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Canadian Universities and Colleges Thread [Advise, Questions, etc.]

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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
I've seen some US versions of this thread, but we Canadians run things a tad bit differently up here in the North, so I thought a separate thread couldn't hurt. And yes, I searchbar'd.

First a bit about myself, I'm in Grade 12 (Senior), and I'm at Prince of Wales Mini School in Vancouver BC. (http://pwminischool.com/). My marks are 90's in all subjects for first term, except math and calculus which are at 60 and 65 respectively (I know, I fucked up quite hard in both of them early on). I'm interested in pursuing an international career in business eventually, but I have considered the foreign service and the military. Right now I'm looking at three options:

1) BComm Masters in International Management, Desautels -- McGill University
2) Honors in Business Administration, Ivey -- University of Western Ontario
3) International Relations Program, Trinity College -- University of Toronto

Anyone doing these programs, or can give me any advise on them?
Also if you have questions of your own feel free to post them.
Dec 6 2010 3:00AM
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MitchConnors
Posts: 282 - Karma: 10
if your looking at international relations, look at carleton university in ottawa. Im in international relations and its sweet, plus the school has a lot of awesome international business programs.
Dec 6 2010 7:50AM
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Jake...
Posts: 11976 - Karma: 296
If you are looking to come out east for business do not go to Western. I haven't heard much good from it (but hey thats just me). Give Brock a look. They are amongst a handful with AACSB (Associate to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business) in Canada recognized world wide. There are a million things to specialize in and we have won a bunch of awards for our co-op options as well. Definitely a win and I am stoked on getting my undergrad for them. The rest of the universitys programs are kind of shit which is why the school isn't thtat well known, but the business school is booming - great international business specialization too.

http://www.brocku.ca/business/

cheers
Dec 6 2010 8:10AM
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p-oskier
Posts: 1407 - Karma: 58
Check out Concordia in montreal, their business department is supposed to be real good.
Dec 6 2010 9:04AM
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BusyJohnSohn
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 29
Maybe Western itself has a shitty business program, but the Richard Ivey School of Business is easily one of, if not the top businesss school in Canada.  If you get in there your golden kid.
Dec 6 2010 9:50AM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
my buddy went to western for some type of business/management degree and he loved it. i guarantee you wouldn't be unhappy at western. decent city, great school spirit, sick ass parties..
Dec 6 2010 10:06AM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
^ that said, the place to be is montreal. great skiing around, unreal party city (especially after a habs game) and french chicks are so goddamn sexy
Dec 6 2010 10:08AM
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travispersaud
Posts: 501 - Karma: 42
well if you are thinking about going into business check out the program at Laurier.  It has a very good reputation for business. Plus Waterloo has two universities and a college located pretty much on the same street.  Its a pretty crazy atmosphere. But why do you want to come to ontario ?
Dec 6 2010 10:14AM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233

hey man i was in your same position last year

i guess il start off by giving you my 2 cents on your three choices

1.  McGill is an unreal school all together.  Location is prime (skiing, partying, girls, etc.) so you dont have to worry about that at all.  They have great spirit, from the people i know that go there, they love it.  Business there is pretty dam good, good rep too.  Solid choice

2. The one big thing about western is getting INTO Ivey.  Alot of people go to western to go for business.  You dont apply for Ivey until third year i believe and you'll be competing against ALOT of kids.  One of the reasons i didnt pick it is because i wanted to make sure i was in the program i wanted to be in and not have a chance to not make it.  I think Western puts out a few offers on advance entry into Ivey so if you got that, good for you.  Ivey itself is an unreal program, nothing else to say. 

The school itself is pretty awesome.  London is a super fun town to party in, not much skiing though.  When people say Western is a party school, they really mean it.  If you decide to go there, i can guarantee that your party life first year will exceed your expectations.  Seriously that place can be crazy sometimes.  Ive gone there for 1 weekend so far and plan to go for more, just for the party life ;)

3. Cant really say anything about U of T except it being a top school.  I dont know anything about the International Relations Programs but Rott Business there is top notch

Some schools you might want to look at besides your 3 are:

Concordia: Good business school, again in quebec.  great city and skiing

Mcmaster: again good business school.  Its in the Greater Toronto Area.  Decent skiing, great school and people.  Guarenteed good choice (bias cause i go here)

Laurier: Top notch business program if you get in.  close to Mcmaster and pretty much in the GTA

Why dont you go to Simon Frasier (?) or UBC.  Great schools and great skiing.

If you have any questions about schools in ontario, pm me or post in ontario forum, lots of uni kids will reply

Dec 6 2010 5:23PM
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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
Thanks for all the replies guys!

