• engineering,  grad school,  masters

    beating the system

    November 29, 2013

    I applied to a masters at UofT in Cities Engineering and Management. i then realized they need a one year experience for the program which I do not have. Would I have a chance in getting in if not a lot of people have applied ?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    if they require 1 year of experience, then you need one year of experience. they wouldn’t put that as a requirement if they were willing to accept people who do not have 1 year of experience. sorry to break it to you. if you really want to enter that program, why not try getting that one year of experience and then applying a year later? that way you’ll have a chance of being admitted and you’ll gain valuable work experience! hope that helps.

    xoxo,

    aska

    P.S. “one year of experience” don’t sound like real words anymore. one year of experience. one year of experience. *shudders*

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  • admissions,  engineering,  grad school

    Engineering admissions woes

    October 28, 2013

    Hi! 🙂

    I am an international student and I really really want to attend Uoft engineering ece grad school. I am currently in my last semester and my cgpa will be 3.5-3.6 ish.

    Its a big dream of mine to get into uoft (follow in my dad’s footsteps) but i hear uoft is very competitive and they won’t even?look at anything less that 3.8. Should I just give up and not apply at all? I mean do I really have a shot at getting in?

    Thanks a lot :))

    -Worried Undergrad

    ———————————————

    Hey there,

    So basically, the cut-off for a master’s in engineering is a mid-B – that works out to a 3.0 in your final year. You’ve decided to go for one of the more competitive engineering streams, meaning you should have as high above that average as possible, but fortunately, I’d say a 3.5-3.6 qualifies as well above the 3.0 minimum, enough to give you a shot.

    Also keep in mind that for ECE, GPA is not the only consideration. They also look at references, so the better your references, the more likely your chances of getting in even if you don’t have a 3.8 GPA or higher.

    If you’re concerned about how your school matches up with uoft’s, or if your degree is an appropriate preparation for uoft’s grad program, you can also take a look here.

    Finally, I’m gonna go ahead and say what I always say: don’t pay attention to what you hear from other people. If you have the time and money, go ahead and apply – it’s always worth a shot if you really want it. Also, I get that you want to come here because your father did and it has sentimental value, but I’d also encourage you to apply to other places as well; uoft’s great, but it’s not the only option!

    Best of luck, and try not to worry TOO much 🙂 I know it’s tough.

    aska

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  • engineering

    senioritis strikes back!

    June 14, 2013

    Not sure if this is the right place to be asking a question but…

    My U of T admission says that I must maintain “consistent” grades. In my last semester of senior year my grades dropped by around 0.1 GPA (stupid senioritis). Should I be worried or is U of T (engineering) really strict in this matter?

    We go by a 4.0 unweighted GPA scale. (4.0 = A = 92.5-100, 3.67 = A- = 89.5-92.4, 3.33 = B+ = 87.5-89.4, etc). Basically in the last semester of my senior year, my physics? grade dropped from an A to a B- while my other grades stayed the same.

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    If it’s only one grade that fell, I don’t think you should be in tooooo much trouble.

    Granted, if you have time left to boost your grade with, say, exams, don’t screw around! Engineering is super competitive, even if you’re just applying to ones like Chemical or Civil that seem to require lower grades than Engineering Science.

    Screw around when you’re 100% in. 😉

    But to be completely honest, I do find that UofT is quite strict with their conditional offers. It’s okay to drop a percentage or two, but if you do anything substantial… yeah. Don’t do that. Just don’t.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • engineering

    there can only be only one aska

    April 18, 2013

    Dear Aska,

    I am a fans of Askastudent. However, I am in UT Engineering and I have many questions about how …engineering. May I ask you to send me a link of Askastudent-engineering??

    Thanks:)

    -Angel

    ?????????

    Angel,

    The best I can do in terms of giving you a link to some sort of “askastudent: engineering edition” is send you over to the engineering category.

    I won’t tell you where my super secret lair is based, but I will tell you I answer questions about UofT, UTSC, and UTM alike and all their faculties and departments, so feel free to send in whatever you’re confused about.

