Canada's Top Universities

As the school year ends, you should be finalizing and prioritizing your university applications. Here is a new, updated list of Canada’s top universities to help you make your final choices. You’ll be able to compare the November 2011 Maclean’s rankings (overall ranking, plus the best medical doctoral, comprehensive and primarily undergraduate universities), the October 2011 Globe and Mail report (letter grade of overall student satisfaction), Times Higher Education Global ranking and QS Global ranking.

University	Maclean's Best Overall Canadian University	Maclean's Medical Doctoral Canadian University	Maclean's Comprehensive Canadian University	Maclean's Primarily Undergraduate Canadian University	Globe & Mail Overall Student Satisfaction	Times Higher Education Global Top 200 Universities	QS Global Top 300 Universities
University of Waterloo	1		3		B+		160
McGill University	2	1			B	28	17
University of Toronto	3	2			B-	19	23
University of British Columbia	4	3			B+	22	51
University of Alberta	5	5			B	100	100
McMaster University	6	6			B+	65	159
Queen's University	7	4			A	173	144
Simon Fraser University	8		1		B		260
Universite de Sherbrooke	9	14			A-
University of Western Ontario	10	9			A-		157
University of Saskatchewan	11	10			B
University of Guelph	12		4		A-
University of Victoria	13		2		B+	177	292
Ryerson University	14		13		B
Memorial University of Newfoundland	15		5		B
Dalhousie University	16	6			B+		234
Universite de Montreal	17	12			NA	104	137
Universite Laval	18	12			NA
St. Francis Xavier	19			6	A-
University of Calgary	20	8			B-		218
Mount Allison University	21			1	A-
Acadia University	22			2	A
University of Winnipeg	23			10	B
Wilfrid Laurier University	24		11		B+
Concordia University	25		12		B
University of Ottawa	26	10			B-	185	256
University of Regina	27		10		B-
University of Manitoba	28	15			B-
University of Lethbridge	29			4	B+
York University	30		9		C+
University of New Brunswick	31	6			B
Saint Mary's University	32			9	B
University of Ontario Institute of Technology	33			11	B
Carleton University	34		7		B
University of Prince Edward Island	35			4	B+
Bishop's University	36			8	NA
University of Northern British Columbia	37			3	B+
Brock University	38		15		B
Universite du Quebec a Montreal	39		13		NA
Trent University	40			7	B+
St. Thomas University	41			14	A-
University of Windsor	42		8		B-
Universite de Moncton	43			15	NA
Brandon University	44			15	B+
Laurentian University	45			11	B-
Mount Saint Vincent University	46			17	B
Lakehead University	47			11	B-
Nipissing University	48			19	B+
Cape Breton University	49			18	B

Choosing a Small vs. Large University

Are you ‘the bigger the better’ or ‘good things come in small packages’ person? What are the advantages of a small or a big university?

Here are some factors to consider, but note it’s not always black and white, there will always be exceptions:

Larger class sizes at bigger schools
Less of a selection of course and program offerings at small universities
More diversity and international students at large schools
Student quality may be lower at small institutions
Faculty at large schools may be more research focused
Less well-known faculty at small universities
More student-focused at small schools
Less variety of support services at small institutions
Less extra-curricular activities, clubs, student groups, etc. at small schools
More distractions at large universities
Smaller alumni network at small schools

The bottom line is that there are excellent large universities and excellent small cuniversities. There are many choices for you to consider, but first start with what might be best for you!

Pick a University Program that Offers Internship or Co-op

Internships and co-ops are especially important in this economy. The first benefit is that you are able to get work experience in the program you’re studying and you’ll be building your resume with relevant experience. More opportunities and doors will be open to you since wages and benefits will not limit potential employers.

Secondly and probably most importantly, you;ll begin to increase your network in that industry. Your internship can lead to paid summer employment and a full-time job once you graduate. So work hard and make an impact on the organization. Also, it’s important to stay in touch with the individuals you work with and meet during your internship. Hopefully, they’ll think of you when a paid position is available.

You’ll also have an opportunity to see what a particular job, company and industry is like before you get to the point of applying for full-time jobs. This is a huge benefit that you may not appreciate when you’re still in school.

Programs that include internship and co-op opportunities and have relationships with employers in the industry you’re interested in will hopefully help you to secure a full-time job eventually.

Get Answers to These Questions When Picking University

One of the best sources of information when picking a university is from current students. However, it’s not always easy to find students. Here’s a tip for you. Very soon university students will be returning home and you can take advantage of their exodus. Why not contact the universities you’re interested in and ask if you can be connected to one of these students? If the university is not able to give you any contacts, try your high school guidance office and teachers. They may be in touch with former students who are attending your choice university.

The best student is someone who is enrolled in the program you are considering. But if you can’t meet with someone in the same program, don’t insist on this since it will still be an invaluable conversation to have. Also, avoid first year students. Although they have some stories to tell, they have only been at the university for just over 3 months.

You may have met students on a campus tour or other recruitment activities, but an in-person, one-on-one meeting will give you richer, more in-depth information. It is a great opportunity to speak to someone, face-to-face, who is probably similar to you in many ways. This is especially true if you were not able to visit that campus. Chances are they had similar concerns as you, especially when they were considering leaving their home city and moving to the university city. Invite them out for coffee and get their opinions on everything about the campus, faculty, residence, city, etc.

Remember this student can be one of your connections on campus next September so make a good first impression. A senior student can help to make your transition much smoother next year. It’s always great to get advice from the veterans to avoid pitfalls. 

Be prepared for the conversation with good questions. You requested the meeting so be sure to get the information you want.

Here are a few questions to get you started: 

·        What other universities were you considering?

      ·        Why did you choose this university? 

·        Has it lived up to your expectations?

·        What has been the highlight so far?

·        If you can change anything what will it be?

·        How would you describe the culture of the school?

·        What is residence like?

·        What do you like and don’t like about residence?

·        What do you think of the social life on campus and in the city?

·        What’s the food like on campus?

·        How would you rate the faculty?

·        What do you think of the administration and support services?

·        What advice do you have for me to make the best of my experience at this university?

·        In your research of the university, you may have come across some issues that you’ll like a student’s perspective on so don’t forget to include those questions on your list.

·        Also, ask if there is anyone else that they can recommend you speak with to get more information or answers to questions that he/she was not able to answer.

Don’t forget to follow up with a thank email.  If you eventually chose this university, I recommend that you advise the student and mention that you hope to see him/her in residence and on campus. Hopefully, this meeting will be the first of many great interactions with students from this university!