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Same here, I accepted the offer from Queen's yesterday. I guess we will see each other in September.

So you think a bigger department is better than a smaller one even if it's harder to get LORS? That's the thing I'm asking myself, does the fact that it has a better reputation and ranking really matter for an MA if you just use it as a stepping stone for Ph.D? And what matters more for future admission, better school reputation and ranking or teachers that know you more and give better LORS. Close call I think. Thanks for your points and keep them coming if you have anymore! It seems like the more I think about it the harder it gets.

Thanks for your reply. Would you still say Queen's if money wasn't a factor and I aimed at a Ph.D in the US better than Queen's and UBC, meaning getting into their respective Ph.D programs wasn't a factor? It seems like the tradeoff is between a better ranked school where it might be harder to shine and a smaller more supportive program which might be less known, though I guess the formation is about equal. Don't you think UBC has a stronger reputation and sends a better signal than Queen's to US schools? I am about 50-50 between the two right now, I need to give Queen's an answer tomorrow, but I asked for a delay hoping I get a few more days to pick one.

Thanks for your reply. I am really not bothered about funding, the one I get in each offer is sufficient to do each corresponding program(TA for regular stream in Toronto). If I got into the DSMA I would strongly consider it but it seems that in the regular stream I would be at a disadvantage vs DSMA students for future admissions and a current student in the regular stream told me he strongly regrets picking Toronto because the teachers don't care about regular stream students and other related issues. Yeah I know you need a lot more for a top admission, I will be taking Calc 3, Probability and Real Analysis this summer to try to get a better math background since I am not that strong in that area and also only 780 in my GRE Q. I think I am leaning towards UBC so far unless I get a DSMA offer, but both Toronto and UBC seem about the same quality unless you get in the DSMA. (Queen's a bit less but good placement)

Nobody has any idea on which program is better for pre-Ph.D? I got in UBC too, if anyone has input on what the best place would be it would be very appreciated. I am currently thinking of refusing Toronto since I don't see much of an advantage for that department over UBC's, but Queen's still has interesting strengths.

Hey guys, just to let you know UBC sent out their first round of admits so go check! I am even more torn between UBC, Toronto and Queen's now...help!

Congrats rocker, did you apply to Queen's too? If not can you tell me why you picked UoT regular over Queen's and if you intend on doing a Ph.D? Thanks.

Hi guys, I have been accepted into Queen's MA and Toronto's regular stream MA (waitlisted for the DS) with similar funding options because a lot of it comes from an outside source. I was wondering if any of you knew which school I should attend knowing that my main criteria is placement for Ph.D. I know that Toronto generally seems to be considered a better ranked department at least for Ph.D studies but I don't really care about what department produces the most research, just the one that is a better stepping stone for top Ph.D programs. On that front, Queen's seems to have done better in the past few years from what I have read. Can anyone help me with this? Has Toronto placed regular stream students in good Ph.D programs in the past years? Also, I am waiting on UBC's decision. If I was to be accepted, would you recommend going there over the other 2, again based on placement? Thanks.

Hi guys, I have been accepted into Queen's MA and Toronto's regular stream MA (waitlisted for the DS) with similar funding options because a lot of it comes from an outside source. I was wondering if any of you knew which school I should attend knowing that my main criteria is placement for Ph.D. I know that Toronto generally seems to be considered a better ranked department at least for Ph.D studies but I don't really care about what department produces the most research, just the one that is a better stepping stone for top Ph.D programs. On that front, Queen's seems to have done better in the past few years from what I have read. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks.