Hi,

I am a high school senior thinking of enrolling in the Rotman Commerce program at U of T next year. I plan to live on campus because I want that whole “university experience” that includes partying hard, making new friends, school spirit and etc.. One big concern I have is that since U of T is a commuter school that does not exist there, is it true?

Second, there are so many residences and colleges at U of T, I think it would be impossible to visit them all and I was wondering if you can suggest some for me. The criteria is as follows:

1. Lots of partying, always something to do

2. Dormitory style with double rooms

3. Good location, close to subway St. George station

4. Cafeteria preferably connected to the residence hall

I visited the Victoria College, and did not really like any of the residences, the one that was nice was an all female one, and I don’t want to be stuck in an all girls environment. Also, how far of a walk is it from 89 Chestnut to the Rotman Commerce building.

Thanks in advance.

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Hiiii. I?m glad to hear that you have school spirit and are excited to meet new people, BUT your insistence on ?partying hard? is making alarm bells go off in my head! ?The university experience? also includes:

• getting accustomed to walking to 9 am midterms in the snow
• getting owned by two midterms on the same day (with no break in between)
• going onto the course website and repeatedly refreshing until your marks come out, and
• either breathing out a sigh of relief when you realized you?ve passed, or crying your eyes out while resolving to do better on your next midterm

No, no, no. You would NOT want to miss out on these wonderful, life-changing events. Seriously. You won?t even remember partying after you wake up (after having passed out from all that alcohol, if it?s your thing), but you will keep these midterm memories for a very long time indeed. In UofT we have a saying: work hard, party hard. Partying is good and fun and all, but remember that you are also here for academics (besides, I hope your parents aren?t paying your tuition.)

What?s that? I should actually give you some actual information about the residences so your eyes would stop rolling themselves around in their sockets?

Geez. I was just getting to that. I don?t HAVE to help you, you know, but since I?m such a nice guy/girl, I will. For starters, you should check out this site, which gives you some basic information about the residences. Innis and Woodsworth have suite-style rooms, so I would not recommend them to you. All the other colleges? residences are dorm-styled. As for proximity to the transit stations, Victoria College is pretty close to Museum station, Innis and Woodsworth are pretty close to St. George, and New is close to the Spadina streetcar (which you can take North to Spadina station). I believe UC and New have residences that are connected to their cafeterias. Friend of aska says that Chestnut is the party rez. Whether or not to take her advice is up to you – though the walk from Chestnut to Rotman is pretty darn far. According to google maps, it?s around 30 minutes. (Keep in mind that in the winter, you?ll have to walk in the snow too.) Also, another-friend-of-aska says that Chestnut doesn’t give you the “rez experience” because it’s more like a hotel than a dormitory.

?great. I?ve just spent around an hour browsing downtown Toronto using Streetview. Thanks a lot.

Oh, and don?t forget to consider the price of the residences. Here’s a link to the electronic copy of the viewbook too, if you need it.

You know what though? Like all good things in life, you can?t have everything. As far as I know, no rez at UofT really satisfies all of your criteria. Prioritize what you want from your rez life, maybe visit a couple more of the residences and colleges, and then pick the one that seems to suit you best ? that?s all there is to it.

Lastly, remember that, as you’re in commerce, you’re also be exposed to a myriad of social events, internships, and other opportunities. Make sure to take advantage of those too.