Jake - Are you sure you mean Ivey at Western? As I understand it they're one of, if not the top business school in Canada, and the only Canadian institution in the CEMS MIM program: http://www.cems.org/

Forrest - Wouldn't you expect that in any program though, I mean unless you're taking a super outdoorsy program I would expect to be studying and spending my time in libraries a lot? I probably wouldn't mind the whole formal thing

GetFighted - You mean even after you get AEO status you still have to compete to get in? Basically like an overbooking for airplane seats? I definitely wouldn't mind the party scene, sounds great! The reason I'm not looking that much into SFU or UBC is that I want to get out for a while and see other places. I love Vancouver so I have no doubt I'll be back here sooner or later, but in the meantime I want to travel and experience new things, and I feel like I'd be limited in that sense if I stayed. Also UBC and SFU are both really science oriented and I'm not a huge fan of science in general, though I do have a ton of respect for people in that field.

el_travis - I don't specifically want to go to Ontario, I'm mostly just looking at the school itself right now. If I was going by city I would definitely go with McGill but I've heard some great things about the other ones as well so we'll see I guess.

I'll check out Brock, Carlton, Concordia, Laurier and McMaster, thanks!
Dec 6 2010 6:07PM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
These numbers are in no way true, im just using them as reference.  They send out 100 offers for "business" but only take 50 into Ivey third year.  Then you're stuck doing some humanities or arts course. 

But yeah man.  Like honestly every school has a party scene, dont let anyone tell you that one school doesnt. 

I've hit up most of the Ontario universities for parties on weekends but to be honest, in terms of Res parties..Western wins.  Its mostly because of their crazy attitude and lack of rules...but youll have fun where ever you go.  Their school may come off pretty cocky sometimes though but i went there wearing a Mcmaster windbreaker and shirt the whole time and actually got respect and recognition rather than hate...  They only hate queens and guelph kids ;)
Dec 6 2010 6:25PM
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C-DAWGSTYLEZ
Posts: 832 - Karma: 171
If your looking into international business don't overlook uvic, it's a sick place to live, a super fun school and is quickly becoming one of the best business schools in Canada. And the best part ive found is you aren't locked into business right off the bat. You get two years with only a few pre requisites before you get locked in to the business program. And. You can keep skiing whistler.
Dec 6 2010 6:33PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
It's different if you get your AEO status.... obviously there are minimum requirements you need to remain in the program but you are in. It's for the kids who don't get in straight out of highschool that have to compete to get accepted in 3rd year. That said AEO status is one of the few things in Canada where they look at more than just your marks... something that should work to your advantage because of all the leadership stuff you've done.

I can't say much for business specifically, but I know that McGill is really great for international relations so that wouldn't be a bad idea. Carleton is cool because you can work as a page at parliament which I think would be an amazing experience, but I'd definitely check out the campus because I didn't like it too much. I'd say come to Calgary but judging by the kids on my floor in business last year it's a bit of a joke (but snowboard/ski club trips to fernie, revy, kicking horse etc would almost make up for that).

Also consider whether you would prefer a small university town or a city campus.
Dec 6 2010 6:56PM
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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
Yea but if I go through the Ivey website and apply for AEO status through their "Inside Track" thing, if I get accepted there that means I have a [conditional] placement at Ivey no? Cause you apply to Western AND Ivey, and I know that the business program at Western is separate from Ivey so I could tell which one the acceptance was from. I could be wrong though.

I'd rather have a chill school that doesn't have strict rules, not only for partying but I think the general atmosphere would be much more relaxed and fun, so Western sounds like a great place.

I'm working my ass off in Calc right now and I'm hoping I can at least bring it up to a 75, so my average would be around 90. I think I'll have a chance then because I have pretty good extra curriculars. They wouldn't reject me outright solely based on my first term mark right?
Dec 6 2010 6:56PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
Ooh forgot to add... does anyone know of a school other than Calgary that has a primatology department? Because I would really like to get a minor in primatology but calgary only offers it as a major and that involves a lot of anthropology courses I'm not interested in.
Dec 6 2010 7:00PM
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0ptions
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 60
If you want Business go to Western, Queens and Laurier. If you're looking for co-op or accounting, Laurier is unparalleled for those. But if you can get into Ivey, do that, probably the best b-school in Canada it is 40k for two years though.

I currently go to Laurier, if you have questions about it or any other business school I've been in your shoes before so feel free to shoot me a PM.
Dec 6 2010 7:23PM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
i dun goofed
Dec 6 2010 7:38PM
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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
God its a small world, how's it going Paige! Mini's still rollin'.

