• admissions,  campus,  colleges,  student groups

    the perks of being a uoft student

    October 10, 2012

    Hi,

    I am going into gr.12 IB and I am REALLY interested in going to u of t. However, some people have told me that going to u of t is overwhelming and that it is only “worth it” if you can get into the private colleges. Could you give me a brief overview (regarding application, student life, academics) of trinity, rottman and woodsworth?

    Thanks, I hope I am not asking too much. I love your askastudent website, finding it very helpful!

    Ellen

    ———————————————

    Hey Ellen,

    As someone who goes to U of T and has experienced its ups and downs for a lovely three and a half years, I want to tell you that contrary to the idea that U of T is only worth it if you’re in a private college, that is sooo untrue. Firstly, we don’t have private colleges. All seven of the colleges here, despite their varying sizes and apparent snobbishness, are accessible to anyone. Secondly, being in a larger college can be fun in terms of meeting new people.

    Your application really depends on what you’re aiming to take. For example, if you’re an Ontario student hoping to join the Humanities stream or the Social Sciences stream, we look at your top 6 grades (which must include grade 12 English). If you’re not an Ontario student, however, refer to the admissions site to get a vibe for what they want from you.

    Now student life is at U of T is always pretty active. Every college has its own student society and if you’re going to be part of residence, there will definitely be a council of sorts planning things for you there. Likewise, if you have any specific interests, there’s a huge number of student groups you can join. So if you like Hip Hop or helping children or even Quidditch, U of T probably has a club for it.

    The academics at U of T, like any other university, are quite rigorous. We are a very research-oriented institute and take pride in our work. I mean, there’s a reason we were once again named Canada’s number one university, so studying here won’t be a walk in a park, but it’ll definitely be worth it.

    As for the rundown on the colleges, refer to this post or just check out the ‘college’ tag for the website since there will probably a number of entries about them. Rotman, on the other hand, is not a college, but the larger name essentially for U of T’s business program.

    always happy to help,

    aska

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  • admissions,  campus,  Transferring,  UTM,  UTSC

    campus switcheroo

    September 11, 2012

    heyy, super helpful humanbeing!

    I want to ask one question. Can I transition from one U of T campus to another during my first year?

    Also, probably I wouldn’t have asked if I’d known where I can find info about transitioning on U of T website. Could you give me a link if there is one, please 🙂

    Thanks in advance!

    -confused humanbeing

    ———————————————

    Hi there confused!

    What you’re asking about is called an internal transfer, and lots of students consider making such a campus-to-campus switch. The application to do as much is on the admissions website here, and you can apply as soon as today to start classes at a new campus next Fall. As to whether you can do that after just one semester, the answer is “no” for a couple of reasons. Enrolment services (the new, sexy title for “admissions”) will only accept transfer students after at least one year at any of the U of T campuses. Much like transferring universities, transferring campuses can only happen for September.

    Since admissions officers have only recently looked at your admission application, they want you to show improvement over a full year before looking at it again and re-assessing your acceptance for the various campuses.

    If you’re still bent on trying your luck, confused, your best bet is to contact admissions. I hope you’re charming!

    aska

    P.S. I’d like to correct the assumption that I am a “super helpful humanbeing.” I am, in fact, a super helpful cyborg. But thanks for the compliment!

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  • art,  campus,  choosing

    a would-be potter debates U of T and UBC

    September 17, 2010

    Hello,

    I was just wondering if there was a pottery club or a pottery studio on campus such as one in UBC? Also, for the radio station at UBC, they have a self published magazine, so I was just wondering if there were any magazines for U of T that mainly focus on students artists and bands? Thanks!

    ———————————————

    It sounds like you should really be going to UBC, what with their pottery clubs and studios and artistic radio stations. I searched high and low for a pottery club here on campus (which we should have, since this school has friggin’ everything), and nothing came up! I know that there’s an installation for Visual Arts Students, which must mean there’s a studio somewhere – but nowhere, even Hart House, seems to list anything accesible to the whole campus. Luckily the Gardiner Museum is right next to Victoria College which does offer a bevy of sculpture/pottery classes open to the public if that’s your thing.

    I know for a fact that The Varsity produces an annual arts magazine that is pretty damn incredible, which focuses on Toronto arts and culture (including bands and artists). You can read a past issue here. That issue is usually produced in January and would be a great thing to get involved with. Otherwise, there’s a ton of campus media and a tremendous radio station at U of T as well as a million other student groups and organizations. I recommend going through this exhaustive list to get started, though you can’t beat BC for rainforests, foilage and other special…er, greenery.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • campus

    you’ve got it on lock down

    September 17, 2010

    Hey aska,

    Where would you be able to find a locker on campus, and which places are the cheapest? I need a place to store my love letters and engagement gifts. I get too many. Also my gym clothes and drinks, but that’s another story.

