UWaterloo!

[brenn]

lyam_kaskade wrote:

Thanks brenn. Anyone else have any comments? I hate to keep asking, but I'm quite anxious about university.

In the end though, along the lines of what Martin said, your University career is what you make out of it.

Pick which ever one you think you'll feel most comfortable in, and then make the most of that ^_^

[Dan]

brenn wrote:

In the end though, along the lines of what Martin said, your University career is what you make out of it.

Pick which ever one you think you'll feel most comfortable in, and then make the most of that ^_^

I think that is the most integlent (if not the only integent) thing i have hured about the topic of slecting a uni.......

[Hikaru79]

brenn wrote:

Pick which ever one you think you'll feel most comfortable in, and then make the most of that ^_^

Sure, in an ideal world, that sounds great. However, a lot of us are facing pressures from home. For example, my parents at least are not thrilled with the idea of paying for me to go out of town unless it's for a very good reason. So, consqequently, I have an ultimatum on my hands: get accepted into Waterloo, or you go to Windsor (which, aside from the fact that I'd have to still live with my parents, is not generally considered a top-notch school either, to say the least). Those are my only two options, even though personally I would also like to apply to Lakehead or something. =/ I wish I had a job :'(

[brenn]

Hikaru79 wrote:

brenn wrote:

Pick which ever one you think you'll feel most comfortable in, and then make the most of that ^_^

Sure, in an ideal world, that sounds great. However, a lot of us are facing pressures from home. For example, my parents at least are not thrilled with the idea of paying for me to go out of town unless it's for a very good reason. So, consqequently, I have an ultimatum on my hands: get accepted into Waterloo, or you go to Windsor (which, aside from the fact that I'd have to still live with my parents, is not generally considered a top-notch school either, to say the least). Those are my only two options, even though personally I would also like to apply to Lakehead or something. =/ I wish I had a job :'(

There are other ways to finance your way through University other than money from your parents--i.e bursaries, scholarships, student loans, etc.

If that's still not enough, talk to a finance counsellor, and I'm sure that there are ways to get around finance issues.

With Waterloo co-op, you can get away with paying for part of your first year, and then covering the rest with money made from co-op. (Not meaning to advertise here-just giving an example, and I'm not entirely sure which program(s) you're considering and I don't know much about Windsor)

I had a lot of pressure from my family not to come to Waterloo as well, so I can empathize with what you're going through. Choosing a University is a tough choice, but it's definitely not impossible to change your mind later, if your expectations and feelings change.

Good luck with your decision

Oh, and randomly, I would've applied to Lakehead, just because I think their campus is so pretty... except I already had 14 applications in Ontario and 2 other foreign ones XD

[Martin]

If you are going to Waterloo, do your best to get into co-op. If you don't get into co-op, study your ass off for your first semester or two and get into co-op. Why? Because a university degree is useless. After you've had three or so years of work experience post graduation, employers will stop caring what school you went to. Your education will become a footnote on your resume.

The co-op program offers you a few things: money and more importantly, work experience. People come from all over the world to hire co-op students...I've had interviews for jobs in Japan and New York, and there are tons of other opportunities like that. It also offers you hands on experience in your field, and has the very likely possibility of opening your eyes to new career paths that you didn't previously know existed. When you are done with your degree, you have two years of work experience from as many as six different employers, giving you references and a very nice resume. Waterloo has the largest and most advanced co-operative education program in the world.

In contrast, Waterloo is hard. When you get here, plan to hit the ground running. Expect late nights studying and a lot less spare time than you are probably used to. The LAN parties stop happening very early into the semester. If you're up for the challenge, it's a great school and I'm definitely having the time of my life.

[brenn]

Martin wrote:

If you are going to Waterloo, do your best to get into co-op. If you don't get into co-op, study your ass off for your first semester or two and get into co-op. Why? Because a university degree is useless. After you've had three or so years of work experience post graduation, employers will stop caring what school you went to. Your education will become a footnote on your resume.

The co-op program offers you a few things: money and more importantly, work experience. People come from all over the world to hire co-op students...I've had interviews for jobs in Japan and New York, and there are tons of other opportunities like that. It also offers you hands on experience in your field, and has the very likely possibility of opening your eyes to new career paths that you didn't previously know existed. When you are done with your degree, you have two years of work experience from as many as six different employers, giving you references and a very nice resume. Waterloo has the largest and most advanced co-operative education program in the world.

In contrast, Waterloo is hard. When you get here, plan to hit the ground running. Expect late nights studying and a lot less spare time than you are probably used to. The LAN parties stop happening very early into the semester. If you're up for the challenge, it's a great school and I'm definitely having the time of my life.

Hey Martin, share your experience with the Japanese intern job interview!

[Martin]

It was really neat. The president of Epson Avasys flew from Japan to here to do interviews for the 7 co-op jobs that they are offering. The interview went well, but I won't find out if I get the job until the 17th. I'll keep everyone informed.

[Martin]

One more thing: if you are coming to Waterloo, participate in frosh week. Yes, it costs money, but in exchange for that, you get free food, drinks and swag all week long.

Also, there's a Toga party. Go to it, you'll have the time of your life, I promise. Also, join the Computer Science Club.

[Paul]

My friend Michael is a frosh leader in the math faculty, anyone know him?

[Andy]

hey martin how much does frosh week cost and when is it?

[Martin]

It's about $100 and it runs the week before classes start. Here's a pro/con list:

http://www.mathnews.uwaterloo.ca/Issues/mn7503/procon.html

There is nobody who did it who regrets doing it, but I've heard quite a few people say "I wish I'd done frosh week"

[md]

Frosh week is one of the best things you can do. You get to meet lots of people; and best of all you get to do lots of fun things and eat tons of free food.

Another thing to do during the first while in res is to keep your door open! When your door is open people who ar wandering around looking to meet people will actually stop by and meet you. It's a great way to get to know the people your living with... this is espetially important if your living at UWP; as it's quite easy to end up knowing no one and just living in your room if you don't try and be social.

[Martin]

Which is why I also recommend getting a room in the villages, and NOT UWP. UWP is nice enough, but you rarely meet very many people, so it kind of sucks in that regard.

[Maverick]

Apartment style = gay

You meet noone and you become a loner. Dorm style is much better.

[md]

Having your own kitchen and washroom is actually quite nice...

I've spend a significant amount of time in both places (I lived in UWP; gf in Villages), and I'd have to say I liked UWP a bit more; sure it's perhaps not quite as social as the villages; but if you make an effort to meet the people on your floor, and people from other places it is still quite a bit of fun... you should be able to attest to the parties martin; and you missed out on the really good ones...