• admissions,  engineering,  grad school

    Engineering admissions woes

    October 28, 2013

    Hi! 🙂

    I am an international student and I really really want to attend Uoft engineering ece grad school. I am currently in my last semester and my cgpa will be 3.5-3.6 ish.

    Its a big dream of mine to get into uoft (follow in my dad’s footsteps) but i hear uoft is very competitive and they won’t even?look at anything less that 3.8. Should I just give up and not apply at all? I mean do I really have a shot at getting in?

    Thanks a lot :))

    -Worried Undergrad

    ———————————————

    Hey there,

    So basically, the cut-off for a master’s in engineering is a mid-B – that works out to a 3.0 in your final year. You’ve decided to go for one of the more competitive engineering streams, meaning you should have as high above that average as possible, but fortunately, I’d say a 3.5-3.6 qualifies as well above the 3.0 minimum, enough to give you a shot.

    Also keep in mind that for ECE, GPA is not the only consideration. They also look at references, so the better your references, the more likely your chances of getting in even if you don’t have a 3.8 GPA or higher.

    If you’re concerned about how your school matches up with uoft’s, or if your degree is an appropriate preparation for uoft’s grad program, you can also take a look here.

    Finally, I’m gonna go ahead and say what I always say: don’t pay attention to what you hear from other people. If you have the time and money, go ahead and apply – it’s always worth a shot if you really want it. Also, I get that you want to come here because your father did and it has sentimental value, but I’d also encourage you to apply to other places as well; uoft’s great, but it’s not the only option!

    Best of luck, and try not to worry TOO much 🙂 I know it’s tough.

    aska

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  • admissions,  law,  law school

    aska tells you the rule of law

    October 25, 2013

    Are there any course prerequisites for law school, or just a BA in
    anything (besides an LSAT and high averages)?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    So basically I’m just gonna give you the full run-down of uoft law, because it’s a bit different from the way other canadian law schools do things and I couldn’t bear to leave you all confuzzled.

    Most law schools in ontario (osgoode, western, what have you) consider your lsat score and gpa for admission, and nothing else. Uoft requires those as well. If you want an idea of the competitiveness you’re looking at, the average GPA of incoming students last year was 88%, and the average LSAT score was 167. Take note that these aren’t cut-offs or minimum requirements; they’re averages of the people who got in. You can have an average/LSAT score that’s lower than that and still get in.

    So the GPA and LSAT scores together make up 2/3rds of your application. The other 1/3 is a personal essay, which is unique to UofT. Basically, it’s no big deal, just a little essay describing who you are, what’s cool about you, and why you want to be a lawyer. It doesn’t necessarily have to be about what you know about law; it’s more an opportunity to highlight what’s different or special about you.

    hope that helps man,

    aska

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  • admissions,  grad school,  masters

    living in a material world, and i am a materials (science) girl

    October 18, 2013

    Hey!!

    I am an international student and want to do my masters in material science in univ of Toronto. I have a decent CGPA and I think I would meet the requirements. I however have heard that Toronto is like the MIT of Canada. So it is very difficult to get into a grad programme. What will you suggest me to increase my chances of getting into the grad school.

    Thanks

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    Between you and me, friend, I’ve heard absolutely everything about uoft – depending on who you ask, it’s the Harvard, the MIT or the Brown of Canada. I choose not to listen to any of these people, and I recommend you do the same.

    The only thing you can do is follow the application instructions as closely as possible and hope for the best. With that said, let’s take a look at requirements.

    So, three main points: 1. You’re going to need a mark that’s at least a 78% (B+) in your LAST TWO YEARS of undergrad 2. You don’t need to do the GRE and 3. If your university didn’t teach in English, you’re gonna need a certain score in TOEFL or another English language test. Finally, they recommend that you contact professors who might be suitable supervisors for you before applying.

    It seems like they’re really only considering your GPA and the relevance of your program to the MASc., so just try to get as high an average as possible. Make marks your priority, since it’s basically all they’re looking at. Above that, there’s nothing else you can really do.

