Computer Science Canada

Help Deciding
Author:  ShadeY [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Help Deciding
Hey all,


Well, applied to a bunch of universities such as Waterloo, Carleton, etc, knowing I lacked the most basic requirement - Higher level maths (Can't switch courses after choosing them in 11th grade for the IB). Anyways... I have been accepted into these three Unis:
The University of Prince Edward Island - BSc
The Trent University - BSc
The University of British Columbia - BA (Vancouver)
-Uni of Toronto still hasn't denied/accepted me yet, but probally will be denied because of my lack of doing higher level maths.

I want to do Computer Science since computers has always been the major interest of my life.
So, my question is which University should I accept admission to? Just for the record, I would be studying as an International student - so I have no previous experience in Canada.

I am thinking to go for UBC and switching after the first year to the Faculty of Science for the BSc - really not into the Arts subjects though. Really like the looks of Vancouver. But the Uni is extremely expensive charging about 31000 Canadian dollars/year, more than half of Trent and UPEI tuition. UPEI has the video game programming specialization combined with the Comp Sci. degree which sounds really interesting to me, and seems nice based on what I've seen. Trent seems very internationalized, but they don't really go into much detail @ all in their comp sci programs.

What I'd like to ask for is some pros/cons of these Unis and any other information/experiences. Its difficult to judge just off a website and images you see online. Specially relating to Computer Science programs offered. I can imagine generally big is better in the options of courses, but still can't decide. Wink

Thanks,
Author:  endless [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:58 am ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
you will probably get accepted to carleton since i don't think calculus is required, only recommended.

Ottawa is a great city and carleton also has the specialization in video game programming that you seem interested in. so don't discount it just because you haven't been accepted yet.
Author:  ShadeY [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Heya, I applied to Carleton - was denied very fast since I didn't meet the requirement in maths. Been denied at Waterloo, Carleton, UBC (BSc), Calgary, UOIT. All because of my stupid maths...

About half the Universities I applied to have denied me because of the maths. If anybody is familiar with the IB, there are basically two programs. Math Studies (lower) and Mathematics (offered at Standard Level or High Level -- either is more in depth than Studies). The problem is you take the same classes for two years, so there is no switching. Took Math Studies, bad choice since I could have taken Mathematics. Well, nothing I can do. Just got to make do with where I've been accepted.

UBC
Trent or
UPEI
Author:  endless [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:49 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
if i was in your position, i would choose UBC because it is a pretty respectable school, and Vancouver is a great place. but keep in mind the upcoming olympics and how that may affect you and vancouver is one of the most expensive cities to live in (mostly due to house prices).

thats just my take on it without looking at the course specifics for those courses.
Author:  ShadeY [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Yeah, that is exactly what I'm thinking. Liked UBC since the day they visited my school. The only problem are the fees, so expensive. $31000 Canadian dollars is so much. Though it does include housing and I think some living expenses.

Just hope the parents would be willing to pay for most of it. Kind of doubt it while the other options offer half the price.

Anybody with information on comp. sci at Trent and UPEI?
Author:  Dark [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Sorry about your math...

I know because I couldn't do engineering, didn't know you needed chem/physics so I didn't take them in grade 11 Sad

But you won't get into UofT because you need Calculus, they pay special attention to prereqs, one of which you don't have

Don't know anything about the other 3
Author:  CodeMonkey2000 [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
What do you mean when you say you are missing higher level math? Are you taking standard level math? Or are you doing the data management stream? I am doing standard level IB math, and we get the OSSD 4UI level advanced functions and calculus credits. Our school doesn't have higher level math. Our higher level courses are History and Bio. You should talk to the head of IB at your school or the head of the math department.
Author:  ShadeY [ Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:55 am ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Thanks for the replies, the maths is really a bugger sine I know I'm capable of doing the Mathematics content. Maths is one of my strengths and why I often in the top of my class.

I'm in Math Studies - the lowest possible option on the IB. When I'm saying Higher level, I don't mean particularly in the IB sense, just anything above Math Studies would be acceptable. Wish I knew before I chose the course that it wouldn't get me into the majority of Unis.

Not surprised anybody knows much information about Trent and UPEI comp sci programs - aren't really the most popular or well known. Hopefully somebody does though. Wink
Author:  ShadeY [ Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:37 am ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Just want to mention I've been somehow been accepted into the Uni of Toronto Comp Sci. program. Have no clue how, but can't complain. Wink
Except its another University to decide from..

The Comp Sci. program at UofT is pretty good right?

Any information about UPEI, Trent and UofT would be great - specially first hand experiences Wink

Cheers!
Author:  Prabhakar Ragde [ Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:49 am ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
U of T and UBC are way better choices for CS than the other two.
Author:  ShadeY [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:30 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Yeah, currently leaning towards U of T since I think I'm guaranteed a BSc. Don't want go to UBC and find out I can't switch over to the BSc program - not a big fan of the arts subjects.

Just a question... can anybody tell me any information about U of T different campuses relating to the Comp. Sci. program?

I applied and been accepted to the St. George campus, because it is the main one (i think). Which seems good/fine - but now that I'm searching, I can't seem to find any Coop as part of the program. Only at U of T Scarborough do I see it being offered.

First, would Co-op be recommended? Then should I be trying to see if I can somehow switch campuses? Could I probably transfer after the first year a St. Georges?

Any info about the two campuses Comp Sci programs would be awesome. Wink

Thanks
Author:  [Gandalf] [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
U of T actually has 3 campuses, each with their own CS program. Scarborough has co-op, and St. George and Mississauga have the Professional Experience Year, which is basically a single 16 month co-op term. Smile Other than that, really the main difference between the campuses is location and atmosphere.
Author:  ShadeY [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Ah I see, If you were to enter a Comp. Sci program @ U of T, which campus would you recommend/choose?

