• colleges,  courses,  transfer credits

    a proactive fan wants out early

    May 24, 2011

    Hey Aska,

    I stumbled upon your website while I was googling for information about U of T and may I just say that this website reeks of awesomeness? It has really helped me a lot in gaining a better insight to life at U of T. I have two questions that I hope you would be able to answer. I’ve tried searching this website for the information I need, but I can’t seem to find them – so forgive me if you’ve answered similar questions before!

    I was looking through the courses offered by U of T and realised that there are some courses that I am interested in that are offered by specific colleges, such as Woodsworth, Trinity or Victoria. Is it possible for me to take up a course that is not offered by my college?

    I understand that 20 credits will lead up to a degree. I am allowed to
    transfer 2.5 credits from high school. Does that mean that I only need totake up 17.5 credits? I have a friend who’s studying at U of T and she’s
    graduating next summer. She’s been studying at U of T for less than 4 yearsthough. How does that work? Is it possible to take up maximum credits for each academic year and then probably stay on for one summer to take up theextra 2 credits? Would that save me one academic year?

    Thanks a lot!!

    Xin

    ———————————————

    Hey man, thanks for the kudos. It’s nice to be appreciated.

    I’m gonna break down your question into three parts.

    a) As long as you fulfill the pre-requisites, any student can take any of the “College”-sponsored courses. That means that you don’t have to be an Innis student to take a UC class, and you don’t have to be wearing a Trinity robe to register in a New College class. Colleges sponsor and promote certain programs of study, but what college you are enrolled in does not affect any class you can take. So go forth!

    b) If you have 2.5 accepted transfer credits from high school (through IB or CEGEP or however you managed to swing that), then yes, you will only need to take 17.5 credits to graduate from U of T PROVIDED THAT the Transfer Credit office (who are notoriously stingy with transfer credits) approves your classes.

    c) Your friend must’ve drank a whole lot of Rockstar Energy Drinks to get through that fast through U of T. You can take a maximum of 2.5 credits during summer school, and a maximum of six full year credits during the school year – which at a rate of 8.5 credits per year would allow you to graduate at a clip of just under three years. However, you would go NUTS! Insane! And trust me, delaying your university experience a little longer is much more preferable than going insane and graduating early. So think about that!

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • transfer credits

    can i ditch my transfer credits?

    April 14, 2011

    Hey Aska! I have a question for you.

    I transferred here from another university after one year, and got granted 5.0 transfer credits (yay!). But then I realized, my program requires me to complete certain things in certain years (boo). Therefore I am one year ahead in this program, since I have all those credits to my name, but the credits are in a completely different faculty! I actually don’t even need them to complete my degree here.

    Sooo, I was wondering, is there any way to ditch those transfer credits? They’re making me second year when I’m actually not. It really whomps since I will likely be forced to take summer classes.

    Sincerely,
    L.

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

    Dear L.

    It is really hard for me to answer your question because I don’t know what your program is! So the best thing I can do is advise you to see your college registrar about your question and book an appointment. You can’t really “ditch” transfer credits after they have been assessed. They go towards your Subject PoST (which is…?) but do not count towards your GPA. If they aren’t helping you finish your degree, then maybe at least one can be used for a distribution credit or something? If you are even more confused, here is additional info from the transfer credit office.

    Whomp, whomp, whomp.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • switching,  transfer credits

    my french credit is merde

    April 14, 2011

    Hi, my name is Grecia. I was on your site but I couldn’t find a way to ask you a question. I am currently a first year at UTM and I am switching my study field into Psychology but at the University of? Guelph Humber. I already talked to the office of the registrar at? Guelph Humber and had several meetings with her just to know all the? information. I was just wondering that if I don’t do very well on a? class that I am taking right now can I choose not to transfer it so it? doesnt affect my GPA in Guelph Humber Psychology? I was originally? going to be taking languages cause I wanted to go into translation and? interpretation so I am taking French, Latin and German right now. I? know that I have to have about a 70% average in all to be accepted in? Guelph Humber and I know that my marks in highschool will be looked? over as well and I have really good marks in highschool. But there is? a course here in UTM (French) that I am not doing so well in, and I? was wondering if maybe I can just transfer my two credits (German and Latin) so that my GPA in Guelph Humber won’t go down as much and affect my studies and GPA record. These credits that I will be transferring will count only as electives. They arent prerequisites because its a totally different study field, Humanities and Psychology. So my question is, would I be able to just transfer 2 credits that I have been doing really good in so that the one credit that isn’t so good won’t affect my GPA in Guelph Humber?

