Camosun College

[Breakfast]

Might be a long shot if anyone here has actually done this, but has anyone gone through the Engineering Bridge Program at Camosun in Victoria? You can transfer from SAIT, NAIT, etc.

I took Instrumentation and SAIT, and I’m starting the Bridge Program in January.

[Mazrim]

I almost took the program when I was finishing College, but decided against it because of the stories of the brutal schedule. At the time it was a bit of tough decision as I knew it would have big impacts on my career, but I'm happy with how everything turned out!

[PaperBagger'14]

I know people who've done it from electrical engineering technology. I wont sugar coat what they have said, it's tough. The bridging portion was literally their whole day, wake up, go to school, eat, study and repeat.

The biggest change will be that they arent hamfisting people through the program like SAIT does. It's a lot of work and to be honest I was never cut out for it but I did consider it.

Head down ass up into the books, and make friends in the bridging program. You'll be glad you did when it comes to studying.

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I know people who've done it from electrical engineering technology. I wont sugar coat what they have said, it's tough. The bridging portion was literally their whole day, wake up, go to school, eat, study and repeat.

The biggest change will be that they arent hamfisting people through the program like SAIT does. It's a lot of work and to be honest I was never cut out for it but I did consider it.

Head down ass up into the books, and make friends in the bridging program. You'll be glad you did when it comes to studying.

That’s pretty much what I’ve heard as well. To be honest, SAIT did hold your hand throughout my two years there.

That being said, I am excited for the challenge.

[wooohooo]

I haven't done the bridge program but I did do engineering. So I'm guessing you'll do a few years of the bridge program and then be placed into a University's engineering program?

If that's the case, what specialty would you be placed into?

But in general, Engineering school is a brutal grind. I still have some night mares from it.

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I haven't done the bridge program but I did do engineering. So I'm guessing you'll do a few years of the bridge program and then be placed into a University's engineering program?

If that's the case, what specialty would you be placed into?

But in general, Engineering school is a brutal grind. I still have some night mares from it.

Electrical / Computer engineering.

[Zoller]

I'm currently at Lakehead University after transferring from SAIT as an Electrical Engineering Technologist.

Do not come here. If you're serious about getting the degree go to Camosun/UVIC. It will take you longer, but your quality of education will be much higher.

I must warn you. It is not like SAIT. I have friends at both Camosun/UVIC and Lakehead. We're all in the same boat right now. That boat is sinking, no life jackets, and for some reason we all forgot how to swim.

It's much more difficult that you're currently imagining. I left SAIT feeling on top of the world thinking I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I'm currently a broken down shell of my former self. SAIT was a joke compared to this.

I wouldn't recommend Lakehead to my worst enemy.

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by Zoller

I'm currently at Lakehead University after transferring from SAIT as an Electrical Engineering Technologist.

Do not come here. If you're serious about getting the degree go to Camosun/UVIC. It will take you longer, but your quality of education will be much higher.

I must warn you. It is not like SAIT. I have friends at both Camosun/UVIC and Lakehead. We're all in the same boat right now. That boat is sinking, no life jackets, and for some reason we all forgot how to swim.

It's much more difficult that you're currently imagining. I left SAIT feeling on top of the world thinking I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I'm currently a broken down shell of my former self. SAIT was a joke compared to this.

I wouldn't recommend Lakehead to my worst enemy.

How far into it are you ? And approximately how many hours are spent each day on schoolwork? I have heard similar stories.

I do agree about SAIT, I even had other ppl come up to me and say: “I heard your Program was the hardest at SAIT”, and I was surprised. SAIT is very lenient.

[Zoller]

Originally Posted by Breakfast

How far into it are you ? And approximately how many hours are spent each day on schoolwork? I have heard similar stories.

I do agree about SAIT, I even had other ppl come up to me and say: “I heard your Program was the hardest at SAIT”, and I was surprised. SAIT is very lenient.

It's my first real semester so technically 3rd year 1st semester.

How many hours? All of them. If I'm not studying I'm either eating or sleeping.

There are no days off in engineering.

I'm not kidding. I'm at school from 8 am till 10 pm every single day. Weekends too.

I've got a good crew that studies just as hard as I do. Align yourself with the smartest people in class and you'll have a chance. But being a SAIT graduate you will be at a disadvantage compared to other colleges. Except in the labs. SAIT had amazing labs

[Weitz]

Sounds like engineering school?

Not sure if I misunderstand but were you expecting it to be easy?

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Sounds like engineering school?

Not sure if I misunderstand but were you expecting it to be easy?

Oh not at all, just wondering if any others had gone through the same route I have.

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by Zoller

It's my first real semester so technically 3rd year 1st semester.

How many hours? All of them. If I'm not studying I'm either eating or sleeping.

