• money

    so you’re poor…

    August 16, 2010

    Hello Aska!

    Here’s a self-proclaimed poor poor guy who is trying every possible means to cut budget. Hope u can provide some insiders’ tips on the various areas i’m going to ask on.

    I’ll be a first year student in St.G, commerce stream this falls and tuition fees is alrdy a major burden. Manage to take a cursory look at the online UofT bookstore and my eyes turned red when i scrolled to the price-tags.. Yup, actually I would like to know how much of a necessity are textbooks for the various courses in UofT? More specifically for Mat133y, Eco209y, Rsm100y. Are there any second-hand bookstores in campus or outside-campus? To Aska readers! – are there anyone willing to part with their books for the above mentioned modules at a discounted price?

    That goes, another aspect i think i can budget on is the UTSU health and dental plan. I understand that all full-time St G students are paying for services to UTSU via our non-academic incidental fees (consisting of four categories, namely *UTSU-Dental Plan, UTSU-Student Commons (St G), UTSU (St George) & UTSU-Accident/Pr Drug Ins*). There exist an opt-out option but i wish to further clarify the implications b4 finalizing a decision. May i know of which categories of fees will be refunded back to the student upon successful opt-out, and the consequences involved (as in what kind of benefits are withdrawn, provincial health insurance shd be sufficient right?)

    It is likely that you will suggest for the path on application for financial assistance as a solve-all. I feel that there’s definitely ppl worse off than me in the wealth spectrum, it will only be fair not to deprive them of these assistance opportunities. So, do advice accordingly =) Other budgeting tips are welcome too!!

    Thanks

    ———————————————

    Askastudent understands your need for cool, cheap stuff. School is expensive (my days of surviving on falafels are not far behind me, like at all), and when you factor in tuition, rent, textbooks and the general cost of living man, it can all add up to a hefty cost.

    For cheap books look on Craiglist (seriously!) and check out the several used book stores in the area. U of T has a discount text book store all on its own, in addition to a book swap hosted by UTSU, plus several used book stores in the Annex.

    As for the opt out, you won’t receive the kick-back to that money until October/November. UTSU usually posts the details, but doesn’t have the 2010 info up on their website yet. Here is last year’s information.

    In terms of other budgeting information – Aska recommends taking advantage of free services on campus (the Athletic Centre, CINSSU’s Free Friday Films, The Hart House Record Room), buying your groceries at the nearby Kensington Market and/or Chinatown and going home to do your laundry for free. You can rent all kinds of good movies at Robarts, take out free books and attend events on campus for free food. Best of luck and steal as many supplies from other people’s frosh kits as you can. That gratis deodorant will come in hand in December when you are poor, stressed and stinky.

    Don’t forget to talk to your academic registrar about academic bursaries and awards!

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • courses,  wait list

    a philosophical waitlist

    August 16, 2010

    Hey there!

    I’m a first year student who’s going to be joining in September. Being a little ambitious I decided to enrol in the PHL210Y1 Y course on 17th and 18th Century Philosophy, but ROSI is giving me this mysterious “Waitlisted for rank of 42 for 200 total spaces”. I’m just wondering what exactly this means and why I can’t just be approved to join the course when there are obviously spaces for it.

    Thanks so much for your help, you guys are angels. I’ll totally volunteer next year when I’m more acclimatized to the Utor environment.

    Cheers,

    Vish

    ———————————————

    Hey there, your guardian angel is speaking. (Now can you please give me some Twinkies and a big fat burrito?) Unfortunately the statistic you read on ROSI is right – and now there are even 50 students on the waitlist! Basically what you read is that the class is full, over 200 students want in, and so you will be on the waitlist for the course until someone drops it. You dig? Unfortunately there’s not much you can do except hope and wait that someone will drop the class. That may not even happen though! It’s up to you what you should do next.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • enrollment,  history,  St. George

    making history

    August 11, 2010

    Hi there,

    I am crazy about history but UTSC offers about 1/1000 of the number of courses offered downtown.

    Now being from UTSC means ROSI won’t let me see what courses downtown are full or what courses have a waitlist so I was hoping someone whose home campus is downtown could tell me what the situation was for the following courses.

    HIS301H1
    HIS314H1
    HIS345H1
    HIS384H1
    HIS385H1

    On a minor note, is HIS301H1 a full credit?

    I thank you in advance for your help 🙂

    ———————————————

    Ooh, a history buff! I hope along with your knowledge of the Cold War, you have a buff bod as well. (New rule on Askastudent, questioners must submit full body shots.) Uh, anyways here is the answers to your waitlist woes. HIS 301H1 for the record, is a half credit, hence the “H” designiation. (Full year courses are “Y” courses.) It is offered in the spring semester at St. George, time TBD.