    I hope this email is still valid, because I’d really want an answer from you, as from what you were telling the other people on your site you? seem to really know your stuff. Thank you so much!

    ———————————————

    Dear Grecia,

    This is a very long and convoluted email. You want to know if you don’t have to transfer over your French credit, so that it won’t affect your new GPA at Guelph Humber. If you are already accepted at Guelph Humber, your UTM credits will transfer over, but they won’t be added to your Guelph Humber GPA.? They will just be accepted as credits you have already taken. The only thing your poor French mark might affect is the 70 percent average at Guelph Humber. So as long as you maintain a 70 overall average, you should be golden.

    Does this make sense? Feel free to contact Guelph Humber’s registrar and the U of T Transfer Credit office if you have any questions. They can be reached here.

    Transfer-ly yours (?),

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • transfer credits

    let’s all transfer credits

    February 9, 2011
    How many transfer credits are you allowed to count towards a minor? For example, if you have 3 transfer FCEs that could fulfill the minor requirements would they just count only 1 FCE and make you do further courses at U of T? And do they treat transfer credits you receive from high school (IB/AP/etc) differently than those you complete at other universities?

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

    Whaddup university student … maybe highschool student,

    So this is what the transfer credit website is saying on the matter:

    100 Level Courses

    • Transfer credit is not given for 100-level courses in excess of the six (6.0) permitted towards a degree.

    300/400 Level Courses

  • Only one 300/400 level transfer credit can be used towards the fulfilment of the 300/400 level degree requirement.

    • but they follow it up with a little bit of an asterisks saying:

  • Students wishing to use transfer credit for the fulfilment of distribution or program requirements are responsible for confirming with their College Registrar or Departmental Advisor, respectively, that the credit is acceptable for this purpose.

    • Meaning that if the credits do transfer you have to make sure the department is down too.

    I’m slightly confused by the second portion of your question. Are you a highschool student? There are credits that can be transfered from IB highschools that will count at U of T.

    In both scenerios, you have to make the voyage to your department to see if they also approve of the credits counting as a degree requirement.

    Hopefully this is someone helpful.

    yours truly,

    aska

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  • physics,  transfer credits,  UTM

    and another one bites the St.George dust

    November 5, 2010

    I saw your site. I have a question!! So, I am a first year UTM student and I understand that I cannot take St. George courses until i finish 4.0 credits from UTM. However, can I choose a subject POST from St. George? I really want to do the physics major in St. George but I also dont think I could switch campuses because of my GPA. (chemistry is a %*#$) If I do end up picking the physics major from UTM, can I take the required courses for the major in the St. George campus even if it is offered in UTM?

    ———————————————

    Whaddup little UTMer

    Unfortunately you would have to registered at the St.George campus to have a subject POST from that campus.

    I would suggest first going into your registrar’s office and asking them about the possibility of transferring to the downtown campus. It sounds like that’s the campus that would be best suited for you. You never know, you might secretly have the perfect CGPA to get transferred (well i don’t know really, but you might as well check).

    This is what the Arts and Science Course Calendar says about taking courses at other campuses:
    ” Students registered on the St. George campus of the Faculty of Arts & Science may enroll in most courses offered by University of Toronto Mississauga and University of Toronto Scarborough, provided that they meet the enrollment controls and prerequisites established by those divisions. These courses count towards the 20 credits required for a St. George degree and are included in the CGPA. These courses may also count towards St. George program requirements; students should check with their program office before enrolling. ”

    Meaning, that unfortunately your going to have to go into the Physics department and talk to all those scary men dropping eggs off of balconies in little contraptions trying to get them not to break AND just ask them if its cool with them if you betray UTM for St.George …. and still have it contribute to your degree.

