Uni Choice. I need all the help possible!

[maebach]

The reason I posted this here, is so I can get some information from students in these programs. Everyone I talk to, say that I have to do what I like, but Im not sure what I like yet. So here's the problem:

When chosing classes in grade 12, business classes are at the same time as the sciences. So I basically have to choose between engineering and business. I can take Economics/Accounting or Physics/Chemistry. If I take business, my goal is to get into York University (Schulich). ANd if I take engineering, I wanna get into Waterloo for electrical. I was wondering also if there are people in any of these programs who could give some help. Economics class is almost full, so I would need to switch on the first or second day of high school.

If it helps, math and history are my two best subjects :|

[Hoodwink]

Look at night school or online courses as well, or stay back another year. The door's never shut.

[alv077]

You realize that you don't HAVE to take econ/acc in high school to get into business schools, right? However, you DO need to take chem/phy if you want to go into those fields.

Take a look for yourself, www.electronicinfo.ca, this is the official guide. Don't listen to people that give information that differs from this.

[vacitah]

i would strongly recommend you take the sciences that way the door is never closed for you, also be sure to look at AEO status at uwo it is basically pre admin to there ivey bussiness school and u get to do ur undergrad in any subject even electrical eng.

with the aeo option u can have both degrees

[kt11]

You have a higher chance of getting into UW ECE...if you take the Sciences and do sub-par. An 80+ average pretty much gets you into the regular engineering programs, probably not UT EngSci...I think you could get into UW SysDe as well. Say you get like an 87 average...you won't get into Schulich...cut-off is around 90-91++. That's just my take...if you rip 90's in school all the power to you...go to Schulich.
:)

[kt11]

i would strongly recommend you take the sciences that way the door is never closed for you, also be sure to look at AEO status at uwo it is basically pre admin to there ivey bussiness school and u get to do ur undergrad in any subject even electrical eng.

with the aeo option u can have both degrees

It's not in his best interest to do that. If he managed to get AEO...that mean he more than likely would've gotten into Schulich etc. And if he does that route...he has to get an 80 average...that's an accomplishment in itself.

[jljdaigl]

If you can't decide what you want to do in university yet, since Electrical Engineering and Business are 2 completely different options, then I would agree to go with the sciences since you won't even be considered for UW ECE unless you take them and I am fairly certain that business school does not have any economics/accounting courses.

By all means if you figure out that you no longer want to do engineering then switch out, otherwise keep your options open.

btw, I am currently halfway through my 3rd year at University of Waterloo in Computer Engineering (which is basically Elec Eng but with more focus on computers), and can answer any questions you might have about Engineering at UW. My program is pretty much Identical to Elec Eng for the first 2 years, we are still taking courses in common so I can still give pretty good answers. Just send me a PM and I will do my best to answer.

[maebach]

Thanks for all the help. So far I gather that the best option is sciences or engineering to keep doors open. Im aiming for an MBA. My dad said I should do a 3 year degree of finance and minor mathematics. I wanted to go to Schulich because it is MBA preperation from what I know.

If I was to take business, what would be a school other than Schulich that is Ivy league? I can get a 90 average realistically, but if thats the minnimmum Im not sure if I could make it then.

Also, is there such thing as a business co-op? One of my main reasons for engineering was because of the Waterloo co-op.

[LuxBux]

Waterloo has the best co-op programs around. I'm currently in Mathematics Business Administration Dble Degree at Waterloo and am on co-op working at BMO downtown. The experience you get from co-op is priceless.

[gzajay]

Maebach -- there are lots of business co-op jobs posted at Waterloo. I friends working Marketing for Microsoft or RIM...some HR positions

I'm in UW co-op too -- amazing experience and the contacts you make will be invaluable after graduation. I've done two terms with the government (different ministries) and I'm pretty much set for a job after graduation...

EDIT: now that I think about it, why don't you take something like Science and Business at UW. Since you can't decide between engineering and business -- take Physics and Business. I think we also have a Management Engineering program

[kt11]

Maebach -- there are lots of business co-op jobs posted at Waterloo. I friends working Marketing for Microsoft or RIM...some HR positions

I'm in UW co-op too -- amazing experience and the contacts you make will be invaluable after graduation. I've done two terms with the government (different ministries) and I'm pretty much set for a job after graduation...

EDIT: now that I think about it, why don't you take something like Science and Business at UW. Since you can't decide between engineering and business -- take Physics and Business. I think we also have a Management Engineering program

I was looking into Science and Business...but I wasn't getting good vibes. Management Engineering hasn't had a graduating class either, so who knows if it's a good program.

maebach: when you talked about that math program you're dad reccomended...consider UW/WLU BBA & B.Math. It's a program where you get a BBA and B.Math in 5 yrs, from two very good schools. I know it's been mentioned in the thread, just want to re-emphasize it's value.

