• admissions

    calculate your chances

    February 26, 2015

    My friend applied for life science in St.George, but for whatever reason he forgot to take Calculus in high school! He took math 12 and the rest of requirements. His other mark are really high, and got 97 in Biology. Is there any chance for him?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    calculus is a required course for life science, so i doubt it. i’d recommend your friend call enrolment services and ask what to do from here on out.

    it’s possible they might be able to switch their application from life science to the humanities and then take PUMP in first year, or they may have to take it in night school or during the summer. but they should definitely call ASAP because the deadline to apply was 10 days ago.

    best of luck!

    aska

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  • courses

    only acronyms can make us feel legitimate

    February 26, 2015

    Hey! First, I love your blog, it’s a great help to me! Second, I want to take a summer course but it says to have either a credit in an English course or any 4.0 FCE…I’m just wondering if FCE means just any 4 credits, like any courses I’ve done?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    joke’s on you: we don’t write askastudent to be helpful. we write it because we are BITTER and WIZENED old students who only derive pleasure from being annoying know-it-alls online. ha.

    ‘FCE’ stands for ‘full credit equivalent’ and is basically synonymous with the word credit. so one FCE, or 1.0 credits, is either one year-long course or two half-year courses.

    meaning that if you have 4.0 credits, you have 4.0 FCEs.

    cheers,

    aska

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  • fees,  OSAP

    sassing is truly an important pastime

    February 26, 2015

    Okay I feel like this is a stupid question that I’ll probably find the answer to right after I send this email, but I’m having a mild panic attack about this, so asking around can’t hurt. Okay, so I’m at UTM and I just dropped a Y course, which brought my course load down from 70% for this semester to 50%, so I’m now considered a part time student. I’m not on OSAP, but I did get 30% off my tuition, I know you have to inform OSAP when your course load changes, or it can effect your funding in the following years. I downloaded and filled out the Financial Aid Change Form, I’m just not sure where I’m suppose to submit it or address it to. The Office of Registrar? The Financial Aid Office at the downtown campus? I’m just so vexed as to what to put on the front of the envelope.

    Thanks so much for your help. And if I do manage to figure this out on my own than sorry for wasting your time.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    not at all! i actually don’t consider this a waste of time. even when people ask me which college is the best college, EVEN THEN i don’t consider it a waste of time. i find sassing them is time well spent.

    anyway, yes, that form is produced by the registrar’s office, and page 36 of this presentation says that any changes to your status relating to OSAP should be reported to them, so i think it’s safe to say the form should be going to the registrar.

    best,

    aska

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  • odds are that won't be asked again

    what’s the deal with the strike?

    February 26, 2015

    So what happens during a strike anyway?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    good question. on the eve of an impending strike, i’ve talked to more than one student who’s stressed themselves to hysteria over the possibility of a strike by CUPE 3902 Unit 1. so why not shed some light on the situation?

    THE SET-UP

    so, who the heck are these strikers in the first place? CUPE stands for the Canadian Union of Public Employees. 3902 is the number representing the university of toronto.

    three CUPE 3902 units have entered into negotiations in the past few months: Unit 1 (all Post-Doctoral Fellows, graduate students in the School of Graduate Studies and undergraduate students in the University of Toronto employed as teaching assistants, teaching fellows, demonstrators, tutors, markers, instructors, teaching laboratory assistants, Chief Presiding Officers, invigilators and part-time lecturers), Unit 3 (all non-student academic staff employed on contracts of less than one-year as lecturers, demonstrators, tutors, markers, graders or instructors or laboratory assistants) and Unit 5 (post-doctoral fellows).

    Units 3 and 5 have both negotiated settlements. Unit 1 has not yet negotiated a settlement, though the university has said that it is “fully committed to achieving a negotiated settlement for a renewal collective agreement with CUPE 3902 Unit 1 without a labour disruption, and has reason to believe that the parties will be able to do so.”

