• first year,  residence,  woodsworth

    i [don’t] wanna [live] where the people are…

    January 28, 2014

    Hi!
    I was accepted to U toronto Woodsworth College just yesterday :’) I’m super excited! but still waiting to hear back from other unis. I really want to live in the Woodsworth residence! (I love the apartment style single rooms :), however, I did not rank Woodsworth as my first choice on my OUAC application 🙁 Instead, I ranked Innis as first, and Woodsworth as second (i think).
    When I logged on to MyRes, it told me to rank Woodsworth, University College (as UC can supply some rez for Wdw students) and Chestnut in order of preference, but next to Woodsworth there is a note that said “Because you did not rank Woodsworth as first choice…..it is unlikely that you will be placed in this residence”. But if I saved my preferences this early, is there still a tiny chance I will be able to get into Woodsworth residence, or should i just prepare to hear bad news for my own doings 🙁
    Thank you so much for your help and time! 🙂

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    i mean, i don’t know if you’ve been in woodsworth, but it’s kinda small (especially if you compare it to uc). they don’t really have a lot of room to spare. if that message appeared on your MyRes, then i’d prepare for the possibility of not being put there.

    however, most of uc’s accommodations are single rooms as well, so if you really want to be placed in a single room, i’d say ranking your choices as 1. woodsworth 2. uc and 3. chestnut should give you a pretty good shot at a single room.

    i also get that you like the apartment style because it’s bigger, and you don’t have to share a bathroom, etc. etc. but you know what? if you get a non-apartment or non-single type room, it’s not that big a deal. honestly, the more you have to adjust your style of living in first year, the better prepared you are for the rest of your life.

    you’re not going to be living with mum and dad for much longer, and the sooner you adjust to the necessity of roommates, shared washrooms/eating spaces, malfunctioning toilets and maybe having to live above a daycare for demon babies (i’m exaggerating. am i exaggerating? let’s not talk about my first year experiences), the sooner you’ll be prepared for life outside of school.

    i know, it’s not what you wanted to hear. but you know what? the university’s gonna be giving you some tough loving every once in a while, so it’s best you hear it from me first. alright? we good? cool. now put on a brave face and don’t let first year push you around, ‘kay?

    aska out.

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  • residence

    a very topical question about the cold

    January 7, 2014

    I was just wondering,?? is it cold in residences without air conditioning D: Because I am a total wimp and get colds before the temperature even hits 0?C.

    Thank you & have a nice day \ o /

    – Stella

    ?????????

    hey there,

    i assume you mean heating, not air conditioning. and, well, it does get pretty cold here. i’m not gonna sugar-coat it, man. according to this, Toronto’s coldest weather last year felt like -26 degrees. Today, one year later, it feels about -30.

    however, there are things you can do about the cold! I’d recommend bringing a few thick blankets and a comforter with you to residence, as well as a whole bunch of sweaters. Buy some good slippers and lots of woolly socks. Also, you can bring a portable heater with you! I did that last year when i lived in residence, and it worked like a charm. It sat on my desk and could warm my whole bedroom in an hour if i closed the door.

    finally, you can always depend on the warmth and kindness of your neighbours, who will, i’m sure, always be up for a group huddle when the going gets tough. that’s what uni residences are all about, as far as i’m concerned.

    so as long you make sure to stay one step ahead of the cold, you should be fine 🙂

    your metaphorical academic blanket,

    aska

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  • admissions,  colleges,  computer science,  international students,  meal plans,  residence,  scholarships/bursaries,  woodsworth

