Importance of the school's reputation?

[Optedirectioned]

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Right off the bat, I'll let you know I'm Canadian and have every intention of going back to Canada once I graduate.

Currently, I have been accepted to NOVA this fall and have been invited to NECO for an interview. I'm just torn on whether I should even go to the interview. All of this stems from the fact that NOVA is significantly cheaper (~$5000/year) AND they are offering me a $8000 scholarship. This adds up to almost $30000 over a 4 year span.

So for someone who intends on going back to Canada post-graduation, do you think NECO's good reputation and greater Canadian presence is worth the extra $25000-$30000 when I am looking for a job? or should I just go to NOVA? Thanks in advance.

 

[Moltenlava]

Go to Nova. I don't know much about either school but saving 25, 000-30, 000 would definitely be the deal breaker for me! Save your money!

 

[abcdefj]

If you are perfectly content with NOVA, I would stick with it. If there are any doubts, I would go to the interview.

I never thought how much of a difference it would make to visit and feel out the school until I went to the interviews. Some schools impressed me much more than I was expecting while other schools did not meet my expectations or it didn't feel like the right fit for me.

 

[MidnightOil]

Go to the interview!! I cannot stress this enough.

Like the previous poster suggested, some schools will impress you more than others. Have you been to any other interviews besides NOVA? NECO may be willing to offer you a scholarship as well.

There is a reason some schools are more prestigious than others. Just go visit.

 

[Gigan988]

When I applied, I only applied to SCCO and WesternU. I went to WesternU's interview and really liked it, and was accepted before even being offered an interview at SCCO. I knew I would need to take an additional course if I were to attend SCCO (physiology and lab), and so was leaning towards WesternU from the start. After interviewing at Western, I was pretty sure I wanted to attend there. Regardless, I still went to the SCCO interview, because first I wanted to be absolutely sure I was making the right decision, and also I wanted to see out of curiosity the interviewing process there and to see if I would be accepted at SCCO.

I ended up going to WesternU anyway but am glad I went to the interview at SCCO.

 

[TheAlmighty]

If there are any doubts, go to NECO's interview. It's a one time deal.

 

[Loptometriste]

Personally, I was accepted into a less expensive school for me, so I stopped filling out secondary apps for other schools. I know it is where I want to go, and I didn't want to waste my time and money for flights and hotels plus the time of the other schools that I was going to turn down. It's up to you how secure you feel in NOVA. My advice is to say yes to Nova and relax.

 

[itek2OD]

I'm Cdn,and, well...:
i) Save your money. Your government loans only go so far outside of Canada. Less money to pay back when you're done....save your money.
ii) I don't believe one can get too much experience going to interviews, so keep the NECO interview. you can reject them the next day or get a counter offer :^)
iii) You might like Florida weather.
iv) the only other advantage to going to NECO would be it would be easier to get back to Quebec quicker by car/plane. If you believe you will be going home frequently, then maybe NECO.
Ultimately, lowering the cost of getting the OD will help you in the long run.

Good luck,

 

[Optedirectioned]

Thanks for the reply. I decided not to go to the NECO interview because I just couldn't justify the price of tuition. Also didn't want to spend money on hotel and travels.

On a side note, Quebec loans are pretty good. Up to $6000 in loans per year. They are interest free until 6 months after graduation.

And just another thing that applies to all Canadian students in any American or Canadian schools, any amount you spend on tuition, living expenses, books, equipment, etc is tax deductable. So you're going to have some huge deduction in taxes when you're working. Just a little perk that'll help with the huge debt post graduation.