Canada Universities & Colleges?

[mozzie]

Anyone from Singapore after A Levels or Polytechnic Diploma interested/applying for tertiary education in Canada?

Apparently Canada education is cheaper than US, also have lower cost of living. (Now dunno still true cause Canadian dollar sometimes higher than US Dollar)
Canada have quite a few reputable Unis also, standard not bad comparable to US Unis...

McGill University
Location: Montreal, Quebec
GOOD: Law, Medicine, Business, Economics

University of Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
GOOD: Engineering, Pharmacy, Life Sciences

University of British Columbia
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
GOOD: Sauder Business School (Undergrad, MBA)

University of Toronto
Location: Toronto, Ontario
GOOD: Engineering, Rotman Business School

University of Western Ontario
Location: London, Ontario
GOOD: Richard Ivey School of Business

York University
Location: Toronto, Ontario
GOOD: Schulich School of Business (Undergrad, MBA)

University of Waterloo
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
GOOD: Maths, Computer Science (Undergrad, Masters), Actuarial science

Anyone currently studying or looking to study in Canada care to share/comment?
Thanks!

 

[BoOOoM]

i am interested in toronto and mcgill, life science. but canada is soooo freaking far and cold!!!

 

[patryn33]

yes canada is far.. esp if you are thinking of traveling back and fro regularly.
cold? yes! not as if you are sleeping out.. U can be in certain parts or japan/China/Korea/ USA and it can be just as cold as canada.

japan no central heating, can be colder than Canada indoors sia!

to TS: do a search and U will find a handful.. like 2 or 3 ppl around the forum that had studied in Canada.

UBC - no Diploma ppl studying there to my Knowledge.
UWO - don't seem to have any Singaporean there.
Mcgill/UofT : Mainly JC ppl. Mcgill is pretty good in Engineering and Biz also. According to Americans. reputation of Mcgill is higher than UofT.

 

[antwerp22]

Threadstarter: Where did you get the list of which faculties are good? Is it just popular opinion?

 

[patryn33]

if U can get a hold of this mag similar to USNEWS College Ranking.
U get an idea whats good and whats not.
http://www.macleans.ca/education/rankings.jsp

 

[BoOOoM]

i think dont need SAT... somehow my friend got into UoT life science with 1 exemption with only 2yrs of diploma.

 

[patryn33]

VISA application is confusing?
seriously, I doubt it is that bad compare to UK/Aussie.

USA, Canada more JC ppl head there.
the main reason is USA/Canada offer little exemptions to Diploma holder.
need to spend so much time to complete a degree, if one was to take it easy.
In fact for the 1st 2 yrs, there are alot of class open during the holidays.
those aiming for PR, USA much harder than Oz.
Canada can be very easy esp in Quebec.

Really, Poly ppl how many go the hard way? even need to switch major and have to study for full 4yrs.. rather go Oz, so many Singaporeans there. Go Canada? far! so what cheaper in fees? granted mcgill only cost CND$17K (SG$26K now) while UofMelb can cost AUD$26K (SGD$32K). small difference of SG$6K. Not even enough to pay for a Biz class ticket to go home comfortably now. Go else where like UofT tuition is CND$19K-24K, more expensive than UofMelb sia, also don't know if it is better some more far.
Lagi terrible if cannot fit into the Air Level Crowd there.

 

[mozzie]

I graduated from Ngee Ann poly, Telecomm Eng. In IT industry for almost 4yrs as Systems engineer. looking to head to Canada (Sep 2008/Fall 08) to further studies in Commerce/Business (Information Systems).

for Poly grads it is indeed tougher to pursue degree in North American as the Canada Unis don't acknowledge our diploma as a qualification of direct entry. they only accept Canada Grade 12, GCE A Levels, IB...have to enter via their University Transfer colleges to earn Year 1 credits, after which transfer credits (ie. 1yr/2yrs at college, than transfer to 2nd or 3rd year at your prefered Canada Uni)

i guess i must be one of the very rare few Poly grads heading to Canada..
but i believe education is not only about getting the 'paper', it's THE whole overseas experience/exposure package that i am looking for.. else i wld have settled for an 'chop-chop' quickly finish 1.5-2yrs part-time degree..

any other Poly grads also taking the 'tougher' / unbeaten route?

 

[mozzie]

Threadstarter: Where did you get the list of which faculties are good? Is it just popular opinion?

its from my own research and comms with the Canadians via university forums..
don't trust MacLean's rankings, its highly 'rigged' so much so that numerous Canadian Unis boycott them..

