• UTSC

    can i be admitted three days before the last day to accept?

    May 30, 2013

    I applied to the University of Toronto Scarborough Life Sciences Co-op program. Two questions:

    1. When is the deadline for receiving an offer?

    2. I want to go to the St George campus instead. Is this possible? How can I set about doing this?

    ———————————————

    Not even a hello? Ruuuude.

    But anyway, did you know UTSC has their own aska-esque thing? I just discovered it a few days ago in my daily journeys across the interwebz. Or I might have googled myself. Yeah that. Anyhow, after getting over the inital “HOW DARE THEY?!” I noticed that it was really just aimed towards incoming students like yourself.

    So deciding to try it, I searched for Question 1.

    Greetingless Questioner: “When is the deadline for receiving an offer?”

    UTSC’s Not as Awesome as askastudent Ask a Student: “Current Ontario high school students will receive a decision by early June. For all other applicants, admission decisions are made on an ongoing basis.”

    So early June — although that seems weird to me because last I heard, Ontario high school students have to accept their offers by June 3.

    Next:

    Greetingless Questioner: “I want to go to the St George campus instead. Is this possible? How can I set about doing this?”

    If you start off at UTSC, you’re going to have to do an internal transfer to go to St. George instead. You can take courses at St. George as a UTSC student, but to be a St. George-r, you need transfer. OR you can just do the thing where you take a year off (a.k.a. don’t go to UTSC) to ponder your past life choices and the future ones and then reapply to university, this time applying to specifically St. George.

    Basically, although UTSC (and UTM, at that) go by the name of “University of Toronto,” they’re kind of these separate universities if you will. You can take a feeeew courses at campuses that are not your own, but for the most part, you’re encouraged to stay close to home.

    But yeah.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • rotman

    there’s no repeating for rotman!

    May 29, 2013

    Hi I’m taking advanced functions right now and I’ll probably just end with about an 83 and I plan to take it again. I’m applying to rotman next year and I wanted to know what mark I would need to get in calculus to get accepted?? Also what average should I have overall with my top six courses? Oh and can you do a double major with business and political science or is that not allowed?

    -LA

    ?????????

    LA,

    There’s never an exact answer to these “what mark and/or average do I need?!” questions, so I’m going to tell you what I tell everyone who wants to get into commerce: mid- to high-80s for both.

    Rotman actually states as much on their program page, but who actually looks things up for their self these days right? 😉

    Just be aware that Rotman does not take repeated courses. So whatever grade you get the first time around in ENG4U or MCV4U the first time around, Rotman will be looking at those. But with Advanced Functions, I think you should be fine with your retake since it’s not necessarily a core course for them.

    Likewise, Rotman only offers specialists in either Accounting, Finance and Economics, or Management. But you’re definitely more than welcome to pursue a major in poli sci if that’s what you’re interested in. Just note that you’ll have to do a specialist+major > double major.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • courses

    cramming into chemistry

    May 29, 2013

    Hey there, I applied for a transfer from UTM and got into St. Georges campus for Sciences (not Life Sci) for advanced standing.

    Now as my timing with luck would have it, the deadline for Type 2 (Chem and Physics major is one combination I am thinking of) is already passed (maybe I should have enrolled in advance: not sure). To apply to second year courses, I need to have the POSts applied for, so should I apply for type 1’s so I can enroll in courses when the time comes (and then drop them when I hopefully get accepted into the type 2 POSts)?

    Is my knowledge of the POSts correct in that the only benefit of being enrolled in the specific POSts, for things related to enrolling in courses, being given a higher priority in enrollment of related courses (so students that put down chemistry POSt would be given a higher priority in being able to take chemistry classes)?

    There’s no restrictions to courses based on the POSts are there? So if I put down something like an English POSt for now, would I still be able to take a chemistry course if I have the required credits for prerequisite courses?

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    Seeing as you came from UTM, I should hope you know your POSt stuff haha.

