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- MattyM - 10-21-2007

I never made it to University, at least IU haven't yet. Possibly the fact that I spent my college years in the pub may have had an influence...

- mojo_mattv - 10-21-2007

the free tuition thing, as i said is a huge reason why im unsure of what to do. I figure that if I do end up going to Trent I'll just end up being on a level playing ground with everyone else.(?) The reason im not really enjoying my experience at UTSC is a combination of things. The two main things being that almost 99% of the people there are either from downtown Toronto or Scarborough. They've definatley all had a different background then me and feel comfortable in Scarborough which to me is the "big city". Being from Courtice (a little town just east of Oshawa) im much more comfortable in a Bowmanville/Courtice/Peterborough "smaller city" vibe. Also the second thing is definatley the commute. My commute, round trip takes anywhere from 3-5 hours each day. I drive/GO train it in, go to all my classes, and by the time I get home via the train its anywhere from 7-9 and I'm either too exhausted to do anything or I've got a buttload of homework to deal with. I dont know I think its definately something I need to ponder.

- Hengelo - 10-21-2007

I graduated from Queen's University in 2004 with a degree in Geological Engineering. Like most of you, they were easily the best four years of my life.

I would hesitate to recommend Queen's to anyone for the next few years, however, as there is a TON of construction going on right now. They tore the arena down in the spring, and the student centre/gym/pool are next. The project is not slated to be completed until 2012 or 2014, at which point the campus facilities will be second to none.

- Wheat_King - 10-21-2007

Currently first year at St. Francis Xavier in Antigonish, NS

Major in English, Minor in Music...

I think i'll probably end up transferring to a Journalism school (King's College perhaps), but I haven't made a choice yet.

As far as the experience goes, it doesn't get much drunker than St.FX, but when you have drunken stupidness, theres always a bro and popped collar not far behind

- sean.bonner - 10-21-2007

Second Year - Commerce - Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia

- EricStoner - 10-21-2007

3rd year, BSc Biology and Chemistry at Wilfrid Laurier University (GO HAWKS). I'm loving every second here.

My advice to you is GET INVOLVED! Volunteer, get a job on campus, do everything you can to make the school part of your life. You'll meet fantastic people and you'll really appreciate your time there more.

- MAverick - 10-22-2007

mojo_mattv Wrote:I figure that if I do end up going to Trent I'll just end up being on a level playing ground with everyone else.

I actually went to Trent. I spent four years there and really enjoyed it. I took history.

Peterborough is not a bad town. It has some great places to hang, a great music scene an I think as it's a better place today than it was when I went there. The university has undergone a lot of transition since I was there many, many years ago, it seems now, in the ninties.

I had a couple of friends decide to stay in peterborough.

A lot of my seminars were actually with my profs, in their offices with no more than 15 people max. the reason I decided to go there was because it was small.

I used to hitchhike up to the main campus and when I had a car, would pick people up. I was never in residence and lived downtown.

I do reccomend Trent if you're looing for something small and friendly and a little out of the mainstream.

They do also have some great prgrams, but I wasn't in that stream.

- fingernailsonhull - 10-22-2007

I did my BA in Political Science at Brock University in St. Catharines. The school is pretty good and I'm sure it would be less alienating than a place like U of T.

I'd have to echo MAv's endorsement of Trent. I don't know much about the school, but I do have family in Peterborough and they absolutely love it there. It's a great town.

- j-monster - 10-23-2007

Did my undergrad at UWO in London. Tuition wasn't free, but I did live at home so I didn't have to pay the rez costs and so on. I may have missed out on some of the university experience that way, but I figure it was mostly the bad parts of it that I missed on (though probably some good was missed as well), and plus I finished without much debt so that was a very good thing. Loved UWO, especially the business school there (Ivey) and would recommend it to anyone. Beautiful campus, good pubs, lots of good people from different backgrounds, and lots of ways to get involved.

Not sure what I would do in your case. I understand wanting to get a really good university experience, but free tuition, geez that would be so hard to turn down. Is there not anything you feel you could do to improve your experience without changing schools?

I guess at the end of the day you have to decide what is most important for you and just go with that decision. Good luck to you.