    I think you can get some at Innis (no idea how though), and Hart House as well, but are there more convenient/cheaper options?

    By the way, I love your site and am following your posts to the point of obsession.
    (Don’t worry, even though I’m so popular and everything, the only one I love is you.)

    Thanks and much love. 🙂

    ———————————————

    Oooh, I like you. Can we be friends on the internet? Seriously though, email me. I feel like you could be an Askastudent in training 🙂

    You will be happy to know that Innis College boasts the cheapest lockers on campus. A scant $5 for a whole year that are big enough to fit a mini suitcase on wheels, a laptop, and a giant lunch bag. I believe you can rent them from the ICSS, located in the Innis College building. You can contact them at416.978.0840 or info@icss.com.

    Lock it up, darling!

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • campus,  fun & places,  getting involved,  student groups

    any club that would have me for a member

    July 13, 2010

    Hi Aska!

    I am a student at UTM and wanted to find out if it is possible
    for me to join and participate in UofT groups or organizations that are
    a part of the other UofT campuses. I’ve received vague answers
    everywhere I have searched and I am hoping for a more solid
    answer. Of course the only place that I knew that would be anywhere close was you! Since you seem to have a bottomless jar of knowledge right at hand.
    Thanks in advance for reading my e-mail! I really do appreciate that you would take the time out of your day to share some of your wisdom.
    As a dedicated fan I have to also throw in that I absolutely envy your awesomeness. =]
    ———————————————

    “I absolutely envy your awesomeness.” Congrats, dear stranger, you have just made Aska’s day. (Which before, was made by eating gratis carrot cake.)

    Aside from the commute, there shouldn’t be anything barring you from getting involved with a club or organization on the St. George or UTSC campuses. Why, there’s even that zippy yellow school bus to take you to St. George at previously agreed upon times! The best thing to do, would be to sift through this giant list of clubs and organizations, and see which ones tickle your fancy. Don’t contact them now, as no one will even be in the office until the first week of classes.

    Personally, I think that any club would be lucky to have a person like you for a member. Plus you can offer that valuable UTM perspective thus missing from downtown organizations. (Is it true that every UTM student has webbed feet?)

    xoxo, Askastudent

    P.S. A good place to hit up is The Varsity Newspaper, if you’re at all interested in student journalism. The “UTM perspective” is always appreciated and you can be a star cub reporter! Contact them here.

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  • admissions,  campus,  first year,  TTC

    Calling Scarborough’s Bluff

    July 5, 2010

    So I applied to both UTSC and UTSG through OUAC for the same program (in arts & science faculty). UTSG was # 1 on the school order, with Woodsworth ranked as 1st choice college. I was refused at UTSG but admitted to UTSC. I’ve known all along I DID NOT want to go to UTSC!!! however, I accepted their offer intent on transferring to UTSG. How can I speed up the transferring as I do not like UTSC and do not want to stick out even my first year there? I already anticipate the regular long TTC commutes there; all in all this is not the campus for me. UTSG provides the utmost in convenience as well as my happiness and so much more – I JUST KNOW IT (although I have yet to embark on life at either UofT campus).

    I am in summer school this month to obtain my last credit towards my OSSD, and I will! I’m sure this makes a big difference to them in terms of the failing status I retained when they denied me. (I was admitted to UTSC first, when I wasn’t failing)

    Sorry for all my whining, but please tell me what to do! Who do I call/pay/beg? Is there any way I can be reconsidered for UTSG or internally transferred there asap before I start at you know where in the fall? Where are the next step resources for the St. George refused? WHERE IS THE WAITING LIST for extra space in a program?!

    ———————————————

    Dude, I am feeling for you. You wanted St. George, you got Scarborough, and now you have to shlep all the way to that Bladerunner-esque black hole every day for a year because you spent too much time ogling Jordan Catalano in high school instead of studying.

    There are a few questions I have for you, though. What are your marks like now? How will your upgraded summer school marks affect your GPA? What kind of program are you vying for (as life sciences and commerce tends to be more competitive)? What sort of university experience do you want?

    I have been instructed “not to get your hopes up.” (U of T is so mean!) The place to beg for a re-consideration is the Department of Admissions and Awards, which can be contacted here. Unfortunately though, it’s probably impossible that your upgraded GPA might make a difference at this late point in the game, and they may defer you to Scarborough’s admin office instead.

    The worst scenario is that you’ll have to stick it out in Scarborough for a year, and do an internal transfer to St. George in your second year – unless you like, donate a wing to the school or something. (Again, Admissions and Awards is your point of contact, as well as Woodsworth College’s registrar’s office.)

    However, UTSC really isn’t that bad. (Really!) There are tons of unique, practical programs with smaller classes and a more intimate study experience that you might find ideal. They also tend to beef up marks, which is great for all those terrifying bell-curved first year classes. Plus think of the studying you’ll get done on the bus, thus making you an attractive candidate for your further years of study. Plus, Scarborough is so ghetto fabulous, you might have fun.