[gzajay]

Sci/Bus is a great program.... what turned you off of it?

[Octavius]

All of my engineering friends have found jobs within 2 months of graduating with their degrees. Their starting pay is quite good as well (and of course...they each have a nifty iron ring).

I'd say go the engineering route if you like sciences and whatnot.

[alv077]

All of my engineering friends have found jobs within 2 months of graduating with their degrees. Their starting pay is quite good as well (and of course...they each have a nifty iron ring).

I'd say go the engineering route if you like sciences and whatnot.

Are those rings REALLY made from the metal from that bridge?

It's always bugged me... I mean, theres a finite amount of bridge-wreckage to make rings from..

[skuric]

If you do an engineering degree at UofT, you can take an accelerated MBA as well if you do the Skoll program, and get both degrees in 6-7 years.

[sxz]

Are those rings REALLY made from the metal from that bridge?

It's always bugged me... I mean, theres a finite amount of bridge-wreckage to make rings from..

No it's just for the symbolism. ;o

[alv077]

aww >:(

[michaeljchan]

Here is my 2 cents.

Waterloo Co-op is absolutly amazing
(worked for TTC, Pearson Aiport and now for the OLYMPIC 2010)
{note my first job was an office B$%#%}

You can also have co-op with business program here (the double degree), but to be honest.. if you can have over 80% average in uni .. you should be able to get any dream job .. BUT if you get 50% or high 90's, its sometimes hard to find a job (talking about first term that is)..

My view .. Take engineering now .. and then after you get your degree do an MBA, you have all the courses needed.

[maebach]

Waterloo has the best co-op programs around. I'm currently in Mathematics Business Administration Dble Degree at Waterloo and am on co-op working at BMO downtown. The experience you get from co-op is priceless.

What was your grade 12 average to get in?

Maebach -- there are lots of business co-op jobs posted at Waterloo. I friends working Marketing for Microsoft or RIM...some HR positions

I'm in UW co-op too -- amazing experience and the contacts you make will be invaluable after graduation. I've done two terms with the government (different ministries) and I'm pretty much set for a job after graduation...

EDIT: now that I think about it, why don't you take something like Science and Business at UW. Since you can't decide between engineering and business -- take Physics and Business. I think we also have a Management Engineering program

I dispise physics totally. My chemistry is quite good though. My cousin did engineering and then an MBA, and he said that if you do engineering then switch over, its a waste of time. He said he regrets doing it becuase the people he works with did a 3 year finance degree and then an MBA.

I was looking into Science and Business...but I wasn't getting good vibes. Management Engineering hasn't had a graduating class either, so who knows if it's a good program.

maebach: when you talked about that math program you're dad reccomended...consider UW/WLU BBA & B.Math. It's a program where you get a BBA and B.Math in 5 yrs, from two very good schools. I know it's been mentioned in the thread, just want to re-emphasize it's value.

I was told by a firend to do the Management Engineering, but he didnt know anything about the program or how well the people do in that field.

Is there a co-op for the mathematics degrees? If so, then that would be something for me. My math is really good, so by doing a 5 year degree, I'll get the bachelor of business and a bachelor in math?

Whats WLU?

[LuxBux]

There's co-op for almost every program, and yes there is co-op for just math. WLU is the University of Wilfred Laurier, one of the best business schools and it's right beside Waterloo. That's why in the double degree program you take your businesses courses there and your math courses at Waterloo. My average was mid 90's, pre-reqs are 2 maths, english plus one other U course, plus any other 2 to account for the overall 6. It's a real good program and you can apply to a lot of different jobs from this program.

[JLei2k]

Take the sciences. For business only Calculus and English or needed. For U of T commerce you need a second math but since you like math that shouldn't be a problem. For schulich just make sure 90 average (89.9 is not good enough) and submit a supplementary form I'd say take the asian 6-pack. 3 math 3 science english. Or take out a math for econ because first year econ with no prior experience isn't easy. That way you are set if either way.

[nickia]

There's co-op for almost every program, and yes there is co-op for just math. WLU is the University of Wilfred Laurier, one of the best business schools and it's right beside Waterloo. That's why in the double degree program you take your businesses courses there and your math courses at Waterloo. My average was mid 90's, pre-reqs are 2 maths, english plus one other U course, plus any other 2 to account for the overall 6. It's a real good program and you can apply to a lot of different jobs from this program.

I'm not so sure about that. "One of the BETTER business school" would be more appropriate.

