I already made one post about York University in Toronto, but this question was a little different. I have heard so many people call York students the r-word online or use the expression ‘if you can pick up a fork you can get into York.’ Is it really that bad? Can someone from York (or even around there) tell me? I’d be doing Schulich business, which I’ve heard is good, but everything I’ve heard about the university in general online slightly contradicts that.
The expression is actually “If you can hold a fork you can get into York.” McGill, Queen’s and Waterloo (for STEM majors) are the only selective universities in Canada. At York overall admission standards are low with corresponding low retention and graduation rates. Schulich business is more selective and has a good reputation in Canada.
York University has always been decent, but definite 2nd banana after U of T for Toronto schools. With the massive increase in population in the GTA, and a corresponding increase in the population of wealthy Asian Canadians, it has become more selective and well thought of. The school of business, especially, has quite a good rep. Don’t forget Western Ontario as an option if you are looking at business schools! It is outstanding.
I disagree with the above poster. UBC and U of T are world class universities, and you can get a very good education at quite a few others with Western’s Business School and Mcmaster’s Medicine being just a couple of examples.
You can’t compare admissions policies of Canadian universities with those of U.S. schools. Well, you can, but it’s really apples and oranges. Canadian universities are public institutions and the general education policy is to be open to applicants who have reached a certain benchmark in academic stats. Schools are heavily subsidized by tax revenues, so it makes sense.
The difference is that once admitted, Canadian schools won’t do the coddling and hand-holding that many U.S. schools will. Thus, students need to be independent, dedicated students to succeed. Many do not.
York is a large university in a not so nice area of the city. That’s true. What is also true is that many students do well there and succeed afterwards. Schulich is a good program but it is their MBA that is highly respected.
Ignore the expressions. They are immature and aren’t helpful.
I think it’s important to note that a “not so nice area” is not to be compared to anything like the South Bronx, parts of the South side of Chicago, etc… I think the poster means, not very remarkable, and somewhat bland.
@57special I think it’s fairly obvious to most, or at least it should be, that there is no area in Canada that compares in any way to issues in many large U.S. cities. That said, the area near York is not a desirable one in the city and there are crime statistics that may be of concern to some. It rarely impacts the campus itself.
@alwaysamom oops, forgot about the Jane/Finch corridor, which is pretty near York. Not too pleasant, unless it’s been cleaned up since I was there in the late 80’s.
Many schools in Ontario have those kinds of expressions associated with them (e.g. “If you can walk and talk, you can go to Brock,” “if you can walk and talk faster, you can go to McMaster,” “if you want to be able to pay your rent, don’t go to Trent,” “Rye High,” “Wuck Festern,” “Waterlosers”…the list goes on). I wouldn’t put any stock in things like that. I went to “Rye High” for a brief time (I ended up transferring–not because of the quality of the academics) and I definitely agree with alwaysamom, at most any Canadian school you need to be motivated and focused in order to succeed.
My one caution about York has nothing to do with it’s lack of selectivity or it’s location (agree not the nicest area) but rather the penchant it’s faculty has for going on strike…frequently.
https://www.macleans.ca/education/york-university-is-this-canadas-most-strike-prone-school/
http://higheredstrategy.com/the-york-strike/
http://higheredstrategy.com/more-york/