What are the top forensic psychology graduate programs?
The program at Simon Fraser University is well known, in terms of forensic psychology and criminology. Even though other areas in that university are weak, the criminology program is considered the best in Canada, especially within Western Canada. University of Toronto offers a forensic science program that is the best in Canada, but more science-orientated. They still offer forensic psychology, however. I'm not sure where you are located but if you are in Canada, then these are the best options. Tracey Rogers, the director of the program in UT, has worked on the Pickton case (the biggest crime scene in Canada), as well as being classified as an expert witness in the supreme court. Also- I just realized UBC also offers a program in this area, but it is an honours program. It is a specialization area. Both UBCO and UBC has this category of study, and the University of British Columbia is one of the best universities in Canada.If you are American, then I cannot help you much- but here's my two cents from a Canadian. I know these schools still have an excellent reputation with these programs, even when compared to American universities.
Which university has a stronger arts program, SFU, UBC, or UoT?
Emily Carr is probably a better option if you are pursuing an artist’s career. Large universities are not set up in the way to specialize professional education. Including SFU, the schools you have listed focus on academic research. If you decide to apply the skills in industries I highly recommend designated art schools and tech schools. In terms of a liberal art undergrad education you will find the large universities fairly similar. One extra note, SFU is a bit on the left wing, good for social activists.
What's the best way to learn about criminology?
Make sure you have a true passion for it. The rest should flow easily. Go to school for it. Look up the best university for the program. Here in Canada, SFU has an extremely strong background in the area and the things you would learn are invaluable. The professors there have personal experience with working with criminals, on cases, and other things that you would probably not learn about any other way. I know in America there are probably numerous schools that have excellent facilities for this area as well. You learn all sorts of things, from professionals who have their lives based on teaching others about criminology. You hear first hand accounts and personal advice. Read about true crime, and read a lot of it. Some books offer dramatized, glamorous cases, but a lot of them put a deep perspective into the psychology of a criminal and how they are tried. The more you learn about why a certain killer committed a crime and how, the more things start to piece together. I have yet enter into university for criminology, as I am graduating from high school this year, but because I love true crime so much, I have already learned a lot about how the whole system works. You get to see how the mind of certain killers work and why they do the things they do. Did childhood events lead to the reason they behave this way? Or mental illnesses? Literature is your next best bet for learning about criminology, as there is tons of material out there about the subject. You can also watch documentaries and read articles about the methods used to analyze a killer or criminal. There's many different methods out there.
Was Simon Fraser University in British Columbia named after Lord Lovat or the explorer Simon Fraser?
Simon Fraser wasn't actually named Simon Fraser at all. At first, when BC chartered a bill to create a new university, the creators of SFU was to name it Fraser University.However, they didn't like the abbreviation of the university being “FU”Hence, SFU was born.
What is the rank of Simon Fraser University?
I’m assuming that you are referring to the Maclean’s University Ranking, so I will answer based on this assumption. But there are many other factors that you must consider beyond the Maclean’s University Rank.In terms of Comprehensive Universities (typically mid-sized universities without a medical school, but established graduate schools) SFU had an overall rank of #1 in Canada (University rankings Canada 2017: Comprehensive). Keep in mind however, that this is a subjective ranking system, and doesn’t necessarily mean that it is necessarily the best choice for everyone. Think about the subject area that you are looking to specialize in (SFU is known for Criminology, for example), consider the community atmosphere (which I can say is not great from my personal experience - it is generally a commuter campus), and most importantly, ask yourself: would I be happy spending the next 4–5 years here?SFU is a great school overall, but the community aspect is pretty mediocre, and in terms of winter weather - spending 5 months of the year in fog can be a bit depressing sometimes. Keep in mind, also that just because a school gets a #1 rank, doesn’t mean it excels in all programs, or that all instructors are top of their class. In fact, I would argue that many college and “primarily undergraduate” schools might actually be a better choice in terms of the teaching aspect. For most tenure-track university professors, teaching is a secondary aspect of their jobs - research is the #1 priority. There is also a big movement towards hiring sessional faculty on a contract basis at most universities, so you often won’t know who is teaching your course until the last minute.Also keep in mind that the “big” schools like UBC and U of T are ranked using a different methodology than the mid-sized comprehensive universities. It is hard to compare between schools of different sizes, because of the difference in focus, access to amenities, etc. I’ve heard from a number of people that UBC is great for research, but not so great for teaching (keep in mind though, that this is purely hearsay). I wouldn’t base your decision on where to attend purely on the Maclean’s University Rankings. Do some research. If you can, visit the school(s) you are thinking of attending. Ask students that have spent time at those schools about their experiences. Talk to university guidance counsellors about what opportunities those schools can offer you.