    With Greatest Love,
    Aska

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  • transfer credits

    Everyone loves St.George …

    October 27, 2010

    Hello,

    I was recently going through all the minors at uft st.george and I realized that there are more options there which I would like to do. (I am currently at utm.) I am in my first year and I would like to switch for next year. Is it possible and will all my credits get transferred? Or can I stay at utm and get minors at st. george?

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

    Heyo UTMer,

    You can take courses from other campuses and have them apply to your degree, but not entire minors. If it’s multiple minors that you are interested in at the St. George campus then you might want to consider transferring.

    Before you take any drastic measures, go in and talk with your academic adviser because they will be able to look at what programs you’re interested in and find the best campus for you.

    If you find that you’re guided by the light of transferring, here’s a page that can help you start thinking about the process.

    Love Always,

    Aska

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  • commerce,  transfer credits

    get the hell out of windsor!

    September 17, 2010

    I’m currently studying at the University of Windsor for business administration and I am in my first year of the first semester, and was thinking of transferring to the University of Toronto (downtown campus) for business administration or commerce. So, I was wondering how I would go about doing that i.e forms to fill out, credits needed, documentation needed etc. Also before I went to Windsor I was thinking of going to go to UofT but I didn’t take the mandatory calculus course so I didn’t apply. So I was wondering how does UofT access possible transfer students, do they only look at University courses or do they also look at high school courses. If UofT does look at high school courses and considering I didnt take the course needed for the program at UofT does that mean I’d be rejected? Any feedback, advice or answers would be greatly apprecaited. Thank you in advance!

    ———————————————

    Already in your first year and waiting to get out of there, eh? Before you do so, maybe give Windsor a chance before you consider switching? Oh wait, it’s Windsor. I advise you to get the hell out of there as fast you can.

    Basically in order to complete your switchover to U of T’s hallowed halls, you’ll have to contact the Transfer Credit Office. All the necessary information to attempt a transfer is detailed on this website. But I will recap the FAQs for you.

    How do I apply?

    Students wishing to transfer to the U of T should complete an application form available from the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre or from the University of Toronto Office of Admissions and Awards.

    The Faculty of Arts and Science has a minimum two-year residency requirement. The Faculty does not normally accept as degree candidates, students who have completed more than two years (10 full credits) beyond the grade 12/OAC level at university – such students may apply as Special Students (i.e. those who are not proceeding towards a University of Toronto degree).

    What do they take?

    Acceptance of Transfer Credits
    Acceptance of transfer credits among Ontario universities shall be based on the recognition that, while learning experiences may differ in a variety of ways, their substance may be virtually equivalent in terms of their content and rigour. Insofar as possible, acceptance of transfer credit should allow for the maximum recognition of previous learning experience in university-level courses.

    Subject to degree, grade and program requirements, any course offered for credit by one university shall be accepted for credit by another Ontario university when there is virtual equivalency in course content.

    Assessment of Transfer Credits
    The assessment of previous post-secondary studies for transfer credit is compulsory. Failure to comply with the stated procedures and/or resolve any outstanding obligations, such as the submission of additional documentation or the completion of departmental interviews, within your first registered session of degree studies will result in the refusal of further course enrolments.

    When will I know?

    Length of Process

    • Assessment response time varies depending on a number of factors – e.g.: whether or not the documentation in your file is complete, where your studies were completed (e.g.: at a College of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT)/College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (CITAL) or outside of Canada), the time period during which your request is received (mid-June to mid-August is our peak period).
    • Normally, a domestic assessment takes approximately 3-4 weeks and a foreign assessment up to 10 weeks.

    Hopefully you found that helpful. They will definitely make their decision based on your first year marks at Windsor so do well, so you can get the hell out of there! In terms of whether or not you will need a high school calculus class, that may be a question that needs to be consulted with the Commerce Program. Contact them here.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • languages,  transfer credits

    je suis…annoyed

    September 9, 2010

    HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!

