StFX or Concordia University of Edmonton

[Prabh1423]

Hey guys!

As the topic says, I'm kinda confused. I got LOA from StFX, Antigonish, Nova Scotia for Masters in Applied Computer Science & from Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta for MSc Information Technology. As an International Student taking a loan, it is quite a gamble, so im looking for opinions!

Both program structure seems pretty fascinating to me. Couple of impressions, Antigonish is a very remote small town, while Edmonton is a big city in Alberta. However Concordia(Edmonton) is a "publicly funded private university" (idk what to think) while StFX is a public university.

The admission requirements in Concordia were very low (didnt even need LOR). StFX was quite stingent with theirs.

The reason i'm skeptical about Concordia is its low admit criteria and virtually non existant rankings. While StFX ranks well in undergraduate programs (nothing for graduates)

I'm looking to work in software-related fields. Please provide your opinions!

 

[scylla]

Hey guys!

As the topic says, I'm kinda confused. I got LOA from StFX, Antigonish, Nova Scotia for Masters in Applied Computer Science & from Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta for MSc Information Technology. As an International Student taking a loan, it is quite a gamble, so im looking for opinions!

Both program structure seems pretty fascinating to me. Couple of impressions, Antigonish is a very remote small town, while Edmonton is a big city in Alberta. However Concordia(Edmonton) is a "publicly funded private university" (idk what to think) while StFX is a public university.

The admission requirements in Concordia were very low (didnt even need LOR). StFX was quite stingent with theirs.

The reason i'm skeptical about Concordia is its low admit criteria and virtually non existant rankings. While StFX ranks well in undergraduate programs (nothing for graduates)

I'm looking to work in software-related fields. Please provide your opinions!

If you have to chose between those two I would personally go with StFX.

I was born in Canada and I've never even heard of Concordia in Edmonton. Everyone has heard of StFX. Also, whenever you see the word 'private' associated with a universite or college in Canada, this pretty much always means bad reputation and inferior education.

Antigonish is tiny, as you said. So just be prepared for that.

 

[Prabh1423]

If you have to chose between those two I would personally go with StFX.

I was born in Canada and I've never even heard of Concordia in Edmonton. Everyone has heard of StFX. Also, whenever you see the word 'private' associated with a universite or college in Canada, this pretty much always means bad reputation and inferior education.

Antigonish is tiny, as you said. So just be prepared for that.

Good to hear from the canadian side. It does ease my mind as when it comes to employment, I would prefer justifying my skills instead of explaining what university I graduated from.

I hope Antigonish being tiny won't affect me in terms of opportunities, I'll be moving about Halifax alot though.

 

[Bluejayscardinals]

Antigonish is not close to Halifax. Think 2.5 hours. Nova Scotia has a great scheme to encourage international students to stay after graduating. Then I would recommend living in Halifax. I think it ultimately depends on your goals and where you intend to live for your career.

 

[Bishops2020]

May I ask why you chose these 2 universities which would not seem a natural choice to choose these 2 amongst the possibilities? Did you do your own research?

Note SFX is one of the 4 Maple Leaf primarily undergraduate universities, has super facilities for such a small universities. Note location means currently no international students are received study permit approvals as no NS instutions have been covid ready approved.

My daughter can spend a semester at SFX on exchange from her Maple Leaf university or she can do courses without moving offered at the other 3 Maple Leaf universities, that might be a possibility for graduate studies too.

 

[Prabh1423]

May I ask why you chose these 2 universities which would not seem a natural choice to choose these 2 amongst the possibilities? Did you do your own research?

Note SFX is one of the 4 Maple Leaf primarily undergraduate universities, has super facilities for such a small universities. Note location means currently no international students are received study permit approvals as no NS instutions have been covid ready approved.

My daughter can spend a semester at SFX on exchange from her Maple Leaf university or she can do courses without moving offered at the other 3 Maple Leaf universities, that might be a possibility for graduate studies too.

TL;DR My B.E is in a completely different field.

Well, its mainly because of my bachelors in engineering major (instrumentation) which is completely unrelated to computer science, however an year of experience in the field got an LOA through these two only.

I understand the situation in Nova Scotia, however the LOA is for Sep 2021, which means they might plan on bringing in students later.

 

[Prabh1423]

Antigonish is not close to Halifax. Think 2.5 hours. Nova Scotia has a great scheme to encourage international students to stay after graduating. Then I would recommend living in Halifax. I think it ultimately depends on your goals and where you intend to live for your career.

