• food,  meal plans

    it do be hard

    July 29, 2019
    im a first year enrolled in uc but living in an apartment can i still pay for a meal plan? i cant make food for the life of me

    ——————————————

    hello friend,

    you certainly can! i figure you probably googled it but weren’t able to find anything– that’s because, according to this site, the plans aren’t available for purchase til august of each year. so hang tight– they should be up soon, and with updated fees.

    if you’re not on res, you can purchase an unlimited dining plan valid at certain locations. new college’s dining hall is usually one of them, which is a win ’cause new is known to have the best dining hall food on campus. when you purchase a plan, you choose a certain period of time it’s active for as well– a year? a semester? a month? i’m not sure what the offerings will look like this year, that’s just based on what it’s been in the past.

    i’m pretty sure buying the annual plan gives you more ~value~ because it’s cheaper per day. an alternative to that is purchasing a plan for a semester, just til you get on your feet with the whole adulting thing. it can get pretty tedious having to go to campus for your every meal– trust me, once january or february hits and it’s -30 wind chill, you’ll want to stay at home if you can. and chances are, you’ll also still end up eating out with friends, skipping breakfast, and wanting snacks outside of dining hall hours.

    these reasons are what have deterred me, personally, from getting a meal plan, although biting the bullet and purchasing a plan can be the right choice for some people. i do believe you’ll learn how to make your own food at some point– but baby steps! it’s totally fair if you don’t feel up to feeding yourself every single meal right now. it do be hard.

    another option you have is to load your tcard with tbucks, which will give you a discount at a bunch of on-campus dining locations. you can also use these tbucks for printing or bookstore purchases, so if you don’t use them all on food, they won’t go to waste.

    that said, if you do wanna go for the full-year unlimited plan, by all means. it can help free up time you would’ve otherwise spent doing groceries and cooking, and hey– maybe you’ll end up making friends in the dining hall. just want you to be aware of your other options, as well as some things i’ve picked up along the way. at the end of the day, choose what works best for you!

    be Boundless,

    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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  • meal plans,  tcard

    who needs a credit card when you can have a tcard!

    August 21, 2013

    Hi there,

    I am a first-year student that will be studying at the St. George Campus come September.

    1. From the T-card website, regular office hours are 9-5 from Monday to Friday. Will they open for extra office hours from August 31 to September 1st to accommodate those who come from out of Ontario and move in to residences on September 1st?

    2. I heard that meal plans are linked to t-cards. Basically, I am concerned that without a t-card, my meal plan cannot be activated and I won’t be able to get any food. Would I have to wait until September 3rd to get food from my meal plan?

    3. If the t-card office sticks to their regular office hours, the problem is that I also signed up for orientation which begins at 9:00 and probably ends around 4:30. I have heard that there are usually long lines at the beginning of September to get t-cards. If I arrive at 4:30, will staff turn me away so that the office can close at 5pm, or will whoever lines up before 5pm get their t-cards regardless of how much time it takes to get the job done?

    Thank you very much!

    ———————————————

    Heyo first-year

    So prepare yourself for some not-the-greatest news:

    1. Extra hours…. hmmmmm.

    Personally, I’ve never heard of that happening, and I asked a few people and they say the same thing. Just assume that the hours will remain as they are, and if you’re reaaaaally bursting with curiosity, contact the TCard Office and ask them.

    2. Okay so browsing through UeaT’s FAQ, they seem to be working on the basis that “no TCard, no Meal Plan” and say you need to use “acceptable methods of payments” instead.

    Which, of course, it totally doable.

    Most places on campus are open to some hard cash. Likewise, you can just… you know, get OFF campus and gallivant over to some random food places.

    If you’re around St. George and Bloor, there’s this awesome grilled cheese place. I love the pulled pork grilled cheese. Mmmmmm. And if you’re around Spadina and Bloor, I say go to Pita Q and get a delicious shawarma. Or get a burrito down the street. Or get some fro-yo! Lots of places over there!

    And then if you’re on the more southern part of Spadina… well, I vote indulge in some all you can eat sushi. Or maybe some pho. Or lemon chicken. Or mmmmm dim sum.

