• subject POST,  UTSC

    *standing ovation*

    November 11, 2014

    Hi, I am a first year student here at UTSC and I have a question. What the hell is a subject POST??!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    first off, i want to point out how GREAT this question is. it’s to the point, it includes the campus you’re from, AND it has so many question marks and exclamation points that my HEART RATE ACCELERATES just from LOOKING at it.

    like, i haven’t even had my coffee yet, and this question has got me moving closer towards cardiac arrest! whoo! what a question to wake up to!

    subject POSt stands for ‘subject Program of Study’ and it’s basically just a bunch of courses that make up a program. a POSt can be a specialist, major or minor.

    in order to graduate from uoft, you need to complete a certain combination of subject POSts. those combinations are: one specialist, two majors, or one major and two minors. you can get into other wacky combos like a specialist and a minor or two majors and a minor or a specialist and a major, but the first three are kind of the default.

    you apply to your POSt(s) after you’ve completed 4.0 credits, which for most people is in the summer after first year (between April and September).

    for that reason, it’s a good idea to browse the list of subject POSts before then so that you have some idea what you want to study when it comes time to apply. keep in mind, though, that you can (to a certain extent) change POSts after second year, if you’re unhappy with what you’ve chosen. so don’t FREAK OUT, alright?

    cheers,

    aska

    Read More
  • keeners,  UTSC

    a tangled, tangled web of degree requirements

    August 11, 2014

    Hey,
    how long do you think it would take to complete a Philosophy/History double major at UTSC if you took courses every summer? Just wondering 🙂
    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    i know y’all think this is like a super easy question to answer, but there are so many variables involved that it’s actually almost impossible. so, let’s unpack this and find out, together, just how complicated this is.

    1. both the history and philosophy majors require 7.0 FCEs – 14.0 FCEs total; simple enough, right?

    WRONG. history and philosophy are close/flexible enough disciplines that you can probably have a bit of overlap between courses (i.e. take credits that fulfil requirements for both POSts). however, you have to keep in mind the 12.0 distinct credits rule when entertaining the possibility of overlap – only 2.0 FCEs out of a double major worth 14.0 credits can overlap.

    so your two majors could take anywhere between 12.0 – 14.0 FCEs to complete. already, we’ve got some uncertainty. but it gets worse.

    2. in a degree at UTSC, you’ll need to fulfil the breadth requirements. that’ll take 2.5 credits altogether, however, some of the credits that fulfil the breadth requirements will likely fulfil your major requirements, as well.

    meaning you’ll have take anywhere between 0.0-2.5 FCEs on TOP of your major requirements to meet the breadth req’s.

    so already – assuming you don’t have to late withdraw from a course, and that you pass every course you take – we’re looking at anywhere between 12.0-16.5 FCEs.

    of course, you need at least 20.0 FCEs to graduate, but depending on how many credits it takes you to complete those requirements (i haven’t even factored in the requirement that both history and philosophy have that you take a certain number of upper-year FCEs – that could up your credit count, too), you may have to take more than 20.0 FCEs.

    as you can see, this is getting nightmarishly complicated. let’s just assume nothing goes wrong, your plans won’t change, and it’ll take you 20.0 FCEs on the dot to complete your degree.

    how long would it take if you took courses every summer? well, that depends. how many courses are you planning on taking  here we have another ambiguity. let’s just assume you were to take the expected full-time course load – 2.5 FCEs – every term.

    20.0 FCEs/2.5 FCEs per term = 8 terms.

    8 terms/3 terms per year = 2.66 years. you would finish in june of your third year. which – i believe – means you would be able to request a june graduation.

    so there’s your short answer, but as you can see, things are never as simple as they first appear. uoft is good at teaching that lesson.

    cheers,

    aska

    Read More
  • enrollment,  UTSC

    i want to be at utsc (temporarily)

    July 31, 2014

    i am a st george student who wants to enroll in a class at scarborough campus. what day can i do that?

