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,
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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