summer89

Hmm.. that is a tough choice! I am in a similar predicament myself so I can understand just how perplexed you must feel. I can't tell you what to do because thats only a decision for you to make and also I am in Canada so I am not familiar with the schools/program, but what I can advise is this: You can take the UC Davis path and albeit hating the location you may be able to embark on amazing opportunities which may open up doors for you in employment or other venues where you can live in other parts of the country or world. You may met amazing people and may have the opportunity to do work that is exciting for you. OR you can take a chance and go to a location (UChicago) you THINK you may love (but may or may not in reality) and have to work harder to make the work interesting to you or have to network more in order to open doors for yourself. However, success can be achieved but maybe with more more work and time. So if you're confident in your ambitions, believe in your abilities and are able to hustle then take a risk.... I think both choices are great so you can't really go wrong either way. Listen to your inner voice Best of luck!

Hey CDNTrish, thanks for your reply! I heard back on March 5, 2015. Try calling them and ask when you can expect an answer. Also, do you think network trumps work experience in the co-op? The opportunities from the Waterloo co-op program are dispersed throughout Ontario (mostly in Toronto) not just in Waterloo

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!!