    However, if you’re really kinda nervous about where your school’s reputation stands in relation to uoft, Toronto has provided a complete list of minimum admission requirements for every country. Take a browse, but don’t worry that you’ve got no chance because you’re coming from a different school. I’d also encourage you to apply to a couple different places, just in case you don’t get in or even because you might get a better offer somewhere else. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!

    I hope that’s made you feel a bit better:) Good luck!

    aska

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  • admissions

    be the best belle at the ball for BSc.

    October 17, 2013

    Hi there, I was wondering if you could tell me what a good high school average would be to get into the BSc psych program at UofT? I’m currently at an 82%.

    thanks!

    ?????????

    hey there friend.

    Let me explain you a thing about the university of Toronto. When you are admitted into the university, you are part of a general program – for you, that would be the Life Sciences BSc. The admission requirements for this program are six 4U/M courses including university English, Chemistry, Calculus and (recommended) Biology. If you have an average in these six courses that is in the low to mid eighties, you are eligible for admission. That means that you, my lil’ friend, just make it into the range of eligible averages. Something a bit higher would give you a better edge though, so keep trying as the year continues.

    Once you’re at the university, you have a year to take all kinds of different courses. Explore different classes. Take up a weird hobby. Then, in April, you’ll get a chance to settle down into a major. You declare your subject POSt (program of study) at the end of first year, and this is when you either do or don’t get admitted into psychology. When you say psych, I assume you mean psychology major. The requirements for admission into this major are a 75% in PSY100H1 (so make sure you squeeze that course into all your explorations), a high school Calculus course, and any other 4.0 credits. The average of these courses will be used to determine whether or not you get in.

    There’s no explicit average you need to get – but use your common sense. An average of 75% in PSY100H1 is the absolute MINIMUM, so the higher above that you can get, the better. This is a limited enrolment program, so if you’re gonna do this, do it properly. Go hard or go home.

    And that’s just about everything you need to know! Hope to see your groovy face at uoft next year.

    aska

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  • admissions,  architecture

    so you wanna defect to architect

    October 11, 2013

    Hello!

    Basically, this is a really long question about how? I can transfer into?the Daniels Faculty of Architecture. Currently, I’m a life science major.?I’d like to keep my current major, and study it along with architecture.

    I know I have to fill out the U of T internal application. Around what?range does my AGPA and CGPA have to be in order to be considered, and in?order to be a competitive application??And would I have to have completed the introductory first year architecture?course before applying for a transfer?

    I’ve also had some extenuating circumstances (personal illness, illness of?an immediate family member) that have made my marks lower than they could?be. They are definitely not excuses, but they did affect my performance; is?there any way I can make the decisions committee aware of these factors?

    Also, how much does the application cost?

    Thank you so much for your help, sorry for all the questions!

    ?????????

    Hey there,

    Wow, lots of questions. It’s cool, I had a large coffee this morning. Let’s go.

    I’m gonna be straight with you. I don’t decide who gets into the architecture program. Believe it or not, the mysterious figure behind this blog is NOT an all-powerful admissions authority at UofT. So I don’t know exactly what your marks have to look like to be competitive. Your overall CGPA and most recent AGPA will be considered, but there is no set cut-off. So just do the best you can.

    You don’t need to have taken any previous architecture courses, just as long as you’ve completed a certain number of high school credits. As to your extenuating circumstances, I’m sorry that you’ve been put in that situation. The application for the architecture BA only looks at your marks and a creative essay, so there’s no formal way to explain your unique circumstances. What you can do though is?e-mail the Faculty of architecture, landscape and design’s faculty office assistant?letting them know what’s up.

    As for the application, it costs an arm, a leg, and a monthly 9L plasma donation to the University of Toronto’s department of laboratory medicine and pathobiology. And what I mean by that is that OUAC charges $135 for your application. So. Same deal, really.