There are no days off in engineering.

I'm not kidding. I'm at school from 8 am till 10 pm every single day. Weekends too.

I've got a good crew that studies just as hard as I do. Align yourself with the smartest people in class and you'll have a chance. But being a SAIT graduate you will be at a disadvantage compared to other colleges. Except in the labs. SAIT had amazing labs

I took English and the same calculus course I’ll be doing in first semester online, and was able to get transfer credit for English, so that is one course less than the normal schedule.

The calculus I just did just to prep for the heavier stuff coming. Not to mention brushing up on other things like chemistry over the past while.

Any courses you’ve found particularly challenging thus far?

My first sem consists of Calc, programming, stats, chem and matrix algebra. With English not included.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Can't speak to the engineering program itself, but the Interurban campus is in a very beautiful (if not easy to access) location.

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Can't speak to the engineering program itself, but the Interurban campus is in a very beautiful (if not easy to access) location.

If you’re familiar with the area, I’m renting a place in East Saanich, so the drive is only about ten minutes.

[PaperBagger'14]

Out of curiosity, why did you decide to do the bridge? Depending on your tech diploma and background you can do quite well

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Out of curiosity, why did you decide to do the bridge? Depending on your tech diploma and background you can do quite well

It’s a good opportunity for me right now, I’m 25, and I don’t think I’ll have the chance to get an education like this later on in my career.

I enjoyed the work, I spent 3 years in the field travelling all over Western Canada. Spent time in almost every corner of each western province.

That being said, field work is pretty draining, and it’s not something I want to be doing when I’m in my 30s, 40s , etc, no offence to anyone who does.

I’ll always have my tech background to rely upon though.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Breakfast

If you’re familiar with the area, I’m renting a place in East Saanich, so the drive is only about ten minutes.

Its not going to be a 10min drive my friend. Traffic backs way the #### up trying to get to interurban. Honestly better ditching the car and getting yourself an ebike. I took classes out at that campus it sucks trying to drive there for what your class time will be. My girlfriend was also head of the student union for Camoson when she was there. So Lots of me driving her back and fourth from each class/meetings/events if I wanted to see her at all. Seriously ditch the car and get a ebike . Much faster way of traveling in this town.

You also picked a high rent area.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Can't speak to the engineering program itself, but the Interurban campus is in a very beautiful (if not easy to access) location.

Not anymore. Traffic gets backed way up now. Almost a m8ni colwood crawl.

[hmmhmmcamo]

I did the civil bridge to UBC program a few years ago. It was pretty intense. I agree with the advice already given about finding a group of people you get along with and just grinding through it. Classes took up most of the day and then we’d meet up after dinner and go pretty late. Weekends were usually the same. I was lucky and went through with a good group of people and while the work sucked we made the best of it. There were some pretty fun late night/early morning frisbee golf sessions around campus.

I agree with Combustible that both Wilkinson and Interurban are total ####shows these days, especially with all the construction at the MacKenzie interchange. But if you’re coming from East Saanich you shouldn’t have to deal with either as you can sneak in the back through the Vancouver Island Tech park. If you’re driving in on the highway get off on Royal Oak, right on W Saanich, left on Markham. Easy peasy.
edit...need more info about where in east saanich. looking at the boundaries my advice might not apply.


I also agree with PaperBagger and Zoller’s advice other than I know a few people that went to Lakehead and didn’t hate it and are doing well now. It saved them a year vs doing the Camosun bridge. But personally, I’d way rather go to school in Vancouver/Victoria.

Good luck.

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by hmmhmmcamo

I did the civil bridge to UBC program a few years ago. It was pretty intense. I agree with the advice already given about finding a group of people you get along with and just grinding through it. Classes took up most of the day and then we’d meet up after dinner and go pretty late. Weekends were usually the same. I was lucky and went through with a good group of people and while the work sucked we made the best of it. There were some pretty fun late night/early morning frisbee golf sessions around campus.

I agree with Combustible that both Wilkinson and Interurban are total ####shows these days, especially with all the construction at the MacKenzie interchange. But if you’re coming from East Saanich you shouldn’t have to deal with either as you can sneak in the back through the Vancouver Island Tech park. If you’re driving in on the highway get off on Royal Oak, right on W Saanich, left on Markham. Easy peasy.
edit...need more info about where in east saanich. looking at the boundaries my advice might not apply.


I also agree with PaperBagger and Zoller’s advice other than I know a few people that went to Lakehead and didn’t hate it and are doing well now. It saved them a year vs doing the Camosun bridge. But personally, I’d way rather go to school in Vancouver/Victoria.

Good luck.

That’s the way I’ve always driven there. Markham into the tech park. I’m essentially straight east of Interurban. I heard to avoid everything south and west of it, apparently that’s where the traffic is the worst.