    ———————————————

    hey there anonymous st. george student,

    man, i thought this was gonna be easy to answer. it’s such a short question!

    i found out that UTSC students can sign up for UTSG/UTM courses on august 15th at 6am, and UTM students can sign up for UTSC/UTSG courses on the same date, so while i would assume that the same applies to St. George, i can’t say for sure. (of course UTSG had to be the ONE CAMPUS that didn’t specify. sigh.)

    try enrolling in the UTSC course(s) you’re interested in on your start time, just in case. if it doesn’t work, my bet is it opens august 15th at 6am. if anyone knows for sure, please do let us know!

    sorry i couldn’t be of more help. i hope you enjoy all the deer and celebrities filming rural shots in scarborough!

    best,

    aska

    Read More
  • UTSC,  wait list

    no more waiting for me!

    July 31, 2014

    Hi ASKA

    My little brother is at UTSC and wants to major in computer science. Except he needs two courses to get into the program and due to a crappy starting time he only managed to get into one. CSCA48H3, Introduction to Computer Science II. But he needs to take  CSCA08H3, Introduction to Computer Science I in the fall semester so he can have it as a pre-requisite for CSCA48H3, in the winter session. He is currently 24 on the waitlist, there are 122 people on the wait list and there are over 150 spots (not sure of the actual number ) in the class. What are my brother’s chances of getting in before the wait list drops? Plus what are the chances of the professor taking an initiative to let him in considering it a first-year course and lots of other people would want in to his/her lecture.
    Thanks.

    Concerned Sis

    ———————————————

    hey there concerned sis,

    the general rule of thumb is that if your spot on the waitlist is within the first 10% of the total people allowed in the course (e.g. you’re numbers 1-10 on a waitlist with 100 people), you have a good chance of getting in.

    if you’re spot 24 on a waitlist of 122, you’re at 19%, which is not great. however, it’s also not terrible, and there’s no harm in staying on the list, especially since your brother can enrol in an extra 0.5 FCEs as backup starting august 15th at 6am (before any UTSG students start to panic, this is the UTSC date. don’t get your timetables in a knot).

    the chances of the professor taking the initiative to let him in? zero. profs aren’t in charge of that. your brother could go and speak to the prof/department in person, but i doubt it would do much good.

    for now, it’s a waiting game.

    cheers,

    aska

    Read More
  • subject POST,  UTSC

    applying late, testing fate

    July 9, 2014

    Is there a deadline for current students wanting to apply and switch into a limited program, such as Computer Science or New Media? To clarify, if I am in my third or fourth year, is it too late for me to get into one of these programs? I am a 3rd-year student in Mathematics who wants to get into one of these programs. I know I will be held behind by some terms, but I just wanted to know if there’s still a chance.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    based on that exotic program i’ve never heard of, i’m gonna guess you’re a UTSC student? my detective skills are really starting to approach master level with you guys leaving all these SUBTLE HINTS about where you go to school instead of just saying it outright. is it a test, i wonder? should i be getting ready for the final showdown? or are you all running from the law and you don’t wanna reveal your campuses to me? you’re damn miscreants, every single last one of you. i just know it.

    anyway.

    the new media major had a May 1st deadline for its supplemental application this year, so it looks like you missed the boat on that one. also, they specify that “[a]dmission is by competitive application at the end of a student’s first year,” so it’s unlikely that they accept people after second year.

    the deadline to apply for computer science is august 2nd, but the department states that “[s]tudents are admitted to the second year of the program,” which, again, probably indicates that they don’t accept people after second year.

    sometimes, if you beg and bribe and cry-scream into their faces enough (read: call the department and politely explain your situation), it’ll turn out that they’re?willing to consider accepting a handful of students after second-year. obviously it depends on the program, but you’ve got nothing to lose by contacting them (here’re the contacts for computer science and new media).