    Good luck homeslice, and good luck with your application!

    aska

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  • admissions,  computer science,  international students,  masters

    weaselling past GPA requirements – yeah good luck with that

    September 30, 2013

    hi, I am currently doing Bs(Computer Sciences) in Pakistan – 5th semester (start of 3rd year). I would really like to get admission in Masters Degree program offered in uoft. Although i am quite good at what my field focuses at, yet my GPA does not express that at all. I have a current CGPA of 2.30. uoft site says that the minimum gpa required even for applying is 3.00 (B). I am so much paranoid that i cannot express. The thing is that, surprisingly, the university i am doing my BSCS from is ranked #1 for CS in Pakistan and is actually really good. But at same time, their grading is very very very strict. what i mean to say is that with the amount of effort it took me to maintain gpa of 2.30 at FAST-NU (my university name), i could easily maintain way above 3.00 in any other university from Pakistan (just that they don’t teach as thoroughly as FAST). So this makes me think that if i was in a less competent university, it would have been easier for me to get to uoft. is it not a bit unfair? why is the teaching level of institutions not also considered.

    And, please please please help me, i really want to make it to uoft. Can’there be any other way? If with gpa like this, i apply to uoft anyway, are there chances that i can get selected? what if i score really good at GRE test (or international students)? will the University of Toronto consider
    me on the basis of anything other than my gpa? 🙁

    Will really appreciate helpful suggestions.
    Thank You

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    I appreciate how much you want to get into uoft. Seriously, it’s a pretty rad place. I’d love to help you as much as possible; you’ve come to aska for help, and if there’s anything more rad than uoft, it’s aska.

    Unfortunately, I am just a lowly messenger, and I don’t have the power to bend uoft’s admission requirements. They do say explicitly on their website that they require at least a 77%-79% GPA in the final two years of your undergraduate course. Lucky for you, you’re just starting on your third year, meaning you’ve got almost two years to get your GPA up. I get that your university is crazy hard, but if you really want to get into uoft, you’ve got to find a way to boost it.

    If there really is nothing you can do to bring up your marks but you feel like a master’s in CS here would be a breeze, the School of Graduate Studies does make exceptions in special cases. Do you feel like your case is special? Hint: it’s probably not unless you have some kind of industry experience to back up your knowledge, but I don’t know man, give it a shot, why not.

    As for other parts of your application, a good GRE result will strengthen your application, but it’s not everything. At the end of the day, fair or not, the requirements are the same for all students, and you’ll probably just have to work within uoft’s GPA cut-off.

    Bottom line, just do whatever you can to get your marks up in the next two years, and maybe consider applying to other universities – they’re alright too. I mean, they’re not us. But they’re alright.

    aska

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  • admissions,  colleges,  subject POST

    starting to keen for 2014

    July 12, 2013

     

    Hello,

    I’m currently doing my GCE A-levels and I have a few questions because I’m quite baffled at the moment ; I was hoping you could answer them all.

    1- My main choice for the colleges right now is Innis ; I’m intending to pursue a specialist in immunology which is sponsored by Trinity college. Can I still do the specialist even though I’m not a student at Trinity ?

    2- I’ve been looking up the residences and Innis again caught my eye ( its the cheapest lol ) ; so does being an Innis student increase my chances of getting into their residence or the whole process in unbiased giving no priority ?

    3- I’ve read on the UofT site that immunology specialist is a type 3 program with a limited student capacity . Since I intend to apply to medical school , if I do not get accepted into the immunology program , will a neuroscience specialist suffice the requirement for medical school ? And if so , do any of their requirements coincide ? The immunology program wants two bio , two chem and one calculus course ( I have their codes written down but I didn’t memorize them )

    4- Whats the difference between an 0.5 FCE course and a 1.0 FCE course ? Is it the length of a course or the content of it ? Simply put , summer school is not an option for me and my wallet so I need to get at least 5.0 FCE finished by first year .

    5- I’m applying for the 2014 fall term ; when exactly are the deadlines ? ( International student deadline if it makes a difference )

    Thank you so much for your time and sorry I asked a lot of questions !