    THE STRIKE

    now, onto your question. what happens during a strike?

    well, firstly and most importantly: the university WILL NOT CLOSE (FAQs for Students, #4). most of your classes will likely continue (FAQs for Students, #5). again, only certain instructors and TAs are represented by Unit 1, so classes run by professors will continue as planned.

    as well, even people who ARE represented by Unit 1 are still allowed to work (FAQs For Employees In The CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Bargaining Unit, #1) – though of course, this is not something we can or should expect, and will depend on the individual. make sure you’re checking Blackboard regularly for updates about your particular lectures/labs/tutorial sections.

    since your classes may or may not continue as planned, it is important to check Blackboard regularly for updates (this is referenced throughout the FAQs for Students).

    as to how and when class will continue in the event of a strike, that’s something the university isn’t able to answer at the moment (that’s aska’s subtle way of saying: don’t speculate! it’s not helpful in any way). however, they are aware of the possibility of a strike impeding students’ studies, and are doing their best to make sure the effect is minimal.

    question #23 of the FAQs for Students makes that pretty clear: “The University is committed to enabling its students to complete their program requirements in a timely fashion, and is aware of the particular needs and concerns of students intending to graduate this spring. We will be providing further communications if a strike occurs, and we will do our utmost to ensure that students are able to complete their degree requirements within the usual timeframe.”

    and yes: you should still complete the work that’s been assigned to you, unless your instructor has informed you otherwise (FAQs for Students, #19). sorry to crush your dreams .

    THE COVERAGE

    if you’d like to keep up with info about the strike, Blackboard and uoft’s FAQ are the best places to go.

    however, there’s also been coverage by The Varsity, The Star and CBC. if you’re an undergrad student and want to get involved, check out this facebook group.

    THE SIGN-OFF

    all the best,

    aska

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  • graduation

    you have to ASK POLITELY

    February 26, 2015

    Hi ASKA

    Do I have to apply to graduate or is it an automatic thing?? If I do have to apply then when is the deadline for a summer 2015 graduation? Thank you.

    Waiting grad.

    ———————————————

    hey there WAITING GRAD,

    yes, you do have to request graduation. on the downtown campus, that deadline was december 2nd*. make sure you go to your registrar’s office asap to put through a request.

    (and remember to keep an eye on deadlines, eh? they’re important. even i know that, and i’m just someone in a chicken suit sitting at a computer).

    aska

    *i’m assuming that by ‘summer 2015’ you mean june 2015. the next graduation time is november 2015, and that deadline is later.

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  • registration

    re-re-re-re-reg

    February 24, 2015

    Hi Aska!

    So I’m planning to take a year off starting the end of the winter term. After finishing my discussion with the registrar about the procedure, I realised I had forgotten to ask just how long it takes for the college to re-register a student. I’m mainly concerned about this because I want to apply for on-campus res in Feb. I’m planning to send in the form and money sometime in January, and I don’t think it’ll take the college an entire month to re-register me, but ya never know…

    Anyway, anything you know helps!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    re-registration usually takes, like, five minutes. you just gotta bring $25 to re-activate your account and make sure you go in time (the deadline to register for fall 2014 was august 19th – so just keep an eye on what that date will be for the date you plan on coming back).

    enjoy your year off! i’ll just be here…in school…having a blast.

    aska

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  • grad school

    gotta love that graduation crisis

    February 24, 2015

    Hi!

    I am in the midst of a mid life/pre-graduation crisis, and need your assistance if possible. As is the usual sob story, my marks from 1st/some of 2nd year were abysmal and have bogged my GPA down ever since, even though my marks since have been adequate. Long story short, is there any hope in hell of getting into a Masters program in the Arts (sociology maybe english or creative writing etc) with a 2.5 GPA? (I never had high hopes such as med school or an MBA, and I’m assuming I should toss out my secret dream of applying to law school.) I know they don’t only factor your GPA, but at this point I am feeling pretty hopeless.

    Thanks so much! 🙂

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    the M.A. in english, M.F.A. in creative writing, and M.A in sociology at uoft all require at least a B+ (3.0) GPA to get in. in addition, you’re expected to have taken at least 7.0 credits (or equivalent) in english for the english M.A. and M.F.A., and at least 5.0 credits (or equivalent) for sociology.

    however, if you really want to do one of these programs and it’s not doable right now, you can always take an extra year of undergrad studies after you graduate called a “make-up year” (read the paragraph under the heading ‘Admission of External Students to a Second Degree Program‘.)

    lots of undergrad students use make-up years to boost their GPA in preparation for applying to graduate school. if you finish really strong this year and do even better in a make-up year, it is still doable!

    law school is a bit of a tougher nut to crack, but if you can’t become a lawyer, that doesn’t exclude you from a career in the law. there are lots of college courses out there for aspiring paralegals, for example (plus, they’re a good deal more affordable than law school).

    i know this is difficult and scary and it can feel like the whole world out there is against you, but try not to feel hopeless. there is always something out there for you. you just need to track it down.