    good luck and i hope it all works out, chum,

    aska

    Read More
  • computer science,  courses,  enrollment,  UTSC

    restricting the people from computers

    June 26, 2014

    Hi Aska,

    Can you help me out?? My brother is starting his first year at Uni in September. He wants to transfer from Physics to Computer Science at UTSC,
    he wants to take all the required first year Computer Science courses during the first year but was worried that the rosi would give priority to?computer science students and he will not be able to get a spot in the required courses. I surfed the UTSC website and I wasn’t able to find out if first year computer science courses have priority. I know you mostly deal with UTSG questions but can you find out if the 4 courses all computer science required in the first year are priority? Thanks

    Helpful Sis

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    good on you for being a helpful sister. one time, i rolled my sister down the stairs when she was a toddler to see what would happen. it was like rolling a watermelon down the stairs.

    as far as i can tell, all comp. sci. POSt require 3.0 A-level FCEs (that’s A-level as in first year, so if any brits are reading, don’t be alarmed), so i’m not too sure which 4 courses you mean. buuut you can see all the enrolment controls for EVERY CSC course right on the timetable. convenient, eh?

    under the ‘restrictions and instructions’ column of the timetable, there are different letters. if a course has a C, that means the course has a restriction. just click on the C and it’ll lead you to this explanation of all the possible restrictions. there’s no mention there of a priority or other restriction for A-level CSC courses, so i think your lil bro will have no problems enrolling.

    best,

    aska

    Read More
  • probation,  UTM,  UTSC

    this generation is going to the dogs

    June 2, 2014

    Hi, if I get placed on academic probation from utsc, will a letter be mailed to my house?? I dont want my parents to find out

    ———————————————

    Hi,

    I was wondering if u of t sends a letter of probation to your house. Or do they just tell you by email?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    i woke up at 6:30 this morning, all fresh and ready to take on a new day at Askastudent HQ. “what will the bright-eyed, spry, driven youth of uoft ask me today?” i asked, feeling a tingle of anticipation (or possibly a tingle from lack of blood circulation; it’s difficult to tell the difference) at the thought. maybe they’ll ask me how to broaden their opportunities outside the classroom! or perhaps they’ll inquire whether they can help with the growing homeless dog population in toronto!

    i get into work, big smile on my face, sit down at my computer, and what do i find? not one, but TWO questions about how to PULL A FAST ONE on your parents! do kids really do this? just lie to their parents like that? in my day, kids didn’t lie to their parents. in fact, they were so honest that one of my friends snuck out?every night to the forest behind her house to pick wildflowers for her mother. how dedicated is that?

    anyway, as SHOCKED and APPALLED as i am by this blatant lack of respect, this uncalled-for SNEAKINESS may work out for you. according to the UTSC calendar, “[s]tudents who are on academic probation, suspended or refused further registration are emailed” (that’s under the first heading, ‘Grade Reports.'”) at UTM, “[s]tudents whose academic performance has resulted in probation, suspension or refusal of further registration will be notified by e-mail.”

    UTSG students are less fortunate: your probation letters are mailed to your mailing address. tough luck, kids.

    UTM and UTSC students, technology is on your side. for now.

    cheers,

    aska

    Read More
  • probation,  UTSC

    probing the rules on probation

    April 24, 2014

    Hi aska,

    So if I’ve attempted 3.0 credits and one of them is a Credit/No credit (so only 2.5 is being assessed for my CPGA), and I still eligible to get put on academic probation?

    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    so, yes, UTSC says you need to have attempted 3.0 FCEs in order for your standing to be assessed, but i know how confusing the word “attempted” can be in this context to a student (“what do you mean, attempted? i did the work! i attempted to show up to class on time!” etc. etc.). however, since CR/NCR courses count as degree credit, you’ll still be assessed at the end of this term. just because you have a CR/NCR, that does not exempt you; they’re just going to use your other courses which do have final grades on them to assess your academic standing.

    however, i happen to know that the rules are going to be changing in regards to this very soon on the downtown campus, so it’s probably a good idea for you to call scarborough and see if similar changes are happening there that may impact your situation.

    cheers,

    aska

    P.S. the person who asked this question said in the subject line of their e-mail that they’re at utsc. i didn’t just, like, randomly assume it, or divine the information with the magical powers i was given at birth. clarity is always helpful is in these situations, friends, so good job to the person who asked the question for helping me help them: you’re not bad, kid. not bad.

