How to go about researching universities?

[keitaro]

I've been meaning to do it all summer but has been too lazy...what steps did you guys take to find the right university and program for you (from start to finish)? I've been looking at the sites of different universities but after spending hours, all I have come out with are the mark and course requirements for the programs. Although I'm 70% sure to be heading in the direction of life sciences/biology, hoping to become a professional like a pharmacist or doctor, I find that there are so many programs in sciences that I don't know which one I'm really interested in. Is there a site that compares the different programs from different unis against each other?

Also, which program (life sciences, biology, biochemistry, etc.) should you get into to become a doctor? Which program to become a pharmacist. I heard from my dentist that if you want to get into med school, its bad to get into a hard university (UT) and in a hard program like biochemistry/life sci because its more competetive and harder to get marks (he did that). Does this mean that going to a school like York, McMaster is better choice?

Thanks

[gq_fuzion]

go to the university fair

ask lots of questions... and attend the seminars of schools you're looking to get into

[Headhunter]

University fair is/was a good bet, presentations are mostly hyperbole but you can grab a lot of material to read.

Then again with your username, you could bust out Love Hina and go with that sage advice...

[jljdaigl]

the University fair helped me alot when I was looking, attending the presentation gives you some base information and fluff and then you can go around and talk to some of the people at the boths...(I am talking about the Uni fair downtown toronto that they hold every year)

[canrocks]

go to a university if you can. Just be on a campus and catch it's vibe; sit in on a class, you're safer in bigger ones; smaller ones profs are more likely to notice. Go to an open house or go on a tour if you can.

[hello1214]

university fair go to the presentations the universities give and make sure you get the free pens and stuuf ask lots of questions...then when you find out which ones you are interested in go to the open houses to find out more about the campus programs and community

[Anessa]

You don't go to UT to get 4.0s. Your dentist is right about that. Bell curving and the amount of intelligent students in the life sci programs would probably ensure no 4.0. Definitely go to the University Fair and attend open houses and go to any of those seminars that universities hold when they come to your school.

[jd82]

university fair go to the presentations the universities give and make sure you get the free pens and stuuf ask lots of questions...then when you find out which ones you are interested in go to the open houses to find out more about the campus programs and community

dont forget to actually talk to the STUDENTS that are representing the school there. they'll give you the lowdown on most things non-academic that should supplement the yawner info sessions

[keitaro]

Thanks for the info, I'll definitely attend the university fair this year and this time with more purpose...

The problem for me right now is, there are so many programs that fall under sciences and even just life sciences, that I have no idea what I should take. I know that some schools have common first year for all science students like McMaster, but schools like U of T doesn't? How much difference will it make, say if I take human biology as oppossed to life science, both in getting into professional programs and in getting a job in the future?

Also, which schools offer the best science programs in Ontario? I haven't looked up schools like University of Ottawa, Guelph, Carleton, Brock, mostly because none of my peers seem to be heading there/far from Toronto...how are these schools?

Thanks

[SilverSamurai12]

Guelph is known for science, if you want to be a vet. Not sure about the rest as im an arts student.
I would suggest checking out the Macleans rankings in addition to checking out the uni fairs.

[DrLee]

Guelph is known for science, if you want to be a vet. Not sure about the rest as im an arts student.
I would suggest checking out the Macleans rankings in addition to checking out the uni fairs.

Yeah, also look for the wording Biomedical Sciences... same as Life sciences but different wording. If you're looking at Ontario, any of the major named universities would probably do you for a medical school application, I wouldnt fret so much that a single choice will destroy your chances. Guelph, McMaster, Ottawa and Brock will all start you off in the right direction to reaching professional programs, it's more about what you do during your degree & Mcat wherever, that will really count. So pick more for which school you prefer to attend, campus, extracurriculars, ease of attending, even costs.

[blink]

Yeah, also look for the wording Biomedical Sciences... same as Life sciences but different wording. If you're looking at Ontario, any of the major named universities would probably do you for a medical school application, I wouldnt fret so much that a single choice will destroy your chances. Guelph, McMaster, Ottawa and Brock will all start you off in the right direction to reaching professional programs, it's more about what you do during your degree & Mcat wherever, that will really count. So pick more for which school you prefer to attend, campus, extracurriculars, ease of attending, even costs.

Great advice....

I went to McMaster for undergrad (not science though) and absolutely enjoyed myself. it really was a perfect fit.

