Computer Science Canada computer and electrical engineering students at UW questions for you |
| Author: | rahzab [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | computer and electrical engineering students at UW questions for you |
hey guys, I am a grade 12 student and it is almost time to apply for university (yes, it is that painstaking and confusing time of life). Anyways, I am not worried about admission, rather about student life. More specifically, I would like some students enrolled in the programs to answer these questions. - Tuition & Scholarships How much and how did you pay it off (I do not think my parents are going to pay for me, I am worried)? Anyone know a website that offers engineering students scholarships? Is it REALLY hard to maintain an average above 80? - Co-op Where do you earn experience for co-op jobs? Can I volunteer or do anything that will put me ahead of the competition? If you had a co-op job first year, did you have any experience? Is it hard to find a co-op job? Difference between the co-op program in computer engineering and electrical engineering How are the co-op jobs (fun, challenging, etc.)? - Studies Is it painstakingly hard? (give me a level of difficulty as compared to high school) Is there a minimum average required to stay in the program? - Future Is it probable I will get a job after graduation? With current economic situations, will there always be a demand for engineers? Does it matter if I take electrical or computer? Will I end up with the same job, or similar jobs? Currently, I have an average above 91%, and I am not involved in any extra cric activities. Do you guys think I should do something extra cric, like chess club (dont laugh, I'm serious!) for admission? |
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| Author: | Tony [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:computer and electrical engineering students at UW questions for you |
A brief rundown over your questions: Tuition: - OSAP and co-op will get you covered. You'll earn more in your upper years. - Waterloo isn't big on scolarships. There's an automatic $1000K entrance for 80+ average, but I don't remember if it repeats. Maintaining 80% _is_ hard work. Co-op: - Your experience will vary depending on where you'll find a job. - If you are going for software development type of jobs (them being the most common), contributions to open source projects is one thing that will put you ahead of most other students. - Alternatively, have something else to show for the field. Personal projects (even toy projects) are great. - Job search is challenging in first year, when there's you and the entire frosh population with an identical "no experience" CV. - Job search in 3rd/4th year is fairly easy. - CE and EE have a lot of overlap. Studies: - Should be much more difficult than high school. You'll likely need to adjust your study habits. - Engineering requires 60% term average to proceed to the next term (although any particular class needs only a 50% to pass). Future: - It is most likely you will get a job after graduation. It will be just like the 6 jobs you will get before graduation (co-op), but for a longer period of time. - The "economic crisis" did not significantly impact SE. Technology has probably been one of the most stable sectors. While the big corps might have gone into hiring freezes, there were a lot of startups that moved in to grab the talent. - Once again, EE and CE have a lot of overlap. |
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| Author: | rahzab [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: computer and electrical engineering students at UW questions for you |
Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it. However, when you mentioned "toy project" could you give me an example? I have taken computer engineering courses in high school and that included us working on a sumo-bot, led-chaser, and other projects. Does that count as extra experience (in fact I still have my LED chaser) or "toy project"? Secondly, my brother has also taken OSAP, will I have any problems with the application? My parents are very nervous with their constant queries... (Are you sure you can do this? Don't go down the wrong path. Ever considered medicine?) I think they are scaring me in to choosing science like my brother... Anyways, sometimes they come up with questions that make me nervous and so I resort to asking people who have been through the experience. Thanks a lot for the feedback! It makes university application a lot easier. |
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