boring, and sometimes it stinks for some reason O.o on a random note, I hear Stephen Hawking is planning on teaching something there... sounds tempting.</p>
<p>Waterloo is highly respected for engineering. Waterloo as a town isn't particularly big, but it's only an hour or two away from Toronto. I personally wasn't a huge fan of the campus, but then again I visited on a day where it was cold and rainy so that might have influenced my perception.</p>
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Waterloo is highly respected for engineering.
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Even in the States? Because I intend to go to Grad School here.</p>
<p>Yes, Waterloo is known in the States. In the last year some graduates have been accepted for grad studies at MIT and Stanford.</p>
<p>Do Canadian schools grade on the 4 point GPA scale? And there website doesn't say anything about this, but can people double major at U Waterloo?</p>
<p>I heard that Waterloo's best in Electrical Engineering and Computers, but UofT is apparently better for other stuff...</p>
<p>A few Canadian universities grade on a 4 point GPA.
Waterloo grades on a percentage scale. A double major is not possible in Engineering at Waterloo, but is in other programs.</p>
<p>Engineering programs at Waterloo and UofT are similar in content/quality.</p>
<p>My information is a few years old, but Waterloo's program in system design engineering and to a lesser extent computer engineering are the best. Students accepted and survived them are the best undergrads in the country, bar none.</p>
<p>I'd say Waterloo's Systems Design program... as well as U of Toronto's Engineering Science program are considered "the best" (and most selective) in Canada. I've known people from both programs who've ended up at grad programs at MIT/Caltech. The co-op program at Waterloo is great though, lots of the grads end up with job offers before graduating or right after graduation.</p>
<p>Yes, U of T engineering science grads are outstanding. Another program that comes to mind is Queen's engineering physics.</p>
<p>I still believe Waterloo's S D engineering is more selective though (admission-wise).</p>
<p>What is it about physics, mathematics and engineering that seem to attract the brightest and the best? It was like that when I was young, and it is still the case today.</p>
<p>If I am not mistaken, on another thread you express an affinity for math. Consider the fact that CS at UW is in a Faculty of Mathematics admitting 1500+ students each year. Math requirements in CS programs (and opportunities to take more) exceed those of other CS programs and definitely surpass engineering programs (where math is more technique-based than conceptual). CE at UW is well-respected, but not as flexible or open-ended as CS. Waterloo as a city is almost the polar opposite of Berkeley, but is an easy city to live in, with Toronto nearby for more sophisticated diversions.</p>