• admissions,  science

    Steve Jobs/ Actuarial Science

    October 7, 2011

    I am a secondary school student in BC. I want to get into the actuarial science program. I want to ask the average mark needed to get into the actuarial program. Thank you!

    Sent from my iPhone

    ———————————————
    dude, you don’t need to brag that you have an iPhone. My little samsung that’s screen is so scratched that I can’t read my text anymore is just as cool ok?

    For science, they usually say mid to high 80’s. Depending on the applicant pool, this number could be higher or lower.

    short and sweet for once.

    peace,

    aska

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  • commerce,  transfer credits

    Ask Before You Leap

    October 7, 2011

    Hi there..
    I’ve decided that i want to do Management in the end of august. I didnt really have chance to talk to class advisors, cuz it was a bit late. I am a student in St. George campus wanting to be enrolled into Rotman school of management. In order to do so i need RSM, MAT, and ECO. I have all the credits but for ECO. I cant take it in St. George-the meeting sections are full, and im 230 in the waitlist..So I got enrolled in the same ECO100 course in Mississauga, so i was just wondering if it is the same, and it will count as requirement for rotman management in St. George?
    Thanks in advance!!

    ———————————————

    hey heeey!!

    Psst I’ve got a secret: Next time I would go to the department ahead of time and see if they can make an exception. If it is a course you reeaaaaally need or need in order to graduate (and you smile the sweetest smile you have) they might put you in it.

    Actually you should have gone to the department to see if you can transfer that credit and if it can count towards a requirement. Well let’s not dwell on that any more

    Hmmm … actually go there now … RIGHT NOW.

    Each department has different standards on transfer credits counting towards a requirment. I would bet in your favour as it has the same course code

    Here is the Commerce’s numba: 416-978-3339

    good luck love bug,
    aska

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  • psychology,  Transferring

    Insert Witty Title About Psychology and Transferring

    October 7, 2011

    Hello,

    I am in my fourth year at U of T-SG, within the past year or so I have taken a bunch of psych courses, approximately three credits, and have grown to genuinely enjoy the subject. I am looking to apply to the major at the next round of applications in the year 2012 however was wondering what kind of expectations I should have in regards to admission criteria. The arts and science calendar website says the following:

    To enrol after second year, students must have a) a senior-level high school Calculus course, or equivalent; b) a 73% in PSY 100H1; c) a 70% in PSY 201H (or equivalent); d) one additional 200-level PSY course with at least a 70%.

    Out of these I have a 78% in psych100 and a 76% in a 200 level PSY course. I have yet to complete the rest. The website says this is a limited enrollment program. I was wondering just how competitive this program is and what my chances of being accepted would be so far, keeping in mind that I have not yet completed all the pre-requisites.

    Also, if I am not accepted to the major on the SG campus is it possible to switch to the Mississauga campus where the admission criteria is lower? Would it be possible to witch my two minors (Anthropology and French) as well?

    Sincerely,

    -Erika

    ———————————————

    Hey Erika,

    I feel terrible for breaking your heart because … you seem so nice. BUT your odds aren’t looking good. First off you (capital N) NEED (ok capital all letters) to have all the requirements to even be considered to be invited into the major.

    Secondly, for limited enrolment POSts …

    Side Bar Ted:

    Have you guys seen this? Needless to say aska is fearless would not have flinched a muscle at the secretly terrifying thingermabug)

    Sorry terrible moment to have a side bar …

    Secondly, for limited enrolment POSts, the marks they give are the minimum that they will even consider. Your chances of getting in are actually a lot lower than what they give. It all depends on how many people apply and how smart the applicants are. The acceptance average is usually significantly higher. BUT your grades are higher than the minimum and you might have a lucky year … if you had the other requirements that is.

    You could switch … but it might be more of a pain in the ass then its worth. Check out this resource; it might help you to understand the transferring process.

    My vote is that you pop into your registrar’s office and talk with an academic advisor. They can check out your situation and tell you what game plan is best for you!

    snuggles,
    aska

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  • commerce,  economics,  polisci

    Only Read This if You Are Willing to do Math – ie commerce shiz

    October 7, 2011

    Hi!

