askastudent

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Heyo OSAP-er

The reason deferrals exist are to keep you from being withdrawn from your courses, not to excuse you from interest fees. All students accrue interest on the 15th of every month starting in October. By deferring your fees in September, the faculty keeps you in your classes without making the minimum payments, unlike the student who are not on OSAP.

Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing you can do about these service charges. I’m sure you can go into the Admissions and Awards and shed a few tears, but they might just stare over your head because they know that no matter how convincing you are, and how justified your reasonings are, they just can’t reverse those fees.

cheerio darlin’,

aska

Hi there. I’m a first year student and I’m a little concerned about academic probation. I’m finishing up my first year now, and I’m not doing very well. I’ve had some difficulty adjusting to University, and I’m trying, but it’s been difficult. I finished two 0.5 courses last semester with a 53 and a 56. I’m finishing up second term, and I’m almost 100% positive that I failed Intro to Sociology (0.5 credits). However, I have two full-year courses that I think I did okay in, and I’m sure I did very well on one of the exams. The other course is a science, and I’m a humanities student, and I have the exam tomorrow, and naturally I’m concerned. Are first years exempt from being up for Academic Probation? If yes, will I be notified? And if I fail that sociology course, I’m down at 3.5 credits. Will that affect anything or simply prolong the time it takes me to complete my necessary credits for graduation. I’m sorry for all the questions, I’m just freaking out. Thanks for your time.

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Hey newest U of T edition,

Essentially, this is what all student begin to look like this time of year. Maybe that’s exaggerated, but that is sure how we all felt.  Just look around campus, you can see the despair of the end of  term setting in.

Alright, so what you are feeling right now is felt by many of first years students. Please don’t get discouraged … the first year is a bit of a biotch. Its hard to transition your academics and personal life at the same time. Insert usual shpeel about resources (re: career center and academic advisors).

They (the bigwigs at U of T) determine your academic standing as soon as you have attempted 4.0 FCE. Which, if your calculations are correct, you have attempted in your first year (so this includes failed courses). Here’s all the hub-bub in the course calendar on Academic

Academic Standing

There are four kinds of academic standing which apply to students who have attempted at least four courses in the Faculty: In Good Standing; On Probation; On Suspension; Refused Further Registration

Academic standing is assessed twice a year:

1. At the end of the Fall/Winter Session; the GPAs used for this status assessment are the annual and the cumulative GPAs.
2. At the end of the Summer Session; the GPAs used for this status assessment are the sessional and the cumulative GPAs.

Note: Students who have not achieved final standing* in 4.0 credits will have a status of “Not Assessed”.

In Good Standing:

Students are described as In Good Standing if they are neither On Probation, Suspended nor Refused Further Registration; these terms are explained below. For students with particularly noteworthy academic results, there are three specific forms of recognition, which are described in the “Student Services & Resources” section.

Probation; Suspension; Refused Further Registration

The following regulations apply to students who have attempted at least four courses* in the Faculty.

1. A student shall be on academic probation who
   a) has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 or
   b) returns from suspension.
2. A student who, at the end of the Winter or Summer Session during which he or she is on probation
   a) has a cumulative GPA of 1.50 or more shall be in good standing
   b) has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 but an annual GPA of 1.70 or more (Winter Session)/sessional GPA of 1.70 or more (Summer Session) shall continue on probation.
   c) has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 and an annual GPA of less than 1.70 (Winter Session)/sessional GPA of less than 1.70 (Summer Session) shall be suspended for one calendar year unless he or she has been so suspended previously, in which case he or she shall be suspended for three years.
3. A student who, having been suspended for three years, is again liable for suspension shall be refused further registration in the Faculty.

* “Achieved final standing” applies to courses in which a student remains formally enrolled on the last date for cancellation, unless the academic penalty normally attached to a later cancellation is removed by petition. This includes CR/NCR, but does not include courses with LWD or WDR.

NOTE: Students “On Academic Probation” may take no more than five courses in each of the Fall and Winter Sessions.

So, if your CGPA is lower than 1.50 you will be put on probation. BUT, that’s what probation is for. If they didn’t have faith that you could turn things around they would jsut suspend you. They will inform you if you are placed on probation.

Hope this help!

love always,

aska

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You bet your boothay Vera,

Innis is a cool way to meet peeps. The residence style allows you to meet new people while still having your own private getaway when you need to study … or.. do …uhhh …other … uhhh private things … cough.