    the longest question ever submitted to askastudent

    November 25, 2013

    Hi there!
    I’m just currently trying to get my stuff together for applying to different universities and I just had some questions and things I need to confirm. I’m currently in Grade 12 in Edmonton, Alberta and I want to get into Computer Science at Saint George.
    Firstly, I would like to eventually end up in the Software Engineering stream and I just wanted to make sure that this stream is under Computer Science and not engineering or its own department (different universities does this differently and I just need to make sure I’m applying for the right thing).
    Secondly, With the application process, if I were to apply right now, but my marks increase in the future could I update the marks?
    Thirdly, With Computer Science, do I need to submit my Math 30 mark or can I just submit my Calculus mark and skip over math?
    Fourthly, how do I go about getting my official transcripts to you? Is this an automatic process or would I have to talk to my school administrators?
    Fifthly, speaking of marks and transcripts, I know some Universities will look at your grade 11 mark if you are currently not finished a prerequisite, is this true at U of T? Also, is the application average calculated by taking the required courses then taking the highest courses on the transcript or is it based on submitted courses?
    Sixly, Okay I know you guys are probably sick of these questions about Colleges so I apologize beforehand. Anyways I just wanted to know how much being affiliated with a college really matter? Such as, would belonging to University College or Saint Mike’s over New College have an affect on future job prospects or grad school applications? (Basically how much does the prestige of a college matter).
    Sevenly (okay this numbering system is starting to sound ridiculous), what is the cutoff for Trinity College? I am afraid of putting Trinity as my first choice because I don’t want to jeopardize my chances of getting into Victoria, Innis or Woodsworth. Speaking of Woodsworth, as Woodsworth doesn’t come with a meal plan so what alternatives are there? Also I heard somewhere that Woodsworth won’t consider you if you don’t put them down as your first choice, is this true?
    8ly, Would getting a single room hinder on my social life, I’m worried that if I get a single room then I won’t be able to connect with as many people.
    9*10^0-ly, how much support is there for first years, I know this probably varies from college to college but just generally speaking are there a lot of support options? I have never been in Toronto so I would imagine I would be pretty lost without it.
    My highest marks as they currently stand: [information redacted for privacy purposes]
    Finally with this information what do you think my chances of getting into Computer Science and into Trinity are?
    And as a little side request, do you happen to know where I might find like a side by side comparison of the colleges? As well as where I might find scholarship information?
    Anyways thank you very much for taking the time to read this. This would definitely clear up somethings for me. I look forward to hearing from you!
    Best Regards.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    congratulations man, you win the award for longest question ever received on askastudent. i’m impressed that you wrote all this out, seriously. meanwhile, i’m sitting here trying not to dribble egg salad on myself. it’s a wonderful thing uoft does to you.

    i’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m gonna answer all of your questions briefly here, and i’m gonna refer you to our (NEW AND EXPANDED WOW) FAQ to answer some of the more general questions about colleges, living in residence, etc more extensively. sound good? good.

    let’s get to these questions.

    ———————————————

    Hi there!
    I’m just currently trying to get my stuff together for applying to different universities and I just had some questions and things I need to confirm. I’m currently in Grade 12 in Edmonton, Alberta and I want to get into Computer Science at Saint George.

    Firstly, I would like to eventually end up in the Software Engineering stream and I just wanted to make sure that this stream is under Computer Science and not engineering or its own department (different universities does this differently and I just need to make sure I’m applying for the right thing).

    –> Software engineering does not exist as a separate stream at the downtown campus. UTSC’s computer science program offers a software engineering stream.

    Secondly, With the application process, if I were to apply right now, but my marks increase in the future could I update the marks?

    –> The final marks that the university looks at are your mid-May marks. Your school should be able to update these, and if not, you should be able to do so through OUAC. (If you have any trouble with this, contact OUAC directly.)

    Thirdly, With Computer Science, do I need to submit my Math 30 mark or can I just submit my Calculus mark and skip over math?

    –> Calculus and Vectors and Advanced Functions are both required

    Fourthly, how do I go about getting my official transcripts to you? Is this an automatic process or would I have to talk to my school administrators?

    –> Talk to your school about it! They should be able to help you out. Otherwise, see if you can apply through the OUAC 105 form, which is for out-of-Ontario students.

    Fifthly, speaking of marks and transcripts, I know some Universities will look at your grade 11 mark if you are currently not finished a prerequisite, is this true at U of T? Also, is the application average calculated by taking the required courses then taking the highest courses on the transcript or is it based on submitted courses?

    –> No. The application average is from your six highest courses including prerequisites. That stuff they tell you about universities sometimes looking at grade 11 marks is most likely a lie. obviously i’m not on any application committees, but if you’ve done well in grade 12, i’d say that’s more than enough.

    Sixthly, Okay I know you guys are probably sick of these questions about Colleges so I apologize beforehand. Anyways I just wanted to know how much being affiliated with a college really matter? Such as, would belonging to University College or Saint Mike’s over New College have an affect on future job prospects or grad school applications? (Basically how much does the prestige of a college matter).

    –> It really really doesn’t matter.

