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UTSC

too many horror stories or whatever

March 29, 2019

I want to come to utsc for math, and I’m really scared I won’t be able to make it through, I currently have an average of 92.5 in high school (senior year). Are there any tips for me

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hello prospective fellow student!

feels like this question tends to hover over the heads of everyone considering u of t. it sure hovered over mine, before i decided to just take the plunge and deal with whatever consequences might come. and so far… the school hasn’t been nearly as bad as i expected. i figure you’ve probably heard/read a lot of horror stories, just like i did before i got here.

i don’t know anything firsthand about utsc or math, to be honest. all i know is what my experience at utsg has been like– and it hasn’t been as terrible as i heard it would. i actually really like it here. with that said, i really want to stress that everyone’s experience at the university is different. i have the advantage (and it does matter) of loving my programs a lot, having a solid support network, and living on res. it also helped me to drop down to 4 courses my first semester, which– if you’re able to do it– is something i’d recommend. it helps with adjustment, yknow?

previous askas have written some pretty solid posts on this i can link you to, on getting work done, buttering up your profs, and using the resources at your disposal. these are probably the three biggest recommendations i’d make to you: develop a strong work ethic, engage with your instructors/classes, and know what’s there at the university to help you make it through. as i said, i’m not too familiar with utsc but there are definitely supports there in place. just know that it’s not impossible to do well at u of t, no matter what reddit declares.

bottom line– scared you won’t make it through? chances are you’ll probably be all right, especially with that entering average. but i make no concrete promises or predictions. like a previous aska has put it, the experience will be what you make of it.

i’m planning to put up a comprehensive askastudent guide to surviving this uni, hopefully sometime soon (lord knows we need one). will link it in the comments below once it’s up.

cheers,

aska

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eeb, exclusions, UTSC

the strange world of exclusions

July 24, 2018

Hi!!

I took off the winter semester due to personal reasons however now I’m interested in coming back in the fall so I’m also trying to catch up on classes that I missed out on during the winter semester. I’m interested in taking an EEB major or specialist (not sure yet) but that means that I need bio130 which isn’t offered in the fall(only the winter). I know UTM and UTSC both offer the same course under different course codes (BIO152 and BIOA01H3) in the fall and I’ve decided to go to UTSC for that course since it makes more sense distance wise and also scheduling, but bio130 and bio120 both come up as ordered exclusions for BIOA01H3 and I don’t know what that means or if I can even take that course now, since it’s not under exclusions either.

Also if I’m taking a course at UTSC do I need to notify my registrar/program coordinator because I’ll want the BIOA01H3 to count as bio130 for a requirement for the program I want or can I just take it and it’ll just transfer automatically.

I know this is a lot all at once, sorry!! I’m just super confused and any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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hi!

welcome back!

as you said, BIO120 and 130 are exclusions for BIOA01H3. basically, if a course is listed as an exclusion, you can’t take the course if you’re taking (or have taken) the excluded course(s). you can check out the faculty calendar for more information on exclusions.

hypothetically, BIOA01H3 is equivalent to BIO130. however, i don’t know whether or not the EEB department will accept BIOA01H3 as a part of their program requirements. i would definitely get in contact with them directly to see if they would accept BIOA01H3.

since you’ve also taken some time off, i suggest making an appointment with an academic adviser at your college registrar’s office. i personally find it really helpful to talk to someone about my academic plans and to have a capital-A Adult tell me that i’m on the right track. they’ll also be able to give you more detailed information on taking courses at another campus, if that’s the route you decide to go down.

hope this helps! sorry that i couldn’t really give you a concrete answer either, but equivalent courses at other campuses and figuring them out always throws me for a loop. and i don’t wanna lead you astray or give you bad advice.

good luck!

xoxo,

aska

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internal transfer, prereqs, psychology, UTSC

an interesting conundrum

May 15, 2018

Hey there,

I’m a third year psych specialist at St. George. I recently received an acceptance for internal transfer at Scarborough. I took PSY201 in the summer of my first year and remember nothing of it. Scarborough has PSYB07 as a requirement, which that excludes PSY201 (which I took), so I will have to take the next PSYC08 or PSYC09. I am not confident at all in taking these courses since I remember nothing from my first stats course. How much do I have to remember to take them? Will I be lost? Is there anyway they will let me take PSYB07 and start over?

Please help!!

