If you go by what ranking like the Times Higher Education Rankings and stuff like that U of T is number one but in reality number one is something different for everyone. It boils down to what you are looking for in your education. You want somewhere that is good for your program of choice but after you apply and wait for acceptances you do your research to see what unique features each school has to offer. For example, I am in a lot of councils and clubs at my school now so I checked out the clubs at the schools where I applied.

I am in grade 12 and as the deadline gets closer I ask myself this question every day. I am already in at Mac for Life Sci but I am in at Queen's for their first year general science program too and both offers are good. I am also in at Western biomed but I do not really want to go there. I am still waiting to hear back from U of T but I know that although it is "number one" I do not think I would benefit much from that type of impersonal environment. It takes a lot of thought to decide where is best for you. I am visiting McMaster for the first time on Saturday though.

Just a side note, it really bothers me when people put UFT. It is U of T.

Originally Posted by Lois

For undergrad, it really doesn't matter which university you go to.

To clarify: it doesn't matter from the point of view of a potential graduate / professional school admissions committee. It does matter when it comes to personal interest in research. For example, if I'm interested in research work in mathematical logic or topology, McMaster is great, as we've got some of the strongest faculty in the country in those areas. If I'm interested in, say, combinatorics and graph theory, McMaster isn't very good, as we don't have a strong faculty presence there.

It does matter where you go if you're interested in more than just how graduate / professional schools will view you as an applicant. Even then, it may matter for graduate schools that accept students for small programs - if your home university has a strong faculty in your area of interest, a reference letter will carry more weight, since the professors on the receiving end will have a good deal of respect for your referee.

1. U of T
2. McGill
3. UBC

Originally Posted by Mahratta

To clarify: it doesn't matter from the point of view of a potential graduate / professional school admissions committee. It does matter when it comes to personal interest in research. For example, if I'm interested in research work in mathematical logic or topology, McMaster is great, as we've got some of the strongest faculty in the country in those areas. If I'm interested in, say, combinatorics and graph theory, McMaster isn't very good, as we don't have a strong faculty presence there.

It does matter where you go if you're interested in more than just how graduate / professional schools will view you as an applicant. Even then, it may matter for graduate schools that accept students for small programs - if your home university has a strong faculty in your area of interest, a reference letter will carry more weight, since the professors on the receiving end will have a good deal of respect for your referee.

This is also true.

Keep in mind though that if there's a certain professor/faculty that you want to work with at another university it's possible of the summer. It might be more difficult, but I know of several people who have done so.

I LOVE how nobody voted for Western!

Where's Devry?

Hands down, McGill.
Top university in Canada, and not just for girls.

I think for history and political studies and courses within those same subjects (like law), Queen's is probably your best bet.

As mentioned before, it depends on the program and whether it's in terms of undergraduate/grad studies and such. Also, it bugs me how UBC is always forgotten. The ranking is U of T, UBC then McGill and it's been like that for a while, regardless of how accurate these rankings actually are.

Originally Posted by L'Étoile

You should go to the university that is furthest away from McMaster.

to bad i already accepted the offer

Originally Posted by Scuderia

Really McMaster?

I would put McMaster 4th. No way it makes top 3. Not anymore.

Ya i agree too

maybe its like as some one mentioned

1-UFT
2-UBC
3-Mcgill
4-Mcmaster

what about the rest what goes next?

^ Again, it depends on how specific you want to be. I think I agree overall, but I don't really think that overall rankings mean very much at all, beyond 'prestige' (which is nonsense).

Indeed, even discipline-based rankings can be too broad. For instance, UoT has the "best" mathematics program in the country, followed by Waterloo. However, there's particular specialities in mathematics (that I mentioned in my last post) which are better here. So while a general mathematics major would be better off at UoT, particular specialists may be better off here.

This is all speaking strictly academically, of course. I should also mention the impact of a small program - I can only speak for my program. We've got a small program relative to the "big" math schools (UoT and Waterloo), so interacting with faculty is a breeze. Of course, this then allows you to figure out what area you'd like to go into, etc.

Originally Posted by klibzy

Even lower if people like mfattal are making it into this university

Man, lay of mfattal for a bit. He's not been too bad lately

/doesntbelieveheissupp ortingmfattal

Quote:
Originally Posted by klibzy
Even lower if people like mfattal are making it into this university


dude seriously?

Originally Posted by Mahratta

Man, lay of mfattal for a bit. He's not been too bad lately

/doesntbelieveheissupp ortingmfattal

Thanks anyway

also to stay on topic

what do you guys think should come next

1-UFT
2-UBC
3-Mcgill
4-Mcmaster
5-waterloo
6-queens
7-university of Alberta
8-
9-
10-