Hi everyone,
I would love some feedback or advice on this. I have been fortunate enough to get accepted to all the MPA/MPP/MPS programs I had applied to at Queens, University of Toronto, and Waterloo respectively.
I have eliminated UofT because its 2 years while the other two are shorter.
So, Queens is much more reputable and has a solid academic curriculum and their program is one of the oldest in Canada (around 40 years old). Their program is 10 month long with a a possibility of a co-op placement or internship but you have to COMPETE for it against the other students as well as students from 3 other universities for the coveted 100 positions in the OPS (Ontario Public Service)
At Waterloo, the program is only 4 years old and the academic curriculum isn't as well-developed compared with Queens. However, they have a PAID, EIGHT MONTH co-op term that is GUARANTEED.
Both universities are a couple hours away from home and in the same province. They work out to be the same with tuition and living expenses. Waterloo would be $30,000 and Queens would be $20,000 but I can use the money earned in co-op at Waterloo to pay off a chunk of the tuition.
Which one is a more sensible choice? The school providing a solid reputation/great academic and student life experience with no guarantee of practical work (co-op) OR the school with mediocre reputation/academic and student life experience but with an opportunity for a long-term, guaranteed co-op??? PLEASE HELP!!