    More info about internal transfers can be found here. Let me know what happens.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • campus

    music: not the universal language after all

    January 6, 2010

    Hi
    I’m a first year student here, that lives at Woodsworth. I’ve been trying to find out (through my good friend, Google) if there’s a recording studio of some sort on campus at U of T. I’m not expecting a decked out, huge state of the art studio. But does U of T have a place where people can go and record? My brother went to U of R (Regina) and they had a room with a very basic recording booth where you could record out stuff out of. Does U of T have something like this?
    I read somewhere that the Music Faculty has a recording studio (makes sense lol). Would I (a non-music student) be able to use it if it indeed does have one? And if not, are there any other places you know of?

    Thank you!

    ———————————————

    Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for you. I just emailed the Faculty of Music, and they’ve told me that their recording studio is only open to Faculty of Music students. Sorry!

    I tried to look for a recording studio at UofT though, but all of them seem mighty expensive. So unless you?re crazy rich, you could considering just recording with a camcorder or something Or you could, you know, just jam out your frustrations with your friends on Rock Band. Or go make parodies of Katy Perry songs and share them with your other best internet buddy, YouTube.

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  • campus,  first year,  friends,  new kids

    Coolness validated.

    June 1, 2009

    Hey there..
    Ok so, I’m going to be visiting Toronto sometime soon.. And I live at like the other end of the world, so it’s not like I’m gonna be making this trip again before august or September or whenever term starts.. (I’ve been admitted into arts and science, first year).. So heres my question… It says t-cards will be made available from June 1st.. But i’m going to be out of toronto by June 1st… So is there anyway I can request to get it made earlier? Cuz I’m guessing without a t-card I can’t get a utoronto email address… And then I have no way to act cooler than the other people stuck in this hell hole by joining the University of Toronto network on facebook!..
    Also while I’m visiting what all should I be picking up and getting done? (For example I’m gonna check out my residence and pick up a calender, so whats the other stuff I can finish off?)

     

    Hi. Great questions. I actually laughed out loud at one point. Okay, get over yourself.

    It breaks my heart (…and I swear I have one) that this reply is arriving too late for you. At least it’ll be relevant for other newbies.

     

    You can’t get your TCard printed before June 1st, you will have to wait until you move to Toronto in the fall, when you can contend with a million other people lined up to get theirs. Irritating, I know. Unless everyone ELSE reads this and picks theirs up in advance. Potentially you will be the only one then. This will be little a test of Aska’s power.

     

    It’s true that you need your TCard to be issued your UTORid, which is necessary to create your email account… which is necessary to join the Facebook network… which is necessary to make your friends feel uncool. However, you certainly don’t need your TCard to make your friends feel less cool. Take my word for it. There are tonnes of strategies to elevate yourself above the clique.

    -join the Toronto network

    -change your education information

    -take photos of the campus and post them in an album (toss in a photo of the ROM… that’ll get ’em)

     

    If you really wanna be Toronto-cool, you might as well start selling out to the latest non-conformist trend (note the rich oxymoronic-ness). Think sickly thin boys with scarves and sloppy-haired girls in men’s dress shirts.

     

    Come to think of it, you don’t have to elevate your own coolness to gain advantage over your friends.’ Why not knock them down a few pegs? That’s my modus operandi, and look where it got me – getting paid to make fun of people.

     

    But seriously, if you are a new student visiting campus in the summer, do these things:

    a) visit your rez (check out this link: http://www.housing.utoronto.ca/residence/ToursMay-Aug2009.pdf)

    b) visit your college Registrar’s Office

    -pick up the Calendar & Timetable

    -check, in advance, if they are conducting any summer orientation sessions for new students

    -make an appointment, in advance, with an academic advisor (super useful)

    c) visit the undergraduate coordinator from the Department of any prospective Programs of Study

    d) partake in a “walking” campus tour:

    -until you are enrolled in your courses (27 July), you won’t really know where your classes will be held – so identifying specific buildings will be less useful in June, but the walking tour will introduce you to buildings that are more universally relevant to students

    e) eat something awesome:

    -Future Bakery & Caf (Bloor & Brunswick)

    -Daddy O’s (Sussex & Spadina)

    -Harbord Bakery (Harbord & Major)

    f) go up the CN Tower:

    -just kidding

     

    Is that enough for you? Good luck.

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  • campus,  food

    a meal fit for a… prof?

    March 6, 2009

    it is my first year and i was wondering where you can get free food . JRC is mentioned alot in this site where is it located on campus.

    a suggestion . Can anyone giving advise about campus stuff to include location

    thank you

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  • campus

    uh… no

    January 9, 2009


    I really wanted to know if U of T offers undergraduate courses in a classroom environment where the only male person may be the professor i.e. are there seperate academic facilities(classrooms) for men and women students? Please write back!

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