another York vs U of T thread

[magicmazzie]

Hi people,

 

I think I may be going mad.

 

York sent me a renewable scholarship.

 

The thing that worries me about York is that it feels like there is a perception in my school that York is a second-tier university - I am so sorry if I'm hurting anyone's feelings by saying this - it's not my intent at all. It's not what I think at all either.

 

I've boiled it down to this: my heart wants me to go to York, my brain wants me to go to UofT.

 

I do know that in the end, it boils down to the individual. I got a flyer in the mail from York, and they said that their grads go on to very prestigious professional schools (med schools: Stanford, Harvard, Toronto, McMaster, Ottawa, Western, Queens).

 

As far as transportation goes, it's just one bus I have to catch, and it's 1 hour in total. For UofT, I need to take the bus and subway, it's still 1 hour, but not that bad - I think I could get really used to that.

 

I also think I could get higher marks at York. It would be easier to participate in extra-curriculars, because I think it would be very easy for me to fit in to the student environment. It sounds like I'd be under less stress over there, and I could actually enjoy learning.

 

I told my math teacher today I think I'm going to York, and he didn't seem to excited or happy with that. He told me that I'm going to university to learn, not just have a good time.

 

Here is something I've read that proves that academic excellence is based on the individual, not the school they go to:

http://www.yorku.ca/ycom/gazette/past/archive/091599/current.htm

This guy, Alex Keuroghlian, went to York for undergrad and is now at Stanford medical school.

http://viaprograms.org/programs_at_stanford/healthcare/2007_staff_bios.html#alex

 

I think I'm losing it. It's also the Toronto heat.

 

It feels like people I know think I'm under-achieving by not choosing UofT. That sucks. I want them to respect me no matter where I'm going.

[Jochi1543]

It's a tough choice, but it's not really up to us or anyone else to tell you what to do, because nobody wants to be blamed if you are unhappy wherever you end up going. Besides, while we have people from both universities on this forum, just because THEY really liked or disliked their alma mater doesn't mean you will have the same experience.

 

I had offers and scholarships from all over the US News list, and in the end went to a place which was neither the highest- or lowest-ranked among the schools who competed for me and which didn't offer me the lowest or highest scholarship of all. Never regretted it.

[Kyleh]

I think you kind of answered your own question. You have to picture yourself spending four years at U of T and York. You said that you enjoy the overall environment at York more and believe you can excel. Remember, attending a specific school will not get you bonus points when it comes to applying to meds. So basically make up your own mind and disregard your math teacher. THis is your future and what YOU want... because if say you don't like your decision, your undergrad may be hell.

 

Best of luck and go where you want to. Many people get into meds from both York and U of T so best of luck!

[Smurfette]

Hi magicmazzie,

 

Congrats on beginning an exciting new chapter of your life, aka undergrad. Stop thinking about what other people think about you. There will always be someone who disaproves of what you do - whether it's going to York or going to UofT, or whether it's partying or not partying, or whether you choose biochemistry or physics or French literature, or whether or not to pursue medicine. In grade 12, my history teacher was disappointed that I didn't go into history and my English teacher was disappointed I didn't go into humanities. In first year, my physics prof suggested biophysics. In second year, my organic prof was disappointed that I didn't pursue chemistry. But they're not the ones living my life - I'm the one living my life. And the same goes for you. You need to figure out what you want out of life - what choices will make you happy, successful, etc.

 

You can succeed anywhere in the world if you put your mind to it. The Bronte sisters wrote the some of the most beautiful novels in a secluded home, Emily ****inson was a hermit, Stravinsky was exiled from his native Russia.

 

Your high school teacher is right: it is important to go to university to learn. But whether that goal will best be accomplished at York or at UofT is up to you to decide. It is also important to be involved, be happy, and to grow as a person (emotionally, etc. as well as academically).

 

I'm not going to tell you that one school is better than the other. That's a decision that you're going to have to make for yourself. But you should realize that either way, it probably doesn't matter - you can still succeed at either school.

 

Good luck!

[Smurfette]

Emily ****inson

 

LOL, they automatically censored "Emily D-ickinson"

[kaymcee]

I don't know if you're looking for someone to tell you what to do, but I say go to York. The perceived prestige of any Canadian university is bogus; it's what you do while studying at an institution that defines the "value" of your work there. There are limitless opportunities no matter where you go, it's a matter of seizing them when they present themselves.