    I just started grade 12 and am trying to figure out what programs to apply to. I’m trying to look for the most effective way to combine business and political science- is it possible to double major in political science and some sort of business administration/commerce at U of T?

    Thanks a bunch,

    Janna

    ———————————————

    Hey hey!!

    You actually have a few options here!

    So for all the number combos I’m about to give you, remember that in order to graduate you must have 20 credits

    Rotman Commerce actually doesn’t offer majors, only specializations. There are three different fields that you can specialize in. Here they are:

    1)Accounting Specialist (B.Com) = 15 full courses or their equivalent out of 20 courses, for a B.Com

    2) Finance and Economics Specialist (B.Com) = 13.5 full courses or their equivalent out of 20 courses, for a B.Com

    3) Management Specialist (B.Com) = 12 full courses or their equivalent out of 20 courses, for a B.Com

     

    So that leaves you space to take courses in another field (ie Poli Sci) in order graduate.

    a) Political Science Major = 7.0 POL full courses or their equivalent

    b) Political Science Minor = 4.0 Pol full courses or their equivalent
    Here’s the basic formula for you:
    Option 3 + Option a = 19 credits (ie good to go)
    So it’s up to you if you would like to have a major or minor in poli sci and if it exceed the 20 credits or not depending on the Commerce Specialization you choose .

    Oh geez there are more options. If economics is the field that what to study you can choose a non-rotmans/commerce degree of economics, which has various specialists, majors and minors to choose from.

    So in short, yes, you can.

    To look all this info up yourself check out the Course Calendar

    love always,
    aska

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  • partying

    See Yah Ma and Pa, I’m Off to Parrrtaaay

    October 7, 2011

    hey,
    so im a student that is plannin on going to u of t george campus next year!
    and i was just wondering what res would be the best to apply too?
    which one is the party res?
    ive heard from other students that u of t isnt’ a big party school?? is this true???
    and whatz the frosh week like??

    ———————————————

    whadddup party animal,

    Were these students from U of T? and were they engineers who barely have time to breath, and definitely no time to party?

    U of T has parties … like all universities. The only difference is that we still graduate and get jobs so people assume no partying went on.

    To be completely honest, there are the party poopers at every university and and the hardest partiers of them all get bored of it eventually and realize they need to have a Robarts date with their books (so romantic, i know). BUT saying that, you can always find a party if you look hard enough.

    It’s hard to say which college has the best parties. It changes from year to year, residence to residence and don to don. For example the res I was in was a major party one the year before I arrived and then in my time was a complete bore. I know you feel my pain.

    But here are some generalizations I have heard … or just read on various forums online.

    The ones that apparently take the cake from the forums are St.Mikes (I know, shocked me too) .. but apparently they get funding from the university for parties (emphasis on the word apparently) and Vic. I believe the case for Vic based on this article that claims they inspired the concept for Animal House.

    UC is the most consistant with having awesome parties every year and apparently when Trin actually parties its a bit of a shit show (off come the Harry Potter gowns and bookbags and down goes the Malibu rum)

    Frosh Week = a lot of yelling, alcohol, and condoms with pin holes in them

    party on wayne,

    aska

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  • failing

    Get a Tutor Like Jagger

    October 7, 2011

    Hey,

    So I’ve been bombarded with loads of booklets from various tutors and tutoring organizations recently. Are any of these places reputable?

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

    Well hello there,

    It’s hard to say. Were you handed these booklets by a shady figure with a hood that shadows their face into darkness?? Because I can only see that going wrong for you.

    How about this, push those booklets aside and check out these U of T certified resources:

    1) U of T Peer Tutoring – free tutoring babe

    2) ok .. there is no number two, but this song makes me want to dance

    bundles of hugs and love,

    aska

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  • writing

    Write Like a Winner

    October 4, 2011

    Hi

    Just wondering if you know what type of courses are considered “expository

    writing” courses.

