UofT MT vs UBC B.Ed

[optimistic_]

I got my offer from UofT last week for the MT program, super stoked on that. Today I got an offer from UBC for their B.Ed program, and while I feel like I should be stoked, I'm not. This will sound arrogant, but I wish I didn't because now it leaves me with a difficult choice.

From a purely financial standpoint, UBC makes sense as I am finishing my undergrad there and already live in Vancouver. If need be I can live at home, so my cost of living dips drastically. UBC's program is also only 1 year vs the 2, which means 1 year of less tuition and theoretically 1 year extra of working, so I'm looking at an opportunity cost (financially) of about $50-60k after taxes.

However, I can't help but think I still want to go to UofT. Not only is it considered the best University in the country, OISE is also well regarded internationally from what I hear. While my time as an undergrad at UBC has jaded me a little towards academia, I feel like I can't just pass up at an opportunity for a graduate degree from UofT. I know some people say it's not a "real masters" but it still is, just not with regards to pay scales. I am fortunate enough to have the financial means to support myself through two years of schooling without working if necessary. 

I have the feeling that this is my opportunity to see something new while I study. All of my friends are in CS or Engineering and have done internships and gone to new places while they studied, and I think that going to UofT would feel just like an exchange program. As they move away for work we still all keep in contact daily online to chat and play video games, so I'm not worried about losing them. I also love big cities from when I travel, and would love to experience what it's like to live in them compared to the relatively quiet Vancouver vibe. Anecdotally I hear that the people in Toronto are just more open and friendly in general, which is much more my speed, and I find I also thrive as a fish out of water as I find it is the time I grow and learn the most. 

I know MT starts you at an A3 level, and that it is an expensive city (maybe not compared to Vancouver) and expensive school. I'm fine with all that. My thought process is that this can double as both an investment in my future as well as in life experiences.

ANYWAY, long story short at this point I am leaning towards Toronto if that's not obvious, but if anyone with any knowledge could chime in with pros and cons of either option that I have not mentioned or thought about that would be wonderful. Thanks!

[Vince.F]

Hey! Firstly, congratulations on your acceptance! I feel like I'm in a similar situation, I stayed at home while doing my undergrad at Brock and while I have the opportunity to do my B.Ed there I was also accepted into the MT program and would much rather be at U of T. I think the "not a real masters" narrative detracts from the fact it gives students the chance to learn from some of the most knowledgeable minds in the field of education at one of the best Universities in the world (though UBC is no slouch either). I have spoken to some acquaintances who were enrolled in the MT and they loved it. I personally am looking forward to the research aspect.

From my experiences in Toronto, there is always something to do in the city whatever your niche may be, but it doesn't have the cramped feeling some other big cities have. If you don't mind being so far from home I would say take the plunge.  

 

[optimistic_]

1 hour ago, Vince.F said:

Hey! Firstly, congratulations on your acceptance! I feel like I'm in a similar situation, I stayed at home while doing my undergrad at Brock and while I have the opportunity to do my B.Ed there I was also accepted into the MT program and would much rather be at U of T. I think the "not a real masters" narrative detracts from the fact it gives students the chance to learn from some of the most knowledgeable minds in the field of education at one of the best Universities in the world (though UBC is no slouch either). I have spoken to some acquaintances who were enrolled in the MT and they loved it. I personally am looking forward to the research aspect.

From my experiences in Toronto, there is always something to do in the city whatever your niche may be, but it doesn't have the cramped feeling some other big cities have. If you don't mind being so far from home I would say take the plunge.  

 

Congrats to you too! Yeah it's harder in BC to find teachers who have taken the program, but I'm reaching out to family out there for some insight. What stream did you get accepted for?

[Vince.F]

1 hour ago, optimistic_ said:

Congrats to you too! Yeah it's harder in BC to find teachers who have taken the program, but I'm reaching out to family out there for some insight. What stream did you get accepted for?

I was accepted to the J/I stream with English as my teaching subject at Brock and U of T, hby?

[optimistic_]

2 hours ago, Vince.F said:

I was accepted to the J/I stream with English as my teaching subject at Brock and U of T, hby?

P/J and Geog J/I. So theres another choice to make too.