    I shall research your research for you to the best of my abilities. 😉

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • engineering

    if at first you don’t succeed…

    October 24, 2012

    Hello,

    My cousin just graduated from an Ontario high school. He dreams of going into UT’s engineering program, but, sadly, he was not admitted. In fact, he didn’t receive a single acceptance from any of the universities he applied to. He’s very passionate about pursing Engineering as a career, but his school grades are well below the minimum requirements. He doesn’t like asking for help, so I’m trying to seek some guidance in his stead.

    Does Engineering have any kind of wait list that he could get in? Or could he be considered for other Engineering programs?

    He’s now considering taking an additional year of high school to repeat some of the prerequisite courses, hoping to get higher grades and apply again next year. But I read from UT’s website that repeated courses are not considered. Does this mean he has no way of entering the UT’s engineering program?

    I didn’t go to high school in Ontario, so I’m not familiar with what options he has given his current situation. So any comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    Thanks.

    ?????????

    Hey there,

    At this point, the best way your ?cousin? can into the U of T Engineering program is to attend any university, whether that be U of T or another, and attempt a transfer.

    According to the Engineering website, he would basically have to be admitted into the Physical and Mathematical Sciences stream and take a number of math and science courses and achieve at least a mid-B average (although it wouldn?t hurt to get something higher than that). Unfortunately, the spots are limited so entry is extremely competitive so there are no guarantees. Moreover, if your cousin is admitted, he?d be back in first-year again.

    He can also attend a College for a relevant program and undergo another transfer process, but again, there are no guarantees for admission.

    Good luck!

    aska

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  • engineering

    go go gadget engineer

    March 7, 2012

    Hi, i am a current high school student and i was just wondering if my first semester average of 84 would get me into electrical or computer engineering? I am really nervous about this but i know i have to snap on my second semester marks in order to boost my average to be safe. My ec’s are decent like i play a lot of basketball helped out with the school food drive etc.

    Thanks

    ??????????????????????-

    Heyo!!

    At U of T and especially the engineering department they try not to post admission averages from previous years or what they expect for the coming because it really depends on who applies. They have a number of spots and they?take the best.

    Or they just like secrets.

    I sometimes picture them sitting in a massive chair, in front of a screen, stroking a cat.

    What I have heard in the past is mid to high 80’s.

    go, go gadget,

    aska

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  • engineering

    Super Hero Squad – Core 8

    December 9, 2011

    Hey there!
    I’m a high school student in an Mississauga high school, and I’m hoping to get into the Engineering Science program…which as we all
    know means 4 years of weight loss and no sleep. Its a really tough program, and I am going to try my hardest but what I want to know is,
    supposing I don’t get good grades in that program, can I tranfer to one of the core 8 eng programs after 1semester/year or will I just get
    booted out? On a side note, just wanted to know, does the student profile form really make a difference on the application?
    Thanks a lot!
    Avi

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

    Hi yah Avi,

    I actually had to send my owl over to the TrackOne office to get some clarification. Our owls must have gotten a little lost or had a fling together, but an answer has come through. Here is what they had to say:

    TrackOne (all 1 word) students only need to maintain a 60 average in *both* semesters to be guaranteed transfer into the Core 8 program of
    their choice. We don’t average out the whole year, we need 60’s in both semesters. That’s because if they drop below 60 in a semester, they end
    up on probation, and specifically it’s students on probation who aren’t guaranteed their top choice.

    We also always remind them that they cannot transfer into Engineering Science, only Core 8.

    A whole slew of super smart people will most likely be applying to engineering and the application is probably a way?of seperating the super smart. If everyone has the same marks, the application will be important, but if you are turbo smart then it won’t matter as much.

    If you want to check out all the sections of the applications theres a link for that bad boy?(no longer available).

    merry exams,
    aska

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  • engineering,  math

    Big Aspirations Equal Big … uuh …

    November 11, 2011
    Hi, aska.? I have a simple question.? I am first year student and I am taking general humanities courses and have not yet declared my major.? I recently want to become an engineer and realized that this field I have looked over is indeed quite interesting and is shaping the world.? I also fully understand this field is largely based on mathematics and science. So my question is, having not taken grade 12 science or math courses, can I
    declare my major as math.? I understand there are requirements to take courses and imagine math is no different but I can’t find that information on the Math Department’s website.? How can I declare math as my major without the necessary prerequisites.? Do I have to reapply as an adult student? I hated math but now I want to learn everything before college and when I am ready how do I start taking math at Uoft.? Any and all advice, criticisms will be greatly appreciated, thank you.

