University Advice

[implosion]

Hi there, so here is my situation. I'm currently applying to universities, but i'm not 100% sure of what i want to do. Right now i can't decide between: Computer/ Software / Mechatronic Engineering and computer science. Currently my marks are Chemistry 75, Advanced Functions 77 and Physics ~70. I really want to go to waterloo not just because its got a super good rep (part of the reason haha). but i loved the campus compared to other universities. So far my universities that i have picked are McMaster, Toronto, Waterloo.

McMaster
- Engineering
- Computer Science
Toronto
- Track One
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Computer science
Waterloo
-Computer Engineering
-Software Engineering
-Computer Science

I'm considering taking an extra year of high school although i don't want to. I just quit my job so next semester i can work harder and get a better mark in calculus and English (hoping for at least 85) and then i have CE/CS and i'm pretty confident i could get in the 90s for that and for Chemistry and Advanced Functions i'm pretty sure i could pull it upto an 80. I know most of the programs that I'm applying to are asking for the low - mid 80s but a rep at the university fair for Waterloo said a good AIF could bump my average by a max of 5%... i got the Gr.11 compsci award at my school, i teach guitar, peer tutor for math twice a week and i baby sit, would that be helpful towards a strong AIF. Also i probably could get a really good letter of recommendation from my chemistry teacher because she knows how hard i work. Toronto takes our first attempt, Waterloo takes 1% off for every repeated course, and mcmaster takes best attempt. so i know if i take a victory lap that I'll be able to get into mcmaster ( a good chance anyways). but then how hard would it be to switch from mcmaster to Waterloo to do my graduate there ? Oh and are there any other programs you could recommend at these universities that are close to what i would like to do

some advice would be appreciated BIG TIME!

[Tony]

Engineering programs are more demanding and expect higher average, but you already knew that...

Improved marks and solid AIF would make it plausible to get into those schools, but since it's going to be a borderline decision, I would suggest applying to a few other schools as well. You could weight your options after the decisions are out, and make your choice then.

As for "switching" for graduate -- it doesn't quite work that way. It's a whole new level, and you'd have to apply to schools (again!) for your Masters/Ph.D.

As for alternative programs -- I think Waterloo lets you take a minor in CS with just about anything. Honours Math will be somewhat close, as long as you enroll yourself in the right CS courses.