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hi!

wow an interesting conundrum; actually WANTING to take a prereq even though you’ve been excused. most people wanna skip any prereq that they can. hat’s off to you, m’dude.

unfortunately for internal transfers, or people transferring to u of t from another university, you can’t forfeit your transfer credits, unlike IB/AP credits. so, it looks as though you will have to take PSYC08/09 without taking PSYB07.

however, it may be a good idea to get in contact with the department of psychology at utsc to see IF (and i strongly emphasize IF!!!!!!) they can make an exception for you.

i hope that helps!

xoxo,

aska

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applying for U of T, computer science, GPA, innis, internal transfer, Transferring, urban studies, UTSC

top secret internal transfer gpa’s

February 6, 2017

Dear ask a student,

I am in second year at UTSC and I am looking to transfer downtown for urban
studies. In first year I took computer science and finish the year with a
low GPA. Now in city studies after the first semester my sessional GPA was
2.93 but my cumulative GPA is still below 2.5. Will they look over my first
year since I am now doing better in City Studies and is there a chance I
can still get in with just my recent GPA improvement?

Thanks.

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hello!

soooooo when UTSG is looking at internal transfer students, (students who are transferring from one U of T campus to another U of T campus) they will consider your CGPA and your most recent annual GPA. however, they will also have access to your whole transcript if they notice some inconsistencies in your GPA.

in terms of GPA cut-off, i would check with the urban studies department directly to make sure you’re within the range. for some reason admission GPA’s for internal transfers are kind of top secret. they used to post them online, but i haven’t been able to find it ever since they revamped the future.utoronto.ca website. right now, the admission GPA’s are mostly circulated by word of mouth, but for entry into a specific program like urban studies, it would be in your best interest to just ask them!

hope this helped!

wishing you all the best in your transfer! hope we’ll be seeing you downtown!

peace and love,

aska

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admissions, arts & sciences, St. George, stats, UTM, UTSC

i will find you

January 18, 2017
Hello! I can’t seem to find the statistics on those that were accepted into the faculty of arts and science. Help would be appreciated!

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yo,

stats are hard to find. don’t feel bad. you have come to the right person.

in addition to being ridiculously charming and hot (like my homeboy liam neeson), i also possess a very particular set of super ninja detective samurai skills. fear not, for i have found what you are looking for.

there’s this super cool thing called Common University Data Ontario (CUDO) which can give you stats on:
- Number of degrees awarded, student enrolment and entering averages – all by program;
- Number of students living on campus and activities offered;
- Student satisfaction;
- First-year tuition and ancillary fees by program;
- Number of teaching faculty;
- Undergraduate class size, by year level;
- Research awards granted; and
- Graduation rates and employment rates by program.
click on the year that you want to see and voila! you can even look at stats on UTM and UTSG.

go crazy!

peace and love,

aska
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astronomy and astrophysics, campus, GPA, internal transfer, St. George, subject POST, Transferring, UTSC

please be the new neil degrasse tyson

December 2, 2016

Hi,
I am a first year student currently majoring in the Physics and Astrophysics program at UTSC and was wondering what GPA I should strive for in order to be admitted into UTSG. I know that competitive programs tend to require 3.7 – 4.0 GPA’s, but I’m assuming competitive means engineering rather than physics.

Also, do you know the deadline for internal transferring? I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I’m assuming that it’s sometime after, or maybe during, the winter semester since that’s when the latter half of my physics related courses are.

Thank you for your help

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hello hello!

so first of all, we don’t actually have a physics and astrophysics program at the st. george campus so it would mean for you to find a similar subject POSt, like astronomy and astrophysics.

there isn’t really a GPA range posted anywhere in regards to astronomy and astrophysics specifically, but i’ve been told by admin that the grade that we were accepting last year was B+~ A- (3.3-3.7) for internal transfers, but these averages do change from year to year, so keep that in mind. if you want something more accurate/ updated, you could always contact enrolment services directly!

in terms of evaluating your GPA, they would be looking at your CGPA as well as your most recent annual GPA.

when it comes time to apply, go see your registrar’s office to make sure you’re on track for your transfer. once that’s all settled, you’ll have to complete an online application right here.

the next deadline for an internal transfer to UTSG is january 13th 2017 for a september 2017 start date.

it will ultimately be up to you to decide whether you want to major, minor, or specialize in astronomy and astrophysics, but since astronomy and astrophysics subject POSt’s are all part of type 1, you can apply following the completion of 4.0 FCE’s.

best of luck! i hope you get in and become the new neil degrasse tyson.

peace and love,

aska

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aska 2 Comments
admissions, applying for U of T, averages, polisci, social sciences, St. George, subject POST, UTM, UTSC

a polisci question on election day

November 8, 2016

Hi, what are the approximate averages needed for ontario students to get into BA political science at St George, Mississauga and Scarborough? Thanks

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hello there,

first, let’s break this down. at U of T, political science falls under the category of social sciences. if you want to pursue political science, you might consider applying to the social sciences stream after high school.

once you are accepted, you’ll first have to complete a total of 4.0 FCE’s (full course equivalents, or credits) until you can be accepted into a political science program, be it a major or a minor. 4.o FCE’s just means that you’ll only be able to apply after first year. keep in mind, you don’t necessarily need to get into your program after first year, you can enter in second year and on!

