• suspension,  UTSC

    if at first you don’t succeed…

    April 29, 2013

    hey, I’m a second year student at utsc – i was put on probation and suspended for the first semester of my second year – and sad thing is .. i thought i was gonna do pretty well this semester but i ended up failing 1/4 of my courses – i know this mean ill be suspended once again but for 3 sessions straight .. but I was just wondering if i was able to take summer school to maybe get myself out of being suspended .

    ———————————————

    Hey hey,

    So if you’re suspended for a second time, you’ll be how it works for twelve months/three sessions. Seeing as summer school = an academic session/part of those twelve months of suspension, then no, you cannot enroll and try to get yourself out of suspension.

    But there are plenty of things you can do instead!

    Get a job and save up, do some volunteer work, travel the world, watch every episode of Game of Thrones, contemplate your life choices, and so on. I do stress contemplation though. Is there a reason you’ve been suspended twice? Is university actually where you want to be?

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • probation

    block questions scare me

    April 29, 2013

    Hi, I am a first year student at uoft st.george and am currently (and have been for a while) freaking out over my grades. First semester was great but for some reason second semester has been much harder for me, probably because I took on more courses. My grades aren’t the best, but they aren’t the worst either. I’m passing in everything (and important question: what is ‘passing’ exactly at uoft? My friend said its a 65-68! Then I am not passing in everything!) I think I did well in most of my exams though I’m really scared for the last one I have tomorrow! What if I bomb? I guess the point of this message is that I’m really scared for academic probation. I have read a ton on it but am still a little confused. I am already signed up for 2 courses this summer. When will I know that I am on probation, at the end of this semester in April, or at the end of summer. If April, then can’t I just raise my GPA to the requirement over the summer and be put on Good Standing (what average do you need to be out of Good Standing and, you know, all clear?)and take my regular courses in September? But if i need to enroll in courses in July/August, wont this really hurt me, since I can only enroll in 2.0 courses? And if probation is calculated after summer session, could I possibly be all clear granted I do well in my courses?

    This just sucks big time and I have myself to blame, because of this I couldn’t get into the program that I wanted so I need to be on top game for next year so I can reapply for third year. This is going to be all messed up if I get put on probation but its all on me 🙁

    ?????????

    Hey!

    Are you sure you’ve read a ton? Because it’s really not that difficult…. granted, if that were the case, I’d be out of business so I guess it really is a pain to read. Hm.

    Anyway, firstly, passing = 50%. You friend was probably talking his/her own standards of passing.

    Next…. oh, academic probation. Okay, so as stated many, many times, academic probation happens when you fail to achieve a CGPA of at least 1.50.?Now being placed on probation is all apart of your academic standing being assessed, something that happens when you’ve taken at least 4.0 FCE and at the end of an academic session, so either in mid-May after the Fall/Winter session or in late-August after the Summer session. Make sense?

    This means that no, there will be no “raising your GPA over the summer” to fix what will be assessed for this year. That’s a separate session.

    But you’ll know your standing soon enough. GPAs will be calculated/put up on ROSI in the next few weeks.

    If you DO end up on probation, however, this won’t necessarily affect your summer courses, but it WILL make things a little more daunting in that if you screw up those courses you’re in right now, you can potentially get yourself suspended. To get OFF of academic probation you’ll have to finish the next session (that being the summer one since you’re taking courses in it) with a CGPA of 1.50 ?or get an annual GPA of 1.70. But don’t worry about these tidbits until you find out your standing!

    If you do end up on probation, I recommend against taking too many summer courses. I’d hate to see your block of questions on suspension. 😉

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • probation

    it’s like a cow’s question — it doesn’t matter

    April 29, 2013

    hello,
    I had a question on academic probation. This academic session I finished with below a 1.60 gpa and with 3 f.c.e but one of the courses was a credit/no credit so will i still be put on academic probation (since technically I do not get a mark for one of those credits)?

    ?????????

    Yo.

    That’s a very good question!

    So let’s go over the basics: you’re put on academic probation when you fail to get a CGPA of at least 1.50 after completing 4.0 FCE.

    While technically you didn’t get a grade for that course you made CR/NCR, you still got a credit for it and saw it out til the end soooooo well, unforunately, it counts toward your count. Actually, I feel like the university’s dealt with questions like this before because there’s a little note in the calendar that says:

    “Achieved final standing” applies to courses in which a student remains formally enrolled on the last date for cancellation, unless the academic penalty normally attached to a later cancellation is removed by petition. This includes CR/NCR, but does not include courses with LWD or WDR.

    tl;dr = if you get 4.0 FCE, even if one of them is a CR, you can still end up on probation.

