ooo...congrats! sonya: taking over the world one province at a time!
Do you think you’ll be accepted overseas as well, or are those deadlines all over? Hmm...if not for the fact that you have a boyfriend and an apartment already, I’d say pack up and go to Toronto. You have experience in BC and Winnipeg already so you can broaden your horizons even further and add yet more places to your resume. Does U of T have a good program? That’s also a consideration – which has the best or most highly regarded program?
The european deadlines are fast approaching (beginning in April) but aren't due yet. Basically I need to make my Canadian schools choice, pay a fee, and take a loss if I go overseas after all.
The Toronto option is pretty compelling also. Ryan got into Toronto as well (he hasn't heard back from UBC and was wait-listed for Manitoba).
Any of the three options for canadian schools are quite good, each with their drawbacks. Not one can contest to be the "top program" outright (though I think if you transplanted the U of M program to toronto and gave it TO's money, it would be the top program hands-down given its history).
Manitoba: cheapest, probably the most academic freedom, but fairly safe in terms of location, and undergoing a huge restructuring at the hands of a new faculty head; in a bit of chaos but looks promising for the future.
UBC: highly recommended by people (who've been there), sustainable design is emphasized there, but from what I've seen of student work they do even more 3D modeling than physical modeling which is a bit of a drawback. They have some good international studios.
U of T: probably attracts the most diverse and international crowd. I know the least about the program though, and don't know many grads. They have the most money and resources and the most starchitects passing through town; also, Toronto is an interesting place to study (though not as gorgeous and temperate as Vancouver).
I have till March 30 or April 15 to decide. Right now I'm waffling between TO and UBC.
and yeah, the idea of another new city with new challenges and new places to explore (a train ride away from Montreal! amazing bands!) is exciting at the moment.
just do your research and don't forget about the 'gut' instinct. also, i could give you my vote as to where to choose, but it would be biased i think, though i guess in the end its what you really want.
ps, i'm flattered you quoted my thoughts, even if you didn't credit me.... :)
Toronto is only a train ride away from me too!!! :D Congrats on getting in! I haven't been to Vancouver since I was in high school, so I couldn't tell you how it compares to Toronto...I do like Toronto more than London, but, it's not Vancouver! Tim hates Toronto, but he doesn't like how busy it is, which you might not mind (obviously, since you live in Vancouver). At least in Toronto on the rare occassion that it does snow, you get the millitary to shovel you out :P
Are there really more bands playing in Toronoto than in Vancouver? I would think there would be some cool stuff coming out your way too. If you do pick TO, I can ask around here if there's any tips for finding a place (which won't be easy, though I'm sure you're aware of that). Hopefully you can find a place that's big enough for me to stay in once in a while! :P
It all comes down to what program is best for you, both in terms of things that you like, and in getting you a job when you're done. I'm starting to hope it really isn't this way with science (i.e. "you went to western? HA! I know better than to hire someone who went THERE!"), but is one school better respected in the field than another? I know ultimately it comes down to how good the work you did is school was, but, it doesn't hurt to have the edge of having gone to "the good school"
I looked up London and its proximity to TO this morning...not as far away as I thought! I also have an aunt + uncle in Kingston (my uncle is an economics professor there).
I think TO is definitely busier than Vancouver, but the Vancouver setup is kind of unique. Even though I live and work in on of the densest-populated places in Canada (my apartment borders on highrises as far as the eye can see) it actually feels like a laid-back lifestyle. I walk a lot and ride my bike some, I take the ferry to work and my neighbourhood is actually really quiet because there is no commercial activity for a few blocks. I see the ocean every day and the mountains when it's clear, and can walk to Stanley Park from my apartment. There's greenery and nature everywhere.
I've heard TO is more like Chicago and that's what I remember from visiting there. My impression is that it's also densely populated with less green space but I think there's more of a commercial downtown core without as many adjacent residential areas. Probably there's more car traffic and people commuting further which could make it feel busier than laid-back Van. But whenever my parents visit they feel the pace is too fast for them here, so there's probably something to Tim's feelings for TO!
in terms of universities, UofT is probably the most respected in Canada as an educational institution (but architecture programs are sort of entities unto themselves). Their course list is comprehensive, their electives in architecture look fantastic (industrial design!), their professors aren't famous but I've heard they're quite good, I've come across some impressive student work, and american students say "the pedagogy is somewhere between Harvard and Columbia", which is a-ok by me. so it looks promising.
I'm actually planning to take tomorrow off to read up on schools and do some thinking.
and hey, thanks for the thoughts, anonymous! you know, if I could remember which of those ideas were "yours," per se, I would credit you. maybe you could refresh my memory?
8 comments:
ooo...congrats!
sonya: taking over the world one province at a time!