in terms of admission into the social sciences stream at each campus, you’ll see here that they recommend the following averages: low to mid 80’s for U of T St. George, mid 70’s for UTSC, and mid to high 70’s for UTM.

before you choose your first year courses, definitely refer to the calendar and look at what courses you’ll have to take and what grades you’ll need to get to be accepted into the polisci program. since i am the nicest stranger you’ll never meet, i’ve linked you to the political science calendar of each campus: UTSG, UTM, and UTSC so you can see what you’ll need. you’re very welcome.

i hope you get into polisci and do some good in the world. don’t forget to thank aska when you receive a nobel prize. happy (or unhappy) election day!

cheers,

aska

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applying for U of T, gap year, intake, keeners, UTSC

we got ourselves a catherine keener

November 8, 2016

Hi, i graduated high school in June 2016 and I decided to take a gap year before I attend university. Hence,I will be applying to utsc for entry into September 2017. If I do get admitted into my program will I be able to at least take my electives during summer 2017? I’d really like to get a head start since i did take time off from school due to unforeseen circumstances.
Thank you for your times and hope to hear from you soon!

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hey,

first of all, i totally understand your desire to get a head start. the sooner you’re done with school, the better. (at least that’s how i’ve always felt)

unfortunately, first year intake at U of T is always in september. to my understanding, starting first year during the summer has only been granted in very unique circumstances, but is highly discouraged and “rarely entertained”.

one of the main reasons for this is that transitioning from high school to first year is a big jump and getting settled into university is such an important aspect of the whole university experience. the university will have orientation events (not just frosh week) in september to help you adjust along with your peers. you’ll definitely understand what i mean once you start in september.

furthermore, i imagine the whole process of petitioning for early intake would be extremely arduous and just not worth it. summer courses also generally move at a faster pace and it would be an even bigger jump to go from high school straight into university summer courses. since i’m saying all of this, it might seem like summer intake is actually an option, but it really isn’t.

trust me on this one, september intake is the way to go. you’ll find a lot more support from both campus resources as well as friends you meet during frosh.

just make sure you apply by january 13th and if all goes well, you’ll be set to start in september!

^this is an amazing song, by the way.

i hope this cleared up some of your questions! best of luck with your application!

cheers,

aska

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campus, internal transfer, rules, St. George, Transferring, UTSC

sticky situation

November 7, 2016

Hello,

So I originally enrolled at UTSC because I had missed the application
deadline for SG. I decided to start in Scarborough and brave the commute (I
live downtown) for a year to hopefully try for an internal transfer later.
I dilly-dallied and decided I enjoyed Scarborough bc of a course offered
(IDS) but then started to hate the commute and now want to return to my
original idea of transferring.

My question is about courses at another campus:
I have the intention of transferring (again missed the deadline last year
BC I thought I liked Scarborough) so ideally I would like to gather
downtown courses this year so i can transfer in my third year.
So. I currently have 3 utsc FCE’s (from 2015/2016) and took 1 FCE this
summer at SG. As of this fall, I enrolled in 2 more FCE’s on the st.george
campus, but have a sneaking suspicion that I am in violation of the rules
for taking courses at another campus.

On the office of the registrar website it states:
“Courses at UTM or St. George
utsc.utoronto.ca/registrar/courses-other-campuses
You can take a maximum of 5.0 credits at another U of T campus (or 1.0
credit if you have completed fewer than 4.0 credits) as a UTSC student.”
I SWEAR I had spoken with a councilor who said I could only take 1 FCE in
the first year only. NOT that I needed to also complete at least 4.0 FCE at
utsc. What is your understanding of this rule? Can I appeal? I am enjoying
my courses and do not want to be removed.

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hi,

you, my friend, are in a sticky situation! i honestly wasn’t sure if i should answer this question because i thought you would be removed from your courses by now, but since i haven’t heard anything about you being removed, i’m going to assume you’re still in your st. george courses.

you are, indeed, in violation of a rule at U of T, but at the same time, getting kicked out of your courses this far in would suck.

first, go back to your counsellor and be all, “yo wut?”

okay, but seriously.

in regards to your inquiry, i called the utsc registrar’s office and asked what they thought about your situation. based on what they told me, it seems like you have two options.

first, (10/10 would recommend) you can call admissions at st. george to let them know about your intentions to transfer. in this scenario, you would probably have to tell them the number of FCE’s you have completed at scarborough and st. george. they may even subsequently remove you from your courses if they ask for your student number.

on the other hand, it is also possible that they may make an exception for you if they know you’re thinking of transferring to st. george eventually. you’ll still have to wait until the next deadline (january 13th), of course, but you may be able to keep the courses you’re in. you could definitely mention that you heard from your counsellor that it would be okay. i can’t guarantee that you’ll see this outcome, but you never know until you call!