    But yeah, since you missed the deadline for the first round of POSts and you need to be in one to enrol courses since I’m sure you already have 4.0 FCE, you’re going to have to enrol in a random Type 1 for the time being. And then when July 2 comes around, you can definitely apply to whatever it is you’re interested in. Just make sure not to drop the Type 1 until you’re actually invited by the Type 2!

    Now the advantage of being in a POSt is that you get priority for the courses in that program.

    Also, it helps you like… you know, GRADUATE.

    Although to be clear, there is no “higher” priority. There’s either priority or none, and if you don’t have priority, then you have to wait until that’s lifted, which for 2013-2014 enrolment is August 6.

    But take a look at the specific enrolment controls for the courses you want. For example, CHM220H gives priority to students not just in chem, but those in zoology, immunology, planetary science, yada yada yada. So since you’re clearly interested in chem courses, see if any of the other random programs given priority (aside from chemistry) are Type 1s.

    And no no, don’t be silly. There can definitely be restrictions on courses based on Subject POSts. Those courses are usually the ones for Type 3 programs. For example, intro to criminology is restricted only to majors and specialists in criminology. Duuuuh.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • admissions,  repeating course

    if you’re not in the 80s, you’re not getting in to uoft

    May 28, 2013

    Hi

    Im currently a grade 11 student and I am taking grade 12 advanced function this semester, but I’m not doing as well as I want too. I want to do Biochemistry or pharmaceutical chemistry at U of T. I am only getting a 82 in Advanced Functions right now and I will be taking calculus next year. I am hoping to do well in calculus but do you recommend I redo grade 12 advanced functions?

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    If you’re not doing well, then I definitely recommend retaking the course. Your top six marks in grade twelve are pretty significant — especially the ones relevant to where you’re applying.

    But honestly, 82 isn’t thaaaat bad. I know we say to aim for mid- to high-80s but if you just bump that up a little you should be fine.

    And luckily for you, life sci isn’t toooooooo strict and will still look at your second mark in the class. Some departments aren’t as forgiving — lookin at you Rotman! — and only take the first time around, so yay you. 🙂

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • residence

    for the second pick, we can guarantee you a waitlist

    May 28, 2013

    Hi Hi!

    I recently got accepted to uoft architecture and am still waiting to?receive the hard copy of my acceptance letter in the mail. I’m really?worried about my Myres application because the deadline for it has long?passed and I just realized that I listed one of my least preferred colleges?as my first choice. The rest of the colleges are ordered correctly.

    What happens if I change my college preferences after the March deadline??If I decline will i still be guaranteed housing in another college or do I?have to go looking for places off campus).

    Thank you.

    -ml

    ?????????

    ML,

    Unfortunately, if you decline the offer for the res you’re given, you lose that first year guarantee. See, they DID technically give you a place like they said they would, but you said — or will be saying — no. Get it?

    But what you can try is contacting the other residence(s) you’re interested in and see if you can get on their waitlists.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • subject POST

    from science to science to… science!

    May 28, 2013

    Hey I was just wondering, if I want to switch into a different program?second year, so if I were to switch from Psychology in first year to Life?Sciences in second year, how does that procedure work? Thanks in advance!

    ?????????

    Howdy!

    …yeah I’m never opening with howdy again lol.

    Anyway, how things work at this lovely university is that in first year, you start off in a stream. You can be in Humanities, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, blah blah blah. There’s quite a few, but they’re veeeery general. Next, you take a whole load of 100-level intro courses to things that interest you/are relevant to your life choices! You can, for the most part, take whatever you want — assuming you have the prerequisites needed for them.

    And then after this first year of testing the water, you come down with the classic case of “what the actual eff are Subject POSts?” confusion, a common problem that can be remedied by attending your college’s little seminar-y thing offered around March about POSts.

    But in short, they’re your programs of study. At that point, after taking whatever 100-level bio is offered and meeting the program requirement, you can enter the bio program. Or the psychology. Or bioethics. Whatever.

    tl;dr = you don’t have to “transfer” from “psychology” to “life sciences.”

