It's generally the same thing. I've been to quite a few and most of the differences are minor, at least in terms of partying.

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-Stringer

That's pretty much true. I think that there are 3 "types" of univesities, determined largely by reputation or at least preception by students.

Tier 1 - the top univesities - McGill, UofT, Queen's, UBC

Tier 2 - middle - Guelph, Waterloo, McMaster (although it does have some strong programs), UWO (again, Tier 1 or 2, depends if you look at it from a "party school/attracts idiots" or "really good programs, like Med Sci")

Tier 3 - bottom - Carleton (definitely encouraged by the "we're giving money away" scholarships), Brock

I am talking about perceptions gained by listening to students at *my* high school, so this list isn't set in stone, and I'm not trying to diss anyone's university, etc.

I think that unless you're going for a specific program (Health Science, for ex) that's exclusive to one university, a lot of them will offer the same courses for any one program. A big thing that varies, though, is location and school size. So in a big city, you'd probably have more opportunities to intern, volunteer at a variety of orgs, etc. But if you're at a big school that attracts lots of excellent students, you'd be competing with a lot of people for merit awards, RA positions, and internship placements.

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McGill Arts '12

Someone who graduates from a "lower rated" school and works really hard still has a good chance of getting a job over someone from a "higher ranked" school and has never actually applied themself to their studies.

Hmmm see from my parents' side I keep hearing the 'most universities are the same and the degrees will get you to the same place' speech but from people that are in the different programs I sometimes hear things that are quite different.

For instance, my parents say that trying to pursue an arts/science degree at UW or Laurier would give me the same knowledge and degree weight as doing that same degree in Western Ontario or Queens, except that at Western I'd be paying about $4000 extra each term for the residence and meal plans (they cost more but western also has offered me more scholarships so that would make up some of the difference). The program I got into at Western is also a specialized one which, yes would give me an extra workload, but at the same time is prestigious and gives lots of very good opportunities (the SE module) whereas the only real equivalent i've got at UW is KI which is a very new degree (brand new) and I don't know whether it would hold the same value as the regular BSc or BMSc and SE designation i'd be getting at Western. I've got a very strong pull for me to stay at home, be it for a fifth year or to go to a local university, but the more I read about Western the more I'd like to go (Queen's is another university that I'd like to attend but I didn't send in an application and it would generalyl be more expensive than UWO anyway, minus the SE program, so I'd choose western over queen's in this case). I'm wondering if I'm making a mistake though in this process--would an arts and science degree from UWO be worth the extra 16 000 (or more) at the end of the four years? Are the downsides of the SE program (extensive workload in addition to the regular classes you take) worth the experience you get (and, again, the money)? OR am I just looking at it from the grass is greener on the other side sort of lens, where I view UWO and SE as being this terrific school with terrific facilities and excellent student life (okay the last one i know western is well known for) and am i wasting my money in the process? While staying next year at home would be an almost certainty if i stayed local, there is a possibility of me moving out in my upper years if i go to a local uni so I'd end up paying for food and residence anyway most likely if i went to a local one, so the financial difference would be decreased in that regard.

If you were in my situation, and had the option of saving potentially almost 20 000 by going to a university that's local and staying home rather than going to another university that is perhaps better known for those programs, would you do it?

Another part of me is being pulled in the direction of knowing that when i'm in my thirties and buying a house, that extra 16 or 20 000 that seemed so much to me at 17 will look like nothing, and that in the long run, my university experience and the life value of moving out on my own and going to another city would be worth the extra several thousand a year (and that on the switch side if i had gone to an american university i'd be paying double that just for one year's tuition).

I've got a friend who goes to mcgill now, an exceptionally bright guy, and he says that in the first few months he did regret not going to a local university but opinions and experiences change and after you adjust the experiences you'd have from an entirely new city and new people and living on your own is worth it, but that there were some downsides to it as well.

On the other hand i've got a sister who is currently in uw for science who says that you can take advantage of a lot of opportunities here regardless and still be successful, enriched, and challenged (and there's the co op option as well), but at the same time a part of her wishes she accepted her health science offer at Mac back when she was in high school because it was such a more prestigious program (and she ended up moving out on her own after year one anyway so she spent money on residence here). So there are conflicting opinions and views that i'm getting even from the same person.

In terms of job prospects, there will be little difference between an arts or science degree from WLU or Western. Same with grad school, etc.

What will be different is how you enjoy your time. If you are set on Western, go there. If you go to WLU and your heart is not there you will likely regret it.

As for the money issue, I wouldn't worry too much about that $16,000 if you can still afford school. Obviously if you can't afford to go to Western, then don't go, but if you can in the long-run that amount of money is nothing.

By the nature of your post it sounds like Western is the place you want to be. If that's true, just go!

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-Stringer

I don't know how easily you can transfer into health sci, considering their selectiveness from applicants entering at the high school level (if you've got teh grades though, go for it!) And yes, it's true that health sci students tend to get into med school, but that's probably because of their pre-existing work habits (considering that you need what, a 95+ average to get in? you need a good work ethic right?). That being said, the program itself is easier than the normal life sci, from what I hear, because it is much more focused on the human-interaction aspect of being a doctor.

However, u of t is VERY competitive, I know some people who were told the wrong classrooms by hyper-competitive students, had their notes stolen, etc, although I highly doubt this is an everyday thing. Either way, both schools are based on rankings I believe, so they will both entail a competitive environment. They both do have excellent programs however, and resources when it comes to health/life sci.

Good luck with your choice, and sorry for the pseudo-statistics lol

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"My parents live in Ohio; I live in the moment." -himym.