Advice Needed - University

[darthma]

In terms of name power, UVic wins hands-down. I did my undergrad at UofC (in Biology majoring in Ecology) and went on to grad school in Biology at UofT and SFU, so I'm speaking from experience. I've met some very smart biology profs and students from UVic, in particular I have high regard for Brad Anholt in biology and Pauline van den Driessche - a math prof that does some bleeding edge mathematical biology. Because UVic has an active scientific research (vs. MRU), you'll get better quality of scientists. This doesn't necessarily translate into better teachers per se, but usually the two are tied together strongly. That said, I had two close colleagues from Augustana that have gone on to good things. In the end, where you did your schooling matters, at least at the surface level.

And yes - living away from home to do university is awesome times.

I can provide more details if needed - send me a PM if interested!

[wooohooo]

I graduated from UA in biology. Their program is a good one, with brand new buildings.

I honestly think whoever went to the university they went to will say it's the best. Unless you're talking about mru to u of c there's a "name difference". But from UA to uvic there's no difference. People just want to know he has a degree

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[CaptainYooh]

Did you start at the Augustana campus?

[East Coast Flame]

If they are able to afford it, then UVic is a no-brainer

[Puppet Guy]

I can't speak for the quality of education for any of the schools he's considering, but I can say that moving far from home for school was a huge growth opportunity for me as a person. Education isn't all about what you get in the classroom, and being out of the nest is a huge learning experience in itself.

[Locke]

I had this same dilemma when I graduated High School.

I could go to Queen's, UBC or U of C to take accounting.

I had to pay for it all, so I stayed here and went to U of C.

If I had to do it all over again I'd have gone elsewhere. Pull the trigger on UVic.

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

If dad is paying - uvic is the best place for him.

If he has to pay, live at home and do MRU.

Yup.

[howard_the_duck]

I think it's highly dependent on the maturity level of your son. Some 18 year old's are ready to be far away from home and totally independent. The life adjustment of cooking, cleaning, laundry, commuting, self-motivation, etc. can be too much for a lot of kids to handle completely on their own without a support system close by to lean on. Ex. During a stressful part of the semester, sometimes it's nice to go to a friend/family member's place for a home cooked meal to lighten the load.

If your son can handle these life adjustments then I would also agree UVic is the best choice of the 3. As far as a "college experience" goes, it'd be by far the most memorable and rewarding.

[edslunch]

Can't comment on the schools, but if cost is not a deal-breaker then they should move away and experience life on their own.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Can't comment on the schools, but if cost is not a deal-breaker then they should move away and experience life on their own.

I'd say in my uneducated opinion that its probably a toss-up between UVic and UofA, but MRU would likely have the youngest, and weakest, yet most inexpensive program.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Locke

I'd say in my uneducated opinion that its probably a toss-up between UVic and UofA, but MRU would likely have the youngest, and weakest, yet most inexpensive program.

You'd be surprised. Tuition is actually higher at MRU than at both UVic and UofA by approx. $2,000/yr. But residence costs are what makes going away an expensive option by roughly $10,000/yr.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

You'd be surprised. Tuition is actually higher at MRU than at both UVic and UofA by approx. $2,000/yr. Residence costs are what makes going away an expensive option by roughly $10,000/yr.

Whoa, yeah, I wouldnt do that then.

So, you're roughly talking about a difference of $8,000/yr to go away to a better school and a more accredited program? I'd take that.

[Reaper]

As someone who went to Augustana University College (Augustana Campus before University of Alberta bought it) I would recommend a year or two there followed by a transfer to the U of A. The extra help and attention from professors (no grad student assistants teaching classes) can be really beneficial in one's first year after graduating high school. If you need help you can get it easily.

As far as your reservations about Camrose and its lack of cosmopolitanism I wouldn't worry about it too much. All of the amenities are there and I actually found the relative desolation (the back end of the campus essentially borders the countryside) to be calming. With fewer distractions it is easier to get down to work when you have to.

I learned a lot about myself being in dorms at the age of seventeen. Don't discount that intangible.

[My2Cents]

Residence can cost a bit, but there are lots of jobs in residences that can pay significantly. After year 2 I worked as a resident assistant (on call if someone gets locked out and a few other tasks). It was a pretty slack job to say the least. In return I was given free room and board. I think almost every residence has jobs like this.

Also its easy to make friends in the dorms in your first year and move out in the following years. Renting a house with 4 other buddies is a pretty cheap way to live.

So over the course of a 4 year degree dont assume you are paying full rent if money is tight and your doing your budget.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Reaper

As someone who went to Augustana University College ...

Reaper, please check your Inbox. Thanks.

[Coach]

Also a bonus for UVic....3:1 girls to guys.

Not sure if that's a bonus for you, but it definitely would be for your boy.

[troutman]

Con's: he would have be away from the family for two thirds of year

Not a con for him, maybe for you. Going away to uni was a great experience for me. Those were the best days of my life.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Also a bonus for UVic....3:1 girls to guys.

Not sure if that's a bonus for you, but it definitely would be for your boy.

Finally some useful advice

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I think you're missing an important element. What does he plan to do with his BSc?

Grad school? Medical school? (in all fairness I've never been sciencey, didn't even consider it so I don't know what jobs a BSc will get your or what opportunities).

Look where he wants to go. University is NOT the destination but the path to get where you're going.

If grad schools are in the picture then I'd probably pick somewhere close to home to save money. That's what I did. As long as you have a good transcript and references a MRU shouldn't hold your son back at all.

Also I don't know how transferring works out there (do t really remember here either) but he might be able to do 2 years at a lower cost university and then transfer to another.

Another thing you can do is ask around to people in the field. See what they have to say. Sometimes the reputation in the field is different than that of the general public.

This post may not be overly cohesive as I'm sitting waiting in the car in humid conditions but feel free to PM me if you want to discuss some thoughts/options.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Also a bonus for UVic....3:1 girls to guys.

Not sure if that's a bonus for you, but it definitely would be for your boy.

The Nursing program is 20:1.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by troutman

The Nursing program is 20:1.

There are some things a father is better not to know...