Is there a big difference between coop and non coop?

[MikeKulykov]

I am just wondering because i want to go to UTSC, and the coop program seems pretty intense.
Therefore i am just wondering if there is a big difference between the two programs, anyone know?
Is it easy to find a coop placement in computer science?

[Tony]

You might find this recent thread to be useful -- http://compsci.ca/v3/viewtopic.php?t=29445

[MikeKulykov]

so in other words going into a coop program rather than a regular program doesn't have much of a difference?

[Tony]

No. All other things being equal (same program, same University, working at the same jobs), being in coop doesn't make much different in senior years. Being in coop make a big different for getting that first/second job.

[MikeKulykov]

If i take Comp Sci at UTSC, can i switch to coop for second year?
Would that be possible?

[ProgrammingFun]

Tony @ Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:12 pm wrote:

No. All other things being equal

Also known as ceteris paribus ...sorry, I was doing Economics homework

MikeKulykov wrote:

If i take Comp Sci at UTSC, can i switch to coop for second year?
Would that be possible?

The best place to find out would be their website or their administration...
Why would you want to switch next year? Couldn't you just switch this year because the job terms happen in Year 2 anyways?
^Don't take my word for this though...I honestly have no experience with this.

[MikeKulykov]

Im still in grade 12, i am wondering for next year.

[Tony]

Switching up (co-op requirements are more than for regular programs) is typically very hard; you might have to make a case that you are showing outstanding improvements since admission.

[ProgrammingFun]

Tony @ Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:55 pm wrote:

Switching up (co-op requirements are more than for regular programs) is typically very hard; you might have to make a case that you are showing outstanding improvements since admission.

If I was to apply to uWaterloo Coop in CS but was rejected, would I be automatically considered for regular CS?

[Tony]

I believe that is the case, yes. This should be specified in the application docs somewhere.

[ProgrammingFun]

Tony @ Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:00 pm wrote:

I believe that is the case, yes. This should be specified in the application docs somewhere.

I know that it's specified in the BBA/BCS double degree so I was assuming that it would be the same...
Still researching about Uni choices

[MikeKulykov]

Im probably going to do the Comp Sci undergrad non coop at UTSC, that a good program?

[ProgrammingFun]

MikeKulykov @ Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:14 pm wrote:

Im probably going to do the Comp Sci undergrad non coop at UTSC, that a good program?

It's better at UofT St. George and uWaterloo...that's all I can tell you.
Wait for Tony or someone to answer...

[Tony]

It's not a top-tier choice, and non-coop is probably a bad decision, but you get into what you can. It's likely not a bad program.

[[Gandalf]]

MikeKulykov @ 2011-10-31, 9:14 pm wrote:

Im probably going to do the Comp Sci undergrad non coop at UTSC, that a good program?

The program is good and is almost identical to the one at St. George. I don't know what basis Tony has for saying it is significantly worse. In terms of workplace recognition again they are very close, one difference being that there may be some UofT grads running startups downtown who value St. George students a bit higher.