    Seventhly (okay this numbering system is starting to sound ridiculous), what is the cutoff for Trinity College? I am afraid of putting Trinity as my first choice because I don’t want to jeopardize my chances of getting into Victoria, Innis or Woodsworth.

    –> There is literally no cutoff. Admission also depends on the trinity college profile. Innis and Vic will not consider you if you don’t put them as #1. Woodsworth will.

    Speaking of Woodsworth, as Woodsworth doesn’t come with a meal plan so what alternatives are there?

    –> Here are some dining options available to all students.

    8ly, Would getting a single room hinder on my social life, I’m worried that if I get a single room then I won’t be able to connect with as many people.

    –> Not at all. You’ll be leaving with these people, using the same washrooms, eating with them on a regular basis…if you’re friendly and willing, you won’t have a problem meeting people.

    9*10^0-ly, how much support is there for first years, I know this probably varies from college to college but just generally speaking are there a lot of support options? I have never been in Toronto so I would imagine I would be pretty lost without it.

    –> I’m not quite sure what you mean by support. There’s plenty of academic support offered by each college and also by the university – all you have to do is look around!

    My highest marks as they currently stand: [Information redacted]. Finally with this information what do you think my chances of getting into Computer Science and into Trinity are?

    –> I ca’t be the one to tell you that. All I’ll say is, just apply, and don’t worry about it before you hear back from the university. Life is too short to stress out about a dumb little thing like this. Do the best you can, apply, and that’s really all you can do.

    And as a little side request, do you happen to know where I might find like a side by side comparison of the colleges? As well as where I might find scholarship information?

    –> That doesn’t exist. Scholarship information can be found here.

    best of luck,

    aska

    ———————————————

    and there we have it! like i said, some of these questions will be going into my new FAQ, so keep an eye out for that for an EXPANDED ANSWER to a lot of these questions, with more INFORMATION and GIGGLES than you could possibly imagine. thanks for the typing workout, and remember to stay cool *sunglasses emoji*.

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  • residence

    b.y.o.tv.

    August 12, 2013

    Hello,

    I’m looking over the residence form, and I’d like to confirm that Innis?Residence rooms don’t have a TV supplied, just the cables.

    Thanks,
    Jack

    ?????????

    Jack,

    According to the Innis Res website, your suite is equipped with the jacks for any cables.

    As in YOU supply not only the TV, but the cables as well.?That’d be kind of weird if they only gave you the cables wouldn’t it?

    But fear not! The res has a TV room of sorts that you can always use for when you get bored.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • admissions,  residence,  trinity college,  university-college

    uoft is not for the weak-hearted

    July 10, 2013

    Just finished 10th grade. Already excited about University. Anyways, I’ve?read the differences between the College’s there and residence. So far I’m?stuck between College University and Trinity College. I’ve read the differences between them but still can’t decide. Any recommendations? What would you say is better and why? And also what residency is also pretty good? I’ve heard good things about Woodsworth? Any recommendations? And is UoT as hard as people say it is? People say they spend all day – all week studying, is that really that difficult?

    ———————————————

    Hey hey you eager beaver!

    So I’m going to divide these questions up because I’m too lazy to write in paragraphs. Enjoy:

    Q. University College or Trinity?
    A. UC all the way.

    Q. For why?
    A. Well to begin, Trinity needs me to complete a profile… a.k.a. more than any other college (aside from Vic). But for you, UC and Trin can be easy to choose between. UC is big where Trin is small. UC isn’t that hard to get into, whereas Trin is more… picky. Yada yada yada.

    Q. Best res?
    A. CHESTNUT! Granted, that one is for the people who aren’t afraid of a little walking and who have a lot more money than others.

    Q. Good things about Woodsworth?
    A. They have a Second Cup and a lovely hall thingie to study in.

    Q. Is UofT as hard as people say it is?
    A. No. UofT isn’t hard, but it does require hard work. The people who say UofT is difficult are the ones that expect university to be a lovely walk in the park.

    Q. All week studying?
    A. Well… the idea of spending all week engrossed in academics when you’re a full-time student shouldn’t be too unbelievable. If you consider that your full-time job at the moment is to get through university, it just… makes sense. Don’t be lazy!

