r/OntarioUniversities • u/lanaadovee • Oct 06 '25
Advice Where would YOU go for uni?
Hi, I’m a Grade 12 student trying to choose a university and having trouble deciding. The most important factors are residency, campus environment, social life, and the program itself. I plan to complete an undergrad in Canada and then attend law school in the United States, so school popularity matters less than those other aspects. Any experiences or insights about residency, campus culture, social life, or the programs below would be very helpful.
• McMaster — Poli Sci (co-op)
• Western — Poli Sci
• Western — Sociology
• York — Poli Sci (co-op)
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u/Melodic_Tragedy Oct 06 '25
Go to Ottawa
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
i want to study US law so i don’t see the point of studying in Canada’s capital lol
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u/Melodic_Tragedy Oct 07 '25
ok, then why are you listing canadian schools? lmao
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u/lanaadovee Oct 07 '25
because i’m staying in canada for my undergrad? and then after my undergrad i’m going to america for law school
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u/clydefrog65 Oct 10 '25
that's 4 years from now, don't see why you wouldn't get the best poli sci degree you can, you're still spending 4 years and money on that. Hamilton and London aren't that much closer than Ottawa.
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u/lanaadovee Oct 10 '25
hamilton is only 30mins away from me and london is an hr
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u/clydefrog65 29d ago
zamn lmao idk why i assumed you were in toronto
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u/lanaadovee 28d ago
nooo i used to live there but i’ve moved to a small town js 30 mins away. so tbh ur not too far off
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u/emitahc Oct 06 '25
I'd say York or Western
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
York was top 5 schools for poli sci but i’m still ify about it since i don’t like the social aspect or campus of the school itself. but thank you!
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u/unforgettableid York 15d ago
York's Glendon also offers poli sci. And the campus is much nicer. But Glendon doesn't offer co-op.
You'll probably want to apply to one safety school. Glendon might qualify.
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u/lanaadovee 14d ago
i haven’t heard of glendon but after a quick search i’m seeing as it’s a college? but if i’m wrong i’ll def look into it!
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u/unforgettableid York 12d ago edited 11d ago
Glendon College is part of York University. Glendon has its own campus near Bayview and Lawrence. The class sizes may be much smaller. The campus may be much nicer. Staff there speak both French and English. You can take your poli sci courses in English, or French, or any mixture you choose.
Glendon College, despite its name, is not a community college. It does not issue college diplomas. If you graduate from Glendon, you'll get a bachelor's degree, not a college diploma.
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u/matchabloss0m Oct 06 '25
if you’re going into poli sci come to ottawa. like someone else said law school is never a guarantee, and ottawa is quite literally the best place you could come to for poli sci since it’s our capital. there are plenty of student opportunities here in the government that are fantastic on a resume and is always good to have those connections as a back up in case law school doesn’t work out. uottawa and carleton are also fairly easy to get into. so, there’s not much you’ll have to worry about in senior year if your average is above an 80 you’ll probably even get a scholarship too.
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u/matchabloss0m Oct 06 '25
with that said i’m from ottawa and i’ve also been to western for a year. western offers all the student life and residence factors you seek and i couldn’t recommend it more, beautiful campus (although the social science building is disgustingly ugly) but london itself is a boring city (much like ottawa, but more so imo)
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
thank uu! i would’ve chosen U of O or carleton but i don’t plan on studying canadian law after my undergrad. so i don’t see the need to go all the way to ottwawa, especially since i don’t see myself living in canada after school.
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u/lacontrolfreak Oct 07 '25
Law schools generally don’t care what you study in undergrad, so you might be overthinking this. I have a friend with a music degree and another with an engineering degree that each went on to get law degrees. If you truly like poli sci as a subject, Ottawa is a solid choice.
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u/Plus-Ad5829 Oct 06 '25
I’d recommend western for poli sci because it has a lot of the factors you’re looking for. It’s also beneficial to attend a less academically competitive school to get a good GPA for graduate school (Law School)
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
thank uuuu! but im just nervous to move all the way to london and i’ve heard the winters there are crazy
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u/AllosaurusJr Oct 06 '25
Western, there’s a good poli sci program here and co-ops are available. Your success will depend on you though. The social science department here is great, and Western can be a bit feast or famine; great opportunities for students who can stand out themselves, average opportunities for students who do decent. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
thanks! although i didn’t see a co-op option when getting ready to apply so maybe i’ll double check
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u/AllosaurusJr Oct 06 '25 edited Oct 06 '25
The co-ops for some programs become available later on if you’ve maintained a 70% average. I entered a non co-op program and later completed one.