The Innis “pods” are set up of 5 or 6 rooms with a common kitchen and chill out area. Sharing a common area allows for you to quickly meet people. Innis also puts a lot of effort into puttng on events through the residence. So if you want to make buddies with the rest of your college, there will be events galore for you to attend; think movie nights, pub crawls and club nights.

Go forth and be social.

forever and always babe,

aska

Hi there,

I am a newly-admitted Rotman Commerce student for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.
I was wondering if you could do some mythbusting for me?
Is it true that the course work at the University of Toronto is extremely rigorous and that everybody gets marks in the 60%’s even though many students utterly spend every hour of the day studying?
(Even for the commerce program?)
Also, are students active on campus or do most of them just go back to their dorms to study?

Also, I am a huge fan of the blog; it’s hilarious and very informative : )

Cheers.

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<virtual high five>

Congrats on getting in!

Now prepare yourself for the most grueling 4  (possibly 5) years of your life!

I’m just messing with you .. tee hee … hee … ok don’t hit me, I’ll be your mythbuster now.

As a rule, students are warned that their grades will drop at least 10% from their highschool grades. I think this drop in grades occurs for different reasons for each student. Personally I found it hard to focus on classes because I didn’t have a specific end goal … like “be a doctor”, “be a lawer”, or “try to take over the world”. I have now settled on the latter and am getting marks that i don’t shudder to look at. Some find it difficult because no one will be there to hold your hand; its’ up to you to succeed. I’m not saying that the professors, TA’s and even the university won’t be there to help you succeed, but you need to seek out the help. Some experience love, lust and booze for the first time and forget to do school work.

What I’m getting at in this continuing rant is that for whatever reason, most students struggle with some part of the transition into university.

Here’s the shining part: generally, after the first year, you kind of adapt to university life and develop a balance of social, school and possibly a little excercise. 

Commerce is a competetive program … so yes, it’s hard. Many students do receive 60s in their first year, but others get 70s, 80 and a select few 90s.

You can always find social people, especially if you are in res. Might I suggest finding people who like to celebrate academics. For example, taking shots after you complete an essay

ta,

aska

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Hey Erika,

I’m answering your question promply because you used the pleasant words of please and love.

It doesn’t seem to be dependent on the course size or the F, S, or Y codes.

You can either have a regular or special deferred exam. The regular exams are written in the next exam period with the class of that semester. This means that if the course is offered the next semester it might not necessarily be the same professor and you are suggested to audit the course. A special deferred exam can take place in the next exam period, or prior to it. The only real instance that I can think of a special exam being written before the next exam period, are the ones written on spring break. Special deferred exams are written by your professor.

So, when deferring an exam in April, you will be told whether your exam is a Regular or Special exam. Most of the deferred exams seem to take place in August, but a few are written in th June exam period. There are a bunch of PSY and RSM courses that are written in June.

But why defer an exam when you can DO THIS!

cheerio darling,
aska

Hey aska, long story short I haven’t been focusing much on school due to sickness and other things such as ambition etc.  I was placed on academic probation for this year and ended up getting two low 40% grades.  I have medical documentation from throughout the semester.  I would have dropped them had I known I was doing that poorly.  If I attempt to petition both courses due to sickness what are the chances that they’ll go through?

Thanks for the help

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Hey hey,
I asked my trusty petition expert … yah I’ve got a guy for that, well actually a lady. She said that you still have a chance, but you need to get in and talk to your registrar/academic counsellor, stat!

She also said that you have more of a chance of getting the petition granted if you have not written the final exams.

In anycase, hit up your registrar’s office, now … well not now, because they are probably closed, but 9 a.m tomorrow!!

Good luck!

forever wished to be a superhero,

aska

Hello,

I am a newly admitted student to U of T, belonging to Trinity College.

My admission letter informs me that I have been recognized as a U of T Scholar, which comes with an award of $5000. Some blogs indicate that $5000 is the maximum that U of T may offer you while others state that Colleges may offer you additional scholarships (in one case, $5000 + $4000 from Vic). Is $5000 the maximum that the University will provide incoming students with?

Also, I have not yet accepted my offer to U of T. Is there an advantage in accepting my offer early – better access to housing, course selection? When
do these open?

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Well, well, well,

$5000 isn’t enough for you eh? What’s next … trying to take over the world?

I’m just messing with you. I’m sure you had to work your ass of to get those grades, or you owe someone a ton of money for them doing your homework for you! In either scenerio, you should get some dough.

So, the $5000 that you received was a University of Toronto admissions scholarship … check it.

Meaning, that you will still be eligbile for your college’s Admissions Scholarships. They have all the shiz-naz here.

