• engineering,  GPA

    the status of failed courses

    March 9, 2015

    Hey I’m a first year engineering student that really messed up, I was wondering if first year marks count towards cGPA, I know they don’t use first year when considering you for honours standing, but does the same apply for cGPA? Also when calculating averages for awards that require you to take a ‘full course load’, are failed courses still counted as part of a full course load?

    Thanks
    EFTW

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    the ‘c’ of CGPA stands for cumulative, so yes, it includes every year you’re at school, including first year.

    ‘full course load’ implies that you took a full course load, not that you passed your full course load. so whatever marks you got in your failed courses will be counted as part of your average, and you will be considered as having taken a full course load.

    try not to be too bummed about it. first-year engineering is almost mythical in terms of how hard it is. you have three more years to slowly build that CGPA back up to something you can be happy with, so don’t stress. if we all just focus on getting through the rest of the year alive, then there’s always next year to do better.

    good luck!

    aska

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  • GPA

    that’s not something they tell students

    February 2, 2015

    Hey,

    I was just wondering if the average graduation GPA distribution was available for us students to look at. If so where could I find it.

    I’m looking for something like

    95% percentile = X.XX GPA

    90% percentile = X.XX GPA

    and so on, Or something of similar format.

    (If divided by major it would be great)

    Thanks.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    at the very least, if something like this exists, it’s not available for students to look at.

    more than that though, i doubt if uoft even collects this information privately within departments.* the university doesn’t sort students based on how they rank relative to other students (the closest thing we have to that is the dean’s list), and it’s not used as a tool to measure students in any substantial way i can think of. there’s just not a culture here for it.

    for someone trying to figure out where on the grade scale they’ll likely fall in a certain program, i see how that might be annoying. but look at it on the flip side: once you’re in the program, you’ll never be reduced to just a percentile.

    cheers,

    aska

    * i mean, obviously i can’t know this for certain. there could be whole CONSPIRACIES going on within academic departments at uoft that we have NO IDEA about. but i wouldn’t give that idea too much thought – this website is written in like verdana or something, after all.

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  • GPA,  UTM

    does anyone NOT stress about marks?

    May 5, 2014

    Hi,

    I know you got tons of messages out there asking about more important problems but I just kind of freak out with my GPA right now. I registered for Management program in UTM and (I think) the program’s requirement is high. I don’t know? I just push myself over the edge a bit and now I am in a constant-panic state. Is 3.15 a bad GPA? So bad that I will be kicked out of school and never get the chance to be anywhere anymore and that means I simply have to dig my own grave (literally) and die there? I’m sorry, I just kind of? anyways, thank you for reading my question.

    Kind Regards.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    oh, man. never make assumptions about the kinds of questions i get, because you’ll almost definitely be wrong. about a third of the questions i get are about GPA, so don’t worry – i take them all very seriously. and hey, i’m a student too. i understand that GPA is like a legitimate concern and takes up a lot of any student’s headspace. my head is probably 40% worrying about marks, 20% thinking about Game of Thrones, 10% worrying about not tripping over anything, and 30% worrying about my eye liner.*

    anyway, on to your question. whether or not 3.15 is a bad GPA is almost entirely subjective based on your goals for yourself. is it bad enough to be put on probation? no. if your CGPA is above a 1.50, you will be in good standing.

    is it good enough to get into management? (by which i assume you mean the management specialist, though i could be very wrong, because there are multiple “management” programs at UTM). i don’t know, and UTM doesn’t provide a specific cut-off GPA, so i’m not going to speculate. however, you’ve done the best you could, and now you just wait and see. if you get in, great. if not, that’s your opportunity to find something else that gets you excited and makes you happy and that you can be awesome at.

    capice? no digging of graves. that is just silliness. school programs are just not important enough to feel that distressed about. you are great and you are doing fine, and you’re going to pull through one way or another. and if you are feeling/continue feeling disproportionately down or anxious about school, then i’d suggest thinking about visiting the UTM Health & Counselling Centre, who may be helpful to you.

    i hope that helps.

    best,

    aska

    * though i really shouldn’t worry about it – my eye liner game is always strong. ALWAYS.

