Just A Question..

[Karma]

I would have posted this in the Random thread had thier been one, but there isn't so I guess I'll have to make a thread myself.

Okay, basically, I've been accepted to pretty much all of the Universities I applied to. However, I've now narrowed it down to two main ones. The first one (Ottawa), is a University that offers an Honours degree (can someone explain to me the significance of a honours degree in comparison to a regular one?) for my program - Political Science, as well as Co-op, guaranteed residence and a $2000 a year scholarship (provided I maintain a certain GPA in the University).

However, the University is six hours away from where I live now, and on top of that, it's a new city, and I wouldn't know anyone there.

My second option (Waterloo), is one of the best Universities in the province and accepted me for an Honours Arts program as well. I initially believed they would offer co-op after 2nd year to students in Political Science (which is what it says on the University site, the brochure and the department site), but when I emailed the help desk to double check, they said that no, I wouldn't get that option. However, one of my best friends is also going to Waterloo as well. Furthermore, it's only an hour away from where I live now and is completely a University city.

So, I'm conflicted as to which one would be the better choice. I have my mind made up on Waterloo, but the fact that Ottawa offers a higher scholarship as well as co-op (which I'm not 100% sure Waterloo offers, ever since their email) leans me towards picking it as well. The distance is definetly a turn off though.

Anyway, if you were in my shoes, which option would seem better? Feel free to post anything University related in here as well.

 

[Mamba]

If Ottawa offers a better program, I'd go with that. You can't stay at home forever.

 

[rafy]

I don't see why it would be relevant that it's 6 hours away. When you're applying for a job, you have no idea what you might end up. So you'll just have to get used to it and adapt, wherever you are.

I'd definitely go to Ottawa, since they're offering you more.

I just hope you realize that it'll be mighty hardy to get a job with political science, or some arts program. I have two relative who have a degree in political science. One is about to lose his job at a plastic bag manufacturing company, and the other works as a supervisor for some electrician company.

 

[Trip]

I've pretty much made up my mind on Waterloo as well. If you don't really mind paying the extra $2000 for Waterloo, then I'd say go for it. Ottawa does have its advantages being in the capitol city, which would do well for a polisci major, but the fact that Waterloo's that much closer to home is a great factor. Also, Waterloo is pretty much known as "the school" for co-op. They have the largest network of employers and the placement rate is really high. Also, reputation-wise, Waterloo has the better reputation and reputedly a better academic setting.

I actually "know" someone who's doing polisci at Waterloo; I could ask for his feedback of the program for you.

Are you in the Waterloo forum for Accepted Students or the Facebook group for Waterloo Applicants?

 

[Shapecity]

I really recommend you visit both campuses and get a feel for the environment. Talk to some of the students going there and ask them questions that concern you.

Do you prefer large classes or small classes? Do you prefer hands on learning or learning straigh out of a text book? Do you prefer large cities or small cities?

How much is the cost of living going to be in Ottawa v. Waterloo and can you afford a higher price tag for food, partying etc.?

Something I'd strongly recommend is also researching the companies you might want to work for after college and find out which college name is more respected in their industry. It's all about making the right connections and networking in college to further your career.

Companies usually hire based on a school's reputation and who you know. For them your degree is window dressing to pad their company profile and an employer is more comfortable knowing you came from a certain background they're familiar with.

 

[dallasdude]

^ Great Answer. I agree with Shape.

 

[Karma]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
I don't see why it would be relevant that it's 6 hours away. When you're applying for a job, you have no idea what you might end up. So you'll just have to get used to it and adapt, wherever you are.
</div>

It's the fact that it's a completely different city (as is Waterloo, but it's more of a University city), and I won't know anyone there...at all.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
I just hope you realize that it'll be mighty hardy to get a job with political science, or some arts program. I have two relative who have a degree in political science. One is about to lose his job at a plastic bag manufacturing company, and the other works as a supervisor for some electrician company.
</div>

Poli Sci is my choice because I plan on getting into law. In fact, I'm planning to finish my undergraduates here and apply to Law schools in the states as well. As far as "arts programs don't get you anywhere", I really don't have any other choices aside from Arts. My math is too weak to last in any business programs, and I'm not really interested in sciences, engineering, etc. My talent lies on my writing, which ALL of my teachers have said is really strong. If anything, I might even choose to go into writing or journalism (which was my choice back when I was in grade 9/10) and expand on it if Political Science/Law doesn't work out.

I'm determined to make it in law, but my second option is definetly something in writing. Either way, I plan to work hard for it. I need to improve my public speaking skills though, which is why I think a Poli Sci co-op placement would definetly help.