    And if you’re closer to the south side of Queen’s Park, there’s a food court there too. Not my favourite place, admittedly, but if you can live off of Subway for a day or two, there’s one there.

    And there’s also another Subway just across from the ROM if you’re in that area. But if you’re more in the Vic/St. Mike’s range, you can walk over to the Yorkville places. There’s this reasonably priced fairly decent sushi place on Charles St., and I quite like the 7 West Cafe there too. Like they have this “Diamonds and Pearls” cake that is to die for. It’s a layer of red velvet, then cheesecake, then red velvet, then cheesecake, and then some cream cheese frosting. DELICIOUS.

    Anyhow, you’re definitely not bound by your meal plan, and even smaller, by your freaking TCard. Sure, it sucks that your Meal Plan may take a day or two to become accessible, but in the end it works out cuz bam — opportunities!

    3. Getting your TCard doesn’t take that long. If I remember correctly, they basically glance at your acceptance letter, glance at your ID, take an unflattering photo of you, and then print in a couple of minutes.

    Anyhow, I suppose if you come at 4:30 pm, they’ll help you, but I guess the latest they’d take someone is at like… 4:45 pm?

    And really, if you’re that person who comes at 4:57 pm, I’d make sure I took the most hideous photo of you possible.

    But if you look at their hours, you’ll see that they ARE open until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, so do go then. Most offices will have one day a week where they’re open a bit later than usual to accommodate people who can’t come during normal business hours.

    So if you can’t make it by 4:45 pm, don’t be that asshole who comes right before closing.

    Do the humane thing and come on Tuesday.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • food,  meal plans

    food is everything

    October 29, 2012

    I’ve done a lot of research, and nowhere does it say whether Innis has a meal plan, or even a cafeteria…

    I need a place with food, and I really liked the look of Innis..

    Thanks!

    PC

    ———————————————

    Hey hey PC,

    Looks like you have done your research! You totally get a gold star. You don’t know how many people ask questions without consulting Google first.

    Anyhow, you’re right. There is no meal plan at Innis. Why? Because Innis functions as an apartment-style sort of residence, meaning you get a fully equipped kitchen that allows you to cook. Yes, that’s right, you can actually go to UofT to learn about biology and sociology and all of those other beautiful things, while also learning how to cook!

    But if you cross the street and head over to the Innis Caf located in Innis College, you can buy food there. They have freshly squeezed juices, breakfast specials with enough bacon to fill your monthly quota for it, and these absolutely amazing chicken kabobs. However, if you’re really set on purchasing a meal plan, there’s nothing stopping you from getting one that allows you to eat all over campus.

    suddenly starving,

    aska

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  • meal plans

    eff cooking, meal plan purty please

    March 27, 2012

    Hey guys!

    So I’ve been recently accepted into UTSG in Woodsworth, and I’ll most likely be living in res. And since i’m a useless human being I can’t really cook so I was hoping there would be meal plans, but seems like Woodsworth doesn’t have any meal plans, but i can purchase them from other colleges. Is it a pain in the ass for a woodsworth student to have to go to another college just to eat?

    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    Heyo,

    Who really needs to know how to cook at this age. If you wait long enough you can just marry someone for their cooking skills … or at the very least, make enough money to buy your own personal chef.

    mmmm I’m hungry now.

    mmmm

    Ok, focus … sorry.

    You can just get a campus meal plan, which in my opinion, sounds awesome. You can just eat at any of the residences and snack joints on campus. Check it! There are also various other meal plans that might strike you fancy.

    Now I’m going to stuff my face!

    forever hungry,

    aska

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  • asia,  meal plans,  residence

    i want to live in a toilet bowl

    January 25, 2002

    Okay,i’ve been browsing the sites, but still need to know about
    something very important: BATHROOMS!
    As a first year student, would there be any residences where i wouldn’t have to share a bathroom with a whole floor? i don’t care how many roomates i have, i
    just don’t want to walk far to take a pee…..It doesn’t have to be a suite, just semi-private bathrooms… Also, what residence have the best light meal plans? (not a gazillion meals a
    week for a gazillion dollars….)
    Last note: what’s with U of T barely accepting AP credits? Huh?
    Thanks for allllll your help!

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