    I am a first year student and plan on majoring in sociology and French (leaning towards the language & linguistics programme). However, I have minimal knowledge of French and was placed in FSL121Y1 after taking the placement test. I logged into ROSI and attempted to enrol in the course but am on the waitlist. I was advised by the registrar that I should consider taking an equivalent course at Athabasca University. I do not want to study a language online, so I tried to get into a similar course at UTM, UTSC, Glendon, and Ryerson to no avail. Also, this course is usually not offered in the summer session and I cannot take this course in the 2nd year because it means I’ll be taking FSL22Y1 during 3rd year and will not be able to complete the program requirements by the time I graduate. What am I supposed to do?? Since FSL121Y1 does not count towards any French programme, can I study privately at another Alliance Francais or with a tutor and the retake the placement test or enrol in FSL22Y1 in second year? I don’t care about getting the credit for FSL121Y1; I only care about being prepared to take FSL221Y1 in 2nd year so I can complete the program by the end of 4th year.

    ———————————————

    Hey there. Considering your situation, I think that taking a language placement class at the Alliance Francais (so conveniently close to campus!) is a swell idea. You will just have to make sure that it checks out alright with the French department, not your registrar. I understand that being on the waitlist has messed up your class schedule and plan for your studies. You can try to get into FSL 121Y1 after the first week of classes (when the waitlists are dropped), or you could try to do the course equivalent in person at the Alliance Francais. The only potential problem is that U of T will not accept your class there as a credit.

    The website says this in regards to transfer credits from accrediated universities:

    Students may receive transfer credits, by means of a request placed through their College Registrar, for language courses taken at any accredited or degree-granting university in Canada or abroad. In order to be recommended for transfer credits, students should arrange, before returning to Toronto, for the other university to send an official transcript of their results. The transcript should be sent directly to the address indicated on their Letter of Permission (if they have one) or to their College Registrar.

    If your French improves thanks to your studies at the Alliance, it’s possible that you might get into FSL 221Y1 irregardless and not have to worry. But if you don’t pass the placement test and U of T doesn’t accept your Alliance year as a credit, you might have to end up taking FSL 121Y anyways.

    I would talk to the French department before you decide what you are going to do. Maybe you will get into FSL 121Y anyways!

    Bonne chance,

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • awkwardness,  grades,  transfer credits

    paranoid android

    July 30, 2010

    Hi, I was just wondering if prof’s and TA’s have full access to your transcript? I’m a transfer student and I can’t even view my marks from my old school, so I’m assuming they might only be able to view the marks I get from U of T? My concern is that they might look at your old marks and grade you within a certain range – based on your previous record? I also think they might judge you, and only think you’re capable of achieving to a certain level. Anyway, I hope you can address some of my concerns. Thanks!

    ———————————————

    Whoa, how much paranoia have you been smoking, pal? Your transcript and academic history are for college registrars, only. (Plus nobody can get on ROSI without the super secret access code that kind of makes you feel like James Bond.) Your past marks are none of your TA or professors business, and they won’t be able to find them out unless you tell them. I’m also certain that they won’t care. Consider your new year of school a fresh start and a chance to improve upon your past years by working hard and delving into your studies. Lay off the paranoia. That stuff will kill you in the end.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • transfer credits,  UTM

    even if i’ve fallen short…will U of T let me in?

    July 28, 2010

    Hello,
    I have arranged to transfer to UTSG from UTM, and I have a couple of questions. First, I have a 2.49 CGPA and the minimum is 2.5 – will they not accept me because I am short .01? Also, if I do not get accepted into UTSG will I still be enrolled at UTM?
    Thank you!

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

    This kind of seems like an obvious question to me. Maybe now, to you. If you are short the minimum grade to be accepted into the school, St George will not let you in. If you are denied a transfer, you will remain at UTM, where it seems you should. I would be booking an appointment with the UTM college registrar, if I was you.

    Have more questions? Contact the transfer credit office.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • arts & sciences,  other schools (boo!),  transfer credits

    waterloo sunset, i am in paradise

    July 19, 2010

    Hi Aska,

    I have been reading your site for some great advice and now have my own questions. I recently completed my first year in Commerce at UofT. However, I discovered where my true passion lies and decided to switch into Engineering. I recently received an offer of admission from Waterloo for Environmental Engineering and gladly accepted it. I am for sure leaving UofT next year. But will I be able to keep my utoronto email address? If so, for how long?

    Second question. Do I need to go to my registrar’s office or the Rotman Commerce department to decline the guaranteed admission into second yr?