Here are a few things I thought about when I decided where to go:

When looking at undergrad programs in science, ask yourself which area do you like most? Biochem? Chem? Biology? Life science? Physiology? Pharmacology? Neuroscience? etc etc etc If you don't know, a school with a common first year is a good way to delay that decision making until later... FYI, in general, most content in science programs are the same across the province/country...

Look at the way they teach you... 2000 students like at Toronto or do you want smaller classes? Do you want more interactive classes, problem-based learning, etc?

Look at the curriculum.. do you like the courses? do you get to pick you own electives? if you want to go into medicine, do the courses cover or let you pick pre-reqs for medicine?

Ask yourself whether you want co-op.. (it is a bit tricky for med school admissions but great if you don't get into medicine)

Learn more about the university and its city... how far away from home is it?
Do you see yourself as part of the campus?

You can get into medicine from any undergrad program if you have the pre-reqs, but make sure you enjoy yourself and have the opportunity to be involved in your community.

[keitaro]

Thanks for so many great tips!

I've taken only grade 11 sciences so far and my favourite of the three is biology...I found the cells and genetics units to be the most facsinating. Is this an indicator that I will like biology, biochemistry, or something else?

I'm interested in co-op, and anything else that will help pay for my tuition. I'm planning on being a summer student at a lab...how do I go about doing this? Talk to professors? Ace my courses? When do we need to apply, what they look for (marks or extra-curriculars)?

As for the environment and being a part of campus, I've already spent 3 years in a pretty much overly academic high school, so, for university I would most prefer to go to a school where I can make a lot of friends but still has good academics.

blink, what was it like going to McMaster and what did you study? How would you rate it against other schools (particularly UofT, McGill, Queens), academically and socially? How is the workload and competetiveness? Is it ethnically mixed or dominated by one group (just want to know)?

Thanks

[blink]

I've taken only grade 11 sciences so far and my favourite of the three is biology...I found the cells and genetics units to be the most facsinating. Is this an indicator that I will like biology, biochemistry, or something else?

It is hard to say... but some schools have genetics programs if you are really fascinated by that. Biology in university mainly surrounds animals and plants.. biochem is more at the molecular level (did you like learning about the citric acid cycle?).. It is also important to know why you don't like the other sciences as much...

I'm interested in co-op, and anything else that will help pay for my tuition. I'm planning on being a summer student at a lab...how do I go about doing this? Talk to professors? Ace my courses? When do we need to apply, what they look for (marks or extra-curriculars)?

Most first year students have a hard time finding lab work in the summer.. but it is possible. Start early and be persistent. Ask at the beginning of January. Look for NSERC deadlines. Look at the universities' websites and email profs whose research you find interesting.. include a pertinent email targetted to their research along with a current CV. Enthusiasm is more important then anything else but marks are probably the first hurdle researchers will look for along with pertinent courses you have taken.
If you are eligible for OSAP, look for work-subsidized jobs.. oftentimes, lab jobs are available.
As well, the best way to snag a lab job after your second year is to volunteer during your first summer.... so if you can't find apaid job, see if they will take a volunteer. It sucks for the cashflow, but it helps you make connections and learn whether you will enjoy the work and people in the lab.

As for the environment and being a part of campus, I've already spent 3 years in a pretty much overly academic high school, so, for university I would most prefer to go to a school where I can make a lot of friends but still has good academics.

blink, what was it like going to McMaster and what did you study? How would you rate it against other schools (particularly UofT, McGill, Queens), academically and socially? How is the workload and competetiveness? Is it ethnically mixed or dominated by one group (just want to know)?

I was in the health science program at Mac. It is competitive for admission - based mainly on the supplementary application - but the atmosphere is very collegial and not competitive at all. The science program is also very good.. the strengths lie within the biopsych program, pharmacology co-op, medical and health physics, biochem but the other programs are good too.. again the classes were not competitive either. I found it was definitely possible to do well in courses if you made that a priority.. and I don't mean studying all the time.. rather studying smarter, not harder. Averages are ~65% in all first year science courses but higher in upper years (this is common for all universities). Hamilton isn't the greatest city but you can have fun anytime you are with your friends. Westdale is quite quaint and Dundas is a very nice city, both of which are close to the Mac campus. You aren't near the steel factories.. so don't let that deter you. Go visit the campus to get a feel for yourself. The population is very ethnically diverse.

Hope that helps.