Yea Ivey is pretty expensive but I'm hoping I can get by through a combination of scholarships, internships and small loans (I hate the idea of having a loan to pay off after but I've come to grips with the reality that I might have to for a bit of it). Plus the job I get after will hopefully help me get rid of debts quick.



Dec 6 2010 7:44PM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
Oh fuck i totally forgot about Queens.

If you can pull like a 92 average, go for Queens Commerce.  Such a good program, and great school spirit overall.  Trumps like every commerce program mentioned so far here haha (imo)
Dec 6 2010 7:50PM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
maybe UBC ?


Dec 6 2010 8:15PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
I will tell you do not go to U of T way to big and not a great atmosphere.

Western is great if you get into ivey and if you are a western kid. (Generalization I know but...)

Laurier has a great buisness program also if you are looking for another option.
Dec 6 2010 8:22PM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
Probably going to Ryerson next year any thoughts ? it's toronto so i'm not happy about that but...whatever it's the only place that has the program i want other than manitoba U
Dec 6 2010 8:23PM
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rYb
Posts: 944 - Karma: -12
Queens has the best undergrad business program in ontario.

Laurier is overrated

Mac business isnt really well known

Carleton Business is good, i got there but im in international Relations. Carleton has one of the only few International business with coop in canada.

Western if you wanna be a douche and work your ass off to try and get into Ivey. You dont even have to go there to apply.

Mcgill is sick.


Msg me if you have any questions about carleton i can get my buds to talk to you about it.
Dec 6 2010 8:26PM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
nothing much cept that its in the city and that you have decent skiing only an hour and few min away
Dec 6 2010 8:34PM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
easy there carleton
Dec 6 2010 8:35PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
I think you can handle Toronto for a couple of years as long as you make good use of your time off. Ryerson has really great programs and is pretty well respected.

I wish UBC had primatology but they only offer one course. I'm thinking about transferring home anyways and just doing the zoology if they'll transfer most of my credits. I'll miss the chance to spent my lab times watching monkeys at the zoo but I'm broke and not skiing enough to keep me sane here.
Dec 6 2010 8:35PM
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ElbridgeGerry
Posts: 5902 - Karma: -27
He's right about Ivey at Western. Though they do look more favourably upon those who attended Western.

Ivey's no joke though, my sister's room mate in 3rd year was an Ivey kid. He had to get up at like 6 every morning, dress in a suit. He had to basically act like someone with a good job. He worked his ass off, and now he works for TD as some sort of marketing manager business.
Dec 6 2010 8:39PM
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kalibudz
Posts: 112 - Karma: 24
yo it doesnt get more international than vancouver im taking international relations at UBC right now and its some of the best profs ive ever had (i go to school in the US too) also sauder business school is legit if thats what youre trying to do. i have friends at mcgill and its reputation is awesome but really i just say stick to van.. you cant beat whistler
Dec 6 2010 8:51PM
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0ptions
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 60
Carlton is not even top 10 for business, strong bias. And Ivey is favoured way more then queens commerce.
Dec 6 2010 8:55PM
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summersover
Posts: 5777 - Karma: 233
Yeah don't overlook Concordia's John Molson School of Business
Kickass business program that's ranked higher than McGill (JMSB is an AACSB accredited business school and McGill is not) and the building is brand new and in Montreal akafucking great city
close to skiing too
/endmontrealbias
Dec 6 2010 9:01PM
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dbstar
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 20
concordia is pretty good for business... i have lived in mtl pretty much my whole life and go here. Mcgill is wack... lots of rich preppy american kids who have been spoon fed their whole lives but didn't get into their ivy league schools. Although it might be a bit harder to meet ppl at concordia.
Dec 6 2010 9:05PM
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Dosh
Posts: 1818 - Karma: 14
i go to mcgill and would say that you aren't far off with that on at least a good portion of the students, although i have definitely met some good kids here. the canadian kids tend to be more annoying to me in general.  but i really enjoy montreal as a city and im graduating in the spring so it's all good either way. plus i like being close to home in vt for skiing.
Dec 6 2010 9:41PM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
blue? or MSLM?


@ Paige. yea i can definitely handle it. but i'll miss the mountains for sure. It'll be worth the move in the end though.

Dec 6 2010 10:27PM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
where im from (oakville) which is close to Toronto generally it will be like this.  give or take a few min

horseshoe - 1 hr 30 min
mslm- 1 hr 45 min
blue- 2 hr

Dec 6 2010 11:09PM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
yeah haha my fam is actually originally from oakville, then ottawa so i kinda know a little of the gta. i've been dt toronto a few times. yea those aren't even bad at all as long as i have somewhere to shred. i heard something about an indoor place? i dunno if that's just a rumor or if it's legit
Dec 7 2010 1:00AM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
Oakville is the way to go ;)

yeah all those place are pretty solid.  If you arent looking to travel far and just looking to do laps and ski park, look at glen eden. 

