Dear Aska,
I’m hoping to apply for the Concurrent Teacher Education Program (CTEP), which is sponsored by Vic College. From what I?ve read, I can take the Vic One Ryerson stream and then go into CTEP for second year. So my questions are, do I have to be a Vic student to enrol in Vic One? Would I have a greater chance of being accepted to Vic because of my program choice? And if not, how does it work in terms of getting into CTEP but not completing the Vic One Ryerson stream (i.e. attending a different college for first year)?
Look forward to your answer, and thanks!
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Hi there! This is a complex question, and it’s giving aska a bit of an inferiority complex, because even the best answer might not be dependable. That?s admissions for ya! But here goes.
Indeed, there are several Concurrent Teacher Education Programs at U of T, one at each of the satellite campuses and at a few faculties and colleges downtown. Students can enter ?some of these programs either straight out of high school , and all of them out of of first year. Sounds like you?re asking about doing the Victoria College CTEP?after first year (there is no straight-from-high-school option for Vic or St. Mike’s). And you’re right, the calendar recommends: ?Students in first year should consider the Ryerson Stream of Vic One as preparation.?
That sure seems like a hint from the admissions folks at CTEP that taking Vic One: Ryerson would help your chances to get into what is a very selective program. However, their wording makes no promises, and leaves some room for exceptions. According to Vic’s FAQ page on the matter, any first year student from any U of T program can, in fact, apply for the program. So if you do super well this school year, and meet all of Victoria College CTEP?s admission requirements,?you will be considered!
However, if you do want to take the Ryerson stream to get that extra edge (which, more likely than anything else, will come in the form of extra confidence), you can apply to Vic One when you apply for U of T. Typically, Vic One students are from Vic (and your peers may look at you funny if you admit that you’re not), but any student at U of T can apply for the Vic One program, and there are a few non-Vic students who pierce the Vic bubble to take the program.
As to whether your interest in CTEP would make you a more appealing candidate to Vic, its also hard to say. So many factors- your marks, your student profile, other applicants- go into that decision, and nothing is for sure. Do remember that Victoria College only considers applications from students who select Vic as their first choice college!
In any case, the short answer is- nothing can truly ensure your admission to Vic or to CTEP, short of donating a wing or two to the Northrop Frye building, or getting a posthumous recommendation from Northrop Frye himself. But seems like you already know what you need to shoot for- apply to Victoria College and the Ryerson Stream of Vic One, and whether or not you get into either, apply for CTEP your second year. There’s really not much else you can do, besides to be yourself and kick mad butt in first year.
Good luck pal-o!
aska