    Jen
    ———————————————

    Hi there. For everyone who’s wondering, an “expository writing” course teaches you how to effectively convey ideas and meaning in writing. These are super useful skills to learn, especially for once you’re out and about in the real world of jobs (ahh!!).

    UofT offers a bunch of undergraduate writing courses. You can take ENG100 (Effective Writing), TRN190 (Critical Reading and Writing) at Trinity College, or even get a minor in Writing & Rhetoric at Innis College. This popular program offers tons of great courses, like INI103 (Writing Essays) and INI300 (Strategic Writing in Business). The university also puts on a series of “writing plus” workshops during the year. These hour-long sessions teach research, note-taking, and how to write many types of assignments, like book reviews.

    For more info about writing opportunities, check out the artszone website.

    Kittens,

    Aska

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  • dropping courses,  money

    Show me the Money

    October 4, 2011

    Hey Aska,

    Ok so im starting my first year at UTSC this fall and I want to do a double major in Human Biology and Physics/Astrophysics. My life is going to be crazy with like 30h of school a week, and I have a strong desire to not kill myself sooooo I was thinking that in the event things gets to hectic for me, I would drop a course and take it in summer school. I know that the last day to drop a course without academic penalty is Wed, November16/2011(says so in the calendar)…… but what is the last day to drop it without Financial penalty???

    😀 thanks a bijillion,

    Cheers,

    Rubz

    ———————————————

    Hey Rubz,

    I’m glad you asked! It takes a lot of detective work to find the university’s financial deadlines online. Gee, I wonder why… *wink*.

    They’re hidden – I mean, posted – on the Student Accounts website. According to the refund schedule for domestic students at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, the last day to drop a course and receive a 100% refund was September 21st. To receive any refund, Y courses must be dropped before November 10th; F courses before October 13th; and S courses before February 12th.

    cha-ching,

    Aska

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  • anti-calendar,  courses

    Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy

    October 4, 2011

    Wassap Aska?

    I’m going to UTSG next year and I dunno if you get asked this a lot but what are the “bird courses”? I’m going for some kind of an arts major (history maybe?) but for first year I just want the easiest possible courses at the university because I’m scared shitless.

    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    The best kept, big little secret at UT St. George is ASSU’s Anti-Calendar?(AC). It’s your academic neon bible. Read it. Worship it. Just because I love you (yes, you!), here’s a handy guide to reading it:

    The AC is a Grammy Award-winning band from Montreal… oh wait, the AC is an annual course evaluation conducted by the Arts & Science Student Union. It’s also the most-used tool for students when selecting their courses. Generally, students look at the retake rate: the percentage of enrolled respondents who “would still have taken this course, disregarding their need to meet program or degree requirements.”

    While this sounds like a logical way to choo- choo- choose your courses, it totally ain’t that straightforward. These train tracks are bendy, baby.

    You say: “But whyz?? I is confused.”
    I say: The survey is voluntary. It’s in-class. And it’s at the end-of-year. Students who are doing badly tend to (1) drop out and (2) stop attending. Students who are doing well tend to (1) stay in and (2) attend. This is especially true for elective courses. And those are the only ones you get to choo- choo- choose.

    This creates selection bias in the AC methodology that favours respondents who perform above average. Basically, the retake rate is a big little half-truth. It’s useful only in broad strokes; so, I follow the rule of thumb to avoid electives with lower than an 80% retake rate.

    Now, about these bird courses: one student’s GPA-saving phoenix is another student’s albatross. Like, I have this one friend who I met in band camp, Winnie, the British Bulldog. He studies peace & conflict studies. Mostly the peace part. I also have this other friend, Sterna, the Arctic Tern, who studies geography.

    Both of these friends study the Arts. Both think that each other’s field is a total borefest. When choosing a course, bird or not-bird, think about whether the course material seems interesting to you. If the class is too boring, you may lose your motivation and that albatross will fall right out of the sky.

    You should also cross-reference the Anti-Calendar with the helpful Rate My Professor website. And if you still want me to suggest a course: take DTS201.

    You say: “Aska – you are wise and warm. Like alphabet soup.”

    I say: “Thanks for noticing,”

    Aska

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