Indoor place, not really sure but snowpark niagara (snowflex + rails + super cheap prices) isnt far from toronto, its actually 2 min from the border into the US. their usually open all year long but their renovating right now.  not sure when they will open again
Dec 7 2010 1:20AM
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D1X
Posts: 402 - Karma: 16
Don't come to SFU it sucks horse cock
Dec 7 2010 1:21AM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
well nothing out there is gonna compare to what i ski now. so just park laps are fine with me in toronto.
Dec 7 2010 1:34AM
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C-Ski
Posts: 429 - Karma: 20

Just curious what the competitive averages for general arts are out west? UVIC, UBC OR U of C

Dec 7 2010 10:35PM
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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
.
Dec 8 2010 8:56PM
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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
Anyone know what the international relations or economics program at Western is like?
Is it a good program to take as an Ivey AEO, or is it better to do BMOS so you already have the fundamentals down by the time you get to Ivey?
Dec 18 2010 5:59PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
yo dog, reach montreal. there are hot women, drinking age is 18 so you'll actually be getting drunk for frosh instead of playing board games like they do at those ontario unis, i shouldnt even have to talk about the party scene, its just THAT nice, legit skiing not too far away.

a few of my buddies go to concordia (JMSB) and they love it, they have some international business program that sounds pretty legit. I met a lot of ppl at their Hingston res and theyre all chill as fuck.

Mcgill is a great school, but like it was mentioned before, theres a lot of preppy spoiled rich kids and i dunno about you but they usually rattle me quite a bit ahaha. oh, and there are sooo many hipsters that go to mcgill, its fuckin ridiculous.




and yo, if you're not already convinced (which means you're retarded), we have poutine, unreal bagels, and some terrific smoked meat. And nhl playoff time is just a completely different story, its awesome.

I hope that helped.
Dec 18 2010 7:56PM
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laurence^
Posts: 1575 - Karma: 19
Don't listen to this guy. McGill isn't wack at all. Forrest definitely has the best low down on Desautels (McGill). I go there and I definitely spend a lot of time in the library and group meetings but I've met some really great people. International management is a cool program that requires a language and either a job for a company that does business internationally or outside of the country or a study abroad semester.

As for your grades and what not, with 60s in math I think you have to be realistic with where you can go and broaden your perspective. It's the harsh truth and McGill requires high math grades, probably Ivey as well which is a very well known business school, even though I saw someone in here saying they had not heard of it.

Take a shot at Queens, UBC, UVic, Dalhousie, Concordia...John Molson is good, Calgary and any others! See where you get in and make a decision then.
Dec 18 2010 8:57PM
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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
Hey, thanks for the advice.

When do schools usually start rejecting people? If I apply with that 60, would they reject me outright or wait for my second term?

I've been getting 80's and 90's in math all the way up till this year, and the 60 comes from me being sick and away for about a week and a half in the beginning, then not being able to do much with a sprained clavicle for about the last half of term 1.

My Calc is picking up a lot (went from 52 midterm to 66 final first term) and I'm confident I can pick my Math up as well. It's really frustrating because my other marks are solid:

90 - English 12
89 - French 12
92 - History 12
96 - Japanese 12 (Some take it, some don't)

...but then we have

66 - Calc 12
68 - Math 12

fuck meee
Dec 18 2010 9:12PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
usually by this time they only start accepting people conditionally. however, i havent heard of anyone getting outright rejected this early, theyre gonna wait til the end of next semester
Dec 18 2010 9:14PM
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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
Right ok, so as long as I maintain my other marks and pick up my math/calc I should be ok, or at least have a competitive application?

I have pretty strong extra curriculars so I'm confident that I'm in a really good position there, so I think I have a chance as long as they're not solely looking at academics.

Also I'm totally sold on Montreal haha, I guess I'll have to convert to a Habs fan though; don't think rocking a 'Nucks jersey would be good for my well being...
Dec 18 2010 9:21PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
well ya i'm not 100% sure, but i think the program you're looking to apply to is probably gonna ask for a math grade in the 70's at least, so if you could pick it up a bit and get it in there you shouldn't have a problem. and they for sure, for SURE, won't throw out your application until the end of next semester, that would be fuckin retarded.

and naw yo, just cus you're in mtl, doesnt mean you'll have to convert lol. ya, everyone is gonna chirp you a little bit but thats part of the fun you know
Dec 18 2010 9:39PM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
dont be discouraged if you dont get accepted til like february-april.  some schools will send out more applications after other students reject their offers
Dec 18 2010 10:39PM
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