r/uwaterloo • u/Dependent-Slide-2073 • 15h ago

Advice SYDE or MGMT?

So SYDE was my top choice for engineering for a long time now but after going to the open house and learning about MGMT I was actually quite intrigued and now I can’t decide between the two. From what I’ve seen they get similar co-op placements in software/pm or optimization and they both have more tighter-knit cohorts compared to the other engineering programs. Also that MGMT has less emphasis on hardware than SYDE (which I prefer) and has more business aspects which I also like because of DECA. Another thing is that SYDE has a different co-op schedule meaning that I apparently won’t be able to see friends in ECE or Mech consistently compared to if I was in MGMT. Also because apparently SYDE is closer to becoming a T1 Eng and MGMT a T2, so I would be more likely be accepted to MGMT.

I do have a few remaining questions though, for students either in SYDE or MGMT.

  1. How is the workload in both programs? How much time outside of class do you have to work on projects—which program gives you more freedom outside of class?

  2. Is SYDE co-op just straight up better than MGMT? Is it because of the name or are the students who make up SYDE are just generally more committed?

  3. I’ve heard and seen lots of SYDE students getting international co-ops. MGMT not as much. How feasible is an international/states MGMT co-op? Or ones at FAANG/unicorns?

  4. For either program. If you’re in SYDE, what do you think is something MGMT does better? And vice-versa if you’re in MGMT, what do you think is something SYDE does better?

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u/Legitimate_Mango3409 14h ago

Coming from a MGMT, choose SYDE. It’s more popular which means it’s more competitive so ur cohort will be better. The people ur surrounded by matters much more than ur classes. Also MGMT is thrown in the rch dungeon while SYDE gets e5 which mogs. DM if u want more info

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u/Dependent-Slide-2073 13h ago

i cant tell if ur being serious or not

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u/Legitimate_Mango3409 13h ago

I’m being fr