    Now the fun part!

    HIS301H1 – “S”, 21 students on the waitlist for 75 spots
    HIS314H1 – “F”, course has been canceled!
    HIS345H1 – not being offered this year! Did you even look at the timetable this year?
    HIS384H1 – ditto
    HIS385H1 “S”, 18 students on the waitlist for 120 spots

    Hope that helps. You so owe me, dude.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • residence,  switching,  trinity college

    aska does field research

    August 11, 2010

    Hi. I have currently been assigned to a double room at Trinity College’s residence. Would there be any way that I could still switch into a single room from now?

    ———————————————

    I actually did field research for this question, by walking into the office of the St. Hilda’s Dean Of Students to ask her this very same question. She told me that many students request single rooms, more than they have available. While it is usually not possible to switch after the residence has assigned you a room, you are welcome to contact the residence here.

    Best of luck to you. I hope your new roommate doesn’t snore.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • distribution,  first year

    take my breadth away

    August 9, 2010

    Hi,

    I’m a first year student at the St.George campus. I gained entrance into the faculty of Arts & Sciences by taking the Academic Bridging Program. I completed the program May 2009, but earned a B-, so I’m currently restricted to part-time studies. I will most likely not have the 4.0 credits with a 2.5 GPA until Summer 2011. I completed my first credit in 2009, but did not take another credit until now (Summer 2010). My question is, do I need complete distribution requirements (degree requirements when I initially gained acceptance) or breadth requirements (enacted shortly before I completed my first “regular” credit)?

    Thanks!!!

    ———————————————

    Hey there. If you were accepted in September 2008 into the Academic Bridging Program as a U of T student, then you do not need to take breadth requirements. (Thank god, right? Those things scare the hell out of me and I’m on my last credit!) You will stick to the old distribution requirement system, but are still eligible for first year classes (including seminars!) until you pass five courses.

    Hope that helps.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • graduation,  subject POST

    that’s a degree with a lot of “bs”

    August 9, 2010

    Hey hello! I was just wondering about something I read in one of the U of T course guides, when I was in first year. It said that Arts and Science students can decide if they want to graduate with an Honours BSc or an Honours BA.

    Is this true? and if so, Is it possible to get the BSc if I am doing an economics and psychology double major? ( the psych is science and eco is social science)

    Is it also possible to get the BSc if i do the Eco major and poli sci and psych minors?

    Please let me know! Thanks a lot 🙂

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

    Why it’s true! Isn’t that so great? U of T will give you the sexy, exhilarating option of choosing between a Honours BSc or Honours BA if you have the same amount of courses for both majors. It’s like choosing between chocolate and vanilla! Both are so delicious! Here is the calendar backing me up as proof:

    Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

    Effective for all students registered for the first time in a degree program in the Faculty of Arts & Science for the summer 2001 session and thereafter, the St. George Campus of the Faculty has discontinued the 15 course (three-year) B.A. and B.Sc. degrees. Students registered in a degree program in the Faculty before Summer 2001 may still choose a 15-course (three-year) degree; these students should consult their college registrar?s office.

    Students with a B.A. or B.Sc. who return to upgrade that degree to an Hon. B.A. or Hon. B.Sc. must exchange the B.A. or B.Sc. for an Honours degree. A B.A. leads only to an Hon. B.A.; a B.A. CANNOT be upgraded to an Hon. B.Sc., and a B.Sc. CANNOT be upgraded to an Hon. B.A. Students who upgrade to an Honours degree are not eligible to attend the convocation ceremony for the upgrade.

    Different degree regulations apply to students who first registered in the Faculty before Winter Session 1992; these students should consult their College Registrar.


    Since the economics and psychology majors both require seven courses to obtain, you are good as gold, my friend. However, if you do the economics major with a double minor in poli sci and psych, you will be stuck with a plain old Honours BA, which as everyone knows IS MADE FOR SUCKERS.

    It’s your choice. Have your degree your way.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • math

    if course a cancels course b, can aska take a nap now?

    August 9, 2010

    Hi again!

    This is the third question I’ve asked in the span of about three weeks? – you are just too great a pool of information to not make use of!? I’ve searched your site and I haven’t found an answer to this question so I will go ahead and ask it:

    During first year, I was planning on going into Commerce and therefore took MAT133. Since then I’ve changed my mind and I am now pursuing a double major in Psychology and Math instead. To fulfill my math major,? I need to take MAT135. However, MAT133 is listed as an EXCLUSION to MAT135 so I’m wondering what exactly this means.