Gifts for insightful answers are always welcomed.

forever bling-ful,

aska

Hey there,
I was wondering if u of t has a constraint on how many majors you are allowed to graduate with?In life science, so many programs have overlapping required courses that in my case, I only need to take a couple more courses to complete a third major.However, I was having trouble finding out if the university allows you to do that..
Thank you so much in advance,Leighton

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Hey there Leighton,

So you can enrol in three Subject POSts, but only two can be majors or specialists. Meaning you can have two majors and a minor, but not three majors.

mmmmk?

Okay, cool!

love like a bug,

aska

Hey aska, I’m a second year going back to res next year. I was at Whitney this year and loved it but don’t think I’ll get back in. Do you have any next best suggestions? My main concern is that it’s still social, like I’d like to continue drinking the usual 4 times a week. Also do you think I’ll still be able to meet people in residence as a second year, I know a lot of second years in my building don’t seem to come out much. Thanks

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I read the Hunger Games … phew … I just needed to confess that.

And like my phase of watching only Zombieland and Walking Dead, my daily functions are all being related to how I can survive. 

My first thought was … drinking 4 days a week won’t help you in the Hunger Games, but the odds of that happening are very slim and even if they did then you are probably older than the tribute age bracket.

 Here are all of your options as an upper-year student looking for residence … I’m assuming they just expect you to reapply to the same residence you are in now, so you can just follow the below instructions.

How to Apply for Residence as an Upper-year or Transfer Student

Please note:  these instructions are for students not currently living in residence – if you are currently living in residence and wish to re-apply, contact your residence office. 

1. Explore your residence options.

The following residences consider applications from upper-year and transfer students:

• Chestnut Residence
• Loretto College
• New College
• St. Michael’s College
• University College
• Victoria University
• Woodsworth College

Don’t forget to review the features of the different residences and explore the residence comparison chart!

2. Apply to each residence you are interested in.

In order to be considered, you must register yourself on the U of T Residence Waiting List. You might also want to consider applying directly to the residences that most interest you (with the exceptions of New, & Woodsworth colleges as they consider applications exclusively from the U of T Residence Waiting List). As residence space is often very limited, it is highly recommended that you also consider applying to some of the independent residences located near campus and/or investigating off-campus housing.

3. Follow up with each residence.

Residence spaces are generally reserved for first-year students and upper-year students who are currently living in residence – you will only be considered for residence if space permits after these groups have been accommodated. The earliest residence offers will be made to new upper-year and transfer students is late June. Be sure to follow up with each residence to inquire about your status, offers will continue to be made throughout the summer as space permits.

Word on the street is that you are currently in the party residence. Chestnut is known to have some party years/floors, but I’ve also heard some snore stories from there.
If you’re willing to drink 4 days a week, I can almost gaurentee there will be someone around to make friends with at any residence

Go forth and maintain your drinking stamina!

 always prepared for battle,

aska

Hey aska! I’m a 2nd year student at UTSG.  I have a question about Deans List – the not-so-useless Sheet of Paper. I found this on the UTM site and assume its the same for UTSG: Dean’s List
This designation is given to U of T Mississauga degree students having a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.50 or higher, at the end of the Fall-Winter or Summer Session in which the fifth, tenth, fifteenth and twentieth credit offered by the university has been passed.
 I finished with a 3.48 GPA after first year 5.0 credits, just missed getting the 3.50 GPA for Dean’s List – so rattling lol.  I took a 0.5 credit in summer and completed two half credits last semester, so finally I now have a 3.50GPA with 6.5 credits, however, Deans list is only calculated again when I get my 10th credit.  I have 3 full credits and 2 half credits to complete so at the end of the Winter term I will have 10.5 credits.  When they calculate my GPA for Dean’s list will it be based off of all 10.5 credits or just 10credits (my current 6.5, the three full years and the better half year credit = 10, leaving the last half year credit as extra and have my standing not affect Dean’s List calculation but still count towards cumulative GPA).

Cheers.A Sheet of Paper is so Important

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Hey A Sheet of Paper is so Important

Sweet name! It must have taken your parents ages to figure that one out … kidding … I’m sick, give me a break.

That same information is also in the Arts & Science Course Calendar. So, the same information applies for St.George as well. The way that it’s worded suggests that all the credits that are completed during and prior to the term that you complete your 10th credit in … so technically it can be more than 10 … will be included.

Hope that’s more clear than Shrek’s shower water.

foreva and eva and eva, eva

aska