    **i say “put on probation” because they don’t kick people?out of school right off the bat for bad marks, at either UTM, UTSG, or UTSC.

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  • easy,  first year,  GPA,  seminars

    aska tells you how to live a bomb-diggity life

    October 10, 2013

    Hi Aska!
    So the start of the new school year is upon us and Universities have started coming to my high school convincing us their school is right for us. I am really interested in UofT Life Science program and want to become a doctor when I’m older. However I’ve been hearing horror stories from friends and off the internet about UofT and its Life Science program. I’m an 80% – 85% type of student. I’m confused whether to come hear. I just want to know if it is possible to get good grades in this school and if there are actually easy courses here that can boost my GPA. And What are these “easy” 1st year seminars i’m hearing about.

    Thanks.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    Oh, man. I remember what it’s like to be in your shoes, my friend, and I’m glad you’ve come here for advice. See, the universities are all going to be telling you a variation of the same thing, because they want your sharp little brain at their school – but I don’t care one way or another (no offence xoxo) so I’m going to be straight with you.

    The UofT Life Science program is great, and if you’re getting between an 80%-85%, the rule of thumb is that your average will drop 10-15% in first year (mine dropped from a 92% to an 82% between grade 12 and first year in a Biomedical Science program). That puts you between a 70% and a 75% – and that’s great! If you get out of first year with a mark like that, you should pat yourself on the back. As for keeping up your GPA, there are no secrets: just find out how you best study, and stick to it. It’s not impossible, trust me.

    Next, and I can’t stress this enough: DO NOT pick a course because it “sounds easy” or because random people online (not counting me obviously) say it’s a bird course. That includes first-year seminars. First-year seminars are super cool because they are much smaller than your typical first-year class, which means you’ll get to engage more with the prof and your peers. You’ll all be best buds and sing kumbaya together. It’ll be beautiful.

    However, if you just pick a random seminar you have zero interest in, the wonderful opportunities of first-year seminar will be a waste. If you find it boring, you won’t do the work, and you’ll zone out in class, and paying attention is a necessary component to doing well in any course, no matter how “easy.”

    Finally, my last nugget of wisdom: high school and university courses are a good way, but not a great way, to determine if you want to be a doctor. You know how you figure that out for sure? By actually being one. There are lots of ways to do this: volunteer at a hospital, join the UofT Pre-Medical Society, and read up! If you’re finding that you’re not excited by doing any of this, then don’t do it. Just quit. There is absolutely no shame in that. Besides, no one likes a grumpy doctor.

    I hope that helped, and just remember: don’t stress, and don’t feel pressured to make certain decisions because other people are telling you to. Do your own thing, and I think you’ll find that you’ll be awesome at it because it belongs to you.

    Best o’ luck,

    aska

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  • GPA,  grad school

    making your way into a master’s

    September 9, 2013

    Hey aska,

    I’m going into my fourth year and HOPING to apply to masters programs in either Canada or Europe. Anyways, my CGPA is horrific. Messed up first year, GPA never could recover after blah blah blah, you know the drill. I’ve been told, though, by many people that a good strategy for getting into grad school is taking courses as a non degree student and applying after a few good grades.

    It sounds like a good idea to me, but does it really work? And if it does, how exactly would I proceed assuming I will have an Hon. Bsc and want to get an MSc?

    For helping me solve my completely ridiculous issues since first year,

    Thank you (:

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    To be fair, the whole “taking more courses as a non-degree student to raise your cGPA” is more so something you settle for than a “strategy.” Lezbehonest, calling it a strategy is being kind to the people that slacked off in undergrad.

    Anyhow, this so-called strategy is actually quite simple! It’s basically the same as enrolling for courses at any other point.

    1. Enrol in the classes.

    2. Go to the classes.

    3. Rock the classes.

    Now does it really work?

