Uni Choice. I need all the help possible!

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

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

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.

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by 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

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.

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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..

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.