    Really, you’re probably starting off here in some science-y thing, you’ll take your courses, and then at the end of first year, you enrol in the program you want and throw away any unwanted dreams about psych.

    Make sense?

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • OSAP

    no news is good news?

    May 27, 2013

    Hi, so during first year i dropped second semester due to family issues, it was after the deadline for refund so lost all the money on second semester. Im wishing to enroll again next year, will i be on any problems with OSAP ? , i recieved an email from them with just a link to continuing OSAP, but i hear from people years ago that i have to write a letter and include it with my MFSAA or something ? help ;'(

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    The letter thing only happens when you’re put on OSAP probation, which occurs when a student fails to meet OSAP’s required 60% course load rule.

    In that situation, in the following years of OSAP use, you’re required to write a letter that explains more or less what went wrong in the year you missed their requirement, what you’ll do to fix that, yada yada yada. And then if you fail to pass at least 60% while you’re on probation, you’ll find yourself on OSAP suspension for one year (which is exactly what it sounds like).

    But yeah, if you’re on probation, you’ll definitely be notified by someone. THAT is when you need to include a letter.

    I’m a little confused though cuz as far as I understand… well, you technically did NOT meet the requirement of 60% (a.k.a. three courses per semester), so I really wonder why you have yet to be contacted. :/

    Weird…

    Maybe have a chat with enrolment services just to be safe?

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • UTM

    crying gets you nothing but snark… and a tissue

    May 27, 2013

    Hi Aska,

    It’s been a while. Hope things are going swell. Anyways I am frustrated with UTM, and I’m in need of your advice (because no one is answering my calls or e-mails).

    So I finished my second year at another University 4 weeks ago. A week later I received a provisional transcript assessment and got almost all my credits assessed. I was previously told (multiple times) that I would be?able to enter my subject POSt after my final assessment.

    So everything seemed to be going well, UNTIL I got floored this week by the Office of the Registrar. They told me that I had to apply for my POSt on ROSI, and because they would need to see my final assessment done. So apparently I have to apply on June 17, and I would not hear back until September 9. Basically I would have to wait until July 26 to apply for 8/10 of my courses, and since the other 2 are restricted at all times, I would have to wait until September 9, and the class sizes of these two courses are small, and I’m scared I might not even get in.

    I spoke to someone else, who told me that I might not even be able to get in until I have a CGPA (since my marks won’t transfer), So right now I’m furious and scared because I had a beautiful timetable planned out, and if I have to take these two classes in the following year it will really complicate my life.

    Sorry for the long e-mail I’m a mess right now. But I have a few questions:

    1) How screwed am I? :/
    2) If I go to the right department and cry, can I get out of this mess?
    3) If I am screwed, can I still request special consideration (UTSG was my second choice, but enrolment services said I could send a letter. Although I’m unaware of the available space for Social Science Students.)

    Thank You in Advance Aska,

    ———————————————

    Yo.

    Firstly, congratulations on your acceptance.

    Now:

    1) You’re not screwed at all. You’re not in a mess. You’re just a student at the University of Toronto.

    Congratulations. This is where people go to cry. You’ll be fine.

    You’re not going to get some of the courses you want some times and that’s just how things are because of the volume of students. This is why students should always have backup plans. Don’t just stick to your one perfect schedule with absolutely no leeway. That’s how you set yourself up for disappointment.

    Now your situation is classic so don’t expect too much sympathy from, well, anyone at the university. Lots of the time students will apply for a program, be rejected in the first round, and then apply again in the second round and like you, have to wait for an answer until September.

    It sucks but it happens all. the. time.

    2) If you get pulled over, do you cry? No.

    Do not go to the department and cry. That would be the most obnoxious thing you could do. And okay, you’re in university. You’re an adult. You want to go somewhere and CRY to get your way? No. Don’t do that. No one likes that.

    You won’t get your way, you’ll get a tissue.

    3) I’m not really sure what you mean by “special consideration,” but I really don’t think you’ll get that anywhere.

    Like I said, everyone deals with not getting their ideal schedule, so no one is going to be moved by tears or some sort of appeal. The most you can really do is beg the professor of whatever course you’re losing your shit over, but past that… yeah. You’re going to be treated equally.

