Should I Choose a UK or Canadian University for my Post-Military Education?

[FlyingPhysicist]

Hello PF. I graduated HS in the 2017/2018 year with an average of 88%
In AP physics I scored an 85%, and 82% in my AP Calculus class. I didn't attend university yet because of the mandatory military service in my country. I will finish my service in December of this year.

I recently got an offer from the University of Birmingham and the University of Durham at the UK. Both require me to take a foundation year starting January of next year before enrolling to the university in September 2020, the foundation year seems like a good thing to me because it will refresh me since I stopped my education for over a year and also the UK bachelors degree is only 3 years long which means it will make up for some of the time I wasted while serving in the military.

On the other hand, I really want to apply to the University of Toronto since I think the environment there is better for me. the only issue is that I'd enroll to the university straight away in September of 2020 without a foundation, and it'll take me 1 more year to graduate since degrees in Canada are 4 years long, also I'd spend around 9 months after I'm done with my military service this December doing nothing, which to me is a lot of time wasted.

So will the extra year I spend in U of T (If I end up going there) affect my chances when applying to grad schools? and is there a way I could start my studies in January 2020, then enroll at U of T on September of the same year? and overall what's the best choice in your opinion, going to the UK or Canada?
Thanks in advance, I really appreciate your help.

 

[jedishrfu]

One, you have to get accepted and that would happen without them knowing you were maintaining your studies privately/independently.

Two, there are some online options where you could maintain your Physics and Math skills:

- Khan Academy has Calculus and Physics tutorials that are quite good and are free

- MathIsPower4U has a large collection of videos on Math from PreCalculus upto Calculus 1,2,3 + Differential Equations+Linear Algebra+Statistics which should bolster your math skills which will in turn make learning Physics much easier.

- MIT Courses are online all at college level​

https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=physics​

- OpenStax has ebooks available for University level Physics and for Calculus​

and of course others here at PF will detail their experiences as well.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

I recommend the path that has you accruing zero debt.

 

[FlyingPhysicist]

I recommend the path that has you accruing zero debt.

Chances are I'm getting a fully paid scholarship from the government, so that's not an issue. what will be the best choice considering I plan to go to grad school?

 

[Choppy]

Perhaps I'm missing something on the time issue, because as I understand it:
UK: foundation year + 3 years, then apply to grad school
Canada: 4 year degree, then apply to grad school

Further on the time issue, a few years here or there (military service +foundation year etc.) won't matter at all in the grand scheme of things. Age can make a difference in more of a personal context For example, when people get into their thirties, that's often a time when they get into long-term partnerships, have children, take on mortgages and other financial responsibilities, etc. If you're only starting graduate school in your thirties, you can face a lot of "life" challenges that are easier to defer when you're in your mid-twenties. But whether you're 18 or 21 when you start undergrad... it won't make a difference in terms of graduate school admissions a few years later.

As far as gap time goes, it's only a waste if you waste it. Even if you're expecting a full scholarship, you can still spend that time working and saving. Having a financial cushion to fall back on can make a big difference to your stress levels as a student. It can mean the difference between a functional laptop and spending an extra hour each day walking to the campus computer labs, or having to room with party animals or being able to afford your own flat. You can also use that time to pursue your own projects, read up on your own interests, brush up on your physics and math skills, and develop your 'soft' skills.

Something else to consider on the Canadian side is that there are a lot of other really good physics schools here other than Toronto... many in cities with a much lower cost of living.

 

[FlyingPhysicist]

Perhaps I'm missing something on the time issue, because as I understand it:
UK: foundation year + 3 years, then apply to grad school
Canada: 4 year degree, then apply to grad school

Further on the time issue, a few years here or there (military service +foundation year etc.) won't matter at all in the grand scheme of things. Age can make a difference in more of a personal context For example, when people get into their thirties, that's often a time when they get into long-term partnerships, have children, take on mortgages and other financial responsibilities, etc. If you're only starting graduate school in your thirties, you can face a lot of "life" challenges that are easier to defer when you're in your mid-twenties. But whether you're 18 or 21 when you start undergrad... it won't make a difference in terms of graduate school admissions a few years later.

As far as gap time goes, it's only a waste if you waste it. Even if you're expecting a full scholarship, you can still spend that time working and saving. Having a financial cushion to fall back on can make a big difference to your stress levels as a student. It can mean the difference between a functional laptop and spending an extra hour each day walking to the campus computer labs, or having to room with party animals or being able to afford your own flat. You can also use that time to pursue your own projects, read up on your own interests, brush up on your physics and math skills, and develop your 'soft' skills.

Something else to consider on the Canadian side is that there are a lot of other really good physics schools here other than Toronto... many in cities with a much lower cost of living.

Thanks, for the helpful reply!
In both UK and Canada I'll start uni in September 2020, but in the UK ill graduate in 2023 while if I decide to go to Canada I'll graduate in 2024.
What other good physics schools are in Canada that you'd recommend?

Thanks again! your reply was of much help to me.

 

[Choppy]

What other good physics schools are in Canada that you'd recommend?

A lot can depend on the details of what's going to be the best match for you. You might want to check out:
University of British Colombia
University of Alberta
Waterloo
McGill
McMaster
Carleton
Calgary

It's not physics-specific, but the Macleans University Guide might help too.