UVic vs. UBC

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by troutman

When I was there in the early 1990s, Kitsilano was full of houses rented out by UBC students.

My house (over 3 years) had students from PEI, Que, AB, Japan, Australia, Northern BC, NZ, UK, Ireland.

Wouldn't have had half that many if you didn't insist on sleeping with all of them.
Didn't the Irish girl get eaten by a bear while you were fire jumping?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

Wouldn't have had half that many if you didn't insist on sleeping with all of them.
Didn't the Irish girl get eaten by a bear while you were fire jumping?

I don't know, I was too busy with the girl from Montreal.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Have you thought of where you want to live after your degree?
I'm guessing not Vic, but maybe Van?

If you're planning to stay in Van post graduation, UBC would be a great way to settle into the city and make some great relationships you would keep post school.

[VO #23]

Quality of education: UBC>UVic
Potential for networking/gaining work experience: Vancouver>Victoria
Quality of life: something only you can decide.

I just finished law school at UBC and loved it (wasn't a huge fan of Van, but don't think I would've liked Vic any better).

[something]

Originally Posted by blankall

You already have a degree and are 25. UVic may not be the place for you. As other's have mentioned it's smaller and has much more of a sense of community. However, there are very few older students there. In fact, it's almost exclusively students aged 17-22. It was wonderful for me when I was 17-22. However, I hung out with people I'd met in residence, and, looking back on it, we were quite clique. People that age just aren't as open to meeting new people, in general.

As for residence, UVic does offer something called Cluster Housing. You have to be a bit older to get in, and people here are mostly in their early 20s.

UBC is much larger, however, the student body is much more varried. There are people there of all age ranges.

Another quick question: why are you doing a second undergrad degree? You'd be much better off if you managed to get into a master's program in Environmental Science.

After finishing my first degree, which was in Biology, I thought I needed more undergrad too. So I signed up for a commerce undergrad at UofT. Just prior to starting, I realized I was being idiotic, as there was no reason to start over. My goals would be better achieved by either entering Law School or an MBA program. There was no reason to get another undergrad. Undergrad degrees are getting more and more useless, why would I want two? I had already paid and been acccepted for the school, so I wrote my LSAT, went to one semester of undergrad, and then quit for law school.

Although being able to drop out of school, for whatever reason, felt great, it really was a waste of time and effort.

Enough rambling... my advice is get into a two year master's program that is specialised for an actual career in Environmental Science. You'll be much futher ahead than if you get another bachelor degree.

Thanks for the post! Some awesome information in there.

While law school is an option, I never wanted to be a lawyer. I still don't want to be. I just know that it wouldn't be a good fit for myself.

I did, however, want to pursue a legal career. I had it in my mind a bit more than a year ago that I wanted to go to the UK and do my LLM in public international law. I had most things worked out, but then I decided not to rush into it and take some time off since I did not feel absolutely sure I wanted to do the program. At 20,000 dollars of tuition for one year plus living expenses, I could not afford to be unsure about the program. To keep things short - I am all but convinced I no longer want to pursue an education in that field.

My undergraduate was a BA in Law and Society/Economics. You mentioned in your post that I ought to pursue a masters degree in a relevant academic field to be able to pursue my desired career. I want to get into "environmental protection". I guess the most obvious career in this regard would be to become a park ranger. Unfortunately, my degree has nothing to do with this. I can't even apply to any master program that will allow me to diverge from my current career path to achieve this.

It was brought to my attention that I could do an LLM Environmental Law. This isn't necessarily desirable either... And would require 20,000 in tuition also.

So, that's why I want to change my degree entirely. On the bright side, I can transfer up to 60 credits (or two full-time years) over to UBC or UVic. I could reasonably achieve the new degree in 2 years.

It does feel wasteful, but as a friend told me: at least I know what I want to do now.

[something]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Doesn't UVic have a pretty well known environmental science department?

They both do. Both being situated where they are, they are practically well known by default.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by something

Thanks for the post! Some awesome information in there.

While law school is an option, I never wanted to be a lawyer. I still don't want to be. I just know that it wouldn't be a good fit for myself.

I did, however, want to pursue a legal career. I had it in my mind a bit more than a year ago that I wanted to go to the UK and do my LLM in public international law. I had most things worked out, but then I decided not to rush into it and take some time off since I did not feel absolutely sure I wanted to do the program. At 20,000 dollars of tuition for one year plus living expenses, I could not afford to be unsure about the program. To keep things short - I am all but convinced I no longer want to pursue an education in that field.