    I’m pretty sure that this means MAT135 will only serve to satisfy my? prerequisite towards getting a major in math but it won’t count? towards my CGPA or towards the 20 credits I need to graduate. To my? understanding, the grade I received in MAT133 will be the grade that? is used to compute my CGPA (not the grade I will receive in MAT135).? Is this correct? Technically, will the grade I get in MAT135 (as long? as it meets the minimum requirement to move on) even matter?

    All in all, can I still take MAT135 even though I’ve taken MAT133?

    Thanks!

    Amanda

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

    Dear Amanda,

    I’m glad you find Askastudent a valuable resource, but please, don’t take advantage. Aska might be a lean, mean answerin’ machine, but leave some questions for someone else, eh?

    Just playing.

    I talked to a college registrar at Innis about your situation. Essentially (and according to the calendar) for a double major in math and psychology, MAT 133 is useless to you. So is MAT 135 (as your MAT 133 course essentially cancels MAT 133 out) – but don’t despair, you can still take MAT 137 or MAT 157 – and this is coming from someone who hates math!

    Psychology only requires statistics classes, not math. So take either MAY 137 or MAT 157 and you’ll be in the clear, darling for your first year requirements for the major. Don’t forget your protractor!

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • architecture,  first year

    even frank gehry gets nervous

    August 9, 2010

    hey,

    Aside from being moderately excited about going to u of t, i am very apprehensive. im afraid that i wont be able to keep my marks up; but i guess everyone feels that way going into university. i was wondering about the types of courses? that i should be taking first year that would help me in the design major (aside from the arch courses). or does it really not matter. i was also wondering about what types of courses you take in a design major and what you learn. thank you so much for your help!

    ———————————————

    You’re only “moderately excited” to start U of T? Hell that’s no way to start a year. I understand your worries perfectly, but feel the need to assure you. U of T is tough, but fair. And the university provides plenty of resources to help newcomers such as yourself.

    The calendar recommends upper courses courses for a major with a concentration in architectural design in fine art, geography and near middle eastern civilizations. And so, a first year art course is not out of the question. Luckily there are also a few first year seminars that might be a good way to go, which are smaller and more discussion orientated. You will have to take ARC 131H1 and ARC132H1, which you have already selected. But after that, the design stream forwards you to take ARC 313 and ARC 314 (architectural design 2 and 3) which details the framework of design.

    A very very good place to ask more questions is the Faculty of Architecture. Andy Payne is the program’s coordinator and a super nice guy, who I think could field some more detailed questions about the program. But right now you’re just testing the waters. Take ARC 131/132 and see how you like it. Feel it out. Sketch the Empire State Building and consider other classes in fine art, urban studies and geography to go along with your program. Don’t forget about the writing centre and your college registrar for additional resources.

    Best of luck to you.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • anti-calendar,  distribution,  easy

    i need easy classes, fast

    August 9, 2010

    Hello!

    I would like to ask you questions on choosing courses.

    I only took 3.5 -credits last year as a first year – so this 2010-2011 I am still technically a first year!

    I still need to take courses to meet my distribution requirement – and I need a course in Humanity and a course in Social Science.

    I was wondering what courses to take!

    My potential POSts are psych spec/maj and eeb major.

    I was eying ‘woman and gender studies’ (wgs100y1) for HUM and ant100y1/ant200y1/ant203y1 for SOCSCI.

    I looked into first year seminars (it turns out I can still take first year seminars) but I don’t think there aren’t any interesting ones.

    Are first year seminars relatively easier to get better marks and generally, easier than other courses?

    I read the syllabus for Lord of the Rings seminar last year and was surprised that you had to read one LOTR book in around every week and a half.

    ach.. I don’t remember if you majored in architecture or archaeology or anthrology.

    Would you give me some suggestions as to what I should do here?

    Do you recommend any other courses to meet the requirements?

    I am looking for ‘not-insanely-hard’ or ‘much-writing-assignment’ courses. I dont’ think I am good at writing essays.

    Could you please ask anyone who took WGS100y1 or first/second year ant courses and how they are?

    I read at some post of yours that ant100y1 course has no essays and watches lord of the rings..

    http://www.utoronto.ca/askastudent/q_a2562.htm

    Thank you for your help.

    I wish you a jolly fine day.

    ———————————————

    Hi there. Your question is a bit confusing, but I think I understand what you are getting at here: easy courses for your Humanities and Social Science requirements. (Note: this is pre breadth requirements.) I disagree that you can’t find an interesting First Year Seminar. I mean, there’s one on vikings, dude. Generally people find the courses easier because of the smaller, more contained environment. Having less students in the class means more attention from the professor. And because most of the subjects are light and breezy, the coursework and reading material doesn’t seem as tough.