    Well, I guess it does. I mean, in the long run it DOES raise your cGPA… But personally, if you get yourself to the point that you’re scrambling to take courses as a non-degree students for the sake of a master’s, I don’t think a master’s is for you.

    But for your situation, I suppose the best thing to do would be take some science courses that you know will interest you and thus allow you to excel, which, in turn, will bump up that cGPA.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • GPA,  grad school,  graduation,  jobs

    gotta keep your head up…

    July 16, 2013

    Hi Aska!

    I just discovered your site and I have serious issues. I am currently going into fourth year with a 1.85 cGPA. (I know I’m such a failure at life). Do I have any options for having a stable career at this point? I’ve calculated it and it would take me 4+ years to achieve the B average every educational institution is looking for. What should I do? Should I finish my poorly sought degree in the fourth year because I can? Should I strive to raise my GPA before I graduate? Is it too late to transfer and more importantly will anyone take me with my GPA? Any advice will help.

    Thanks,
    Dazed and confused

    ———————————————

    Dazed and confused,

    For starters, maintain that cGPA. Don’t forget that you need a minimum of 1.85 to be able to graduate. If that doesn’t happen though, if you’re lucky, you’ll be allowed to graduate — but with a regular B.A. or B.Sc., as in without Honours.

    Now do you have options for a stable career?

    Well duh!

    Fine. You spent the past four years partying it up and forgetting that your primary goal was to be a student and now your cGPA is shot to hell. You can still work with that!

    So you can’t get into grad school / law school /teacher’s college / whatever. Even people who DO meet that sought after B average don’t get in to said schools. At least you uh… know where you stand.

    You just need to work with what you have.

    Not ALL potential employers want to take a look at your transcript. I highly doubt a lot of them do. Just get your degree from the best university in the country and then apply for entry-level jobs in whatever places and work up from there. Take a look at the Job Search function the Career Centre offers — there are tons of really amazing opportunities to be found there.

    Right now, personally, I think you should finish your degree because well… you’re RIGHT THERE. You’re at the end. But really, that’s up to you.

    Now you should always try to raise your cGPA (or at least maintain it), but there’s hardly any point in lingering for another four years just to bump it up. Likewise, transferring to another university isn’t likely to get good results.

    Just… finish up.

    Your registration was yesterday if you’re going into fourth year, so I assume you enrolled. If you can afford it, just do it, and then since the concern here seems to be finding a job, keep in mind that not all jobs require you to have done some sort of post-grad degree/certificate/whatever.

    But that’s just MY opinion, okay? Think about your situation and make good choices. 🙂

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • GPA

    just give me my gpa already

    May 21, 2013

    Hey aska,

    So I have all my final marks, but my cGPA isn’t on ROSI yet. I know I am going to be suspended next year due to poor grades but I’m already past that and am planning for the future. I need to be officially suspended (have my cGPA calculated and so on) so that my one year suspension can start. I was planning to be able to register for courses next summer but my GPA isn’t out yet and courses for this summer already started so most likely I won’t be able to register for the first semester next summer. Long back story, sorry, but I just really need to know approximately when my cGPA is going to be calculated.

    Thanks,
    HJ

    ———————————————

    Hey hey!

    Some fun facts about the University of Toronto: St. George has about 56,000 students. UTSC has about 11,300 students. UTM has about 12,500 students. Pardon my awful rounding, but this fantastic university has about 80,000 students if you combine the undergraduates and graduates.

    Meaning ROSI has a grand total of 80,000 students. And, not to evoke the whole but-am-I-just-number-at-UofT fear felt by the majority of UofT students, you really are just 1 in like 80,000.

    ROSI tends to screw everyone over here and there, but seriously, give it a break!

    It takes tiiiiiiime for your grades and GPAs to finally come up.

    But anyway, I don’t know if you’ve checked your ROSI since you last, but you should be able to see your CGPA now. Likewise, if you’re suspended and enrolled in summer courses, you may find that you’ve been removed from them because of the suspension.