- mojo_mattv - 10-24-2007

thanks for all the help and i think the line from J-monster just about sums it up for me: "I guess at the end of the day you have to decide what is most important for you and just go with that decision. Good luck to you." As i said, i've got some serious pondering to do.

- VioletlightHeron - 10-24-2007

One other thought to ponder...While taking on a load of student debt doesnt sound like fun, it can actually help you down the line with raising your credit score, enabling you to buy a house, etc etc. I graduated with a 20,000 tuition debt and making steady monthly payments on it for 2 plus years, I've boosted my credit score by 100 points or so.

- mojo_mattv - 10-25-2007

thats an interesting angle that your going from there violetlight

- chris - 10-26-2007

mojo_mattv Wrote:thats an interesting angle that your going from there violetlight
But you're $20,000 in the hole... and who knows what other opportunities you miss over the course of paying off that debt. And if your credit score is your concern, talk to the bank and one of the credit tracking companies. You also improve your score by paying your credit card off each month, regardless of the amount or your limit.

If you can avoid debt, do it.

- The Horrible Esthete - 10-26-2007

IMHO....

Your decision should be based solely upon whatever best suits your goals and aspirations.

If your goal is to get the education that best prepares you for a specific career, or provides you with the best opportunities to realize your dreams (whether those 'opportunities' be increased knowledge, skills, or networking capability), then go with whichever best serves those ends.

If it is unclear which of your options best meets that goal, for god's sake, go with the free one. As far as credit rating goes, simply paying all your bills on time all the time will never leave you at a financial disadvantage. Credit building should not really be a central factor in this, imo.

If the goal is simply to live the 'college life' to its fullest as you earn a degree, and you think doing so is worth incurring $20,000 in debt, then go with that. However, in my opinion (and experience), that obective not at all prudent (not to mention shortsighted and wasteful), and is something you may very well wish you never did when the "man comes 'round". I feel that this decision should be based entirely upon what best develops marketable skills, or best enhances your ability to find sustained happiness or fulfillment for your 50 or more years of post-college life, not that which provides for the most memorable 4-year stint of your life.

I personally do not think that your enjoyment of the non-academic environment should be much of a factor in your decision, unless you loathe your current situation so much that it hampers your ability to learn and develop martketable skills. I feel that sacrificing some of the social aspects of college life, in exchange for sound adademic, development, will pay far greater dividends down the road.

At age 34, looking back on what I NOW consider to be the most satisfying social engagements of my youth, most were certainly not exclusive to the college environment, and I'd trade most of the most memorable ones that were exclusive to that environment for more knowlege, skills, and marketability in a heartbeat.

- chris - 10-26-2007

The Horrible Esthete Wrote:IMHO....

Your decision should be based solely upon whatever best suits your goals and aspirations.

If your goal is to get the education that best prepares you for a specific career, or provides you with the best opportunities to realize your dreams (whether those 'opportunities' be increased knowledge, skills, or networking capability), then go with whichever best serves those ends.

If it is unclear which of your options best meets that goal, for god's sake, go with the free one. As far as credit rating goes, simply paying all your bills on time all the time will never leave you at a financial disadvantage. Credit building should not really be a central factor in this, imo.

If the goal is simply to live the 'college life' to its fullest as you earn a degree, and you think doing so is worth incurring $20,000 in debt, then go with that. However, in my opinion (and experience), that obective not at all prudent (not to mention shortsighted and wasteful), and is something you may very well wish you never did when the "man comes 'round". I feel that this decision should be based entirely upon what best develops marketable skills, or best enhances your ability to find sustained happiness or fulfillment for your 50 or more years of post-college life, not that which provides for the most memorable 4-year stint of your life.

I personally do not think that your enjoyment of the non-academic environment should be much of a factor in your decision, unless you loathe your current situation so much that it hampers your ability to learn and develop martketable skills. I feel that sacrificing some of the social aspects of college life, in exchange for sound adademic, development, will pay far greater dividends down the road.

At age 34, looking back on what I NOW consider to be the most satisfying social engagements of my youth, most were certainly not exclusive to the college environment, and I'd trade most of the most memorable ones that were exclusive to that environment for more knowlege, skills, and marketability in a heartbeat.
You never cease to impress me. Well said. :thumb: