u/xX1_JESUS_1Xx

Starting there this fall and doing my research. Anyone been through the program or know someone who has?

Mainly curious about:
What's the vibe like — faculty culture, grad student community, how supported do you actually feel day to day?
Commuting from York Region (~35km) — doable or a grind?
How does the TAship balance with actual thesis work in practice?
Where do grads end up — industry, research, further school?
How does it stack up reputation-wise for future MD or PhD applications at bigger schools?

Not looking for the brochure version. Good and bad both welcome. Thanks!

I have an offer for the MSc in Applied Bioscience at Ontario Tech (Oshawa) starting September, with a funded position and confirmed supervisor in the Faculty of Science. Really excited but wanted to get some honest on-the-ground perspectives before I start.
For anyone in or familiar with the program, I'd love to hear about:
Overall experience: lab culture, workload, supervisor dynamics, my supervisor and his lab culture is really good but how is the overarching faculty and other profs ?
Commute: I plan to commute from York region (~35km/30mins) so how doable is that?
TAship: how does the 280hr/year commitment balance with thesis work in practice?
Career outcomes: where do grads typically end up? Industry, research, government?
Med/PhD school prospects: does an MSc from Ontario Tech hold weight for future MD or doctoral applications at stronger R1 universities?
University reputation: how is Ontario Tech perceived in the broader Canadian science community?

Any honest takes appreciated, good or bad. Thanks!