Help Deciding

[ShadeY]

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.

Thanks,

[endless]

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.

[ShadeY]

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

[endless]

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.

[ShadeY]

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?

[Dark]

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

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

[CodeMonkey2000]

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.

[ShadeY]

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.

[ShadeY]

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.
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

Cheers!

[Prabhakar Ragde]

U of T and UBC are way better choices for CS than the other two.

[ShadeY]

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.

Thanks

[[Gandalf]]

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. Other than that, really the main difference between the campuses is location and atmosphere.

[ShadeY]

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.

[Prabhakar Ragde]

Definitely St. George.

[ShadeY]

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.