[The Law]

LOL, they automatically censored "Emily D-ickinson"

 

LOL that's hillarious!

[Cat_eyed]

Hey Magicmazzie,

 

Go where you want to go. Where you got your undergrad won't really matter in the long run. York might not have the same prestige as U of T, but so what? If you want to go to York (and I mean come on, a renewable scholarship? that'd be a big plus for me), then I'd go.

 

When I entered undergrad, I too chose a school that some would consider a "second-rate university": the Uiversity of Calgary. I did the IB program in high school and many of my peers went off to schools like McGill, U of T and Queens. I'm pretty sure I could have gotten in to some of those if I'd tried, but for me the U of C was just fine. My personal reasons were that I would save alot of money by staying at home and that it's close by. It's just undergrad after all. And at this point, halfway through my degree, I don't regret my decision. There are good profs and bad profs at every school, even the "good" ones. It won't affect your chances at med school, and like you said you might even be able to get higher marks at York, which would actually help you in the end.

 

Good luck making your decision! Cheers!

[rogerroger]

In my own opinion UofT is way over rated especially for undergrad. Don't get me wrong it is a good university and all but most of its reputation is not built on its undergraduate programs. Go where you will be happy.

 

Some folks are happy at UofT some at York and some elsewhere like Western. The location is truly where you see yourself enjoying life for the next 48 months or so.

[The Law]

In my own opinion UofT is way over rated especially for undergrad. Don't get me wrong it is a good university and all but most of its reputation is not built on its undergraduate programs. Go where you will be happy.

 

Some folks are happy at UofT some at York and some elsewhere like Western. The location is truly where you see yourself enjoying life for the next 48 months or so.

 

Key line: Some elsewhere at Western *hint hint*

[lost__in__space]

agreed!! I was at American eagle the other day in toronto and somehow got onto the topic of Western with a salesclerk who happened to be in highschool and she's going to go now after seeing how excited I was about Western!

[BurningAspiration]

With respect to medicine, undergraduate institution doesn't matter. However, with regard to business, undergraduate institution DOES matter.

 

Since you are planning on going into medicine, where undergraduate institution does not matter, one would percieve that you should go to York.

[drcave]

Having fun is a big part of University. Undergrad can be the best time of your life. Go for what makes you happy, after you graduate nobody will care which school you went to. No way in hell would i turn down a scholarship at York to attend UT based on prestige.

[AMmd]

Having fun is a big part of University. Undergrad can be the best time of your life. Go for what makes you happy, after you graduate nobody will care which school you went to. No way in hell would i turn down a scholarship at York to attend UT based on prestige.

 

i concur ....

[Marcange]

Be prepared for the political bull**** of York. I am sure other campuses have their share of protestors but York is home to zealotous left wing radical students who are constantly protesting something whether it be Israel to World Trade Policies. Also be aware of the rapings and muggings that go unannounced by campus officials. Either than that York has a great student life, the best in Canada I think for clubs and activities...

[rugger48]

but remember that when it comes to the OMSAS application, york university in particular is given a different rating compared to all other schools. this is because the AFMC considers getting an A at york to be different from getting an A at UofT.

if you go to york, you'll probably find it easier to do well. but is that what you really want in the long run? is university supposed to be easy? if you're thinking of doing meds, then you're gonna be working hard so you might as well get in the habit. trust me, with a UofT background, you're well trained to deal with a lot more than people from most other schools. as a med student at UofT, i can see that in my classmates all the time.

 

plus, in terms of fun, you'll be coming downtown all the time anyway. where else can you find so many restaurants, theatres, clubs, bars, comedy clubs, sporting events etc.

there's no place like it.

[paperweight]

...if you're thinking of doing meds, then you're gonna be working hard so you might as well get in the habit. trust me, with a UofT background, you're well trained to deal with a lot more than people from most other schools. as a med student at UofT, i can see that in my classmates all the time...

 

I disagree with this type of thinking. Assuming York is "easier", getting into the habit of "working harder" is meaningless if your GPA is not good enough for med school.

 

It simply comes down to where you believe you will perform the best. Forget what other people are telling you. Think about the decision yourself. Weigh pros and cons. Seriously, no one can do that better for yourself than you.

[magicmazzie]

I've declined UofT's offer, and McMaster's.

 

I'm going to York!

 

 

Thanks everyone so much! Sorry I was annoying.