How to make the tough choice between the programs you’ve been admitted to
Hi! My name is Matthew, and I am an upper-year student in the University of Waterloo’s Honours Arts and Business program. I am also the School of Accounting and Finance’s Marketing and Recruitment Associate for this co-op term. As someone who had to pick between university programs a few years ago, I thought it would be helpful to give you some tips on how to choose between the multiple offers you might have.
Which campus works for you?
Before you get into the programs themselves, you need to consider where you want to spend the next four or five years. You’ll be spending a lot of time on campus, and it’s important to feel at home at your school.
Is co-operative education available?
While scholarships are great, co-op is an excellent way to finance your education. When I was choosing between my offers, I specifically picked the Honours Arts and Business program at the University of Waterloo because of the co-op opportunities. Co-op students alternate study terms with work terms and graduate with up to two years of relevant paid work experience. This means two years of experience learning how to navigate the hiring process, applying skills to real-life problems and learning about yourself along the way.
With co-op, students can earn up to $60,000+ over the course of four co-op work terms. This money can really make a dent in your tuition, and I think it’s definitely worth considering the co-op advantage.
Is the program accredited?
So, what is accreditation? Accreditation is essentially when professional bodies give their stamp of approval on a program or course. For instance, our Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) and Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) programs hold the highest level of national accreditation from Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) and is nationally recognized by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation program.
Not only does this ensure you are getting the best education possible, but it also gives you the most direct route to earning your CPA and/or CFA designation. Other schools, programs, and courses are also accredited by various organizations, and it is definitely worth looking deeper into programs that have that stamp of accreditation.
These are probably the most important things to consider when weighing your options. I hope this helped, and I wish you all the best in your decision-making process!