My undergraduate was a BA in Law and Society/Economics. You mentioned in your post that I ought to pursue a masters degree in a relevant academic field to be able to pursue my desired career. I want to get into "environmental protection". I guess the most obvious career in this regard would be to become a park ranger. Unfortunately, my degree has nothing to do with this. I can't even apply to any master program that will allow me to diverge from my current career path to achieve this.

It was brought to my attention that I could do an LLM Environmental Law. This isn't necessarily desirable either... And would require 20,000 in tuition also.

So, that's why I want to change my degree entirely. On the bright side, I can transfer up to 60 credits (or two full-time years) over to UBC or UVic. I could reasonably achieve the new degree in 2 years.

It does feel wasteful, but as a friend told me: at least I know what I want to do now.

I definitely wasn't recommending you become a lawyer. Noone should do that unless they're sure about it.

If you can't get into the Master's Program you want and can get your new Bachelor's in 2 years or less, that's more of an upgrading type of situation. In which case, not a bad way to go. I would still take a look around for Masters programs that you do qualify for. Could save you two years of schooling.

And yes the $20k might seem like a lot, but not if it gets you a much better job. Plus you have to factor in the extra cost of 2 years of school, the cost of supporting yourself in undergrad, and the foregone income of 2 years of extra school with the undergrad route. If you're planning on doing a Master's after anyways, it might just be better to jump straight into a more expensive program.

I find it a bit odd that Master's programs in Environmental Protection don't consider a law related undergrad as acceptable. Are you missing the necessary science credits? If so, I'd speak to the admission people at your desired Master's program. Maybe you won't need a new degree, perhaps taking 5-10 courses in environmental science would be good enough. Master's programs are pretty subjective for their admission requirements usually. There should be at least one reputable school willing to give you a look with your current credentials.

Edit: Did a little digging. Is the program you are looking into a MSc and you have a BA, but need a BSc to apply? Is this the issue.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by something

I have a degree, considering what I want to do going forward. In this case, I am considering doing a new undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences. I think both campuses would be excellent, though perhaps UBC is a step above UVic in this regard.

i'm not sure about a degree in environmental science, but i hear that mount royal university has one heck of a criminology program (at least if you're on student council!!)

[VO #23]

Originally Posted by something

Thanks for the post! Some awesome information in there.

While law school is an option, I never wanted to be a lawyer. I still don't want to be. I just know that it wouldn't be a good fit for myself.

I did, however, want to pursue a legal career. I had it in my mind a bit more than a year ago that I wanted to go to the UK and do my LLM in public international law. I had most things worked out, but then I decided not to rush into it and take some time off since I did not feel absolutely sure I wanted to do the program. At 20,000 dollars of tuition for one year plus living expenses, I could not afford to be unsure about the program. To keep things short - I am all but convinced I no longer want to pursue an education in that field.

My undergraduate was a BA in Law and Society/Economics. You mentioned in your post that I ought to pursue a masters degree in a relevant academic field to be able to pursue my desired career. I want to get into "environmental protection". I guess the most obvious career in this regard would be to become a park ranger. Unfortunately, my degree has nothing to do with this. I can't even apply to any master program that will allow me to diverge from my current career path to achieve this.

It was brought to my attention that I could do an LLM Environmental Law. This isn't necessarily desirable either... And would require 20,000 in tuition also.

So, that's why I want to change my degree entirely. On the bright side, I can transfer up to 60 credits (or two full-time years) over to UBC or UVic. I could reasonably achieve the new degree in 2 years.

It does feel wasteful, but as a friend told me: at least I know what I want to do now.

You can go to law school and study to get your JD and then just not qualify to be a lawyer. One of my good friends is finishing his degree right now and then rolling into an environmental law job in Europe that's affiliated with the UN. He doesn't think he ever wants to article, and is happy just with the JD credential. But he has really focused his degree and work experience around environmental law.

[wireframe]

I just graduated from UBC and loved it. I cannot recommend the UBC engineering physics program enough (for people other than the OP). My girlfriend spent her first year at UVic and moved to UBC because she didn't like the small campus and small town. The level of education is probably higher at UBC, but many people learn more at a smaller school because of the attention. If cost is an issue, go with UVic. Vancouver is crazy expensive.