    Peruse this list and reconsider.

    I don’t know anyone who has taken WGS 100Y1, or ant100y1/ant200y1/ant203y1, so you’ll just have to consult the anti calendar for feedback on these classes here. Other recommended humanities and social sciences classes that are distribution credit friendly are DRM 100 (first year drama), ABS 201 Y (intro to aborginal studies), ENG 140Y (lit for our time), FCS 195H1 (french culture from Napeoleon to Asterix). GGR 107H1 is a geography class with a 89% retake rate that will get you half a social science credit! The Urbanization follow up was also well received.

    Hope that helps and good luck with meeting all your requirements.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • courses,  economics,  international relations,  wait list

    a rant for ROSI

    August 9, 2010

    First of all, I am a second-year transfer student majoring in sociology and want to major in International Relations next year. Since I do not have any economics transfer credit, I have to take ECO 100/ECO 105 this year in order to major in IR by next Sept. And the following is my experience with ROSI today.

    Today, I truly, madly , deeply fall in love with ROSI, which I believe is the most “reliable” system on earth. I logged in at 5:57am in the hope that I could get a spot in ECO 100 (there were 13 spots left at 5:30 in one section). Nevertheless, the wonderful ROSI logged me out immediately after I had clicked Course Enrolment. Then I could not log in again until 6:35am. All the sections had been full as expected, and the waitlists were fairly packed on which I am in the 45th and the 60th.

    Now, I can only pray and sit in front of my computing, hoping that there will be enough students leaving the course. At last, I would like to ask, according to your experience, what my chance is to get a spot in ECO 100. Thank you!

    Best wishes,
    Mike

    (p.s. sorry for venting my anger here!)

    ———————————————

    Mike I am proud of you. Instead of taking your anger out on yourself, your computer or a bottle of Jack Daniels, you did the right thing by coming to Askastudent here. I applaud your honest candour and emotion at one of the most frustrating course enrollment systems this side of the OUAC. If I had a nickel for every time ROSI screwed up and left a student devoid of a necessary course, or without a leg to stand on, I’d be knocking down old ladies with my sack of nickels.

    Unfortunately, I can not do anything for situation, though I feel for you, man. I checked ROSI today and ECO 100 has 112 and 115 students on the waitlist for both sections. So you’ve gotta feel a little bit more secure that at least there are people who are worse off than you?

    As of the second week of classes, the waitlists will stop and you will be able to try and register in the class the old fashioned way – by hoping that someone drops it while you are trying to add the course. Failing that, you could always try hanging around the lecture with a stack of twenties and seeing who you can pay off? That would make you pretty desperate, though.

    I cannot tell you what your chances are of being admitted into the course, but I wish you good luck. Unfortunately, you may have to try applying for the IR subject PosT at a later date, or switch into a subject PoST (when you are able to apply for one next April as a first year student) that will make your IR courses easier to obtain. Consult your registrar for details!

    Now say it with me folks: Everyone Hates ROSI.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • biology,  choosing,  courses

    a course with no name

    August 6, 2010

    Hi Hi,

    I’m guessing the over excitement of going university got to me and now I’m in a dilemma. I prepared my schedule weeks before and I wanted my schedule to be perfect despite a not so great starting time. D:

    I’m going to be going to UTSc for Bioloigcal Sciences and I wish to go into pharmacy in the future. I had just found the course requirements on UTSc admissions site rather then UT’s Pharmacy site which only listed UTSG course requirements. This was frustrating as I only found out recently that the MATA35H3 S course I applied for was not accepted. Since course selection has passed a while ago, all the spots may have begen filled up for the MATA36H3 S course I’m really unsure of what to do. Please help me out. T~T

    ———————————————

    Hello there. I am confused about your question! What course are you applying to? Your course code is scrambled gibberish and is hurting my soul.

    I can’t help you until I know what the hell you are applying to, and since all the enrollment controls have been lifted, you could easily try applying now! If the course is full, you will have to get on the waitlist to pick up your additional course. If you are going into your first year, your situation has no “pull.” Try getting in, or applying for the course at a later date?

    Best of luck to you.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • admissions,  economics,  first year,  keeners,  med school

    askastudent plans your life for you (but not really)

    August 6, 2010

    Hi Askastudent,

    I’ll be applying to UTSG as a freshman for fall 2011 and have several questions. My first question: is it possible (and realistically doable) to finish your degree in 3 years instead of 4 with an excellent GPA (3.8 to 4)? I am turning 20 next year and naturally, I am just hard-pressed for time!