    BUT, rereading your question, I notice you say you’ve only got 3.0 FCE so…… well, all of this is moot.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • writing

    writing, rhetoric, and confusing requirements

    April 29, 2013

    Good evening, my name is Victoria and I am wondering if I am able to take the writing and rhetoric program at Innis College as my minor if I received acceptance into Victoria College and into Humanities. The writing and rhetoric home page states that the prerequisite is admission to Innis One, and exclusion to the other colleges. What does this mean? Will I still be able to take courses offered in this program?

    Thank you.

    ———————————————

    Hey Victoria!

    I’m not particularly sure what you were reading but the only prereq for the Writing and Rhetoric minor is 4.0 full credits. So basically if you finish your first year with the typical course load, you can just enroll next April. 🙂

    You’re lucky! I swear when I enrolled in that program I had to have a certain CGPA and was terrified that I wouldn’t get in.

    But yay you — UofT’s Writing and Rhetoric program is awesome. The profs are great, the courses are great, and the students… well, okay, sometimes the class can be frustrating in that someone will say “But sir, how do I use a semicolon,” and you have to sit through a ten minute discussion on something you’re already very familiar with, but I still highly recommend loading up on writing and rhetoric courses!

    wishing there was a major for w&r,
    aska

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  • economics

    you are the only exception… except not

    April 29, 2013

    So the requirement of 67% for eco100 for higher economics courses is a definite thing? I assume it is but I want to confirm it because I couldn’t get a 67 and I want to major in IR.

    ?????????

    Hey!

    To be fair, I’d say no rule is ever a truly definite thing because there’s always that “Well, you can ask the prof/department” exception that can very well save you in certain situations.?But I’d say for that 67% minimum?prerequisite, pleading probably won’t be particularly effective soooooo looks like you’re going to have an extra credit on your transcript since you’ll have to take ECO100Y again to get the grade.

    Also, keep in mind that for that IR major, you’re going to need an average of at least 70% between ECO100Y and a few other courses, so I sincerely hope you rocked those enough to make up for whatever you have right now.

    bagels for breakfast,
    aska

     

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  • grades

    this question pleases aska

    April 26, 2013

    Hi!

    So I’ve currently had the WORST exam experience of my life. Generally I am good with exams and my marks are decent. However, due to certain unforeseen circumstances personal and medical I believe that my performance was not up to par. The exam was worth 50% of my term mark and going into the exam with a 71 does not make me too confident of the outcome. When I say my performance was POOR I am in no way exaggerating. With that said, I am confident that there is no way that I can pass the course due to the amount of time I spent studying and due to the fact that the material that I studied did not correspond to what I was tested on. I really do not want this to affect my GPA. Thus, I was looking for some advice with respect to how to remove the mark from my transcript or I believe I read something about a late withdrawal to appear in its place. Anyways, I am desperate for some advice. Let me know thanks!

    ———————————————

    Hi~

    Omg, this is actually the most well-written aska question I have ever gotten. Proper punctuation, nothing misspelled, perfect grammar! Like what a perfect start to my day. Four for you, Glen Coco! My logic right now is saying with the way you write, I’m sure you passed your exam. 🙂

    Anyhow, here’s the tricky thing for you: once you write the exam, you finish the course.

    Now a late withdrawal is out of the question at this point. Logically, by its name, it means being taken out of the course — but that’s no longer possible since you’ve completed it. Likewise, the last day to ask for a LWD is the last day of class (this year, April 5)… but that doesn’t stop a good few hundred students from coming in after the deadline anyway to beg to be let out of the course.

    What you CAN do I suppose is attempt some sort of petition to have something done. It would probably be something along the lines of a late withdrawal without academic penalty (different from the previous one), meaning nothing will show up on your transcript regarding the course.

    HOWEVER, the university only really grants this in extenuating circumstances, so this would be especially difficult for you since you’ve already completed the course. So you better have a reaaaaaally great statement and a reaaaaaaally good reason. You mentioned “unforeseen circumstances,” so they better be things that reaaaaaally impact your academics. Likewise, make sure you have the proper documentation to support your claims.

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • continuing studies

    in which uoft is capable of generosity

    April 25, 2013

    Hi Aska,

    I’m a fourth year graduating this month, however, I’d like to take a course with the UofT School of Continuing Studies to fulfill the requirements for a professional program I’m hoping to get into.

    The thing is, I heard from friends that undergrads could receive a one time $600 subsidy (can’t remember if it was $600 or $800…) to the Continuing Studies. I could not find any information on this subsidy on their website, only a subsidy for students requiring financial support. I’m not sure if that is what my friends were referring to? Or is there actually a one time subsidy separate from that?

    Thanks a lot! 😀

    ———————————————

    Hey there!

    So the subsidy is actually $600, given to UofT grads by the School of Continuing Studies. The credit can be used at anytime within 18 months of graduation, so don’t forget about it.

    It’s actually a really sweet deal that very few people know about so I highly recommend taking advantage of it. I have a friend in there right now and she’s gotten right back into the habit of waiting until the last minute to hand things in.