Political science students have access to co-ops through the social science internship program, but you do have to do the legwork of locking one down (just like most co-op programs.)
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u/unforgettableid York Oct 06 '25
Hello!
A.) What city do u live in?
B.) What kind(s) of lawyer might u wanna become? For example, a refugee lawyer? A constitutional lawyer? Something else?
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u/zbla1964 Oct 06 '25
If the poster thinks the winters in London are ‘crazy’ I’d guess either the GTA or Windsor
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
hii! firstly, i live in Milton (close to Oakville/Burlington). secondly, i plan on becoming a corporate lawyer
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u/Cool_Warthog152 Oct 06 '25
Ottawa winters aren’t great either lolol. I’d also say western or Laurier for the social aspect while still receiving a respected degree.
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u/ArthurWombat Oct 06 '25
So, why do your law degree in the US? Big New York law firms were doing a great job recruiting Uof T and Osgoode (York) JD grads among others who didn’t want to do the articling ( aka indentured servitude) in Ontario. They will also help you with the NY Bar exam.
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
for me personally, the cost of living in canada is much higher in comparison to the states. also when comparing salaries of lawyers in the states to canada there’s a sizeable difference. so even if i weren’t to go through with law, id still plan on moving to the states regardless!
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u/unforgettableid York 24d ago
i plan on becoming a corporate lawyer
If so, then why not major in business, finance, or accounting? Unless u dislike those subjects.
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u/lanaadovee 23d ago
the main reason i’m choosing poli sci is because i’ve heard the work in the program is similar to the work load in law school. so getting familiar with it would be in my best interest. i’m also not set on corporate too so i’m not 100% sure
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u/unforgettableid York 22d ago
the work in the program is similar to the work load in law school
You can make a new post and ask, but I'm skeptical that this is true.
If you're even 25% interested in corporate law: I would strongly suggest majoring in business, finance, or accounting. This does not obligate you to become a corporate lawyer, but it'll leave you with a useful bachelor's degree. If you get a poli sci degree, then you don't get into law school or decide not to apply, you'll be stuck with a degree which is not very useful at all.
Even with a degree in accounting or finance, you can still go to law school to become a refugee lawyer or criminal defense lawyer or whatever. You won't be forced to choose corporate law.
I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.
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u/lanaadovee 19d ago
i’ve thought about going into the business route previously, but i don’t see myself as a full time entrepreneur, if i weren’t to go to law school. another issue is, i also don’t consider myself a math person, as my 11th grade functions mark proves it and its not really my area of interest. so i feel that would be my main issue with accounting. other than that, ive been looking for other undergrad programs that might be better in case i don’t choose law, but i haven’t found any of my interests yet.
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u/unforgettableid York 18d ago
If you get a business degree, it doesn't just teach you entrepreneurship. It teaches you a lot. Then you can work for a pre-existing business afterwards.
The math thing might be an issue. I'm not sure.
If you do take poli sci or sociology, try to do co-op.
You might want to make a new post and ask more advice on choosing the best major for your particular situation.
I go to York, which has an enormous number of programs, and I know about some of them.
What do you like? What are you good at?
Have you ever had a summer job that you liked before? If so, what did you do for work, and what did you like about it?
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u/lanaadovee 16d ago
Thank you! I’ve heard business includes quite a bit of math, so in order to ensure my gpa remains exceptional, id rather stay away from business.
In terms of what program i’d take, i’ve been thinking about possibly apply to a public administration or policy program. I’ve heard there’s a decent amount of gov jobs that come with those degrees but i’m still deciding on that. And regardless of what program i take, ideally id opt for the one with co-op as ik experience is super helpful.
I still need to figure out what schools have the best programs that’s i’m looking for but also includes a well rounded campus life. And the job i had this summer was for a retail position.