    Big Aspirations !!!

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

    Hey there Big Aspirations

    ok … so I have some super secret information for you … feel the anticipation growing. The enrolment for Mathematics only requires that you have completed 4.0 courses. It does not state that you need to have highschool grade 12 math. However, many of the first year courses have MCV4U and MHF4U as a prerequisite. Here’s the super de duper secret I have, the word on the street is that the math department doesn’t actually check prereqs for their courses. ewww lala.

    Saying that, you may and probably will suffer without that prior information. Actually how many people remember what they were taught in grade 12 anyways.

    Also … you realize a math major has nothing to do with engineering right (ok, nothing is a little strong, but they aren’t the same program).

    to the moon and back,

    aska

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  • engineering

    Getting DEEP into Engineering

    November 4, 2011
    hello,?I went to the DEEP summer academy at U of T, no one told me whether or not it would help me get in to U of T, so I would like to ask you if you know, does help your chances at all? plus my grades sre not stellar, I have a low 80’s average and would like to get into Mechanical engineering.
    ?
    Thank you

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

    Well it certainly can’t? … not …help? you. There is a personal profile that you must fill when applying to engineering and that would be a stellar extra cuurricular to include. <wink wink>

    That’s all I’ve got for you … oh … and this

    with babies and rainbows,

    aska

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  • engineering,  grad school

    an engineer in the ivy leagues?!

    May 24, 2011

    Dear Askastudent team,

    I will be studying Engineering Science for my undergraduate studies next year. I know that up to 50% of EngSci students graduate with a Bachelor’s, but I am wondering how many students (what percentage) are able to make it to top universities in the States for grad school, such as Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Berkeley, etc.

    Thank you for your help,

    Deyu

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

    Hey Dude,

    Unfortunately, since those statistics would change every year, I nor the Engineering Faculty would really have access to those kinds of facts. However, I do urge you to contact the Engineering Program who will be able to at least fill you in on where some of the students end up.?My guess is that at least a few end up in the Ivy Leagues for grad school and become kind of?big deals? Blaze your own path and you’ll end up there too!

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • engineering,  residence

    where the wild things are

    April 14, 2011

    Hey aska,

    I?m a hopeful U of T Engineering Science student.? I am in a dilemma right now on deciding what residence would be best for me.? I am thinking either 89 Chestnut of New College.? I like the hotel style rooms with your own bathroom, and the supposedly amazing food at Chestnut, but I am unsure about the walk to the campus.? Also is Chestnut mostly Engineering or Arts?? New College is really close to Bahen, but I?ve never seen any pictures of rooms, or heard anything about the food.? Is the walk from Chestnut to campus that big of a deal?? Can you suggest any other residences for Engineering Science students, and where do most of them go?? Thank you for the advice!

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

    I always assumed that Engineers at U of T lived in a dank hole in the ground where they painted themselves blue and built bridges out of popsicle sticks, but I assume I am wrong. Since it is much later than you originally proposed your question, I am going to pretend that you got into U of T and your dreams haven’t been crushed. So here is where the Engineers live on campus:

    The answer is up to Housing Services! Glamorous, right? While U of T offers a residence guarantee to any first year full time undergrad, as a professional faculty you will have to rate what residences appeal to you on their form. Then the various residences will sort through the applications of the engineers that chose them as number one and choose the top number of students by average. (Innis Residence for instance, holds 60 spots for the 60 engineers with the highest average who chose Innis Residence as their number one housing option.) It is kind of like a bizarre game show, I guess.

    There are all kinds of different residences at U of T that vary by architecture, meal plans, roommates, religious choices at all. Since I don’t know you, I don’t know what you like. So here are some questions I will ask you and then you can make up your own mind:

    Do you have lots of money or a little bit of money? 89 Chestnut is very expensive ($10,000 a year!) while Innis and Woodsworth are cheaper because they don’t come with a meal plan.

    Do you want to live a roommate or alone? Some of the classic residences like UC, Vic, New and St. Mikes still pull the old “sleep with a roommate in the same room” thing. Innis, Vic and Woodsworth offer suite style residences, with seperate rooms and shared living rooms/bathrooms and kitchens. Some single rooms are available in some residences too, with a meal plan.