    But seriously, you need to relax and just… well, “get over it” is harsh, but there’s no point in dwelling. What you SHOULD be doing is looking at other options, not looking for ways to make sure you can get your way.

    (Seriously. CRYING?)

    Take some electives, take some courses at other campuses, take some random ones in the same field — just remember to be practical. You’re always going to need contingency plans, you’re always going to need to behave like someone your own age, and you’re always going to have to move forward.

    So no more whining.

    keeping it real,
    aska

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  • Transferring,  UTM

    in need of innis

    May 27, 2013

    hey aska!

    so i was just refused admission to the st. george campus but they offered me admission at UTM. i was just wondering if i were to transfer to st. george next year, will i have the same college preferences? like, i would REALLY like to get into innis but that’s already so hard to get in so if i were to transfer, would my application have equal consideration amongst, say, new undergrads.

    cheers!!!

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    As far as I understand, logically, you shouldn’t have the same preferences any more. If you applied and were rejected, that application process is done, right?

    So when you apply for your internal transfer, just re-rank your colleges and set Innis to numero uno once again.

    Now your application will definitely have equal consideration as say someone coming from high school, so despite Innis’s tiny size, you won’t have too much trouble getting into Innis College as long as you rank them first. Honestly, Innis isn’t hard to get into. The RESIDENCE can be hard to get into because it’s in such high demand, but for the most part, if you rank them as number one on your application you should be fine.

    But I can’t blame you for wanting to get in to Innis. It rocks.

    clearly an innisian,
    aska

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  • business,  commerce,  UTM

    business studies coming before commerce

    May 27, 2013

    I just recently have gotten an alternate offer into your First year Business Studies program at UTM (denied UTM commerce). I was just wondering what the difference is as I dont know much about it and I checked electronicinfo.ca, it is not there. As well as i got a acceptance at york administrative studies, and im definately stuck between both programs.

    A little bit clearing up would be a great help, thanks again!

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    I pretty much looked at your message, laughed, and asked myself, “What the heck is Business Studies?” because I’d never heard of it.

    Now research extraordinaire that I am, I googled that and found UTM’s little page on alternative offers — which I’m sure is totally neglected by incoming students.

    Basically, let’s say Business Studies is like a pre-program of sorts to Commerce. You’ll take the same first year courses as the Commerce kids and then you’ll essentially be applying for the program again from within UTM come April. They say the cut off average is 2.5, but be warned that that the ACTUAL minimum is most likely going to be a looooot higher since there are going to be a bunch of other people doing the same thing.

    So all in all, there’s no reaaaaal difference. You’re taking the same courses and working toward the same goal, you’re just… in Business Studies > Commerce, so you’ll have to apply to the program again at the end of first year based on your grades in those courses.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • first year

    i feel like a first-year advisor asdfghjkl

    May 24, 2013

    Hi there!

    I recently got accepted into the Health Studies program and I am wondering what my next steps are. Of course, I confirmed my acceptance, but now what?

    I was not able to attend the event on May 4th that probably would have answered all my questions, will there be another informative event like that before school starts?
    When should I apply for OSAP?
    How do I apply for scholarships and bursaries?
    What is the first payment and when is it due?
    Is there a guidance councilor or someone I can meet with that will help me decide my program choices?
    When can I start choosing my courses for September?
    If I am not eligible for OSAP (crossing my fingers that I am) what are my other options?
    When can I visit the school?

    Any suggestions or advice for a new student?
    I have already been to college and I understand university life is a lot different and grading is different too. Any suggestions on how I can prepare myself for university life?

    ?????????

    Jfc.

    I feel like I’m a registrar meeting with a bumbling first year. Wow. So many questions.

    Q. I was not able to attend the event on May 4th that probably would have answered all my questions, will there be another informative event like that before school starts?

