Transfer Dilemma: UBC vs U of T ECE Engineering for Top Grad School Goals

[kougou]

llo, I am from U of T ECE engineering too. I am having a problem right now, could you please help me out? I just finish my first year engineering, and I applied transfer to UBC. The reason for transferring is because of high living costs and also because my parents want me to stay in Vancouver with them. So I am having trouble to decide where to go.

My goal is going to top grad school in the U.S. But apparently, from what I heard (from the Tas and friends), they told me UBC is not that good in engineering. Since I am interested in pursuing a master, research opportunities will definitely help. What I am worrying about is not the ranking of these two universities (because both are good university actually), is the fact that UBC might not be able to offer that much research opportunities as compare to U of T.

Also another thing is that UBC is asking me to stay another year. I don't know what to do.
Thank you

 

[StatGuy2000]

First of all, I don't know where you have heard that UBC's engineering program isn't very good -- as far as I'm aware of, UBC is a great school, with plenty of top-notch research performed by its engineering faculty, and many of its alumni pursuing graduate programs, both within Canada and the US.

As far as research opportunities are concerned for undergraduates, both UBC and U of T are about equal in terms of opportunities for students, especially if you pursue the NSERC USRA.

The bottom line is that I do not think you will be any worse off transferring to UBC than staying at U of T, so long as you maintain good grades, so if you feel you will be better off transferring there, I would say go for it.

I am curious though as to why UBC is asking you to wait another year -- the first year programs in both schools should be roughly equivalent. Did the registrar at UBC give a reason why?

 

[kougou]

First of all, I don't know where you have heard that UBC's engineering program isn't very good -- as far as I'm aware of, UBC is a great school, with plenty of top-notch research performed by its engineering faculty, and many of its alumni pursuing graduate programs, both within Canada and the US.

As far as research opportunities are concerned for undergraduates, both UBC and U of T are about equal in terms of opportunities for students, especially if you pursue the NSERC USRA.

The bottom line is that I do not think you will be any worse off transferring to UBC than staying at U of T, so long as you maintain good grades, so if you feel you will be better off transferring there, I would say go for it.

I am curious though as to why UBC is asking you to wait another year -- the first year programs in both schools should be roughly equivalent. Did the registrar at UBC give a reason why?

Oh, because the course contents at U of T there are not "exactly the same" when comparing to UBC first year. Only 21 credits are granted. But as stated on the faculty's website, the minimum credit to promote into second year is 27, therefore, they want me to stay another year.

 

[kougou]

First of all, I don't know where you have heard that UBC's engineering program isn't very good -- as far as I'm aware of, UBC is a great school, with plenty of top-notch research performed by its engineering faculty, and many of its alumni pursuing graduate programs, both within Canada and the US.

As far as research opportunities are concerned for undergraduates, both UBC and U of T are about equal in terms of opportunities for students, especially if you pursue the NSERC USRA.

The bottom line is that I do not think you will be any worse off transferring to UBC than staying at U of T, so long as you maintain good grades, so if you feel you will be better off transferring there, I would say go for it.

I am curious though as to why UBC is asking you to wait another year -- the first year programs in both schools should be roughly equivalent. Did the registrar at UBC give a reason why?

But the main point is, these first year courses from UBC engineering are not related to its second year courses. (they are not per-requisite)

 

[StatGuy2000]

But the main point is, these first year courses from UBC engineering are not related to its second year courses. (they are not per-requisite)

Well, different schools offer slightly different ordering of courses, so that is not much of a surprise. But I'm not sure I understand when you say that 1st year courses from UBC engineering are not related. Are there specific courses required to be completed in 1st UBC that are not part of the curriculum in the U of T program? (please note that I did not study engineering, but I know people who have graduated from engineering programs at both U of T and UBC -- but I didn't ask them about the curriculum in detail).

Anyways, the bottom line for me is that if UBC said you need to stay another year, then you should stay another year, and then make your decision then. If you're still committed to transferring, then do so; otherwise stay at U of T. It's that simple!