• courses,  university-college,  weirdness

    the saga that is cognitive science

    Hi Askastudent,

    Do you know what’s going on with the Cognitive Science program? Their webpage hasn’t been updated since January 2008 and when I look up their courses at University College, it seems they’re not University College any more… or something? “The Cognitive Science program formerly administered by the University College has been redesigned under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts & Science. Please refer to the Cognitive Science program: see Cognitive Science.” See Cognitive Science…. where? In the Arts & Science calendar there is no Cognitive Science category that I could find.

    I’m sooooo confused! I managed to find one course on the timetable (under University College, not Cognitive Science), and the course code has changed from UNI to COG. One course does not a program make, so I’m not sure what’s happened. Is the program no longer offered? If it is, where have the third and fourth year courses gone? How does a program go from having TWO specialist degrees and one major to not existing so quickly?

    Thanks for your help. I’m totally baffled.

    ———————————————

    Hello there. I’ve talked to a couple of peeps at University College and the short answer (after long explanations) is that no one exactly knows what is going on with the Cognitive Science program. It’s no longer under University College’s jurisdiction, and the only Cognitive Science course in the entire program is not being offered this year in the timetable (COG 250Y1). This year it seems that they are “taking a break” from Cognitive Science before determining where it is going. Which is totally weird, right?

    If you look at page 134 of the calendar, you’ll see listings of what classes are offered to make up the major pogram of Cognitive Science – all courses in computer science, linguistics and psychology. For now, all COG courses no longer exist, and it’s dammed difficult to find who exactly is representing the program. (Someone at the UC programs office actually laughed when I said that the website hadn’t been updated since January 2008!)

    If you are interested in the program, you will have to follow the course listings outlined on page 134, and wait until next year (perhaps?) where COG courses will be offered again. There isn’t even a faculty listing in the calendar, so there is no one you can even scream at for their negligence!

    Your best bets (for screaming) are the Faculty of Arts and Science registrar, or Hilary Browning at University College.

    Good luck to you! Let me know what happens.

    xoxo, Askastudent

  • colleges,  new college,  university-college

    follow your heart, not your nose

    Hey aska,
    I applied to UTSG for life sciences but I’m having a really tough time deciding on whether I want to attend New College or University College. I’ve been looking online (for example at the official websites) but I can’t seem to find a whole lot of information on New or UC (although there seems to be no lack of it for Trin and Vic) from a students perspective or information that hasn’t been polished to attract students. So I was wondering, which college would be closer to most of my classes? What’s the general atmosphere like at each? What’s the social scene like at each? Any other pros or cons you know about these two colleges (for example I read new college is pretty anti social and smells odd…)?

    Thanks.

    —————————————————–

    First things first: stop it with the stereotypes. I’ve said this many times before in the past, and I’m going to say it again. There are anti-social and stinky people in every college (and yes, that includes you, Trinity. Those robes don’t magically prevent you from getting stinky, even if you think they do). And I don’t think it’s fair to the 4000 people going to New College that you automatically stereotype them as being anti-social based on what sounds like a random forum post by someone who likely never even went to New College.

    I really don’t know which college will be closer to your classes, because 1) I don’t know what classes you’re taking, and 2) even if I did, the locations of classes change each year, so it’s really hard to say. Still, UC and New College are both located in the middle of campus, so both are pretty convenient places to be. They’re both close to places like the athletic centre and Sidney Smith (the Arts and Science building you’ll probably have a few classes there). If you’re a commuter, New College is close to the Spadina streetcar, but it’s not like UC is that far away from it, either.

    New College is a diverse bunch. They are the host of the Equity studies program, so diversity is something they really push for and some students really appreciate. Though UC isn’t too different. From what I gather, they are pretty open-minded group.

    As for other advantages? if you’re living at residence, you might want to consider how pretty the buildings are. If you’re living in Toronto, take a tour of the colleges, if you can. Of course, the University College building is infamous, and is what a lot of people think of when they think of UofT. (Though one of my high school friends once said it looked like a haunted house. *shrug*)

    Finally, from what I’ve collected from being at UofT for several years, a lot of people seem to like UC I’ve even heard people saying that they wished they’d gone there. I don’t know how much you should let that affect your decision, but there it is. Still, I have a friend who’s an international student going to New College, and she’s still having a great time. She says that New College’s meal plan is probably the best on campus — and I’d be inclined to agree, because I’ve eaten at Victoria, UC, and New and I liked New College’s food the best. Of course, if you’re not living on residence, that’s not really an important issue.

    Another thing to keep in mind is that your decision is not final. If you find that you don’t like your college, you can always apply for a switch at the end of first year. Also, you might want to take a look at these posts by the amazingly-awesome Cynthia of UpbeaT. She’s interviewed the student life director so they’re not exactly the unpolished opinions you requested, but they do nevertheless give you a good overall impression of the two colleges.

    Anyway, I know I probably have not swayed you too much in either direction, but my advice to you is just pick one and go with it. A lot of people find that at the end, their college choice is only a small part of their overall experience at UofT. You will meet people in other ways – such as joining extra-curricular activities, volunteering, or through your classes – especially if you’re in a small program. At the end though, I think one of the most important things you get from your University experience is that you will meet people from extremely different backgrounds. And I think that will happen no matter what college you pick. I know this totally doesn’t help you pick your college, but I think one day you’ll look back at my post and think WOW! Aska was right!

  • courses,  new college,  registration,  Toronto,  university-college

    Just be happy you have somewhere to live.

    Hello,
    In late March I received my acceptance to UofT; however, I did not get into my first choice college (University
    College). Instead I got into New College. Today (late May) I attended an open house of sorts, and we toured the residence rooms. To say I am not impressed would be an understatement. I have already accepted UofT (obviously) and have sent in my residence reply form. My first question is, is it still possible at this time to transfer into
    University
    College, or am I just going to have to suck it up? Also, I have seen the UC dorms and I like them much better.

    My second question: do languages count as a humanities or social science? I want to go into Pharmacy and one of the pre-requisites is that I have at least one humanities or social science course along with the regular sciences.

    Thanks!

  • awkwardness,  friends,  frosh,  residence,  university-college,  woodsworth

    Can you find the Pig Latin in this post?

    ok, so from what i’ve heard, UC sounds like the best college (by best, i mean not religious, stuck-up, or too weird) and i’m kind of regretting my choice of Woodworth. it seems to lack character. i know it’s a little late now, but can anyone convince me that i made the right decision, or am i just going to have to make lots of friends at UC so i have an excuse for spending all my time there?
    thanks a lot.

  • colleges,  university-college

    the college war has been called off due to gross nudity

    Hey, I’ve been looking into the various colleges, and the basic information given about each has been nice and all, but I have a question that the pamphlets won’t answer: Which schools have a reputation for what kinds of people? Where are the preppy rich kids, where are the hippies, where are the dungeons and dragons kids, where are the drunken jocks, and where are the
    outdoorsy health freaks, etc…? Although I’m sure each college has some of everything, I just want to know where I would fit in the best.