    Which doesn’t have to be bad I suppose. I mean it’s summer. It’s absolutely beautiful outside right now despite the forecast of thunderstorm after thunderstorm. So go check your ROSI, confirm your suspension, and let your new plans begin. 🙂

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • GPA

    generation y would die without calculators

    May 13, 2013

    My GPA is 3.2 right now and I have 2 years left, can I still graduate with a 3.8 GPA if i take 5 FCEs each year for the next two years and get As?

    ———————————————

    Yo.

    Oh god. A number question.

    So using this lovely calculator so graciously offered by UTSC to students from all three campuses — I’m looking at you, UTM — I’ve entered your current CGPA with 10.0 FCE’s worth of courses all with full 4.0s.

    Annnnnnd even if you rock the next two years, you’ll only be at a 3.6.

    Which, to be clear, is still a pretty awesome grade! I’d be happy with a 3.6, so don’t sweat that missing 0.2! 🙂

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • GPA

    can there BE any more types of gpas?

    May 6, 2013

    Hi aska!

    I just read the calendar on probation and It’s a little unclear to me. It says,

    ”
    A student who, at the end of the Fall/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 (Fall/Winter Session)/sessional GPA of 1.70 or more (Summer Session) shall continue on probation. ”
    How exactly is annual gpa and cgpa different from each other? From what I’ve read they seem the same…Also, for courses not to be marked ‘extra’, you’ll need to not take more than 6 100 level FCE’S. Do similar rules apply to 200+ level courses as well? or is there only a limit for 100 level courses? When exactly are we informed on rosi if we’re on probation or not?

    Thank you!
    🙂

    ?????????

    Hey hey,

    I suppose all the different types of GPAs can be confusing, so I present you with some definitions, provided by my handy dandy now only offered online Calendar!

    • CGPA = Cumulative GPA. This one incorporates every single course you’ve taken in your undergraduate career, hence the “cumulative.” Although it excludes any extra courses, to be clear.
    • Annual GPA = the GPA based on the whole of the Fall-Winter session. So basically everything you took in your second year, for example.
    • Sessional GPA = the GPA of a single session. So there’s a Fall Session. A Winter Session. A Summer session.

    Now the only time a course will be marked extra is when you end up doing some sort of surplus. So yeah, you’ve got the no more than 6.0 FCE 100-levels taken care of. Another time something is deemed extra is when you retake a course you’ve already passed. In this situation, your first grade is the one that counts toward your CGPA, but the second one is only really taken so that you can meet a program requirement. And another time something might be considered extra is when you take an exclusion of something you’ve already gotten the credit for.

    But there’s no limit for 200/300/400 level courses the way there is for 100s, but keep in mind you need a certain number of 300 and 400 ones to graduate.

    And lastly, you’ll learn whether or not you’re in probation in a few weeks when GPAs are released. They’re being calculated at the moment, but a little birdie told me that they’ll be around for the May two-four weekend to make it or break it for you.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • GPA

    gpa = grade point asdfghjkldkfhsakjh

    January 22, 2013

    Hi Aska,

    So I got through my 1st semester of 1st year! I had previously asked a question before complaining about my laziness and my C marks, but thankfully with your motivational words, I made it through with 3 A’s…and 1 C! That C is really worrying me. I’m in life sciences, and I know for programs like human bio and evolutionary bio, the requirements are only 4.0 FCEs, but for microbiology, since it has limited enrollment, it says:

    “…with an average of at least 70% on these 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) and a final mark of at least 60% in each course. While it is difficult to predict what will be competitive course marks and average in a given year, based on previous years, the estimate is: course marks = mid 70s; average = mid 70s.”

    I did get a C in one of the half courses (0.5 FCE), but the rest are A’s…unfortunately that brings me down to a mid-high 70s average on 1.5 FCE’s for now, but if I complete my 2nd semester STILL with an average of mid-70s, will I have a very low chance of getting into that program? In other words, how accurate are the “estimates” of the required marks they give on the program requirements website?