    Cheers

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    I love that you numbered these.

    Q1 – My main choice for the colleges right now is Innis ; I’m intending to pursue a specialist in immunology which is sponsored by Trinity college. Can I still do the specialist even though I’m not a student at Trinity?

    A – You can take any program within the Faculty of Arts and Science regardless of what college you’re from. Just make sure you check out the requirements!

    Q2 – I’ve been looking up the residences and Innis again caught my eye ( its the cheapest lol ) ; so does being an Innis student increase my chances of getting into their residence or the whole process in unbiased giving no priority?

    A – Naturally, you have to be an Innis student to get into the Innis residence.

    There are a few spots tucked away for engineering and architecture students, but if you’re in Arts and Science, you have to be an Innis student. But entry into the res is a biiiiit competitive since it’s so small, and that’s based on your grades, so make sure you keep those up.

    Q3 – I’ve read on the UofT site that immunology specialist is a type 3 program with a limited student capacity . Since I intend to apply to medical school , if I do not get accepted into the immunology program , will a neuroscience specialist suffice the requirement for medical school ? And if so , do any of their requirements coincide ? The immunology program wants two bio , two chem and one calculus course ( I have their codes written down but I didn’t memorize them )

    A – I don’t know. You’d have to ask the med schools. 😉

    But yes, immunology and neuroscience would have a number of similar requirements. Most life science programs do! There’s the bio and the chem and the… other usual courses. Yeah. Pretty damn close.

    Q4 – Whats the difference between an 0.5 FCE course and a 1.0 FCE course ? Is it the length of a course or the content of it ? Simply put , summer school is not an option for me and my wallet so I need to get at least 5.0 FCE finished by first year .

    A – It’s the length, really.

    So 0.5 FCE is a half credit that you can finish in one semester. 1.0 FCE usually takes two semesters (a.k.a. inaccurately enough, a so-called “year”). But sometimes, if you’re unlikely, your Y-course (y = year!) worth 1.0 FCE can be shoved into just one semester.

    But 5.0 FCE is the usual load for students, so if you just stick to that, you can graduate in four years without having to fork over some extra money for summer school.

    Q5 – I’m applying for the 2014 fall term ; when exactly are the deadlines ? ( International student deadline if it makes a difference )

    A – Sadly, the 2014-2015 dates have yet to be released, but check out the super informative Admissions website in a few months and hopefully they’ll be out then.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • admissions,  residence,  trinity college,  university-college

    uoft is not for the weak-hearted

    July 10, 2013

    Just finished 10th grade. Already excited about University. Anyways, I’ve?read the differences between the College’s there and residence. So far I’m?stuck between College University and Trinity College. I’ve read the differences between them but still can’t decide. Any recommendations? What would you say is better and why? And also what residency is also pretty good? I’ve heard good things about Woodsworth? Any recommendations? And is UoT as hard as people say it is? People say they spend all day – all week studying, is that really that difficult?

    ———————————————

    Hey hey you eager beaver!

    So I’m going to divide these questions up because I’m too lazy to write in paragraphs. Enjoy:

    Q. University College or Trinity?
    A. UC all the way.

    Q. For why?
    A. Well to begin, Trinity needs me to complete a profile… a.k.a. more than any other college (aside from Vic). But for you, UC and Trin can be easy to choose between. UC is big where Trin is small. UC isn’t that hard to get into, whereas Trin is more… picky. Yada yada yada.

    Q. Best res?
    A. CHESTNUT! Granted, that one is for the people who aren’t afraid of a little walking and who have a lot more money than others.

    Q. Good things about Woodsworth?
    A. They have a Second Cup and a lovely hall thingie to study in.

    Q. Is UofT as hard as people say it is?
    A. No. UofT isn’t hard, but it does require hard work. The people who say UofT is difficult are the ones that expect university to be a lovely walk in the park.

