Having friends at both school and going myself to Waterloo, I can confidently say that this is not true.
UofT has very strong research programs but that's about everything. they don't give a shit about their undergrads, instructors, TAs or anyone who isn't in grad school or tenured.
I was complaining that some of my CS courses atP Waterloo were over crowded (+60 people) but it was before I learned about Toronto's +1,500 people lectures. I don't know a single person at UofT who is happy or having a blast.
I go to UofT. It's great. The only 1,500 person lecture I've had was the big first year psychology course (which is an elective), and honestly it was great. The quality of lecture you get at that size is incredible. For CS courses, most of my classes after first year top out at 50-60 people. We also have much better professors and instructors then you do at Waterloo.
Beyond that we get to study on a beautiful campus in the middle of a very fun and interesting city, whereas you are stuck on an uninspiring concrete-and-goose-dropping wasteland in a small "city".
I bought the propaganda that Waterloo is #1 when I was in high school. A one-day visit to each campus quickly changed my mind and I am very happy I made the decision to go to the better school.
I don't know why you are trying to make it about Waterloo. You are totally missing the point of the discussion which is about UofT v. Harvard (as silly as it sounds).
It is not very productive to start a dick measuring contest on "which school is the best". Especially when the answer is obvious \joke.
More seriously, I know a pretty large sample of people going to UofT. Sorry if you felt like I was denigrating your school. I am sure that there is a lot of very bright student going to UofT.
I was talking about how the administration treat its students and the general atmosphere and malaise on-campus. Does that "TA strike" ring a bell? Everyone I know going to UofT is complaining about the heavy workload, poor school spirit and over-competitiveness of their peers (refusing to share course notes, spreading out fake informations on a test and other horror stories).
Also 50/60 per class for CS electives is definitely a lot of people. Most CS upper year courses at Harvard and Waterloo are ~10.
To compare the cities of Waterloo and Toronto is almost as silly as comparing Harvard and UofT. Obviously Toronto is better although being in a smaller, very connected community like Waterloo obviously has its perks.
Let's just agree to disagree.
UofT has very strong research programs but that's about everything. they don't give a shit about their undergrads, instructors, TAs or anyone who isn't in grad school or tenured.
I was complaining that some of my CS courses atP Waterloo were over crowded (+60 people) but it was before I learned about Toronto's +1,500 people lectures. I don't know a single person at UofT who is happy or having a blast.
So no, I don't think so.