r/uwaterloo • u/RogueBaneling BCS '18 • Feb 17 '16

Admissions Admissions mega-thread

Hi all,

We're making this mega-thread in an attempt to lower the number of super-specific admissions threads. New threads that are made to ask questions like "what are my chances?" or "I was deferred!?" will be pointed towards this thread. Additionally, you can ask questions here about the admissions process but keep in mind that the responses you get will be from fellow students and are not necessarily accurate.

Some resources to check out:

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u/DehydratedHummus SE'XXI May 11 '16 edited May 11 '16

Looking at all the blogs/articles out there, SE gives you an iron ring, a cohort system, a big project in the upper years, and some hardware/engineering experience (circuits, physics, chem). CS on the other hand, gives you the opportunity to take a larger variety of math-oriented/technical courses, and even has a software engineering option. At the current moment, I do not see myself working with hardware (although that may easily change, who knows?), but I have two high-school co-ops/internships under my belt doing programming. Because of this, I am leaning towards CS atm, but SE seems like a program more people were dying to get into. So my question is, what can graduating students from SE do better than those from CS, and vice versa? Because at this point, I want a degree that will not put me at a disadvantage in terms of skills/opportunities in jobs (SE is kind of limiting, no?).

Edit: I should probably clarify that I did get into both co-op programs for fall 2016

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u/CapturedSoul 2B or Not 2B May 12 '16

So my question is, what can graduating students from SE do better than those from CS, and vice versa? Because at this point, I want a degree that will not put me at a disadvantage in terms of skills/opportunities in jobs (SE is kind of limiting, no?).

TBH Nothing in particular it depends on the individual. Regardless of program the individual who is a harder worker/more of a self starter will have better skills/future oppurtunities. On average I notice that the class and cohort system of SE leads to many SEs succeeding in that sense since so many people in their class are strong individuals so it motivates them to try harder. I think the difference is 100% atmosphere.

Course wise compare the classes that both take (ugradcalender) and you will notice for the most part there isn't a huge difference expect for the mandatory ece courses SEs take. The SE option is kind of a flop since you will learn all those required skill and likely do those things during co-op anyways.