Is UTP 2 of Fraser international college of Simon Fraser university, really difficult?
One thing I noticed at SFU is that although the school is been rated as one of the toughest on A grades the general curriculum doesn’t fail people easily. Getting out from FIC requires 2.5 GPA for non-business students and 3.0 for business students. 2.5 is an easy target, but 3.0 isn’t. As a student it is not wise to ask the difficulty of the program if you are already enrolled. Just work hard and don’t fail.
Should I go to UBC (1 hour from my parents house), or go to SFU (30 minutes away)?
It really depends on what you’re looking for. How important is it for you to be near you family? To save money? To experience the ‘university life’?I had to make the same decision in 2009. I had the choice between SFU (about 25 minutes away by transit) and UBC (about an hour and a half by transit, or I could choose to live on campus).I decided to go to SFU.What I liked:Shorter commute time. Some people can study on the bus, some people take naps. I was the latter.More of my high school friends were also commuting to SFU, so I knew more people. While SFU is smaller, it’s still a way bigger campus than any high school, so seeing a few friendly faces can be really comforting.Smaller campus: most of my classes were housed in the newer building they have for Criminology. This meant I didn’t have to race from one end of the campus to another.I had a better scholarship offer there, and was able to save money working part-time while living with my parents.I was also able to attend a program at SFU that wasn’t available at UBC (not a problem in your case).What I regret:SFU is definitely a commuter campus. For me, it was just a larger version of high school. For the first year, I was thankful for that, but as I heard about all the activities my friends at UBC were getting involved in because they lived on campus, I began to regret not becoming more involved. I’m sure they had activities available at SFU. I just didn’t want to spend any more time of campus than I had to.Busses don’t run when there’s snow. Even when there’s only a couple inches. It probably has to do with it being on a mountain, but I remember getting stuck a few times on the mountain. I walked down it once with my TA when I got impatient.It’s pretty grey. The concrete is grey, when it rains, it’s grey. I just moved to Phoenix, so the thought of going back to that school during the rainy period is pretty unappealing to me right now.Not getting out of my comfort zone. While I appreciated having a small group of friends at SFU, so much of growing up is putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation so that you are forced to meet new people and expand your experiences.People outside of Canada recognize UBC more than they recognize SFU. In terms of tangible consequences, I’m not sure if there really are any.Those are my thoughts, having chosen to go to SFU instead of UBC. Both are great schools, but offer different experiences especially if you end up living at UBC instead of SFU.
I’ve already received an admission from FIC for business administration (Fraser International College at Simon Fraser University). Would you guys think studying in SFU is stressful, or are there any social activities at SFU?
To transfer from FIC into Beedie you need to achieve higher GPA (3.0 min). Overall, SFU is a school that does not give easy As. You need to work hard and conquer challenges along the way. Yes, studying business at SFU can be stressful (Beedie school has min requirement to remain in the program.) There are lots of projects and presentations. For an international student it is challenge.But don’t worry, the school environment is very friendly. You will find a lot of parties around campus and in lower mainland. Don’t stick with your own ethnic group, go hangout with everyone, blend in, otherwise it will be kinda boring.
What is your review of Simon Fraser University?
Good or bad depending on your own term. Regardless, SFU is special enough for you to have a DIFFERENT post-secondary experience.Having three campuses doesn't seem unusual these days, but how many universities in the world would require you to travel between campuses all the time?At my time there, I got a triangular route, attending classes in Downtown Vancouver, Surrey, and then on Burnaby Mountain all in the same day. And hey, that's a normal day for Business, Communications, or some cross-discipline students.So you learn time management, you learn how to study and work under pressure, and you learn how to plan according to transit schedule or driving fast and safe. In addition, you have the chance to witness sunshine in Downtown and snow on the mountain within couple hours. Isn't that amazing?In SFU, you have the opportunity to access some not so conventional field of study, including Criminology, Communications, Film Study, and of course, Interactive Arts and Technology. Those are not something you can find everywhere, and honestly SFU makes them outstanding at least in Canada.Beware though, both the pressure of study and the sci-fic architeture on Burnaby can give you depression. Find a way to deal with it. My method was taking a semester oversea on exchange program, which SFU offers a lot, and take a break from the rainy rainy RAINCOUVER.