    Q. All week studying?
    A. Well… the idea of spending all week engrossed in academics when you’re a full-time student shouldn’t be too unbelievable. If you consider that your full-time job at the moment is to get through university, it just… makes sense. Don’t be lazy!

    Q. But all week studying?!
    A. I know. That’s how we weed out the weak.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • admissions,  IB,  scholarships/bursaries

    once upon a time i called you guys “international bachelorettes”

    July 9, 2013

    Hi Askastudent,

    I just graduated this year from the IB program. It was a great experience (even though it was quite tough) and I learned a lot about myself regardless. Unfortunately, I didn’t do as well as I thought I would have in the finals, even though I had done better during school. The results just came out this weekend (June 6th).

    If you are wondering why I’m asking you about Uni. at this time of year, well it’s because I decided in Nov. of my senior year that I will be taking a one year sabbatical post-high school. Hence, I will be applying next academic year (this Dec/Jan). U of T was one of the universities I was hoping to aim for, but now I’m not so sure D:

    *Here are my final grades:*

    Bio HL – 6
    Chem HL – 4
    Math HL – 3

    English SL – 6
    Psych SL – 6
    Spanish B SL – 5

    E.E. in MUSIC – C
    TOK – A
    (bonus 2 points)

    That gives me a total of 32 points. Which I feel is a bit below the usual threshold at UofT, but I believe that there’s still a small chance for me. As you can probably tell, I wish to apply for a seat in the Life Sciences/Biology major.

    So, what do you think of my situation? Any important factors that you think will play a big part in my decision? Advice on what you think I should do that might up my chances (SAT’s, online programs, etc)? Also, if you could give me some idea as to whether I am viable for some kind of scholarship?

    I’d appreciate the honest feedback.

    Thanks,
    A prospective student.

    ———————————————

    Prospective student,

    I think many things.

    I think “I don’t know what the heck those numbers are supposed to mean… I should probably look that up.” I think “I can’t believe I got home at 11 PM last night because of that crazy ass weather.” I think “I need a coffee.”

    But I also think you shouldn’t have much of problem getting into UofT. 🙂

    Looking at the requirements, they call for a score of at least 28 or more, but for more competitive programs (like Life Sci), you should have at least 30 to be competitive — which, yippie, you have!

    There’s no need to take SATs or online courses because fact: UofT doesn’t give a crap about em.

    But one thing I want to let you in on is the possibility of getting a transfer credit or two!

    Basically, if an IBer scores a final grade of at least 5 on their HL exam, a transfer credit may be awarded. So for you, since you got 6 points in your Bio HL, as long as you submit your results to Enrolment Services by a set date, you can get two little things that’ll appear on your transcript as “BIO1**H,” which are supposed to be the equivalents of BIO120H and BIO130H.

    (Granted, depending on what programs you’re interested in, opting out of those transfer credits might be beneficial. I’ve been told that for say a Neuroscience specialist, you’re better off actually taking BIO120H.)

    Now for scholarships, there are some of the few offered to incoming students. For the most part, they’re based on your grades. Past those ones, you’ll have the college-based scholarships and then when you’re actually a student, there are usually a bunch of department-based scholarships too.

    Just note that because of the huge student population, scholarships tend to be veeeery competitive.

    Annnnd I think that’s that!

    Have fun applying. 🙂

    xoxo,
    aska

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  • admissions

    money suckers

    July 5, 2013

    Hello, I was just wondering if, after I accept my offer, are we required to make a payment or deposit in order to hold our spot at the University? Or will the school notify me about this if the time comes? They haven’t let me know anything as of yet, but my sister had to do this when she accepted her offer at a different University.

    Thanks!

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    Luckily for you, nope, the university does not require you to make a deposit!

    Admittedly, it is possible that an academic deposit might be required, but if that were the case, you would’ve been told in your acceptance package.

    So unless you were told to pay a little early, you don’t need to.