Just wonder if I made a mistake applying to the St. George campus. Didn't realize there was no Co-op, which is something I think I'm interested in doing. Always good to gain extra experience and on top take a rest from the studies. I would assume it would be possible to transfer, or should look into asking admission to see if I can be admitted there.

Didn't do much research about U of T since for some reason it was the lowest on the list of Unis I was interested in - I guess I assumed that I would never get in. Now its probably my first choice.

Does it take longer to get a degree doing Coop or the PEY program? I would assume so.
Author:  Prabhakar Ragde [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:30 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Definitely St. George.
Author:  ShadeY [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Hey Prabhakar, can you please elaborate why? Co-op not important?

Sorry for asking so many questions here... just want to make the most informed decision possible. Wink
Author:  Leela [ Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: RE:Help Deciding
ShadeY @ Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:55 pm wrote:
Hey Prabhakar, can you please elaborate why? Co-op not important?

Sorry for asking so many questions here... just want to make the most informed decision possible. Wink

PEY is like co-op, only better. You get to stay at one place for an extensive period of time doing some real work. St. George is basicly considered better because it's located in the downtown core, very fun, cool and hippy place. I can't tell you about the difference in the quality of education between the three campuses.
Author:  Prabhakar Ragde [ Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
St. George has better students and better instructors.
Author:  billnye [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
Trent is a good school. Its known for its Ecology/Environmental sciences but its cs program is getting a lot better. Its gone through some serious changes since i was there in 2003. Its a challenging program but its not super hard like other big schools. Its very common for undergrades to jump to really good schools for their masters. When I graduated people from my class went to Berkley, MIT, Harvard and Oxford for their M.sc...that might be a little harder to do some place else.
Author:  Prabhakar Ragde [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Help Deciding
It's easier to get into Berkeley, MIT, and Harvard for a Master's degree than for a PhD, because in the American system one goes directly from a Bachelor's to a PhD. Master's degrees are considered terminal, much less or no financial aid is offered, and usually they are coursework degrees (no research). Oxford grants Master's degrees automatically to their undergraduates after seven years! Their MSc is also a coursework degree. "It is intended as a graduate conversion course both for those who have already been trained and/or employed as programmers, and for graduates of other numerate disciplines who have had less previous exposure to the subject."

If your classmates have ended up in PhD programs at Berkeley, MIT, or Harvard, or a DPhil program at Oxford, I'd be more impressed.
Author:  Analysis Mode [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Deciding
However, it's more difficult for a Canadian undergrad to get accepted into an American medical school.
Author:  Drew416 [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Deciding
Analysis Mode @ Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:49 pm wrote:
However, it's more difficult for a Canadian undergrad to get accepted into an American medical school.


No it's not. It is much easier to get accepted in a US med school then a Canadian one. The GPA requirement is much lower and there are generally more spots open. It might be difficult to get into the elite top-tier med school but if you just want to get in, it is generally easier. In Canada I've heard people getting rejected with like 3.85 gpa whereas with that kind of GPA you will definitely get in somewhere in the US.
Author:  Analysis Mode [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Deciding
Drew416 @ Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:08 pm wrote:
Analysis Mode @ Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:49 pm wrote:
However, it's more difficult for a Canadian undergrad to get accepted into an American medical school.


No it's not. It is much easier to get accepted in a US med school then a Canadian one. The GPA requirement is much lower and there are generally more spots open. It might be difficult to get into the elite top-tier med school but if you just want to get in, it is generally easier. In Canada I've heard people getting rejected with like 3.85 gpa whereas with that kind of GPA you will definitely get in somewhere in the US.


What I meant is, American medical schools prefer undergrads from American universities.

Yes, I have talked with a cardiologist about this issue before, and he tells me that the average Canadian medschool is better than the average American one, but the top-tier American ones are better than their Canadian counterparts. And no, I don't just want to get in, because the quality of graduate school determines the quality of your training and hence, your skills and patient care abilities.[/b]
Author:  Drew416 [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Deciding
Analysis Mode @ Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:51 pm wrote:

What I meant is, American medical schools prefer undergrads from American universities.


That might be true for State schools but most private schools are pretty open to canadian students. They are only interested in your $s and don't care where you practice.
Author:  Analysis Mode [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Deciding
I know most state schools won't consider you, period. The large majority of American applications are done need blind, so the fact that they don't care about your $s goes without saying. As for preference, that's what I've heard, from one Canadian person, who is in the faculty of medicine at U of T and studied at an Ivy League university.
Author:  Vermette [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: RE:Help Deciding
Prabhakar Ragde @ April 16th 2009, 17:01 wrote:
It's easier to get into Berkeley, MIT, and Harvard for a Master's degree than for a PhD, because in the American system one goes directly from a Bachelor's to a PhD. Master's degrees are considered terminal, much less or no financial aid is offered, and usually they are coursework degrees (no research). Oxford grants Master's degrees automatically to their undergraduates after seven years! Their MSc is also a coursework degree. "It is intended as a graduate conversion course both for those who have already been trained and/or employed as programmers, and for graduates of other numerate disciplines who have had less previous exposure to the subject."

If your classmates have ended up in PhD programs at Berkeley, MIT, or Harvard, or a DPhil program at Oxford, I'd be more impressed.


Huh. That explains why when I asked a friend doing graduate studies at Duke if they were just going for their Master's they acted like I just slapped them.

Also, iirc in the German system all undergraduate degrees are given a Master's designation.

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