    Q. But all week studying?!
    A. I know. That’s how we weed out the weak.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • housing,  residence,  UTM

    she doesn’t even go here

    June 3, 2013

    Hi,

    I was just wondering if you can still live on residence even if you are suspended for a year? Because I keep getting emails saying my housing application is incomplete and to complete it by a certain date etc. So now I am thinking of living on residence (If i am allowed to) and working for a year, since I can’t seem to find a place to live in the area for the September year…please help! (I am from UTM)

    Thank you!

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    Uhhhhhhhhh I want to give you one big fat firm no but I’ve come to realize nothing at this bloody university is ever black or white. Instead, I’m going to give a 99.9% sure no.

    Or well. Just no. Yeah. No. No residence for you.

    The goddess of logic tells me since dorms are student residences and you are not technically a student, then nay, you’re just getting emails but they’re not relevant to you.

    And if you can’t find a place right now, give the housing search (no longer available) a try! Or Craigslist. Or random google searches.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • residence

    for the second pick, we can guarantee you a waitlist

    May 28, 2013

    Hi Hi!

    I recently got accepted to uoft architecture and am still waiting to?receive the hard copy of my acceptance letter in the mail. I’m really?worried about my Myres application because the deadline for it has long?passed and I just realized that I listed one of my least preferred colleges?as my first choice. The rest of the colleges are ordered correctly.

    What happens if I change my college preferences after the March deadline??If I decline will i still be guaranteed housing in another college or do I?have to go looking for places off campus).

    Thank you.

    -ml

    ?????????

    ML,

    Unfortunately, if you decline the offer for the res you’re given, you lose that first year guarantee. See, they DID technically give you a place like they said they would, but you said — or will be saying — no. Get it?

    But what you can try is contacting the other residence(s) you’re interested in and see if you can get on their waitlists.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • residence,  st. mike's

    live in loretto or stay in st. mike’s – part ii

    May 21, 2013

    Hi,

    I’ve spent wayy too much time today going through your archives.. makes for a good read for procrastinators.

    Anyways, I’ve been accepted at St. Mike’s college so I’m thoroughly confused about the residences. I’ve been through your blog and found no comparisons of the residences within St. Mike’s (so I’ve done my research) 🙂

    I was wondering if you could give me a general response of the students staying at Loretto’s college vs. those staying at SMC? My parents say they’d be comfortable with me in Loretto’s for the first year, but I don’t want to miss out on the freshman fun and if coed > than loretto’s then I’d have to talk to them about reconsidering.

    Thank youu 🙂
    PK

    ———————————————

    PK,

    I’ve actually answered this exact question before and was met by this one totally awesome response.

    I’m hardly a pro on St. Mike’s residences and don’t know a lot of people who’ve lived in them so sorry, I can’t quite give you any accounts, but the general consensus seems to be that if you’re choosing between the those two…

    (Note: Kind thanks, @vikkitokkz, for your hilarious reply to my tweet.)

    Likewise, from my own experiences of visiting Loretto, it just wasn’t my favourite place. Very… long. Great bathrooms though! I actually quite liked the bathroom situation that went on there.

    But yeah, I say you should just go to St. Mike’s. If the problem for your parents is the whole co-ed thing, just point out that while the res is co-ed, floors are single-sex, as are the shared bathrooms — meaning they can relax, there won’t be any hanky panky. Sort of. Whatever.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • residence

    some of the swankiest places to stay

    April 25, 2013

    What’s the best Res for first year students at U of T?

    Thanks

    ?????????

    Hey!

    Uhhh well to be honest I?m a veteran commuter, but of all the places I?ve visited/slept over at/loitered in, I?ll give two of my favourites!

    Chestnut Residence: With its history as a hotel, this particular residence is for the ballin, which I say partly to be a tool, and also because it?s incredibly expensive in comparison to other residences. However, your beds are huge, as are your rooms, since you?re literally in OLD HOTEL ROOMS. Likewise, the food is great. On Sundays there?s an omelette bar. Like, what could be better, right?

    Innis College: Now this is an acquired taste, I suppose. The Innis Res is an apartment-style place, meaning you share your living space with three or four other people but get your own room. There?s no cafeteria (although there?s the Innis Caf? across the street), but you get a kitchen so you can cook your own meals.

    ttc trekking,
    aska

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  • residence

    living in loretto or stay at st. mike’s?

    April 18, 2013

    Hi!

    I received offers of residence to Loretto Women’s Res as well as St Mike’s,

    which one do you know/think would be better?

    -Newly Admitted

    ?????????