    And to be totally clear, if you’re asking from the arts and science side of things, you’ll be happy to know that ?no one is really ever asked to pay. And if you’re from say engineering, I contacted an engi friend of mine to give me the scoop on that faculty and it doesn’t seem like they ask you for a deposit either –?but I’m sure Tom will give us his two cents about the engineering side of things. 😉

    But all the university asks for is that you keep up the good grades — but even then, if that doesn’t happen, they’re pretty lenient.

    HOWEVER, if you plan on living in residence, that’s when you’ll have to make a deposit to hold your spot.

    sitting with soaked socks,
    aska

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  • admissions,  courses,  FLC,  rotman

    askastudent — recruitment and admissions officer extraordinaire

    June 21, 2013

    Hello

    I am completley lost and dumbfounded by the information presented on the Uof T website in choosing the courses for the first year. I do not understand at all how the process of choosing courses works and hoped that you would take some time out and simplfy the process for me.

    So, my dilemma is such. At the end of the first year, i am hoping to move into Rotman Commerece and hence i need to complete the three required program entry courses (i.e., RSM100Y, ECO100Y, MAT133Y or equivalent) From what i understand this will only give me 3.0 credits but i need to apply to Rotamn Commerce with 4.0 Credits and i have to complete the year with 5.0 credits. What can i do?

    What are Prerequisties because the programs listed above have prerequistes and i have had to meet them to take the course. Since i have done IB program the codes listed for the prequstes are something new altogether which i do not understand and i believe they are written as canadian format of subjects.

    Furthermore, i wish to tale FLCs , how many creidts would these count towards and will i have to sit an exam for these FLCs? I have no idea how to use the calendar to choose the courses. Please help.

    My last question is that what on earth are subject Posts and are we supposed to take the subject posts in the first year or the second yhear. Also how do i select a major and minor.

    Through these question, i can surely see that you will lnow that i am confused. But please help me since i am panicking and Julu 30 is coming
    closer to choose the courses.

    Thanks

    +

    Hi

    I just wanted to know how many people who apply to Rotman Commerce at the end of their first year get in? I’m planning to apply to RC and hope to get good marks and apply. What percentage of chance do I have to get into RC at the end of the first year assuming I get really good grades. Furthermore, how many people do apply for RC at the end of the first year since on their website it says there is less than 20 spots available. Please answer these question with as much accurate detail as you can.

    Thanks

    ———————————————

    Okay for starters:

    Your course selection is July 30. That’s still in like five weeks. Do you know how much you can do in five weeks? How many schedules you can formulate for the lawlz?

    Reeelaaaax. Breathe in. Breathe out. Got it? Okay. You’re okay.

    PART I: COURSES ARE CONFUSING

    Now the process of choosing courses is quite simple. It’s like going to an all you can eat buffet and deciding you’d like to get chicken wings AND chicken balls. Like you’re literally going to pick the courses you like, look at when they take place in the timetable, and just make sure nothing overlaps. To follow my buffet metaphor, if my food ever touches on my plate, I get very unnecessarily frustrated because I am a five-year-old on the inside.

    But anyway — choosing courses:  Easy as pie. 🙂

    As for your dilemma… you don’t HAVE to finish the year with 5.0 credits. You can finish with no credits for all the university cares. To take 4.0 though is just as simple as taking 1.0 more than those 3.0. So you can take economics, math, and intro to whatever the heck RSM100Y is, and then top that off with English or history for example.

    PART II: ROTMAN BUSINESS.

    Prerequisites = courses you need to have before taking a course.

    So among the three that you’re set on taking, RSM100Y and ECO100Y actually don’t have any prereqs (granted ECO does give some recommended prep). But for MAT133Y or its equivalent, you’re going to require grade 12 advanced functions and grade 12 calculus.

    HOWEVER, I think you’re in a different situation since you were in IB.

    I know that a lot of IB students tend to get some courses they took beforehand transferred over for some general math or whatever credits. If you take a look at this chart (just scroll down on the PDF), you’ll see that if you took the proper IB math courses, you may have already gotten the 100-level math equivalent!