    There are bunch of creative writing courses, all of which are highly acclaimed, so I recommend jumping into one of those. Likewise, a lot of things are offered online so if you find these past four years have made you sick of UofT, that’s okay! 😀

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • UTM

    getting around restrictions?

    April 25, 2013

    Hi,

    I’m a first year business student at UTM. I was hoping to get into the Finance Specialist Program for second year, but I didn’t end up getting over 63 in MGT120. 🙁 I can’t do summer school here at UTM this summer since I have already booked my flights back home which was over $1000. I’m planning on doing Economics Major for one year and then trying to get into the Finance subject post next year. However, MGT120 is a Restricted Course, do you know if there’s any way I can get around this problem and try to take it during the school session? If I do it during the school year, then I’ll be able to catch up on other courses during the summer.

    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    Hey!

    Unfortunately, there isn’t really anything that can be done to get around a restricted course, and if there is anything that CAN be done, it would be up to the discretion of the department, so work on that perfectly pitiful pout and a nice, convincing statement to pass on to them for now.

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • library

    a long distance relationship with the library

    April 25, 2013

    Hello,

    Are we allowed to access the library and online catalogues at UofT if suspended?

    ———————————————

    Hey!

    Did you know you can have a livechat with a librarian? That is actually the coolest thing ever. I cannot handle this.

    Anyhow, in this conversation I came to understand that you won’t be able to take out books (naturally), but you won’t have any problems with using books in the library. As for the online resources, you’ll be able to login using the barcode number and PIN until the end of the September following your suspension.

    This was actually a very difficult question to work with! I feel like no one has dealt with this before.

    But I mean, if you’re suspended, why the need for UofT access anyway?

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • admissions

    selecting those top six

    April 25, 2013

    Hi,

    I live in BC, applied for life science and waiting for the response. I know that English and Calculus are pre-requisite, and I took math12, IB chem and IB bio. Because calculus mark is lower thanmath 12, I’m wondering which subjects are included for average calculation..

    One of counsellor from UT explained English and other high marked subjects would be included, but I’m still worried about it. Please confirm on it..

    Thanks in advance

    ?????????

    Heyo~

    I love when students still come to me for confirmation even when a UofT official tells them something. I find it incredibly endearing. 😀

    But anyhow, whoever you spoke to was correct! If you check out the Admissions website for your specific situation, you’ll see the list of courses your top six grades can include (aside from English) so just make sure your courses align.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • exclusions

    can we excuse the exclusions?

    April 25, 2013

    Hi,I did a course, changed my major and now am being forced to take an exclusion to the course. Usually they use the first mark on your transcript. Is there anyway I can get them to use the second mark. Any place I can petition, especially if its a significant difference?

    Thanksfromyetanotherdisorganizedstudent

    ———————————————

    Love the name!

    So basically, I had to go to the higher ups before giving you a definitive answer, but no, there’s no getting around the rule on exclusions.

    Why? Well, the things is courses are usually exclusions of each other because they cover pretty similar content. So say you got a 70 in the first course you took. Good. Then you took the second one, had a moment of “Oh, wow, I know half of this crap already!” and bam, you end up with a 77.

    See why they won’t let you switch things around?

    Doing better is, quite often, a result of having gone through the first course. Sorry about that!

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • late withdrawal

    the strange case of the lost LWD

    April 25, 2013

    hi

    i wanted to drop my course but since i forgot to do it before the deadline, i had to go with LWD.

    my final grades for some of the courses are already up on ROSI . But the marks for the course for which i did LWD is also up without mentioning anywhere on the transcript that i went with late withdrawal. does this mean that my LWD was not accepted ?

    ?????????

    Yo!

    Whether or not your late withdrawal was accepted is something you SHOULD know? Did you not have to go to a meeting or fill out any paperwork for it?

    But yeah, if you were allowed one, there should be a LWD on your transcript in place of a grade.

    Bottom line is that you?re going to have to head over to your college registrar. If you went through with the proper procedure to get a late withdrawal, there will be note of it on your student record, so if it was approved, they should be able to fix things for you!

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • enrollment

    here i go again on rosi

    April 25, 2013

    Hi Aska,

    I need to return for a fifth year because I have not completed all of my degree requirements but I have more than 20 credits. Do you know what the enrolment policy is in my case? Which category do I belong in for enrolment start time, etc.?

    I appreciate the help. Your website is great!

    ?????????

    Yo!

    So it?s all quite simple actually since you?re just registering the same way you have for the past four years.

    Basically you?ll be on the first day of course enrollment ? July 15 ? with the soon-to-be fourth years. And you?ll probably get the super sweet 7AM slot since you have 20 credits already.

    And that?s that! Easy, right?

    starting the summer early,
    aska

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