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • admissions,  life science

    NEPOTISM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TROTONO

    February 24, 2015

    Hello there,
    I’d first off like to say that what you’re doing is great and I’d imagine it has helped many students relax.

    I’m currently in grade 11 and hope to get into the Life Sciences program on the St. George campus. I’m concerned with my marks as my average is currently an 82%. I know the cut off is listed at 85% but I’m sure I’ll have higher grades come grade 12. My first question is, what are the odds of acceptance with an 82% average?

    The second part to my question has to do with acceptance in a different regard. My mother went to UofT and my sister currently goes there, will that increase any chance of acceptance? I also do have pretty good extra curricular’s to add (Jr. A hockey, city championships), will the admissions board even take that into account?

    Thanks in advance

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    let’s go from the bottom to the top, because that’s how hercules did it.

    extra curriculars will not affect your admission to the faculty of arts & science. that’ll be purely marks-based. however, as a member of the faculty of arts & science, you’ll be required to join a college, and some colleges (*cough* trinity *cough* victoria) require you to fill out a student profile, where you can feel very free to brag about all the cool stuff you do outside of school.

    secondly: you accusing uoft of nepotism, son??? huh, punk??? no, acceptance is based only on marks – nothing else.

    HOWEVER, it’s super great that you have a legacy within your family that includes uoft! i’d recommend you ask them to show you around campus. listen to their stories about the university. ask questions. you never know what will be helpful to you, AND you’ll feel like you already have a connection to the university once you get here.

    an 82% is still within the range of anticipated admission averages for life science in fall 2015, so i’d say you’re doing fine. plus, you have a whole year to try and get your grade 12 courses to be the VERY BEST THEY CAN BE – final admissions decisions are based on your grade 12 marks, anyway.

    i can’t give you specific odds – and i doubt admissions can, either. it’s all very mysterious, and just depends on how good everyone else is in any given year. however, it’s within the average range for people starting in fall 2015, and that’s a good sign.

    finally: oh, no. i don’t help students relax. i send students iNTO THE STRATOSPHERE. PEOPLE ROCKET INTO SPACE WITH EXCITEMENT AFTER READING AN ASKA POST. YEAAAAHHHHHH!!!

    cheers,

    aska

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  • admissions,  life science

    life science and taking care of your ticker

    February 24, 2015

    Hello there!
    I am currently a grade 12 high school student who applied to the Life Sciences at uoft. Howeverrrrr, my average is (accumulation of 5 courses so far) 83.2% AND I did not take the recommended grade 11 or grade 12 physics. I’m planning on taking grade 11 physics in summer school since you recommended to another individual that grade 11 physics would at least give me some foundation. Do you think I have the possibility of getting accepted into this program or should I worry?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    ***DISCLAIMER*** aska is only a lowly student and has no knowledge of the INNER WORKINGS of admissions at uoft. anything i say is just my opinion, and doesn’t actually mean anything. so you’re not allowed to sue me if you don’t get in and i said i thought you might.

    alright, now that THAT’S out of the way – an 83.2% is not a terrible GPA. you’ve got a solid chance with that. the anticipated admissions average of life science students for fall 2015 is in the low to mid 80s – and you fall right in that range. assuming you took all the required courses, i’d say there’s a fair chance you can get in.

    if physics was only recommended, then i wouldn’t worry too much about not having taken it. i mean, definitely still make sure to take it in summer school, because that can only help you, but there were lots of people in my first-year physics class who had never taken physics before in their life.

    finally: now that your application has been sent off, it’s out of your hands. try not to worry about it now. the only thing worrying is going to accomplish is to raise your blood pressure, and you need to make sure you’re TAKING CARE OF YOUR TICKER. take it from an old fogey like myself.

    cheers,

    aska

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  • courses

    how dead is the deadline

    February 24, 2015

    Hi askastudent!

    So it is my fault that I have not been keeping up with all of the dates and deadlines but it’s approximately 3 and a half weeks after January 18th, the last day to add courses on ROSI. I’ve never heard of students at UofT being allowed to add a course after the add deadline. I know its possible for other schools with the permission of professors to let students into a course after the deadline. Is this available at here at UofT???

