<p>Hi,
I got accepted into both programs mentioned above and now I’m really torn between them.
According to some reviews, rankings and opinions on the Internet, UBC is quite a good school with decent prestige across Canada. Its Computer science department is among the best in Canada, too.</p>
<p>Concordia, on the other hand… I cannot find anywhere to read more about its academic teaching quality, its reputation, etc… But one plus thing at Concordia is that I can live in my uncle’s house… He says that prestige is nothing in Canada and suggests me decline all others offer to study at Concordia.</p>
<p>All those things have really put me in a tough dilemma. I plan to work for about 2-3 years for experience, after that I might try my luck at some of the prestigious grad school in the US (let’s say Stanford, UC Berkeley…)
So if I pursue my degree at Concordia, will that hurt my chances at those great grad schools? At Concordia, will I have a smaller class size, better access to research, professor helps? Is the teaching quality at Concordia good?
Is obtaining a decent GPA in Concordia easier than at UBC?</p>
<p>@tomofboston
Thanks a lot for the reply. So if I study at Concordia, besides its prestige, what else will I lose? Do you know anything about the Software Engineering program at Concordia?</p>
<p>I don’t know anything specific about that program. At Concordia you will get an excellent education if you seek it out. You will also have to put up with, at least first year, a lot of students who don’t really care. They will likely drop out/flunk out during that year. Concordia is similar to second tier US schools. Low admission standards but high graduation requirements. </p>
<p>You will have better access to research at UBC than Concordia. Concordia is primarily a teaching university, not a research university. Since UBC is on the west coast, you may have better opportunities for co op placement in Silicon Valley. Family support is important too, especially if you’re moving to a new place. </p>
<p>UBC is a no brainer! Finding a decent co-op/ internship or a job after college is easier with UBC…
UBC, as one of the top research institutes is Canada, has much more reputation in academic world; and you definitely find it easier going to a TOP 10 CS grad school with a degree from UBC…</p>
<p>About academic and teaching quality: Yeah! You’re right! Rankings are mostly based on research and paper citation. However, seeing courses and degree plans in each ones website definitely helps…</p>
<p>BTW, are a Quebec residence? Is any of these two wants you to complete supplementary courses? There should be some kind of admissions criterias, Right? Considering that education systems are different? Should not Concordia’s degree be completed in three years?</p>