your second option, (1/10 would not recommend) is to not call at all. the course-remover people will eventually do their rounds and remove you from your st. george courses. after that, if you want to argue this, you’ll have to open up communication with the university and explain why you broke the rules. i can’t speak on behalf of the course-removing people, but if i were in their shoes, i would be less forgiving if it seems like you knowingly broke the rule and didn’t seek out any guidance or resources.

if i were you, i would call admissions to see what they can do for you. you may be surprised at what they have to say. if they end up removing you from courses because you called, that blows, but remember, it would’ve happened sooner or later.

just be honest and come clean about your intentions instead of living in fear!

i hope you do the right thing.

cheers,

aska

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residence, St. George, UTM, UTSC

myspace

October 17, 2016

Can I live on campus in a single room? Or are all the rooms shared? Thanks

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hi,

yes, you can live on campus in a single room! not all rooms are shared. since you didn’t specify which campus you were interested in, here’s info on all of them!

this is an excellent page which explains facilities and room styles for every residence at the St. George campus. you can even download a PDF which compares all the residences! for a similar resource at UTM, click here.

UTSC’s residences are unique in that they consist of townhouses and apartments, but you will definitely be able to find single rooms within them for sure.

hope this helped! if you have any more questions regarding each residence, i highly recommend that you give them a call or send them an email! most residences hold tours for prospective students and their parents.

on another note, i feel your desire to live in a single room. i don’t know what i would’ve done if i had to live with another human being in my room. *shudders*

cheers,

aska

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arts & sciences, co-op management, UTSC

lul bye artsci

June 2, 2016

hey aska,
I’m planning to attend utsc next year for co-op public policy. I originally chose this program because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but recently I decided that I actually want to study economics. is it possible to transfer into the co-op economics for management studies (BBA) program during my first year? I took the required math courses but I know there is a supplementary component so I’m not sure what to do.
also a friend told me that there are courses all management students take first year, so if I must transfer the second year, are there any prerequisites that I need to take during my first year? Do I take these courses and public policy courses since that’s my program for the time being?
thanks!

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hey,

first of all, kudos to you for knowing what you want to do!

most of us deny that we hate our subject POst until after we graduate yayyyyy *sobs in corner*

so it looks like you may be able to switch into your BBA program in second year if you take the appropriate first year management courses. it says here in the calendar:

“Students admitted to Arts & Science Co-op from secondary school will request a specific Co-op Subject POSt, or program, at the end of their first year, after achieving any necessary required courses for that particular area of study.”

if you take the courses required, you may be able to switch, however i would highly recommend (in fact, just do it) that you double check with the contacts i have provided below. since this is such a specific question, i feel like you would benefit a great deal from getting in touch with the program because you may need special permissions to switch.

deanna burrows- (one of the many artsci co-op people)

dburrows@utsc.utoronto.ca (416) 208- 2681

christine arsenault- (management co-op person)

arsenault@utsc.utoronto.ca (416) 287- 7112

you can find these numbers and more in the utsc telephone directory, and it’s almost always more effective if you call instead of emailing.

i wish i could tell you more but it is really up to the co-op directors to decide!

(sorry about the late response as well, we’ve been undergoing changes here at aska and some of our answers were deleted and had to be rewritten)

good luck at scarbs!

cheers,

aska

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courses, UTSC

courses for coop

April 5, 2016

How do co-op students finish their studies? Do they have to complete a year course in 4 months(study term)? I checked course schedule there?s no specific course for co-op students. I’m from utsc btw.

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hey there,

because of coop, UTSC doesn’t have any full-year courses (with a very few exceptions, like work term prep courses, independent and research project courses, and capstones; these can either be taken alongside a coop term, or are not required courses). other than the exceptions i listed, all courses are?half-year courses, so you can take any one you want and finish it in four months!

best,

aska

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subject POST, UTSC

your program is gone lol bye

February 11, 2016

Hey aska! I’m applying for UTSC linguistics but some people told me that they are considering cancelling the subject in that campus! The option is still on OUAC, but what if it’s real? Will I be considered for a similar programme in other campus? Nooooo
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hey there,

first thing’s first: you enter uoft as a program-less student, regardless of the program you listed on your OUAC application. so even after you get in, you have a full year to test drive some courses, and decide if the program(s) you were set on when entering university are really for you. if linguistics goes under after a year or you decide you want to do something else, that’s no problem.

i should note though, that if linguistics is listed in the calendar, it’s real. if the program goes under while you’re in it, you’ll be grandfathered, meaning that no new people will be allowed in, but you’ll be allowed to finish your degree in that program. the university wouldn’t leave you high and dry like that.

hope that helps!

cheers,

aska

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