    Thanks in advance for your response!

    ———————————————

    Hello there! Congrats on your exciting move from U of T to Waterloo, land of sunsets and dirty old rivers. (At least, according to the Kinks’ song.) You will be happy to know that your U of T email address will long outlive your death. It is the only thing that you can keep for free from this university after your graduate! (Other than knowledge, of course.)

    You should probably inform your registrar’s office that you are switching to a new school, if you haven’t already. Did you also contact the Transfer Credit Office to see if any of your courses taken this year apply, even for a breadth requirement? Do so. Basically if you don’t choose any classes from U of T, you won’t be considered a student, but they will keep your record on file. Contact your registrar’s office anyway. IT’S FUN!

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • admissions,  transfer credits

    enough with the “will I be admitted” questions

    February 25, 2010
    Hello,
    I am a student of University of Alberta. I applied for a transfer to?University of Toronto St. George campus. However, my last term GPA was 1.7?and this term I am planning to raise my cumulative GPA to at least a 2.3.?Would I granted admission?    Thank you.

    ————————————
    Hi. For the infinitith time, I don’t work at admissions and awards, so I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.
    Go check the site out yourself, or go phone them and ask. If you click around, though, you’ll find that they say “Competitive applicants to the Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto St. George. usually have a solid B average.” Still, nothing is guaranteed, so who knows – maybe you’ll get a lucky break.
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  • admissions,  engineering,  transfer credits

    did you read the sign over there that says “artscis only”

    January 22, 2010

    Hello,
    I came upon your site while googling “transfers to UofT”. My question is am i able to transfer to UofT’s faculty of applied science and engineering? I am currently in my 1B (second) term at the University of Waterloo, and I am enrolled in the honors civil engineering co-op program. I applied and was accepted to UofT’s track one and civil engineering programs last year when i was still in highschool, and i feel that i should of accepted UofT’s offer instead. My 1A term average is 64%, and I am wondering if I will be able to transfer to an engineering program (electrical engineering) at UofT, and if any transfer credits will be accepted, and if i will have to repeat first year at UofT?

    Thank you for answering my numerous questions

    ————————————

    You know that aska is part of the Faculty of Arts and Science and so is not affiliated with engineering in any way, right? Okay, just wanted to make that clear. It’s too bad engineers don’t have their own askastudent – I guess it’s because they’re “so smart” that they’ve forgotten how to write properly.

    Just a heads up: there is no guarantee that, just because you were accepted into a UofT program last year, you?ll be accepted again this year. Spaces for transfer students are a lot more competitive than spaces for incoming high school students, especially in engineering. With a 64% average, that might be even harder. The bottom line is, UofT is interested in how its prospective transfer students are doing at the University level. If you had any extenuating circumstances, then perhaps you could write a letter to UofT explaining how your high school marks are more indicative of your performance, but it still feels like a long shot to me. The admissions office at the Faculty of Applied Science might be able to give you more information on your chances of getting into their faculty.

    The best you can do is 1) try to achieve higher marks for second semester, and 2) apply for transfer before the deadline. Note that the deadline to apply on OUAC is February 1st for transfer students, so you better apply right away.

    As for transfer credits, you can worry about that after you apply. If you apply and get in, the Faculty of Engineering will then follow-up with you on the issue of transfer credits. You?ll probably receive some transfer credits, but you also might have to make up some credits. They?ll also let you know, after they?ve accessed you transfer credits, if you?d have to take an extra semester or extra year. Again, though, you won?t find out whether you?d have to do an extra year or not until after you apply, so if you really want to come to UofT, just apply now.

    If you don?t end up getting in, unfortunately you?d have to either stay at Waterloo or go somewhere else. In that case, you might try transferring to electrical engineering at Waterloo. It?d be a lot less paperwork, and UofT might not be what you?re imagining it to be, anyway. On the other hand, if the learning environment at Waterloo is seriously putting you off, maybe you could apply to some other schools in addition to UofT. A lot of people change programs or schools after first year (aska did), so do yourself a favour and figure out where you really want to be.

    By the way, to any prospective engineers reading this post, the title’s just a joke. Send in your questions. I’m happy to answer them… I mean, I get paid to do it.

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