    Can you very briefly go through how this subject POSt thing works? Is application only at the end of 1st year? And if it isn’t, can I keep applying? Also something else unrelated, how important are sessional and cumulative GPAs, if they are at all?

    Thanks! 🙂

    ———————————————

    Hey hey!

    Glad to know I’ve been helping you!

    See, that’s the annoying thing about most UofT websites. I find them to be extremely vague and not particularly helpful. I usually find myself in a state of “well, that was basically completely useless” whenever I looking for something specific on a UofT website or calendar or whatnot.

    Anyhow, while UofT is infamous for sending students into zones of “mid-70s” or “low-80s,” they are usually accurate as starting grounds. Meaning to aim for the specific grade is good, but usually it’s best to go for a bit higher. So if you’re asked for mid-70s, don’t just go for a 74. Maybe aim for a 77?

    But if you end up with a mid-70 average with the first year bio/chem/math combo that you need for this program, I think your chances of getting in will still be good. It’s hard to say anything concrete when it comes to a required average since it moves around depending on the number of applicants, but I stress that your odds would be okay if you at least had the minimum asked for. Still, mid- to hopefully-high-70s would work best!

    If you don’t get in during the first round, however, you can always retake one of those classes (or two, I suppose) to raise your average among them — granted, whether you’ll be allowed to do so or not will be a tricky thing that you’ll have to discuss with the department. But say you did retake, if you bumped up your grade, you’d then be able to reapply in the second round.

    And as for your question about sessional and cumulative GPAs… how important are they? Well how important is air? How important is food? How important is Netflix?

    Ahem. Okay fine, maybe that was a little crazy but for the most part, I find people treasure their GPAs here at UofT. You’ll need at least a CGPA of 1.85 to graduate, and if you graduate with a 3.2 CGPA or over, you get this thing called “distinction.” And if you’re over 3.5 at that point you get “high distinction.” Fancy, right? But aside from those pretty names, grad schools like to look at your CGPA too so… Yeah. They’re pretty important.

    Hope that helps!

    enjoying the snowfall,
    aska

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  • GPA

    gpa jitters

    October 9, 2012

    Hi,

    I am a accounting student at UTM and I was wondering whether graduating with a 3.0 GPA is a good or bad thing? and what are the consequences – like when getting jobs right after I graduate?

    Thanks in advance,
    Elle

    ———————————————

    Hi Elle,

    A 3.0 GPA, which is around 74% or so, is a great thing – granted, that’s just my opinion. Some grad schools might scoff at it, while others might praise it.

    The only people who will know this GPA are the ones that look at your transcript, so getting a job right after graduation shouldn’t be hindered by your 3.0 since they probably won’t be seeing it.

    Best,

    aska

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  • admissions,  GPA,  grad school,  grades

    for fear of a fifth year

    October 1, 2012

    Hello,

    I’m a life science student going to 4th year in September and I’m debating whether I should graduate in April of 2013. I wish to go to Dentistry school, preferably at UofT, but my CGPA is only 3.0, the minimum requirement for dentistry. I went to guidance to ask for advice, but they told me to give up on dentistry altogether; however, I am not willing to give up without a fight, my gpa was terrible in first year which is why my gpa is so low, but through hard work there has been a dramatic increase in my grades each year that follows. Financially, I’m in a tight spot, so I’m not sure if I should take a 5th year and continue to try or to listen to my guidance councilor to switch fields. Switching fields is another problem because I have no idea what I could do with a BSc diploma. Please give me some advice on what I should do, to graduate or not, and if not what options are left for me? =(

    – Very old and worried 4th year.

    ———————————————

    Dearest Old and Worried,

    My apologies for such a delayed answer, but there’s really no need to be so frantic. 🙂

    Firstly, there is no graduation in April 2013, so if you do choose to deem this your fourth and final year of undergrad, starting today, October 1, 2012, you can declare your intention to graduate on ROSI for June 2013 since I highly doubt a fifth year will be necessary, much less a change in fields.