I think staying over in Halifax during semester breaks and working there would probably be my only option. Antigonish may not have many part time opportunities. I agree, indeed Nova Scotia is beautiful, if I had gotten an invite from Dalhousie I would've never questioned anything. StFX on the other hand, is not that popular in my searches.

My future goals, I believe it would be strongly inclined to software development.

 

[Bishops2020]

TL;DR My B.E is in a completely different field.

Well, its mainly because of my bachelors in engineering major (instrumentation) which is completely unrelated to computer science, however an year of experience in the field got an LOA through these two only.

I understand the situation in Nova Scotia, however the LOA is for Sep 2021, which means they might plan on bringing in students later.

I just checked the DLI covid ready list, SFX went on the list on 3rd November!

 

[Prabh1423]

I just checked the DLI covid ready list, SFX went on the list on 3rd November!

Wonderful! But still I would like to hear your opinion since you have your daughter study there for some time. What would you do if given this choice?

I'm sorry If that came out rude, but it is a big decision for me, I would just like an opinion from people staying over there.

 

[Bluejayscardinals]

St. FX is a great university and Nova Scotia is a great place. You should check out this program. https://studynovascotia.ca/study-and-stay/

I just didn't want you thinking Halifax is the type of place that you can live and commute to campus in Antigonish. It's far and winters can be brutal, although not as bad as Edmonton.

I can't speak to comp sci at St FX but its a reputable university without a doubt.

 

[Prabh1423]

St. FX is a great university and Nova Scotia is a great place. You should check out this program. https://studynovascotia.ca/study-and-stay/

I just didn't want you thinking Halifax is the type of place that you can live and commute to campus in Antigonish. It's far and winters can be brutal, although not as bad as Edmonton.

I can't speak to comp sci at St FX but its a reputable university without a doubt.

Thank you for your opinion! I also think StFX would be a better choice!

 

[MSCS21]

Thank you for your opinion! I also think StFX would be a better choice!

Hi, I am applying for fall 2021 CS too. May I know how long it took for you to get reply

 

[MSCS21]

Thank you for your opinion! I also think StFX would be a better choice!

Hi I am planning to go to stfx comp sci too. have u confirmed to go there?

 

[EmJ_BLR]

Hey guys!

As the topic says, I'm kinda confused. I got LOA from StFX, Antigonish, Nova Scotia for Masters in Applied Computer Science & from Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta for MSc Information Technology. As an International Student taking a loan, it is quite a gamble, so im looking for opinions!

Both program structure seems pretty fascinating to me. Couple of impressions, Antigonish is a very remote small town, while Edmonton is a big city in Alberta. However Concordia(Edmonton) is a "publicly funded private university" (idk what to think) while StFX is a public university.

The admission requirements in Concordia were very low (didnt even need LOR). StFX was quite stingent with theirs.

The reason i'm skeptical about Concordia is its low admit criteria and virtually non existant rankings. While StFX ranks well in undergraduate programs (nothing for graduates)

I'm looking to work in software-related fields. Please provide your opinions!

Hi @Prabh1423 ,

Could you pls share the timeline. When did you submit the application to StFx ? How long it took to get a decision? I am planning to apply for the MACS program for Fall 2021. If you don't mind, what is your profile & % of marks. Just to see if I stand a chance. My profile is Bachelors-73%, IELTS 6.5, No GRE, 10+ work exp in IT.
Also, I see they do not have any online payment option for application fee. They are asking to share credit card details in application form/over phone. Is that how you made the payment?

Any inputs will be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Prabh1423]

Hi @Prabh1423 ,

Could you pls share the timeline. When did you submit the application to StFx ? How long it took to get a decision? I am planning to apply for the MACS program for Fall 2021. If you don't mind, what is your profile & % of marks. Just to see if I stand a chance. My profile is Bachelors-73%, IELTS 6.5, No GRE, 10+ work exp in IT.
Also, I see they do not have any online payment option for application fee. They are asking to share credit card details in application form/over phone. Is that how you made the payment?

Any inputs will be helpful. Thanks.

I think you have a pretty good chance, go for it. My profile, B.E 80% (in Instrumentation), one research paper in computer vision, 1 year work ex in Capgemini, no GRE either. Higher the IELTS, the better, I had an 8. You do need recommendations from your academic professors.

They do not have an online payment portal, you have to put in your details. It takes around 2 months to process the application.

Personal recommendation, try for much better universities. This is a fresh masters, you have a better chance in Dalhousie or Memorial.

All the best.