Do you think you’ll be accepted overseas as well, or are those deadlines all over?
Hmm...if not for the fact that you have a boyfriend and an apartment already, I’d say pack up and go to Toronto. You have experience in BC and Winnipeg already so you can broaden your horizons even further and add yet more places to your resume.
Does U of T have a good program? That’s also a consideration – which has the best or most highly regarded program?
Thanks!
The european deadlines are fast approaching (beginning in April) but aren't due yet. Basically I need to make my Canadian schools choice, pay a fee, and take a loss if I go overseas after all.
The Toronto option is pretty compelling also. Ryan got into Toronto as well (he hasn't heard back from UBC and was wait-listed for Manitoba).
Any of the three options for canadian schools are quite good, each with their drawbacks. Not one can contest to be the "top program" outright (though I think if you transplanted the U of M program to toronto and gave it TO's money, it would be the top program hands-down given its history).
Manitoba: cheapest, probably the most academic freedom, but fairly safe in terms of location, and undergoing a huge restructuring at the hands of a new faculty head; in a bit of chaos but looks promising for the future.
UBC: highly recommended by people (who've been there), sustainable design is emphasized there, but from what I've seen of student work they do even more 3D modeling than physical modeling which is a bit of a drawback. They have some good international studios.
U of T: probably attracts the most diverse and international crowd. I know the least about the program though, and don't know many grads. They have the most money and resources and the most starchitects passing through town; also, Toronto is an interesting place to study (though not as gorgeous and temperate as Vancouver).
I have till March 30 or April 15 to decide. Right now I'm waffling between TO and UBC.
and yeah, the idea of another new city with new challenges and new places to explore (a train ride away from Montreal! amazing bands!) is exciting at the moment.
just do your research and don't forget about the 'gut' instinct. also, i could give you my vote as to where to choose, but it would be biased i think, though i guess in the end its what you really want.
ps, i'm flattered you quoted my thoughts, even if you didn't credit me.... :)
Toronto is only a train ride away from me too!!! :D Congrats on getting in! I haven't been to Vancouver since I was in high school, so I couldn't tell you how it compares to Toronto...I do like Toronto more than London, but, it's not Vancouver! Tim hates Toronto, but he doesn't like how busy it is, which you might not mind (obviously, since you live in Vancouver). At least in Toronto on the rare occassion that it does snow, you get the millitary to shovel you out :P
Are there really more bands playing in Toronoto than in Vancouver? I would think there would be some cool stuff coming out your way too. If you do pick TO, I can ask around here if there's any tips for finding a place (which won't be easy, though I'm sure you're aware of that). Hopefully you can find a place that's big enough for me to stay in once in a while! :P
It all comes down to what program is best for you, both in terms of things that you like, and in getting you a job when you're done. I'm starting to hope it really isn't this way with science (i.e. "you went to western? HA! I know better than to hire someone who went THERE!"), but is one school better respected in the field than another? I know ultimately it comes down to how good the work you did is school was, but, it doesn't hurt to have the edge of having gone to "the good school"
My 2 cents, for now :)
hi Laryssa!
I looked up London and its proximity to TO this morning...not as far away as I thought! I also have an aunt + uncle in Kingston (my uncle is an economics professor there).
I think TO is definitely busier than Vancouver, but the Vancouver setup is kind of unique. Even though I live and work in on of the densest-populated places in Canada (my apartment borders on highrises as far as the eye can see) it actually feels like a laid-back lifestyle. I walk a lot and ride my bike some, I take the ferry to work and my neighbourhood is actually really quiet because there is no commercial activity for a few blocks. I see the ocean every day and the mountains when it's clear, and can walk to Stanley Park from my apartment. There's greenery and nature everywhere.
I've heard TO is more like Chicago and that's what I remember from visiting there. My impression is that it's also densely populated with less green space but I think there's more of a commercial downtown core without as many adjacent residential areas. Probably there's more car traffic and people commuting further which could make it feel busier than laid-back Van. But whenever my parents visit they feel the pace is too fast for them here, so there's probably something to Tim's feelings for TO!
in terms of universities, UofT is probably the most respected in Canada as an educational institution (but architecture programs are sort of entities unto themselves). Their course list is comprehensive, their electives in architecture look fantastic (industrial design!), their professors aren't famous but I've heard they're quite good, I've come across some impressive student work, and american students say "the pedagogy is somewhere between Harvard and Columbia", which is a-ok by me. so it looks promising.
I'm actually planning to take tomorrow off to read up on schools and do some thinking.
and hey, thanks for the thoughts, anonymous! you know, if I could remember which of those ideas were "yours," per se, I would credit you. maybe you could refresh my memory?
So, I'm interested to hear which Canadian school you eventually did choose and why.
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