    A. There was an event on May 4?

    Q. When should I apply for OSAP?

    A. ASAP.

    Q. How do I apply for scholarships and bursaries?

    A. Some admission scholarships are given to you automatically based on your incoming average, so you would’ve heard about those with your acceptance letter. There are some other academic awards you can apply to — although the application deadlines have probably already passed — and maybe some from your college, so take a look at those too. They usually take statements, resumes, yada yada yada.

    Q. What is the first payment and when is it due?

    A. Well the university requires the you pay 65% of your fees by August 20, so I guess that’s the “first payment.” What it is hasn’t been released yet but will eventually appear on the fees website.

    Q. Is there a guidance councilor or someone I can meet with that will help me decide my program choices?

    A. Your college registrar. You seem to have a lot of questions that are probably causing unnecessary anxiety because they have no actual merit for you, so you’re probably best off making an appointment with them. And depending on the college, you may even be able to chat via phone or skype. But I do stress that you make an appointment. No one likes a drop-in douchebag. Like honestly.

    Q. When can I start choosing my courses for September?

    A. I take it you haven’t looked at the calendar for the university you’re starting at, have you? But since you’re a first year, your first day of enrollment is July 30. Do begin planning your schedule though with the calendar and timetable. Personally, I just open an excel spreadsheet and make the rows the hours of the day and the columns the days of the week.

    Q. If I am not eligible for OSAP (crossing my fingers that I am) what are my other options?

    A. Get a job. Or get a loan elsewhere with a bank.

    Q. When can I visit the school?

    A. Whenever, I guess… No one’s going to stop you from walking around campus. Go explore. As long as you don’t enter something that has a “staff only” sign or something, you’ll be fine I’m sure.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • ccit,  UTM

    if i’m not in ccit, can i still be a ccit student

    May 24, 2013

    Hey, I am starting my second year at UTM in September. I came into UTM into the CCIT program. To enroll in the Subject Post for the CCIT Major, I need a GPA of at least 2.0. I am planning on applying to two minors as well; Earth Science and Environmental Science, which don’t require a GPA of 2.0. I will apply to the Posts in June. If my GPA is below 2.0, should I just apply to the two science minors? Will I still be considered a CCIT student? Will I have to apply for the CCIT Major next year? Please help, thanks.

    ———————————————

    Yo.

    If your GPA is below 2.0, then you won’t be able to get into the CCIT program, but do heed the required grades for those other programs you’re interested in. Do note, however, that you can’t just be in two minors. UTM requires students to be enrolled in either one specialist, two majors, or one major and two minors.

    But no, you won’t be considered a CCIT student. Naturally, you’re only considered one if you’re in the program.

    Although you can certainly apply for the program in the following year once you’ve bumped up your CGPA.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • OSAP

    finding funding without osap?!

    May 24, 2013

    Hi,

    I did horribly in my first year and ended up on both academic and OSAP probation as a result of my grades. Probation was a wakeup call, so I made a lot of changes and achieved significantly better grades this year. Unfortunately however my CGPA remains below 1.50 so I will be continuing on probation. Will my continued probation status affect OSAP? I am unsure as to whether or not OSAP will continue to grant loans to me because I did not clear my probation by the end of this session. Will I need to write letters to them again about my situation and progress, or will I simply be denied further funding?

    Thank you for your time!

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    To be clear, UofT probation and OSAP probation are two separate things.

    I’m sure you know how they both work since you’ve dealt with the two in a previous year, so as long as you’re at least meeting the requirements for OSAP, nothing should really change for you. As far as I understand, you’re just going to be writing your letter with every application, so no big change.

    Basically, a student can go through their four years of university with a steady and unfortunate CGPA of say 1.5, and maybe go in and out of academic probation but never actually see the dark side that is OSAP probation. While UofT looks at specific grades, OSAP just cares about where you pass or fail.

    So if you did well enough this year that you met the pass-three-courses-per-term requirement, your OSAP letter writing process will just be the same as always.

    But if you HAVE been suspended by OSAP, I’m sure they’d contact you! So just get started on your next letter cuz I’m pretty sure you’re fine. 🙂

    Cheers!

    aska

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