 

[patryn33]

its from my own research and comms with the Canadians via university forums..
don't trust MacLean's rankings, its highly 'rigged' so much so that numerous Canadian Unis boycott them..

must agree on that!
http://economics.ca/cgi/jab?journal=cpp&view=v31n3/CPPv31n3p231.pdf
http://www.csse.ca/CJE/Articles/FullText/CJE25-4/CJE25-4-page.pdf
http://chronicle.com/news/article/3394/mcgill-u-tops-canadian-university-rankings-issued-by-macleans

interesting note on boycotting USNEWs too!
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2007/04/02/samarasekera

nice to take these input (ranking from Maclean's, FT, Bizweek, Times etc) as reference, not some bible.

Canadian Uni does accept Diploma for direct entry so long your GPA is up there. my sibling made it to UBC-Sauder and SFU with little credits. wrote an appeal letter with alot of supporting documents in and got more credits, close to 1 yr worth. however her friend with GPA 3.3+ did not even make it into SFU, but made it to pretty UK Uni with max exemptions.

-----

bobo84 is in UBC-Sauder.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/member.php?u=208869

kan3siao, I believe is Poly.. gave up Canadian Edu. UofAlberta wanted him to start fresh despite the fact he has very good GPA.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/member.php?u=207102

mrKiasu, I believe is A level holder that went to UofT.. he have alot of insights.

not sure if she is still there (BTW: she was/is working at the International student admission) after speaking with her last yr. Elaine Ong : elaine.ong@ualberta.ca

Good Luck!

 

[mozzie]

I have been accepted to:

Columbia College www.columbiacollege.ca
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Fall 2008 (Sept 2008)
- Bachelor of Commerce (University Transfer program)

Grant MacEwan College www.macewan.ca
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Fall 2008 (Sept 2008)
- University Studies International (USI)

anyone heading to CANADA or North America this Fall 2008 for studies?

 

[forenzic01]

Anyone from Singapore after A Levels or Polytechnic Diploma interested/applying for tertiary education in Canada?

Apparently Canada education is cheaper than US, also have lower cost of living. (Now dunno still true cause Canadian dollar sometimes higher than US Dollar)
Canada have quite a few reputable Unis also, standard not bad comparable to US Unis...

McGill University
Location: Montreal, Quebec
GOOD: Law, Medicine, Business, Economics

University of Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
GOOD: Engineering, Pharmacy, Life Sciences

University of British Columbia
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
GOOD: Sauder Business School (Undergrad, MBA)

University of Toronto
Location: Toronto, Ontario
GOOD: Engineering, Rotman Business School

University of Western Ontario
Location: London, Ontario
GOOD: Richard Ivey School of Business

York University
Location: Toronto, Ontario
GOOD: Schulich School of Business (Undergrad, MBA)

University of Waterloo
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
GOOD: Maths, Computer Science (Undergrad, Masters), Actuarial science

Anyone currently studying or looking to study in Canada care to share/comment?
Thanks!

I strong support going to Canada if you are choosing between Canada or UK or Australia.

Here are my additional commence regarding the unvi:


McGill University - also good for Engineering and one of the top in the world for Business.

University of Western Ontario - also very good for Engineering, Medicine, Education and top
in Canada for Business and one of the top in the world for
Business.

York University - also top for Fine Arts, Humanities, Law and Science. They designed the
Space Shuttle Robotic Arm. Very good Business program.

McMaster University - Good in Engineering, Medicine and Business.

Queens University - Good in Engineering and Business.

Most of the Canadian universities have good standing. The older generation scholars did attended Canadian universities (even Ministers and Permanent Secretary). You will enjoy yourself if you study there. Don't worry about the cold - run from a heated building to a heated car and walk through heated tunnels.

All the best guys.

 

[patryn33]

TS, where are you ultimately heading to? Vancouver or Edmonton?
I sure hope U find more kaki going there!

forenzic01, I have to agree with you. Canadian Uni are always overlooked. everyone in SG is over concern with the harsh winter weather. Somehow Canada population is higher than Australia (30M vs 20M).

 

[pleetf]

hey sorry to interrupt eh. need to ask you peeps sthing: how are you guys intending to fly to canada? any airlines that are cheaper? shorter transit hours and hopefully more comfortable than nwa or ua? i am not gg to study in canada but the states and currently finding it tough how to fly there..

i've got some friends who suggested going 1 way there and buying return tickets every summer. wise?