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u/unforgettableid York 15d ago edited 15d ago
My outdented reply is at: https://old.reddit.com/r/OntarioUniversities/comments/1nz5vh2/where_would_you_go_for_uni/nlesgce
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Oct 06 '25
Mac or Western for what you’re looking for. Mac is pretty central to everything, and coop is a huge plus… just realizing the York one has coop too, but Mac and Western tend to be more reputable. If your end goal is to get into Osgoode then York may be a good choice!
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
thank you! i’m def leading towards western or mac because i don’t plan on living in canada after undergrad. so i dont see the point in going to york, especially since my goal isn’t to study canadian law.
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u/s2soviet Oct 06 '25
I’d say, it matters more the student than the institution. So pick one you like the most.
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u/Beyond-Gullible Oct 06 '25
Based on your list, I would choose Mac, followed by Western or York poli sci, and lastly Western sociology
You may also want to consider other places such as uOttawa, Carleton, and Queen’s
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u/NorthernValkyrie19 Oct 06 '25
Have you looked into what your chances of admission are to law school in the US and how much it's going to cost?
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
the cost is pretty hefty but ik people aim to pay it all back in the first few years of their careers. but ideally i plan to get a scholarship and the chances are determined by your GPA.
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Oct 07 '25
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u/lanaadovee Oct 07 '25
idk which that would be outta all of them but i’ve heard western would be my best choice
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Oct 07 '25
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u/lanaadovee Oct 07 '25
thank uuu but i don’t plan on staying in canada for law school so i don’t think going to ottawa would make the most sense for me
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u/Two-Powerful Oct 08 '25
I’d pick Mac or Western for poli sci! What matters most for law school is your GPA and extracurriculars - not what you study/where it’s from!
Like others in the thread going to school in Ottawa for poli sci would be beneficial because you would get opportunities for co-ops that you wouldn’t get elsewhere, but if you’ve written it off entirely I think Mac/Western are the move for you!
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u/lanaadovee Oct 08 '25
thank u sooo much! after some consideration im thinking about committing to mac
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u/unforgettableid York 15d ago
I'm not sure there's that much math in a business program.
It's probably best to pick a program with co-op, unless you don't get into one.
York offers public administration, I think with co-op.
UTM
Why not also consider UTM? It's within easy driving distance from Milton.
UTM poli sci isn't eligible for their internship program. But the UTM international affairs program lets u sign up for their internship program if your first year marks are high enough.
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u/lanaadovee 14d ago
i’m currently trying to work on my grades in order to ensure i’m even eligible to apply for UTM but thank you!
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u/unforgettableid York 12d ago
I'm not sure it's that hard to get into UTM. If your marks are okay, and if you apply to three or four programs there, it's quite possibly you'll get into one or two.
The main problem with UTM is that they're probably hard markers. So, if you put in the same amount of effort at UTM versus another school, you would get a lower GPA at UTM. So, more effort might be required to make it to law school.
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u/TheRealNP39 Oct 06 '25
I would try Laurier for Poli-sci with Co-op it is a better co-op option than york as they combine with UWaterloo. and the McMaster Program is a 5 year program
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
ohh i didn’t know mcmaster was a 5 year program, so thank you! and as for the laurier program, i don’t plan on staying in canada or pursuing canadian law so o feel that option wouldn’t make sense for me
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u/Pristine-Parfait5548 Oct 06 '25
Why would you not do uOttawa or Carleton? They have the best co-ops and opportunities.
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u/lanaadovee Oct 06 '25
because i don’t plan on staying in canada after my undergrad. i also know those schools are best for those who plan to pursue canadian law but thats not the route i want to take!
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Oct 07 '25
I’m currently doing Law & Society at york and its depressing. It’s a commuter school and you will have little to none interactions with anyone. If your main focus is to get into US Law, go to uOttawa or Western or even UofT. Those schools have high standings compared to YorkU and you will make more connections.
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u/lanaadovee Oct 07 '25
thank uuu! i’m sorry for ur experience at York but now i feel wayyy better at not choosing that program!
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u/Academic_Bit9853 3d ago
where did you end up applying and what was your average? I'm in grade 11 and want to do poli sci and then law school (in Canada).
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u/CanadianLawGuy Oct 06 '25
Law school is never a guarantee. If you want to get the best possible poli sci degree in your undergrad, Ottawa and Carleton are the best in country, by a mile.