Hi there!

I am a first year student who took a few years off due to personal reasonsthat started when I was actually in Grade 11. I’m returning after a 3 year hiatus to continue my studies. However, when I was in school, I didn’t do too well. Average was in the 60’s and that was after I dropped a credit receiving an LWD (MAT135Y5), and failed another half credit (MAT102H5) due to these said personal reasons. I’m really excited to finally be back in school and I want to make the best of this opportunity. I’m actually a very
good student, my strengths lying in math. I’ve decided to continue with an Economics & Math major as originally planned. I think I can do a MUCH better this time around since Math has always been my passion, and my personal reasons are out of the way now. There really isn’t much stopping me from being at my full potential. Oh, I should also mention I’m a student at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

Unfortunately, while looking into what courses I should be taking for my majors, I noticed that there have been some significant changes. When I was a first year (3 years ago), the prerequisite for MAT102Y5 and MAT135Y5 was only Advanced Functions. Now there is also a grad requirement — 70% in Advanced Functions in high school. Now, I don’t quite remember how I did in Advanced Functions as it was quite some time ago, but I have a growing suspicion that I did not get that 70% — mainly because I took this course during my personal battle years.

So let’s say I did only get somewhere in the 60’s for Advanced Functions; what are my options? I know I can get a waiver, but what is the likelihood they would reject this waiver since I have already taken both those credits and dropped the first and failed the second? Also, how strongly do they look at high school marks? Can I get away without a waiver, as long as I do well in these credits? Also, if they do withdraw me from the course due to a lack of a waiver or prerequisite, would they notify me before they
actually do so, so I can get a waiver or petition my case? And lastly, do they really pay close attention to what you write in this waiver, or as long as you have gotten one, then they leave it at that without investigating your transcripts further? Basically, what are my options if I NEED these courses for both my majors and I have already messed up in both and don’t meet the grade requirements for the high school prerequisite? I really don’t want to change my program — this is really what I want to do.

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Switch to UTSG? They don’t have the grade prerequisites.

A more practical approach might just be to go to the Math department and explain your situation! From what I hear the Math department is very lenient with their prereqs.

I’ve actually heard at UTSG that they don’t really check the prereqs anyways. Saying that though, the fact that they have highschool requirements as a new prereq might mean that UTM is diligent on checking that students actually have what they ask.

I feel like I’m going in a circle with this answer … best option is to go to the math department and explain your situation (that you have been away for 3 years for personal reasons and how the prereqs have changed)

The only saving grace that you might have is if you enrolled in your subject POSts before you went on your school break. If you are enrolled in the Math and Economy majors, you follow the requirements of the year that you enrolled in the POSts. Graduation requirements can be followed from the year you enrolled in school, not Subject POSts.

May the luck be with you!

forever old and young,

aska