    Are you religious? You should go to St. Mike’s then, where you can live with a whole bunch of Catholics!

    Do you like hip modern fixtures or an old classic vibe? Woodworth, Rowell Jackman and Innis are totally IKEA, while the residences at Victoria College and UC have that leafy greens Victorian thing going on.

    Can you cook? Do you want to live in a co-ed environment?

    89 Chestnut is about 30 minutes away, which seems like no big deal in the summer but is a serious inconvenience when it gets cold. It is also super expensive! I hear it is a fun place to live (you are living in a hotel) and has amazing food, but if you can afford something cheaper and more conveinent, I’d say go for it. If you don’t get in, you will go to Chesnut anyway.

    Here are all the websites for the college residences. Peruse them, take a tour.

    New College

    Innis

    UC

    VIC

    Woodsworth

    St. Mikes

    Trinity

    Good luck with the living, man.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • admissions,  engineering

    dubai + engineers = phallic buildings

    February 18, 2011

    Hi, I’m a grade 11 student currently and my 1st semester average was 86.5. I got mid 90’s in Math and Physics but i really screwed up in English (74). People are telling me that this mark will really affect my application because i want to apply to U of T Engineering Science next year. If by the end of this year, I bring it up to a 88 or so, will it be enough to cover the ground that i lost in my low English mark? How much exactly do i need to have a credible application? On another note, I just joined a school in Ontario this year and before that i was studying in another country. Do i now need to take TOEFL or IELTS ( i was in Dubai )? Another question, does the mark for summer school for an extra course like english (not a fail) be counted as a little bit less? Another thing, does U of T give credit for SATs?
    Plz answer my questions (i know there’s a lot). Thanks a lot!!!!

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

    Whaddup eaga-beava

    First off, lets make sure we have all the admissions facts straight. The admissions requirements that the university are looking for are from grade 12. Don’t get me wrong, they do look at your grade 11 marks but your future is not determined on them.

    Here’s what the engineers have as your requirements:

    Grade 12 Curriculum Requirements

    Candidates in the Ontario Grade 12 curriculum must be completing the Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, and the following six Grade 12 U/M courses:

    • English (ENG4U)
    • Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)
    • Chemistry (SCH4U)
    • Physics (SPH4U)
    • one of:
      • Advanced Functions (MHF4U)*
      • Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U)
      • Biology (SBI4U)
      • Earth and Space Science (SES4U)
      • Geometry and Discrete Mathematics (MGA4U)
    • 1 additional U or M course
    • Proof of English Facility
      1. Evaluate if you are required to present proof of English Facility.
        www.adm.utoronto.ca/eft
      2. If proof of English?Facility is required: If you have achieved the minimum required English facility test score and have/are taking ENG4U,?a minimum of 60% in this course is required for admissions.

    Please note that individual prerequisite courses must have at least 70% or higher. The Admissions Committee takes a look at a candidates overall academic history with emphasis on the prerequisite course average.

    * MHF4U – It is expected that all students will have completed the Advanced Functions course?as a co- or pre-requisite for Calculus & Vectors. However, in calculating the average, the?highest mark of the five elective courses will be used.

    In that long slew of information, they also answer your English requirement question … click the link … doooo it.

    Dude … i feel like your superman and Clark Kent, if you’re from Dubai/Ontario why would you have taken your SAT’s (but no you don’t get credits for taking the test)? and if you are considering retaking English in the summer, the school may consider that against you. If it comes down to a tie with you and another student who only took English once, rather then a wrestling match in pudding they would take the other person.

    Phew. I need a drink

    love,

    aska

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  • admissions,  engineering

    I want my admissions letter NOW

    February 14, 2011

    Hi
    I have sent in all the documents that U of T wanted from me…they have updated everything and my application status shows its still under review. I was just wondering till when can I get my admissions decision? I have an average over 92% and a strong extra-curricular application. I have applied to Engineering at U of T St George Campus. Please reply if you have any idea that when can i get an admission decision.
    Thanks.

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

    patience grasshopper, patience.

    Generally speaking admissions letters start to go out at the end of April and up until the last part of May. Some early admissions might be offered earlier than that.

    If you are really concerned and would like exact date I would give the department of Engineering a shout at: 416-978-3872.

    forever yours,
    aska

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