    Read More
  • residence,  UTSC

    bein’ school-ist to UTSC

    February 28, 2014

    Hello,

    I’m currently a student at UTSC but was looking to do a semester at utsg while also living on res there. When I applied, I didn’t get into utsg so the option of the res isn’t even available on myres. Would I have to transfer and be a utsg student to stay on res there during my semester? Please help me out.

    Thanks

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    i’ve done a lot of searching around for this question, just ’cause I’ve never had one like it before (you can congratulate yourself on being so unique). unfortunately, despite the awesome uniqueness of the ask, i have to give a kinda disappointing answer.

    i wasn’t able to find any reference to UTSG accommodations for non-UTSG students. even the independent residences seem to only provide residence to students on the downtown campus. i’d suggest trying to get onto the waitlist, but if UTSG residences aren’t appearing on your myres at all, then i don’t know how you might do that.

    if you’re up to spending upwards of $5000 for one semester, you can take a look at these B&Bs available through Uoft’s temporary housing page. although i’ve gotta say, that’s hella expensive, and it makes a whole lot more sense to me to spend, like $1000 or so commuting for the semester, than $5500 living in the city. but hey, it’s totally up to you.

    as for transferring, most undergrad programs can only be transferred into for september, since a lot of our courses are a year long, rather than a semester. i doubt you could pull it off, if i’m being honest.

    so yeah, i couldn’t find much, but i am just a peon in the goliath that is the uoft machine. if you want to make sure there are no other options available, i’d suggest calling housing services at 416-978-8045. that way you can hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.

    sorry, i know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but commuting’s not so bad! this morning, i was twenty minutes late to class because my train was delayed, then a crazy person started talking to me while I was trying to buy subway tokens, then my token didn’t work and i had to wait in line for five minutes to buy another one!!!! so you see, it’s not all bad.*

    best,

    aska

    *no, seriously, i’s not always that bad. i just try to be funny on here. am I funny? please love me.

    Read More
  • deferral,  UTSC

    i g2g be with the macaques now

    February 11, 2014

    I have been accepted at the University of Toronto , Scarborough for the winter session 2012. But , due to some financial issues I wanted to defer my admission till the January 2013 session. Please guide me on the process and I am an international candidate and would need atleast 3 months for the Visa process. Thank you .

    ———————————————

    hello. this is an old question. if you’d like to see why i am answering these BLASTS FROM THE PAST, please go here! thanks!

    aska

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    it may please you to know that i am almost finished answering the old questions that got dropped between aska switches, were pushed to the back of triage, or were otherwise forgotten (through no fault of my own, naturally). i’m almost done sweeping all the bureaucratic mistakes out from under the rug and holding aska up to account for its mistakes, urging it on to future righteousness, like a modern-day Karl Marx (dat hair). now, together, reader, you and i can proceed into a glorious, egalitarian future that will ultimately crumble due to corruption and the irrepressible greed of humanity.

    i feel like i lost control of that metaphor a little bit.

    anyway, this is always a very relevant question, and even though this person has long since deferred their acceptance and returned, it’s always good to know about in case YOU, yes YOU, my dear reader, ever find yourself in need of deferral information. who knows, you might one day decide you need to spend a year on Honshu island to bond with Japanese macaques before coming back to school to do your master’s. Then you’ll be glad you know how to defer an offer of admission.

    the process is very simple. you just have to fill out a Deferral Request Application, which becomes available in may of every year (which is why i can’t link to it right now). then you gotta send that and a final transcript/report card from your last academic year to uoft, before september 1st. that’s all! aren’t you glad? now you can go and be with the macaques.

    so long for now, comrades,

    aska

    P.S. I couldn’t find any UTSC-specific link that talks about deferrals, so while UTSC PROBABLY has the same deferral procedure as UTSG, i’d reccomend talking to the UTSG registrar to make sure.