It really depends on your personality. Neither experience is better or worse and only a fool would pretend that it was<-direct shot at Flylock. I suggest that you decide what you are looking for and visit both campuses.

If you do go to UBC, join the Film Society. That club gave me my best friends and best times in Vancouver outside of school.

[Milt Schmidt]

I just finished grad school at UBC, I really like the school and the city. I've also heard only great things about UVic and Victoria as a city. You can't go wrong really, they're both good schools. The most important thing, imho, is that you know what you want to do and how to do it. Sounds to me like you've got that part figured out, which is awesome, so all you've got to figure out is if you want the bigger city/school or the smaller city/school.

Milt

[driveway]

I have two degrees from UVic and highly recommend it. Yes, Victorians can be clique-y but it's extremely easy to meet people while you're a student. Also I'd rate Victoria/Vancouver Island in general as one of the "must-live" parts of Canada and, outside of going to school, there aren't a lot of opportunities to go and live there.

You can always find a reason to go live in Van, Victoria is better.

One often unmentioned benefit of living in Victoria is that it's a phenomenal food town. I think it has more restaurants per-capita than anywhere else in Canada and there are outstanding eats at every budget level. The transit is excellent, it's an easy city to bicycle around, living fifteen minutes away from anything is considered 'a long way' and there's no better place for a person who is into - even slightly - the outdoors.

And yes, the girls. My God, the girls. If you're moving from Calgary to Victoria, you need to remember to keep your head on a swivel or you're going to hurt your neck. Bad.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by driveway

One often unmentioned benefit of living in Victoria is that it's a phenomenal food town. I think it has more restaurants per-capita than anywhere else in Canada and there are outstanding eats at every budget level.
And yes, the girls. My God, the girls. If you're moving from Calgary to Victoria, you need to remember to keep your head on a swivel or you're going to hurt your neck. Bad.

You are correct.
Rathskeller on Quadra is reason enough to pick U Vic. Bavarian cuisine. So good and old style authentic.

Yeah that and all those hot girls. Must be the sea air.

[Jake]

I'm just finishing up grad school at UBC.

I really like Kitsilano and the campus. Great public transport, $2 drop in ice hockey for students on campus, and there is a ton of fantastic food in Kits. When I move, I'll probably miss the food the most. Everything is really close and accessible.

All that comes at a price though. It is difficult to find a single person studio for less than $900/month, which can be pretty tough to afford on my graduate student salary. A lot of the places asking that amount are very crappy too.

In terms of academics, UBC is considered the better school in every ranking I have seen but I don't think that tells the whole story. UBC is definitely a research oriented school. In my opinion, it puts less emphasis on class work, especially at the graduate level. I have found course selection at UBC kind of lacking in science/biology, if that is the area you are going into.

Also, if you are going into undergraduate biological science, in my opinion it really doesn't matter where you get your undergraduate degree. Graduate schools in biology do not seem to care, including professional schools like medicine, dentistry and vet.

I never have lived or gone to school in Victoria, so I can't comment much on UVic. I have a lot of friends that did though, and they enjoyed it.

Regardless of which school you choose, if you are an perspective undergraduate I think you should consider living in res. You make some life long friends and those were some of the best years of my life so far.

[Circa89]

Went to both. personal choice was UVic because of the more intimate campus. I loved UVic and the city of Victoria. I would never have left if it were not for the fact that graduating meant that I could then work at Earl's full-time.

Victoria: Great place to be rich, lousy place to get rich.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

You are correct.
Rathskeller on Quadra is reason enough to pick U Vic. Bavarian cuisine. So good and old style authentic.

Yeah that and all those hot girls. Must be the sea air.

The Rathskeller? Really? Of all the restaurants in Victoria the Rathskeller is no where near the top of any of my lists with the possible exception of "ironic good times".

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by rubecube

This is true, but islanders are also a lot more cliquey than Vancouverites and harder to make friends with.

This is very true. Its like the whole island has xenophobia or something.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by driveway

The Rathskeller? Really? Of all the restaurants in Victoria the Rathskeller is no where near the top of any of my lists with the possible exception of "ironic good times".

To each his own. I am not a fancy food guy. Erdinger by the litre, cucumber salat, spatzle, schnitzel and a plate of wurst make me happy.

Been to some very nice restaurants there, good experiences all. Rathskeller remains my favourite outing. Don't forget the live ... "music".

[nfotiu]

I went to UVic. I liked the school. I've lived in a lot of places, and Victoria is by far the favorite place I've lived.