If you haven't prior architecture education i'd say uoft, if you do then ryerson.

Both schools are comparable in terms of mind set, quality of education, quality of work, they both share some of the same faculty, use new technology and because of accreditation requirements the cirriculum is probably similar and both schools are pretty practice oriented, interested in projects that engage real circumstances and make realistic design solutions.

Ryerson has become/is still becoming a really progressive urban university, so don't overlook it.

i've received my bachelor of architectural science in Ryerson University (4 year program)

then unless u of t is offering you advance standing its out of the question. it seems like the masters program at ryerson is a better track that picks up from your undergrad - more exclusive to your case , although i dont know much abour ryersons program i know that they do rival u of t 's architecture - anyway if you are thinking u of t is a more reputable school and therefore worth the year and a half then think again b/c those days are well behind us and their graduates now are worried about their future employment opportunities; u of t is often criticized for lacking a certain support structure to take care of their graduates as far as internships and practice opportunities are concerned... i wish you had applied to more programs - i know that ryersons architecture is very strong and their students are recognized within a greater number of schools.

thanks zinkplus for the comments.

you mentioned about applied to more programs.
which schools do you recommend?

what do you think about the ryerson graduate program?

u of t doesn't offer advance standing, which is why i'd suggest ryerson. Also, U of T's program lets in 70 students and at ryerson it is probably a third of that, so a smaller class size might be beneficial.

With Toronto being a global city open to new comers, Ryerson's central location downtown, it being a progressive cosmopolitian university, the development the university has undergone the past decade and it being the only school in Toronto with a full fledge undergrad architecture program and now with the addition of a grad program, I see nothing but good things in the future.

i definitely second what domestic^ is saying - ryerson is well situated and in progress as is their architectural school.

in terms of applying to more graduate programs, what i meant was not one particular school - but that by exhibiting your work to more schools and admission committees, which are comprised of faculty that you will be working with, you get more feedback on what each program is like and where it meets you and your philosophy.

Uhh, just to comment on Domestic's post, Im pretty sure U of T does offer advanced standing based on a few requisite courses and can grant one-year advance placement if Im not mistaken.

To be more specific: U of T will offer advanced standing but depending on your background you still may have to attend for 3.5 years because they may not give advanced standing for studio. I know people who went there with previous architecture education and had to go for the full 3 and a half years.

yes domestic is correct.
i called uoft and they would like students to be in the first year even if you have a bachelor of architecture from anywhere, because they want to educate you with their education/courses.

go to IIT

I visited IIT last week...I get it, but am not inspired. IIT also costs an arm and leg. Although I'm not into the work at UIC I liked the vibe of the building and campus location and its cheap.

zinkplus- where did you hear that U of T doesn't really offer support structure for internships and such? Do you go to U of T?

And what do you mean by "if you are thinking u of t is a more reputable school and therefore worth the year and a half then think again b/c those days are well behind us and their graduates now are worried about their future employment opportunities" So U of T's reputation not so good?
In your opinion, how does U of T compare to other schools like say UBC or Dalhousie then? Is UBC or Dal better at preparing people for the workforce?

yea, zinkplus
can you give more information about what ersatz asked?

thanks.

Yes, I do/did study at U of T and my opinions are based on direct talks with the grads, TAs, friends and their experience. If ryerson is offering you a two-year track exclusive to the pre-professionals then consider it. The 3 1/2 year track at U of T is a good program and is open to people from all walks of life - and this is a good thing - but ryerson's program will soon be a close contender. As far as employment is concerned I think the market is bad anywhere in general but U of T will not provide the brand name recognition that U Waterloo or places like MIT and GSD might offer.

..also got my Bachelor of Architectural Science from Ryerson. Of cousre, I was always looked down by acquaintences who were at U of T or Waterloo.

As long as John Cirka teaches Ryerson is not a place to study M.Arch.

Ryerson is not ranked among the top 300 architecture schools and the reason for this is the course leader. Well, I do not have to tell anything about him or his impeccable social skills. Good luck to all who chose Ryerson to get your master of literature in architecture.