Ultimately, I think it lies on whether or not Waterloo is going to give me the chance at Co-op. See, the thing is that even the Political Science department website at Waterloo says that "We offer Co-op to any students in the Honours Regular Poli Sci program after thier 2nd year." This is what surprises me as to why the email said I don't get co-op when the site itself says I do.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
Also, Waterloo is pretty much known as "the school" for co-op. They have the largest network of employers and the placement rate is really high. Also, reputation-wise, Waterloo has the better reputation and reputedly a better academic setting.
</div>

Which is why I'm making co-op the deciding factor.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
I actually "know" someone who's doing polisci at Waterloo; I could ask for his feedback of the program for you.
</div>

Wow, that would be great if you could ask him about how the program is, would he reccomend doing it at Waterloo, etc. Is he in the honours (regular) program?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
Are you in the Waterloo forum for Accepted Students or the Facebook group for Waterloo Applicants?
</div>

No, I'm not. They sent me the link to the forum though, I'll join it now. I have facebook, but I'm not in the group either, I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up Locke.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
Do you prefer large classes or small classes? Do you prefer hands on learning or learning straigh out of a text book? Do you prefer large cities or small cities?
</div>

I would actually not mind having large classes, and I seriously learn better with textbook work. I like learning on my own much more, I'm not too "hands-on" at anything; my strength lies in analyzing. discussing, etc.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Companies usually hire based on a school's reputation and who you know. For them your degree is window dressing to pad their company profile and an employer is more comfortable knowing you came from a certain background they're familiar with.
</div>

If that's the case, Waterloo's academic reputation is a little stronger than that of Ottawa. In my next post, I'll post some of the ranking research that I dug up on the Universities.

 

[Shapecity]

Sounds like Waterloo is the obvious choice for you Karma, which is probably why they are offering you less. Ottawa doesn't have the reputation, so they need to offer you more to sway you to attend their university.

 

[Karma]

Here, I'll post some of the research I accquired about these two Universities. There is a site (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/reportcard) in which you can compare two Canadian Universities head to head in terms of how the students that go there rate it on a variety of topics.

As you can see, Waterloo pretty much destroys Ottawa in any head to head comparisons. This wasn't even all of the ranking categories; things such as food services, school spirit, etc, etc were ones I cared less about. I think the only significant thing that Ottawa beat Waterloo on was "attractiveness of campus". I know people who've seen the Waterloo campus and since the University is pretty old, the buildings look old as well.

Yeah, Ottawa is definetly the more desperate University of the two though; Waterloo is one of the top rated academic Universities in the country.

 

[Karma]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
Are you in the Waterloo forum for Accepted Students or the Facebook group for Waterloo Applicants?
</div>

What's the actual name of the group in facebook?

 

[Chutney]

If you're applying to the States eventually, I'd go for Waterloo. It's got a much better reputation and that plays a big decision, when your going into different countries.

 

[Trip]

Waterloo Prospects 07/08 is the group on facebook. Once you're in that group you should see a guy called Vinh Nguyen who posts on the wall. He's in third year Poli Sci I think.

I went for the Honors Arts and Business program at Waterloo and they gave me co-op. I'm also planning on going to law school, so I picked Legal Studies as my major. I plan to do a double-major in Economics and Legal Studies or just do Legal Studies and do an Economics minor. I was reading up on some info last night and I'd like to get both an MBA and LLD, so I can go into corporate law. If I do that I won't be done school till I'm 27 though.

 

[Trip]

And if you have any questions with their literature/policy, just make a thread in the Accepted Students forum when it opens up on Monday. Responses come quick and it's modded by people from every department who would know their stuff.

 

[Karma]

<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
I went for the Honors Arts and Business program at Waterloo and they gave me co-op. I'm also planning on going to law school, so I picked Legal Studies as my major. I plan to do a double-major in Economics and Legal Studies or just do Legal Studies and do an Economics minor. I was reading up on some info last night and I'd like to get both an MBA and LLD, so I can go into corporate law. If I do that I won't be done school till I'm 27 though.</div>

If you're guaranteed co-op, and you do a good job at your placement, there's a great chance they'll hire you back. So don't worry about the "studying till 27". As for my co-op at Waterloo, I'm assuming the dude misread my email when I actually emailed him because I only told him I'm applying to Honours Arts (Regular) and didn't mention that I'm in political science. According to the site, I can apply for the co-op beginnning in second year. I'll call and double check on monday, but if I have the chance at co-op at Waterloo, then I'm most likely going there for sure.

Thanks for the facebook link Locke.

Edit: I can't find the group when I search for it on FB.

 

[Trip]

Guarav?

 

[Karma]

<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Guarav?</div>

**Gaurav.

 

[Trip]

Close enough lol.