 

[civicvtec]

I have been accepted to:

Columbia College www.columbiacollege.ca
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Fall 2008 (Sept 2008)
- Bachelor of Commerce (University Transfer program)

Grant MacEwan College www.macewan.ca
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Fall 2008 (Sept 2008)
- University Studies International (USI)

anyone heading to CANADA or North America this Fall 2008 for studies?

Pm bobo84. He should be able to provide you with more info on UBC. Good luck.

 

[loathed]

hey sorry to interrupt eh. need to ask you peeps sthing: how are you guys intending to fly to canada? any airlines that are cheaper? shorter transit hours and hopefully more comfortable than nwa or ua? i am not gg to study in canada but the states and currently finding it tough how to fly there..

i've got some friends who suggested going 1 way there and buying return tickets every summer. wise?

my advice is not to scrimp on long haul airflights. i might head to the states for studies soon and i plan on taking business class. i think it is rather reasonable for some airlines.

 

[mozzie]

hey sorry to interrupt eh. need to ask you peeps sthing: how are you guys intending to fly to canada? any airlines that are cheaper? shorter transit hours and hopefully more comfortable than nwa or ua? i am not gg to study in canada but the states and currently finding it tough how to fly there..

i've got some friends who suggested going 1 way there and buying return tickets every summer. wise?

Singapore Airlines (SQ) flies to Vancouver, British Columbia (CANADA).
stop-over at Seoul, KOREA (Incheon International Airport).. this will break the long-haul flight...

for US I think
Singapore Airlines (SQ) flies to New York (JFK Intl Airport).
stop-over at Frankfurt, GERMANY (Frankfurt Intl Airport).. this will also break the flight.

 

[mozzie]

I strong support going to Canada if you are choosing between Canada or UK or Australia.

Here are my additional commence regarding the unvi:


McGill University - also good for Engineering and one of the top in the world for Business.

University of Western Ontario - also very good for Engineering, Medicine, Education and top
in Canada for Business and one of the top in the world for
Business.

York University - also top for Fine Arts, Humanities, Law and Science. They designed the
Space Shuttle Robotic Arm. Very good Business program.

McMaster University - Good in Engineering, Medicine and Business.

Queens University - Good in Engineering and Business.

Most of the Canadian universities have good standing. The older generation scholars did attended Canadian universities (even Ministers and Permanent Secretary). You will enjoy yourself if you study there. Don't worry about the cold - run from a heated building to a heated car and walk through heated tunnels.

All the best guys.

forenzic01, thanks for sharing the info!
yeah I just found ount that Alexander Graham Bell studied engineering at the University of Toronto ! yeah, the dude who invented the TELEPHONE studied in Canada..

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1847, Alexander Graham Bell immigrated to Canada with his father in 1870 before moving to the United States a year later and becoming a U.S. citizen in 1882. As a young man, Bell studied at the University of Edinburgh, graduated from the University of Toronto and went on to teach vocal physiology at the University of Boston. Bell also tutored private students, including Helen Keller. Both Bell's mother and wife were deaf, a fact that greatly influenced his life's work. It was his focus on speech, hearing and amplification that led Bell to his invention of the telephone.

The telephone is one of the most important inventions of the past two hundred years. The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.

could be due to the extreme & long winters/cold that people are 'stuck' indoors most of the time, less chance to play hence concetrate more on their studies, research and findings..

 

[loathed]

Singapore Airlines (SQ) flies to Vancouver, British Columbia (CANADA).
stop-over at Seoul, KOREA (Incheon International Airport).. this will break the long-haul flight...

for US I think
Singapore Airlines (SQ) flies to New York (JFK Intl Airport).
stop-over at Frankfurt, GERMANY (Frankfurt Intl Airport).. this will also break the flight.

yea, there are also long haul flights to both new york and los angeles. both are non-stop flights.

 

[patryn33]

could be due to the extreme & long winters/cold that people are 'stuck' indoors most of the time, less chance to play hence concetrate more on their studies, research and findings..

U are cut, I have seen Canadian cycling in Montreal wearing shorts when it is -15C out! U will be surprise how many stuck indoors!

just noticed tuition at Unis like McMaster is pretty low, better deal than Uni of Alberta.
http://www.mcmaster.ca/oia/intappl.htm#costs

Business ..............$14,400
Engineering...........$18,700
Health Sciences....$14,400
Humanities............$12,200
Science.................$13,800
Social Sciences.....$12,200

Books and Supplies $1,200

Living expenses
Accommodation $450 to $600 per month
Meals $275 to $375 per month
Health Insurance $684 per year

Ulu Manitoba even cheaper under CND$10K.
http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/admissions/finances/costs/