    Now there’s no need for you to give up your dream. Your 3.0 CGPA is the equivalent to a mid-B, which, according to the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry, is the minimum final year average needed. Right now, you’re in a fairly good place and will at least be considered. The only thing you can do right now is make sure you stay on top of your game this year so that your grades will be enough to beat out the competition.

    But to avoid any crushing of dreams, keep your options open. Don’t apply solely to U of T. That’s probably the best way to get your heart torn to pieces, really. The Faculty of Dentistry even provides you with links to other possible universities to do your post-grad work at. For example, you can go over to Western and study and/or party hard or you can go over to McGill and practice your French while practicing your periodontology. Or maybe you can go to UBC or University of Alberta or University of Manitoba. My point is that the best way to go anywhere in life, whether that be for dinner or for dentistry, is to keep your options open. Naturally, these different universities will obviously come with different requirements, so you may have a harder time getting in (which I doubt because U of T is, well, U of T), or you may find your CGPA is ideal.

    You have plenty of options and plenty of time to raise your CGPA if you feel your 3.0 isn’t enough, so don’t worry so much. But if this response isn’t enough to placate you, here’s a lovely cat gif.

    also a very old but not as worried fourth year,

    aska

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  • GPA

    match the grading systems

    September 25, 2012
    I know you probably get this a lot but I have been pulling my hair trying to figure it out.I currently go to york university which is on a 9 point scale. See? I know how to convert my marks to a 4.0 scale, but how do I go about it when some are weighed at 6 credits, and some are weighed at 3 credits? I’m trying to see how much more upgrading I need to do and its difficult when everyone’s suggestions give me a different answer. I need to know the correct way that I bellieve OMSAS uses? to find the gpa.Thanks
    ———————————————
    Hey there Yorkshire,
    It still blows my mind that universities haven’t created an academic fellowship and gotten onto the same grading system. But the steam out of my ears doesn’t really matter, so lets see what we can do in the conversion department … mmmmkay??I think I would suggest converting your system into percentages and then comparing that to the U of T scale.?I am going to make the assumption that your 3 credit will equal our 0.5 FCE (so a course that only runs for half of the academic year) and the 6 credit is equal to the 1.0 FCE (a course that runs throughout the entire academic year). So when calculating CGPA enter 0.5 grades in once and 1.0 in twice to get the weighing accurate.
    Then take your CGPA and compare the percentage with the grade point value in the chart below and you should be fairly close.

    Grading Scale

    Percentage Letter Grade Grade Point Value* Grade Definition
    90-100 A+ 4.0 Excellent: Strong evidence of original thinking; good organization; capacity to analyze and synthesize; superior grasp of subject matter with sound critical evaluations; evidence of extensive knowledge base.
    85-89 A 4.0 Excellent
    80-84 A- 3.7 Excellent
    77-79 B+ 3.3 Good:? Evidence of grasp of subject matter; some evidence of critical capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of relevant issues; evidence of familiarity with literature.
    73-76 B 3.0 Good
    70-72 B- 2.7 Good
    67-69 C+ 2.3 Adequate:? Student who if profiting from his/her university experience; understanding of the subject matter; ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material.
    63-66 C 2.0 Adequate
    60-62 C- 1.7 Adequate
    57-59 D+ 1.3 Marginal:? Some evidence of familiarity with subject matter and some evidence that critical and analytic skills have been developed.
    53-56 D 1.0 Marginal
    50-52 D- 0.7 Marginal
    0-49 F 0.0 Inadequate:? Little evidence of even superficial understanding of subject matter; weakness in critical and analytic skills; with limited or irrelevant use of literature.

    * The grade point values above apply to marks earned in individual courses; grade point averages are weighted sums of the grade points earned and thus do not necessarily correspond exactly to the scale above.? For example, a B+ average would include grade point averages from 3.20 to 3.49, while the lowest B- average would be 2.50

    love bugs and?sweet thoughts,

    aska

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