[ethan.l.cecc]

Both programs have undergone some curriculum changes in the past few years and have become more similar (TMU is adding a co-op option... though I don't know how firm it is), but overall it depends on what focus you want. TMU is still much more hands-on with studio-based courses, while Waterloo is focused more on the technical side. I just finished at TMU's program, and I will say that Waterloo students do have a leg up for jobs thanks to their co-op experience, but there are so many TMU and Waterloo grads at every company that they are pretty much held at the same regard, though Waterloo may have some immediate grab simply due to name recognition.

Beyond the program, the vibes of TMU vs Waterloo are different. Waterloo is much more a typical university campus vibe with lots of events, but according to some waterloo students that are in their 3rd/4th years of the program, the community is very much focused on the 1st and 2nd year students, as the co-op program ends up with upper-year students on completely different schedules. At TMU the community with the program is much more unified, but there aren't nearly as many events due to the school being a commuter school and people only stayed downtown between classes.

Ultimately, I would recommend you choose based on what sort of experience you want, rather than the "prestige" of the degree. The two programs are the oldest, largest, and most well-regarded planning programs in Canada, you won't go wrong with either.

 

[toronstruction]

There's ultimately opportunities everywhere but I'd reckon a Waterloo planning degree is more highly regarded. Their co-op program is also a huge boost, especially in today's job market.

Some further discussions here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/urbanplanning/comments/uugggx/urban_planning_at_waterloo_or_toronto_met_u

Both programs have undergone some curriculum changes in the past few years and have become more similar (TMU is adding a co-op option... though I don't know how firm it is), but overall it depends on what focus you want. TMU is still much more hands-on with studio-based courses, while Waterloo is focused more on the technical side. I just finished at TMU's program, and I will say that Waterloo students do have a leg up for jobs thanks to their co-op experience, but there are so many TMU and Waterloo grads at every company that they are pretty much held at the same regard, though Waterloo may have some immediate grab simply due to name recognition.

Beyond the program, the vibes of TMU vs Waterloo are different. Waterloo is much more a typical university campus vibe with lots of events, but according to some waterloo students that are in their 3rd/4th years of the program, the community is very much focused on the 1st and 2nd year students, as the co-op program ends up with upper-year students on completely different schedules. At TMU the community with the program is much more unified, but there aren't nearly as many events due to the school being a commuter school and people only stayed downtown between classes.

Ultimately, I would recommend you choose based on what sort of experience you want, rather than the "prestige" of the degree. The two programs are the oldest, largest, and most well-regarded planning programs in Canada, you won't go wrong with either.

Thank you for the advice guys, highly appreciate it It's just, if I go to TMU, I can live at home and commute (as I'm in sauga) but if I choose Waterloo, I'd have to live on residence so I'm just deciding whether I should choose convenience and location (I love downtown Toronto), or choose Waterloo purely for the coop and prestige

 

[KhalilHeron]

Thank you for the advice guys, highly appreciate it It's just, if I go to TMU, I can live at home and commute (as I'm in sauga) but if I choose Waterloo, I'd have to live on residence so I'm just deciding whether I should choose convenience and location (I love downtown Toronto), or choose Waterloo purely for the coop and prestige

I didn't want to leave by beloved Toronto when I moved to Waterloo for school but I love it here. If you get to know Uptown Waterloo it can be quite nice and its easy enough to get to Toronto still, i do it very often. It's definitely more convenient for me living in Waterloo, though. The commute difference alone is enough for me. Most of my apartments have in waterloo have been no more than a 10 minute walk or LRT ride to campus, while my Scarborough-TMU commute is an hour minimum. Especially in first year I'm glad i got to spend time making friends instead of hours commuting every day.

 

[toronstruction]

I didn't want to leave by beloved Toronto when I moved to Waterloo for school but I love it here. If you get to know Uptown Waterloo it can be quite nice and its easy enough to get to Toronto still, i do it very often. It's definitely more convenient for me living in Waterloo, though. The commute difference alone is enough for me. Most of my apartments have in waterloo have been no more than a 10 minute walk or LRT ride to campus, while my Scarborough-TMU commute is an hour minimum. Especially in first year I'm glad i got to spend time making friends instead of hours commuting every day.

Thank you for your insight, how was your experience living on student residence in Waterloo? Did you live on or off campus? I really feel like I should move into a single room to avoid being paired with a roommate I won't be able to get along with and for that extra privacy but I'm not sure

 

[AlbertC]

Thank you for your insight, how was your experience living on student residence in Waterloo? Did you live on or off campus? I really feel like I should move into a single room to avoid being paired with a roommate I won't be able to get along with and for that extra privacy but I'm not sure

I feel as part of the first year experience being away from home, living on rez is ideal. And usually most people will move out and find their own accommodations for year 2 onwards.

This is over 10 years ago but I stayed first year in the Village 1 group of student residences at UW. I had a single room, which was what I preferred as I need my own privacy and space to focus. But it was still quite social as you share a floor with around 10 other people. I knew people who lived in REV where people get paired up with a roommate, often random person. It was supposed to be get more party-like. Sharing a space with roommate in a dorm wouldn't have been my preference, but a lot of people like it. Ultimately comes down to what's best for each individual.

 

[toronstruction]

I feel as part of the first year experience being away from home, living on rez is ideal. And usually most people will move out and find their own accommodations for year 2 onwards.

This is over 10 years ago but I stayed first year in the Village 1 group of student residences at UW. I had a single room, which was what I preferred as I need my own privacy and space to focus. But it was still quite social as you share a floor with around 10 other people. I knew people who lived in REV where people get paired up with a roommate, often random person. It was supposed to be get more party-like. Sharing a space with roommate in a dorm wouldn't have been my preference, but a lot of people like it. Ultimately comes down to what's best for each individual.

Yea I'm gonna hopefully try to get into the single rooms at V1 or the suite rooms at other residences, thanks again