Waterloo or Saint Paul

[lilly6891]

So I need opinions. I have been accepted to the Masters of Peace and Conflict Studies at both Saint Paul and University of Waterloo. I'm not sure which I should go to. 

I get more funding at Waterloo, but there is not a thesis or MRP option. Only coursework which is not 100% okay with me. Waterloo is only 16 months but Ottawa is a full two years. Waterloo has an overall better reputation that Saint Paul, but Saint Paul is highly connected with University of Ottawa. The Saint Paul faculty has been educated from Oxford to UofT, while Waterloo is mostly smaller American universities. I am able to get an internship at both schools, but Waterloo really pushes this and seems more experienced in this department. I am able to get both an RA or TA position at both. 

Help would be appreciated!!

[thelionking]

Do you have a clear sense of what you want to be doing after you graduate? If so, I'd find out where alumni end up from each program program and pick the school that will best prepare you for your future goals, including connections to the organizations you want to work at or positions you want to hold.

Do you have any undergrad profs in the field that can advise you on this?

[Edandy]

One thing that you should also consider is the fact that St Paul will give you the opportunity to carry out a research/thesis option. And for the very fact that it is two full years, I want to believe that it will be better than Waterloo in terms of research experience expecially if you are considering PhD after your work.

[thelionking]

Maybe you could get an RA position at Waterloo to gain more research experience. Also keep networking opportunities in mind. Do you plan to work in the US or Canada after you graduate? Can you find out where past grads have ended up working who graduated from both of these programs? If they are doing the work you want to do then that is a good sing it is a good school for you to attend.