    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    well…it’s definitely too late to add courses now. i wonder if it worked out.

    just for future reference: the deadline to add courses is pretty much a hard and fast deadline. SOMETIMES the department can get you in, like, the day after the deadline, if you’re lucky – but it all depends on the course, and the department.

    the only other possibility is the dean’s promise, but that’s pretty limiting. it only applies if you’re graduating this year, and if the course you’re trying to get into is the only course you can take to fill a certain POSt requirement.

    bill nye now you know

    cheers,

    aska

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  • architecture

    what kinds of things do you guys think i know…

    February 24, 2015

    Hello askas,

    I am an urban planning graduate applying to MA and MLA at Daniels and UBC.?Since high school, I have always wanted to study architecture, but wasn’t
    in the right environment (language barrier as an immigrant born in a?non-design family in Asia) to interpret creative stimulations until myundergraduate study. My portfolio was mostly projects from planning, with a?few handcrafts, drawing, and photography works. This is my second time?applying, I am hoping for the best, although quite intimidated by the works?from senior students in the master programs at Daniels judging from their?critique photos online.

    Through design studios I began to pick up many trends, ideas, and?principles that drive the creative process, and I am in constant amusement?of how unpredictable the methodologies to design projects are. Considering?the breadth of application through design in solving current issues, the?social, environmental, and creative responsibilities each proposal holds,?and the complex impact each physical addition would impose, I struggle to?understand the “whole” picture, let alone propose and justify my projects?with confidence. This is especially evident in the work field when almost?every decision was driven by cost, structural feasibility, and external?factors outside of our control as designers.

    I would imagine each individual have different learning style, and the?triggers to our imaginative tendencies vary, but as someone who truly had?to begin the pursuit of this profession from a blank slate, I would love?for you to share your experience on the types of activities, interests,?knowledge, and habits that contribute to the types of thinking possessed by?architects to draw inspirations from in their design. What are some?qualities of architecture and even large scale projects that win your?admiration, and also, qualities of architects (students or professionals,?even starchitects) as characters that contribute to the quality of their?designs and recognition of their excellence.

    These are some incredibly vague questions, I’m sure you might be thinking.?Although I am trying to stir a discussion towards your idea on the thinking?process of architects, your answer on any single aspect of these questions?will be appreciated!

    ???????????????

    hey there,

    i appreciate all the thought you put into your question, i really do. it was a nice read, like a little article, on this monday evening. however, i don’t think i can be of much use to you.

    the kernel of your question, from what i can see, is, “what are some qualities of architecture and even large-scale projects that win your?admiration, and also, qualities of architects (students or professionals,?even starchitects) as characters that contribute to the quality of their?designs and recognition of their excellence”?

    that’s a pretty good question. i just think you asked the wrong person.

    listen, i’m impressed when people can just get buildings to stand straight up without falling down. i can’t even make a house of cards.

    what i can help a bit with is your anxiety about applying to uoft. i can see you’re stressed about being an international student, and i’m sure the fact that this is your second time around, so to speak, is discouraging as well.

    all i can say is that uoft is an incredibly international school. we have people from all over, and not only do we have them, we have a?lot of them. so you can rest easy if you’re concerned about that affecting your application.

    if you want to see how you might fit into the world of architects, i’d recommend reading stuff by actual architects in the city – ’cause honestly, i could try to give you my opinion, but i’d just be embarrassing myself. all i know is CORINTHIAN COLUMNS! that’s a thing in architecture, right? maybe?

    one of our most famous architecture-writers (though he’s not originally trained as an architect…i think) is shawn micallef. he edits spacing magazine (which i highly recommend) and he has a column in?The Star. if you want opinions about architects and architecture, i’d start there. (he also wrote an excellent book about architecture in toronto).

    here are some publications about architecture and architects that may interest you. you might also want to browse aska’s architecture tag to get more of a feel for the daniels faculty and uoft architecture students in particular.

    good luck with your applications!

    aska

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  • summer

    when can i go on vacation???

    February 23, 2015

    Hi aska, you beautiful, beautiful soul. *you can sing the old Jesse McCartney song because I sure am* I just have a quick question about summer course dates at UTM – when the hell are they going to show up? I can’t find out when they’ll be released anywhere ;-; I need to find out what half of summer a course is offered during so I can start planning my holidays, you know? ty kindly

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    jesse mcartney? there’s a reference from an old fogey, to an old fogey. hey – right back atcha.

    unfortunately i don’t know when the summer dates will come out – just make sure to keep checking this page for updates.

    what you can do is make tentative plans based on the summer 2014 dates.

    cheers,

    aska

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