    Granted, whether or not it can function as a corequisite to RSM100Y might be something you want to clarify with Rotman for yourself.

    PART III: FLICKS. I MEAN FLCS.

    FLCs are on your transcript, but they don’t count as credits. I mean they’ll appear there, but they’ll be listed as “extra” mostly so your transcript can look pretty and you can feel pretentious.

    But if you’ve done any research into what exactly a FLC is — which, considering your questions on em, you have not — you’ll know that they’re not so much academic courses so much as they are… support groups? Meh. I mean look at the name. First-year learning communities. Essentially, FLCs are groups of maybe 30 or so students enrolled in the same core courses that have each other’s backs.

    Yeah.

    Okay well that’s one way of putting it.

    To get into one is simple though. Like even simpler than choosing courses! If you go onto the FLC webpage, you’ll eventually get to a button saying “Join FLC” and then bam, an application.

    For you, I would recommend the Economics FLC. While the students in the Rotman FLC will be taking the same courses as you (assuming you get into the three that you’d like), it’s limited to students actually in Rotman. That being said, the Economics FLC is basically the next best thing for your situation.

    PART IV: THE PERSISTING POST PROBLEM.

    POSts. POSts. POSts.

    POSts are programs of study. They’re the program you choose to major/minor/specialize/whatever in. You pick when you’ve completed at least 4.0 FCE, so typically at the end of first year. You do this on ROSI.

    PART V: ROTMAN AGAIN.

    I don’t know how many people apply to Rotman internally. Sadly, I am not actually that all-knowing, omnipotent being you seem to think I am.

    What I DO know, however, is that pretty much basically nooooo one gets in if they’re applying to Rotman from Arts and Science after one year. For the most part I’d say they take maybe… ten people? It’s not based on a number so much as it’s based on your grades, so if you’re not scoring high-90s… well then boo for you.

    PART VI: ASKA GIVES UP.

    Holy incredibly long post, aska.

    And to be completely honest, I think you might benefit from an appointment with a first-year advisor. If you can’t meet with them in person, see if they offer phone or Skype appointments. Likewise, you might have to do some double checking with Rotman over how your IB transfer credits (assuming you bother to transfer them) hold up.

    Whoo. It’s finally over!

    xoxo,
    aska

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  • admissions,  repeating course

    if you’re not in the 80s, you’re not getting in to uoft

    May 28, 2013

    Hi

    Im currently a grade 11 student and I am taking grade 12 advanced function this semester, but I’m not doing as well as I want too. I want to do Biochemistry or pharmaceutical chemistry at U of T. I am only getting a 82 in Advanced Functions right now and I will be taking calculus next year. I am hoping to do well in calculus but do you recommend I redo grade 12 advanced functions?

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    If you’re not doing well, then I definitely recommend retaking the course. Your top six marks in grade twelve are pretty significant — especially the ones relevant to where you’re applying.

    But honestly, 82 isn’t thaaaat bad. I know we say to aim for mid- to high-80s but if you just bump that up a little you should be fine.

    And luckily for you, life sci isn’t toooooooo strict and will still look at your second mark in the class. Some departments aren’t as forgiving — lookin at you Rotman! — and only take the first time around, so yay you. 🙂

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • admissions

    all roads lead to… uoft?

    May 21, 2013

    Hi ASKS!

    I am a transfer student and have been offered admission to the Humanities and Social Sciences at St George campus last night! The email says i am admitted to the Humanities and Social Sciences category but OUAC gives me an alternate offer in Honours Bachelor of Arts. I was wondering are they the same thing? I have indicated that I am a transfer student and my program when I applied on OUAC. I am really confused…What should I do now?

    Thanks!

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    Don’t worry — there’s nothing you need to do. 🙂

    Basically, when you’re initially admitted to UofT you’re usually put into a stream. But yeah, anyone who comes in for Humanities or Social Sciences will end up with an Honours Bachelor of Arts, so no need to worry.

    Essentially, they both mean the same thing.

    Cheers!

    aska

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