I'd put WLU behind all these schools.
1.Queens/Ivey
2. Schulich
3. UTSG Commerce

[alv077]

I'm not so sure about that. "One of the BETTER business school" would be more appropriate.

I'd put WLU behind all these schools.
1.Queens/Ivey
2. Schulich
3. UTSG Commerce

I second that

[JLei2k]

I'm not so sure about that. "One of the BETTER business school" would be more appropriate.

I'd put WLU behind all these schools.
1.Queens/Ivey
2. Schulich
3. UTSG Commerce

Agreed though still doesn't make it a bad program. One of the better BBA's behind Schulich and on par with UTSC's BBA.

[maebach]

I'm not so sure about that. "One of the BETTER business school" would be more appropriate.

I'd put WLU behind all these schools.
1.Queens/Ivey
2. Schulich
3. UTSG Commerce

Is UTSG, U of T?


Also, If I was to take Finance, where would be the best place to take that? UofT, Schulich , Queens or McMaster? I like the co-op idea at UW, but do they have co-op for finance or b.comm. ?

In the end, my hope is to do an MBA. So does it matter whether I do the double degree of BBA and BMath at WLU/UW or Finance at UofT? Would it be easier to get into a good MBA school if I did the double degree? What if I did the B. math at UW and BBA at U of T or McMaster?

[kt11]

Is UTSG, U of T?


Also, If I was to take Finance, where would be the best place to take that? UofT, Schulich , Queens or McMaster? I like the co-op idea at UW, but do they have co-op for finance or b.comm. ?

In the end, my hope is to do an MBA. So does it matter whether I do the double degree of BBA and BMath at WLU/UW or Finance at UofT? Would it be easier to get into a good MBA school if I did the double degree? What if I did the B. math at UW and BBA at U of T or McMaster?

Yup, St. George; the real one :razz:

For finance, every school is good...McMaster not so much, better of with WLU. UW doesn't have a B.Com or a BBA, just the AFM program. You'd probably want to go with the Financial Management Stream over the Public Accounting Stream.


In the end, if you just want to do an MBA...I can't answer...that's an odd goal.

[alv077]

I don't know...

A person in the PA stream can always just take the FM specialization courses and the FM jobs... the reverse is not true...

[Lizz__20]

Yup, St. George; the real one :razz:

For finance, every school is good...McMaster not so much, better of with WLU. UW doesn't have a B.Com or a BBA, just the AFM program. You'd probably want to go with the Financial Management Stream over the Public Accounting Stream.


In the end, if you just want to do an MBA...I can't answer...that's an odd goal.

What's wrong with finance at McMaster's? I know our MBA is rated highly. (link (http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/story.cfm?id=4337)) Anyway Mac has bCom and honours BCom both with an optional internship between 3rd and 4th yr. I don't know a lot about it but we also have an Engineering Management program. It's a 5 yr program. It offers co-op as well as advance standing in McMasters MBA so you'll only have to do 1 more year of work to get your MBA. Here's the link ( http://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/engandmgt/index.html) to the website. Once you've narrowed thing down to you top 3 look at the entry requirements. For commerse it was 2 maths Calculus and another. I had taken economics and accounting in high school, but you have to take them 1st year anyway. You cover more material than in the high school courses. If you choose science/engineering, you might want to do a business related minor to keep your options open. Anyway good luck.

[maebach]

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered some broshures from Waterloo.

These are the broshures:

Faculty of Mathematics
Mathematics
(Regular and co-op)
> Actuarial Science
> Applied Mathematics
> Combinatorics & Optimization
> Math Teaching Option (co-op only)
> Mathematical Physics
> Mathematical Sciences
> Operations Research
> Pure Mathematics
> Statistics

Mathematics/Business Administration
(Co-op only)
> Economics option
> Finance option
> Systems Management option

Business Administration (WLU) & Mathematics (Waterloo) Double Degree
(Co-op only)

Faculty of Arts / Faculty of Mathematics
Computing & Financial Management
(Co-op only)

Faculty of Arts

Accounting & Financial Management
(Co-op only)
> Financial Management
> Public Accounting


I really like the double major at WU and WLU to ge a BBA and B. Math. I might go with a B.Math and minor in finance. I dont want to spend too much time in Waterloo (like 6+ years), because the few people I talked to about MBAs said that alot of people spend too much time getting their undergrads and stuff before their MBA. The good thing with the double major, is that if I decide not to do an MBA, I can stick with 2 good degrees.

[LuxBux]

Exactly what I'm doing...go for the double degree, honestly it's not that hard as long as you know you're math and can learn well it will be cake