Rowan v UPEI

[oweue]

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Wow ok, I was waitlisted for both schools and now I’ve been pulled off both waitlists! I just put down a deposit on UPEI on Sunday but now I’m kind of stuck in what I want to do.

UPEI:
pro: move to Canada, safer in LGBT aspects
cheaper COA
I think I would enjoy the area

cons: very far from everyone I know and more remote
harder for spouse to find a job
visa may become complicated
more expensive but not by a huge amount


Rowan:
pro: closer to cities and where I know people
could be closer to what I like in a school
easier for spouse to find job

con:
newer program so unsure of how good it is
staying in the states



I have 48 hours to make this decision so any advice would be helpful! I’d be happy going to either, but concerned with visa issues for Canada

 

[supershorty]

If Rowan is your less expensive option, you should go there. Especially if UPEI has the added complication of visa-related things.

 

[oweue]

now thinking about it, they are likely the same price. higher tuition for AVC but much lower living costs. I’m very weary of a new college and how good it is vs an established college

 

[JaynaAli]

Don’t forget to consider exchange rate and how changes in the value of the American dollar might affect things too. Without getting overly political, things are really volatile in markets, so costs may fluctuate due to the exchange rate fluctuations. Maybe it’s not a huge difference and sometimes exchange rates can work in your favor, but it’s at least another thing to consider.

 

[oweue]

Don’t forget to consider exchange rate and how changes in the value of the American dollar might affect things too. Without getting overly political, things are really volatile in markets, so costs may fluctuate due to the exchange rate fluctuations. Maybe it’s not a huge difference and sometimes exchange rates can work in your favor, but it’s at least another thing to consider.

definitely! right now, I get more out of my dollar in Canada so it would work in my favor but could not always be that way long term. housing is about $1k cheaper in PEI vs NJ

 

[_rae_]

It's very possible that things have changed since I was looking two years ago. Having said that, two things made PEI difficult and inevitably unattainable (beyond the visa issues we've talked about):

Housing is inexpensive, but it was incredibly scarce when I was looking. We were struggling to find anything less than 45 minutes from the school.
My spouse was really struggling to find even job listings. They jokingly said they could always work on an oyster boat, but it was only half a joke.

If you can manage it, which I know is unlikely given waitlist decisions have a quick turnaround, I would really try to go visit PEI. It's a beautiful island, but the only year round way off the island is a massive toll bridge. While we were there, a snowstorm shut down the bridge due to winds and visibility, essentially stranding us.

 

[oweue]

It's very possible that things have changed since I was looking two years ago. Having said that, two things made PEI difficult and inevitably unattainable (beyond the visa issues we've talked about):

Housing is inexpensive, but it was incredibly scarce when I was looking. We were struggling to find anything less than 45 minutes from the school.
My spouse was really struggling to find even job listings. They jokingly said they could always work on an oyster boat, but it was only half a joke.

If you can manage it, which I know is unlikely given waitlist decisions have a quick turnaround, I would really try to go visit PEI. It's a beautiful island, but the only year round way off the island is a massive toll bridge. While we were there, a snowstorm shut down the bridge due to winds and visibility, essentially stranding us.

my partner works food service and seems like there are quite a few jobs there looking for people. seems like housing is still tight, but there’s a good amount within the Charlottetown area still. even at the higher numbers we would still be below our budget for housing. I wish we could visit but I have till Wednesday for Rowan to decide. currently leaning towards AVC as it’s an established program and we really want to get out of the US

 

[futurewildlifevetmama]

Food service in PEI might be seasonal work; with peak tourism season almost upon the island it makes sense that there would be many jobs available. These jobs may very well dry up when the tourists / cruise ships stop visiting Charlottetown in late fall. Just something to think about.

FWIW I thought Charlottetown would have a reasonable COL but was surprised to find that a decent apartment can get costly. Not as expensive as NJ, but still pretty pricey. Some of the students at AVC live in Stratford, which is more affordable, but I think you'd need to have a car to make the commute (not sure about transit options from Stratford).

 

[oweue]

I’ve decided to go with AVC, I know it’s a bit more of a gamble but if I’m spending the money I want to have a full built program if I have the choice!

 

[apoptosis09]

I’ve decided to go with AVC, I know it’s a bit more of a gamble but if I’m spending the money I want to have a full built program if I have the choice!

Good luck and congrats!

I think both of your options were good. And if they haven't changed anything since I nearly attended a Canadian uni for grad school several years ago, I believe there is an accelerated citizenship track for graduates of Canadian programs.

 

[oweue]

Good luck and congrats!

I think both of your options were good. And if they haven't changed anything since I nearly attended a Canadian uni for grad school several years ago, I believe there is an accelerated citizenship track for graduates of Canadian programs.

this was also a big factor seeing how the states are now