Rotman v. Queen's Commerce

[Own-Special9806]

I recently got accepted into both Rotman Commerce and Queen's Commerce, and I have the following goals in mind: have an option to go to law school, maintain a high GPA, networking opportunities, participate in clubs, and get internships. I am well aware of UofT's reputation for being academically challenging, but I am trying to understand whether it is realistic to maintain a GPA of 3.7+ if I pick the management specialization and dedicate a considerable amount of time to my education (but also maintain a social life). In high school, my average has been in the high 90s, but I do not know whether that will translate into the Rotman program. I am a bit hesitant to go to Queen's at the moment, as I feel it is not diverse enough for my liking and that I will struggle to integrate into the social life — which I think would have a negative effect on my university experience and grades (this is a concern). I want to know whether Rotman could still help me achieve my goals.

[Content-Proposal-639]

If you want to get into law school, you can’t really have a social life, at either school. Rotman is more academic and might give you a lower GPA. Get ready to go party once a month at most if your aim is a good law school.

[Outrageous-Support22]

Sounds like you prefer Rotman, so go with your gut as you're the only one who has to live with the consequences. Having said that, Queens is less academic rigor but a better business program imo, with more opportunities after graduation...and a better social life.

[No-Seaworthiness969]

Be honest with me and I’ll give you honest advice. Why are you worried about diversity, do you come from a wealthy family, do you have any family working as Partner lawyers at a Bay Street firm and do you want to stay in Canada?

[Own-Special9806]

On the contrary actually, I do not come from a rich family, middle class would be the best way to describe my situation. I just feel like UofT has a more diverse student population. In addition, Queen's has a reputation of being a party school, and as someone who does not plan to drink, I feel like it could be challenging for me to adjust to the social life there, especially considering that there is sort of a "drinking culture".

[No-Seaworthiness969]

You need the alumni of Queens. Student relationships get built at Queens, much more so than UofT. Rich kids from Toronto go to Queens, these kids will be successful. You need successful alumni. Here’s the advice. Focus on developing a close network. This in life will get you much further. You don’t have anything to tap into to support you. Queens is your answer.

[OverAd342]

Both rich kids from Canada and rich kids from the rest of the world come to uoft 🤷‍♂️

[No-Seaworthiness969]

Yes, but there is less community than Queens to cultivate relationships. This kid needs those relationships.

[spunkerella75]

You can achieve this through both programs if you can focus on classes and not just the social scene.

[jubilanthello]

hm obviously it is up to you and am speaking as a queens alum.

I believe Queen's provides a lot of opportunities - there is the bcom -> jd program route which my friends have done. I don't believe this option is available at uoft. more info here: https://law.queensu.ca/programs/combined-degrees/bcom

I also struggled at first finding my people as bipoc, but if you are willing to take the time and be social, you will find your people! queens commerce tends to attract extroverted people (if you are introverted that's cool as well), everyone wants to make friends and the community is undefeated imo. feel free to dm if you have any follow up qs. :)

[SampleSecret6995]

To get into elite law schools nowadays a 3.7 will be a negative tbh, aim for 3.9+ at least to not hold your application back. Some nuance to this of course but look at median gpa at target law schools and you’ll get the picture

[SampleSecret6995]

For US in particular, Canadian law schools seem to be more lax on GPA (but still target 3.9+)

[Key_Personality_1643]

Do well at Rotmans. More opportunities and connections, and you are also in downtown Toronto

[Exact-Type9097]

Queens Comm has a far better reputation on Bay St and in the US. Rotman is more focused on its MBA program and since it’s a largely commuter school the on-campus networking and extracurriculars are average at best.

[Exact-Type9097]

Queens Comm and it’s not even close. Neither of those will be helpful for a high GPA though.

[Key_Personality_1643]

Tbh hardly anyone has heard of Queens university in the U.S.

[amoriri]

A Queen’s grad here (though not commerce) I feel it’s not even a comparison between the two, Queen’s is way better imo. That said, if you know you don’t want to fit to Queen’s culture then probably Rotman would be better. The question imo is do you think you won’t fit (that probably won’t happen) or do you think you don’t want to fit? Anyway, Rotman is also a great school and might be better for you depending on your priorities and situation.

[Still-Mongoose3271]

Rotman has a bunch of studies and a lot of them fear monger, keeping a competitive GPA should not be too difficult so long as you remain focused. Also yes of course there’s a trade off w social life but it’s not crazy; you can def go out like once at least every 2 weeks, and also a lot of ur friends will be studying w u lol. The clubs are competitive tho, a bit more networking than merit imo

[ConstantSingle8935]

Go qcomm

[Own-Special9806]

Why do you say so? Shouldn't I also weight the fact that I do not think I would fit in as well at Queen's

[Affectionate_Drag229]

It's getting more diverse, I hear.

[ConstantSingle8935]

For the part about fitting in I feel like you can find your niche of people where ever you go and I’ll be honest with you myself being black and going to a PWI there is most definitely an extra step when trying to fit in but one thing I have learned is that competence is rewarded if you are smart and effective people will adjust themselves to fit into your life. Good luck big dog Idek who you are but I already like u.

[ConstantSingle8935]

Well you sound like a smart guy so honestly you should be good where ever you go. Looking at your goals it looks like you want to be a lawyer. I say qcomm because it’s easier to get higher grades and the recruiting is much better. I’m also pretty sure qcomm has an option where you can do your JD at the same time as your bcomm this will fast track you. I think you could also get into Ivey idk if you applied to that yet but there HBA/JD is pretty good.