    The following questions are, well, a little complicated, but I really can’t think of anybody else but you to ask this! My long-term goal is to go in business (with the backup plan, which I will get to later). I want to study either Economics at UTSG or Finance and Economics as a joint specialist program at Roman. Is there a big difference between the two programs? I hear the Rotman one is purely academic (and fiendishly difficult) with no real-life applications! Here’s the twist. I am not exactly a math genius, and I know I won’t get accepted into either program straight away as a freshman. But, I’ve been getting tutored and studying my butt off to get myself on the right track. Is it possible to get accepted into either program (Economics or Finance and Economics) in the second year? The bigger twist: my backup plan is medical school.

    So, would I be better off as a no-major Bachelor of Science while taking all the necessary electives (and ace them because I need a really good GPA) to make myself a perfect candidate for both medical AND business school? For example, taking the right economics/fianance and science classes and getting internship and other work for experience to build up my resume, that sort of thing. Or should I stick with the first plan being studying either Economics or Finance and Economics while taking the right courses for medical school?

    Thanks heaps in advance, askastudent!!!

    The Hopeful Country Bumpkin

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

    Hello there. I saw your other email today hassling me about answering your question, I guess I decided to get my big butt off the couch and help you plan your life and all your courses for the rest of your academic career for you. How do you like that?

    First of all, doing your degree in three years instead of four with an amazing GPA while simultaneously applying for business and medical school will probably kill you and land you in an early grave. I know that you’re pre gaming right now for an inevitable quarter life crisis, but it’s important to recognize what your limitations are and how much time you will realistically spend studying, doing readings, writing papers, fulfilling breadth requirements and all the additional stuff needed to make sure you pass. Hell, applying for grad school and writing the MCATs is a full time job in and of itself. DO NOT OVERDO IT.

    Rotman’s finance stream (according to the Innis registrar here) is much more rigorous and finance orientated, with heavy math applications and lots of complicated courses designated towards real world financial experience. It is totally possible to get accepted into the Commerce stream in second year, especially with high marks in first year. There are many 100 level economics classes you can take (which I’m sure you’ve already registered in), that will guide you towards the program in future years.

    You’ll also be happy to note that you can get into Medical School in future years without even doing a life sciences stream! All you need is an amazing GPA and high scores on (GMAT? MCAT?) test. Contact your registrar for future details.

    Basically if you ace everything in first year and take classes towards your initial plan of Business School, you will be in a pretty position for your future years of Commerce. These courses might even lead you to a career as a rich business dentist – a.k.a. a dentist for rich people! You’ll be rolling in only the priciest plaque.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • admissions,  bad times

    askastudent helps a smart but troubled student

    August 6, 2010

    Hi there,

    I am in probably the most stressing situation I have ever faced. I was accepted to UofT St. George and everything was going great. Then in my final semester I thought it would be interesting to attempt a grade 12 math course, since i am a social sciences student. my mid-term in advanced?functions was rather okay (76%), and then due to circumstances in my personal life I failed the class. This put my post-secondary career at risk as this was? my final credit 6th 4U credit, as six 4U/M courses are needed to be accepted to any program. I continued the course in summer school and still the situation deterred me from completing the course. UofT has asked me to supply my mark but I don’t know what to do.

    Would it be possible to hold my seat while i completed a 4U/M course in a quick private school, It would be done no later than August 25th? what steps should i take to do this? what can i do? if i don’t go to this university starting september i lose my RESP and that all i have to study. Please Help!.

    My other five 4U marks are:

    98%
    97%
    91%
    86%
    95%

    ———————————————

    Hello there, smart but troubled student. You are like Seth Cohen and Ryan Atwood all rolled into one? That reference makes me sound old, doesn’t it.

    Seriously though, I feel for your situation, especially with such impressive marks. I contacted a registrar at Innis College, who told me that the best and most effective thing to do, would be to write a letter to Admissions and Awards, explaining your situation and asking that they grant you admission based on your otherwise supremely excellent marks. Considering that you are planning to finish the course on August 25th, they may grant you (extremely late and extremely special) admission. Do this ASAP. Admissions and Awards are like crazy busy right now, and are very hard to get ahold of.

    Another action you should immediately take is to contact the college registrar at U of T that has offered you admission. I trust that you accepted U of T’s conditional offer, but have you already chosen your courses for next year? This late math course will definitely affect whether you will be studying in September.

    Please contact these places immediately and let me know what happens. And remember, there’s always Sandy Cohen if you lose your way.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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