    Newly Admitted,

    Your question makes me happy. Firstly, you have a nickname. Secondly, you’re not asking about Subject POSts. So four for you, New Admitted. You go, Newly Admitted! 😀

    Anyway, of those two… I suppose I would say go with St. Mike’s to be entirely honest.

    But that’s just me, so let’s look at some facts. Loretto is all-female, whereas St. Mike’s is co-ed, so I prefer the latter. Loretto is kind of pushed off to the edge of campus, while St. Mikes is closer to Queen’s Park, therefore closer to my classes — although Loretto is closer to Indigo, which has a pretty Christmas tree come winter! And then between Loretto and Sorbarra Hall (one of the St. Mike’s residences), I find Loretto has prettier rooms.

    So personally, again, I’m leaning towards St. Mike’s, but why don’t you do some tours so you can make your own judgement?

    xoxo,
    aska

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  • Chestnut,  residence

    help me find housing

    March 21, 2013

    Hi hi,

    I’ve just been accepted to UofT and I have to rank my colleges. Woodsworth is first and by mistake I clicked on an x by Chestnut Residence and it put ‘NOT INTERESTED’ over it. I really don’t want to end up in Chestnut so I saved my rankings with WW first and Chestnut saying Not Interested. Does this mean that their only option is to put me in WW as I have excluded Chestnut from my options?

    Thanks for answering!

    ———————————————

    Hey hey!

    Okay soooo the way the First-Year Guarantee works is that first-year full-time students will always be given a place to live. So if you don’t get into your first choice — in your situation, Woodsworth Residence — then you will quite likely be passed off to Chestnut. And then if there’s no room at Chestnut, the university will rent a hotel or something equally grand. All in all, if you’re incoming, you’ll get a place to stay — but if you reject whatever they offer you, then that’s that.

    Now there’s no way to make Woodsworth your “only option” and force them to take you — if that were the case, students would be doing that all the time right? You can say you’re “not interested” in Woodsworth on your MyRes app, but you can still be given a place there if Woodsworth doesn’t take you. But again, if you decline that offer… well, then have fun finding housing in Toronto. 🙁

    But if you do get sent to Chestnut, don’t sweat it! 😀

    It’s actually become a very popular residence. People can actively make it their first choice now! Likewise, given that the place used to be a hotel, the rooms are pretty big, the beds are pretty big, there’s cleaning services, and on Sunday mornings they make some mean omelettes. Chestnut is a great res. Yes, it’s a little far off, but hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little exercise right?

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • colleges,  residence

    housing “options” at uoft

    February 26, 2013

    hello there, greetings. Glad to know there is a website like this. this answer (sorry to quote)”Basically U of T is a bureaucracy (which you have probably already learned), that decides to organize students in little clumps called ‘colleges.’ The college you are accepted to dictates what residence you will in and who will handle your administrative affairs.”

    my daughter is ‘exploring’ U of T, Rotman College by way of transfer from US. From the Map of U of T, the nearest Residence is Woodsworth, Innis, Trinity, University, Victoria somewhat in that order by distance. She chooses Victoria as No. 1, she likes Victorian…things. Will that be considered? One thing, cant find room and meal fees for woodsworth for a regular Fall-Spring semester references.

    thank you.

    confused dad

    ———————————————

    Hey Confused Dad,

    Alas, we come to but the bajillionth college question.

    If you’ve done any reading on the matter before this (which I assume you have), you’ll know that certain college, particularly the small ones, will only accept students that rank them first. So for your situation, if you want to get into Woodsworth/Innis/Trinity/Vic, you’ll have to pick now and rank the one you want most. UC, fortunately enough, will be more accommodating since it’s a lot bigger.

    And to be clear, Victoria college isn’t really Victorian… Like, they don’t all dress in black like to fit in with the Queen V, nor do they have ridiculously long realist novels scattering the halls. However, the Victoria College building itself is a good way of feeling like you’re walking around in something that’s a century old. Seriously. The elevators can attest to that.

    But yes, if she ranks Vic as number one among the colleges, she’ll be considered — but I do warn you that Vic is quite, er, prestigious? Or picky. Hm. Difficult to get into.

    As for the Woodsworth info you cannot seem to find, just head over to Housing Services. Sometimes UofT’s individual websites can be the biggest pains, but most of what you’re looking for should be available on the res’ site.

    Good luck!

    aska

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