    Read More
  • subject POST,  UTSC

    shootin’ for the stars

    January 17, 2014

    Hi, can you get a major in astronomy & astrophysics at UTSC? I checked the subject post codes for UTSC, and it was only available as a minor. Are the spaces unavailable right now or can you only do minors at utsc? I’m currently doing a major in health studies at utsc but I might change it to astronomy. Thanks for your help!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    there doesn’t seem to be a major strictly called astronomy, but there is a major program in astrophysics and physics, and that, along with the specialist programs and minor program, are all under the heading of ‘astronomy.’ so it looks like you can do a major in astrophysics? i don’t know if there’s some subtle difference between astronomy and astrophysics that i’m unaware of because i am a LOWLY HUMANITIES PEASANT, but it seems to me like an issue of semantics more than anything else. either way, it’s not an issue of space*: all subject POSts are listed on the calendar, whether enrolment is limited or not.

    cheers,

    aska

    * lol, geddit? space? because astronomy happens in space? but also space as in like, space for enrolment? it’s a pun? please laugh at my jokes i’m so lonely.

    Read More
  • admissions,  UTSC

    calculus grievances

    January 17, 2014

    Hey!

    I’ve applied to the mental health studies program at UTSC and their admission requirement is only English. Now since it’s related to psychology and the other UofT campuses require Calculus as a prerequisite for psychology, I’m worried that I’m gonna have to take Calculus in university. I haven’t taken Calculus in high school yet (I’m in grade 12) and I am not good in math. I can handle statistics but I don’t know about Calculus. So I need your help! Please let me know if UTSC mental health requires Calculus at alllllllll (even in second, third and fourth year), and also Biology for that matter.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    you can take a look at alllll the classes you’ll need to take for the mental health studies specialist here (just ctrl+f mental health studies). it looks like, apart from a couple of data analysis courses, you won’t have anything too rigorous to take in the way of math. so if you haven’t taken calculus, i wouldn’t sweat it! obviously data analysis will be tough, and calculus would help with that, but don’t scramble to take it now if you’re absolutely certain that this is the program you want to do. if the program doesn’t require it, then you should be able to cope without it. same goes for biology; if it’s not required, then you don’t need it (though obviously you can take a look at how much biology is in your future by looking at the courses required throughout the course of your program). otherwise, the university would be LYING to us and that would be ANARCHY, just ANARCHY.

    best,

    aska

    Read More
  • Transferring,  UTSC

    Jumping ship to UTSG

    November 4, 2013

    Hi askastudent,

    I currently go to UTSC, I wasn’t accepted to UTSG so they gave me an acceptance to UTSC. I’m in my first year and im not enjoying UTSC for various reasons. If I want to transfer to the downtown campus how good do my grades have to be? Like do they focus on that as much since i already go to University of Toronto, or will the fact that i wasn’t accepted to my preferred campus hinder me?

    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    Your previous application shouldn’t hinder this one at all. When you apply, the only thing you’re sending over is your transcript from first year, so that’s the only thing they’ll be considering.

    That’s pretty good news, but here’s even more: generally speaking, your high school grades have to be higher in order to be accepted than your university grades have to be in order to transfer. The reasoning for this is really simple and something you probably know already: university is harder than high school. An 80% in a university class might have equalled to above a 90% in high school, so your grades don’t have to be super competitive if you’re just applying to transfer.

    It might also be good to know that when you transfer from one uoft campus to another, your grades are kept on your transcript. When you transfer in from another university, your grades aren’t incorporated into your uoft cGPA, but coming from UTSC, your grades will be retained. Which can be good or bad I guess, depending on how you did in first year. But I just thought I’d letcha know, ’cause I’m a good friend like that.

    aska

    Read More