u/Fun-Size-4295

Trying to decide between McMaster Engineering (no free choice) vs UofT Mineral Engineering (deferred from Electrical) and wanted some opinions. My end goal is a career in tech.

McMaster Engineering

Pros:
- Better campus/student life
- More fun/social atmosphere + better res experience
- Less stressful environment overall
- Still has good co-op opportunities at solid companies

Cons:
- No free choice, so I’d still need to compete for Electrical after first year
- Getting into Electrical at Mac seems harder every year
- Fewer tech/networking opportunities compared to UofT from what I’ve heard

UofT Mineral Engineering

Pros:
- Stronger name/reputation
- Easier access to internships/co-ops because of the UofT brand
- I live nearby, so networking/summer experiences would be easier
- Even Mineral Eng at UofT is still respected

Cons:
- Need around an 80% first-year average to transfer into Electrical, which I’ve heard is extremely difficult
- UofT engineering has a reputation for being very stressful
- Pressure of grades + transfer process sounds mentally exhausting
- I don’t mind Mineral Engineering, but I worry it’s less aligned with the future/tech industry and may have a lower ceiling for what I want
- Costs about $6–9k more per year, likely all in loans

Basically deciding between:
- McMaster = potentially happier/balanced experience but uncertainty getting Electrical
- UofT = stronger brand/opportunities but much higher stress, transfer pressure, and cost

Would appreciate any advice, especially from people in engineering/tech.

Trying to decide between McMaster Engineering (no free choice) vs UofT Mineral Engineering (deferred from Electrical) and wanted some opinions. My end goal is a career in tech.

McMaster Engineering

Pros:
- Better campus/student life
- More fun/social atmosphere + better res experience
- Less stressful environment overall
- Still has good co-op opportunities at solid companies

Cons:
- No free choice, so I’d still need to compete for Electrical after first year
- Getting into Electrical at Mac seems harder every year
- Fewer tech/networking opportunities compared to UofT from what I’ve heard

UofT Mineral Engineering

Pros:
- Stronger name/reputation
- Easier access to internships/co-ops because of the UofT brand
- I live nearby, so networking/summer experiences would be easier
- Even Mineral Eng at UofT is still respected

Cons:
- Need around an 80% first-year average to transfer into Electrical, which I’ve heard is extremely difficult
- UofT engineering has a reputation for being very stressful
- Pressure of grades + transfer process sounds mentally exhausting
- I don’t mind Mineral Engineering, but I worry it’s less aligned with the future/tech industry and may have a lower ceiling for what I want
- Costs about $6–9k more per year, likely all in loans

Basically deciding between:
- McMaster = potentially happier/balanced experience but uncertainty getting Electrical
- UofT = stronger brand/opportunities but much higher stress, transfer pressure, and cost

Would appreciate any advice, especially from people in engineering/tech.

I applied for mech Eng + computing with an 87.5 avg and I was reassured that my average is for tha enough and people lower often get in but I have yet to see anything from Ottawa and still under evaluation. Does anyone have any idea as this school is kinda my top choice and I was super hopeful at one point but it now seems hopeless…

Edit: sorry for the typo error in my title

I looked at UofTs website and they said that upper years transfer are almost always granted if they want to. I’m just wondering is this true for second years aswell or just third/fourth years only. And will it work if second year I want to transfer from something like industrial to ECE?

I’m a potential student this fall so I was curious where grads/coop students are legit working everywhere from Tesla to nvidia. Is this normal?? Ik Waterloo is the best but I was debating between UofT and McMaster but is everyone at Mac cracked or something or are these just outliers?

What’s better? I know UofT has better alumni but I also heard Mac has more coop connections but though not any students at Mac get coops second year whereas at UofT they do.

I know McGill is ranked higher but idk if it means much but Mac also has a better more structured coop. Though at McGill I’m guaranteed my choice but and at mac I do not have free choice and to compete for a competitive stream (electrical). Any thoughts?

I want to go into computer and mechatronics at McMaster but I’m worried that it will be super stressful first year, any advice/info.

I’m current a high school student without free choice and I’m worried that I will not get my preferred stream of choice due to the competition.

If you could include the year you’re in/graduated and a general idea of the field you are working in would be helpful. For those who didn’t can you provide some insight of the reasons?

Sorry if this sounds shallow and personal but I’m curious.

I know you have to switch a computer class second semester but what about the other courses? Do you have to take them aswell over the summer as they differ between mineral and electrical. I’m just curious I’m in high school currently and trying to plan 1-2 years ahead to see if transferring is a shot to take.

I applied for residence after the guaranteed deadline so I do expect to get my top residence if any at all but I need to know soon so I can start planning my first year housing.

1. Can taking calculus online affect your odds of a transfer as it’s technically not in your normal semester and making it easier by taking it during the summer?

2. Is the 80% average both semesters meaning a minimum grade of 80 in each class of an overall average of 80%.

3. I see some courses differ between my engineering stream and my ideal stream, so I have to these extra or during summer school or something?

I know this questions may be something I could find myself but I tried to research but couldn’t find helpful info and was curious if anyone could help!

I’m waiting for McGill but they don’t understand the Ontario student timeline I guess or something.

Mac Eng but no free choice but where computer and electrical engineering is heading it might also be insanely difficult to get my choice of stream.

Uoft Eng mineral engineering - now this program does interest and me and the cheapest, and does have a clear 80% first average in order for my transfer I would still need to no life in order to even have a chance.

Queens Eng - I’m guaranteed my stream although I’m kinda of a introvert and dont really like the queens culture BUT it’s still decently reputable but not quite good as UofT or McMaster and I heard it harder to find opportunities due to its location. Any thoughts?

Im debating if i should give a shot at transferring at UofT but unsure if it is even worth it because I heard someone else saying on Reddit that you are not garunteed due to the limited spaces in these programs.

I know this will receive down votes but the only thing drawing me back from going here at McMaster is that students don’t get the top opportunities compared to UofT or Waterloo. I’m just curious that if a student works super hard they too will get the similar opportunities.

I’m really debating between commuting or not, money IS an issue and frankly 25k (chestnut + extra costs) a year extra is the difference between graduating with 80k vs no debt.

Group A, Top 6 Avg: 96.2%

Adjustment factor is average, and applied for computer engineering

Ecs: Don’t want to go too much in depth but tbh I would say below average, but my AIF I would say was written above average and some “uniqueness” to it.

Interview: I straight rawdogged the interview, I had already done UofTs and McMasters so I was lowkey fed up with interviews and had no idea the questions were already posted online so during the interview my response was rather unclear and sounds like me rambling.

I anticipate a rejection as though my average is good enough, other parts of my application are lacking, but I’m curious what you guys think.