I’m a first-year student, and I’m wondering which programs to take next year.
I plan to go to graduate school (although I haven’t decided to stay at U of T or not), so I’d like my program choices to look good on papers. For my career, I intend to be a Math or Computer science researcher working with humanities/ssc researchers.
Q1. which would be the best (i.e. appeals to graduate school) program choice?
– one Sc Specialist + lots of HUM & Ssc courses
– one Sc Major + one HUM minor + one Ssc minor
– one Sc Major + one HUM/Ssc minor
– self-designed
Q2. what do graduate schools look at? (eg which programs I took, which courses I took and what my grades)
Q3. From your personal experience, how many courses would you take at most, if you wanted to enjoy ULife? (be active in groups, have fun with friends)
and not be crammed in the library all day?
Q4. What is a self-designed program anyway?
I asked the Office of Registrar, and they told me it was a combination of courses that are substantially different from preexisting programs. But this was a bit too abstract for me; can you give me an example of a self-designed program?
Thanks in advance.
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Hey hey
Q1. I personally think a specialist would be best for someone trying to get into grad school. Why? Because it shows that you have a lot of experience with your program and an incredibly in depth insight into it.
(Also, what the heck is “self-designed”?)
Q2. Grad schools look at EVERYTHING.
Ahem. Sorta.
Depends on the schools and programs, but criteria can include things like set CGPAs, transcripts, letters of reference, statements of interests, writing samples, resumes, CVs, portfolios, some kind of essay, yada yada yada.
Take a look at the specific schools’ requirements.
Q3. My experience… do a full 5.0 FCE course load. Just do it. Having a full load forces you to prioritize and set time aside for things properly.
Actually, the term I did the best, made the most money, and still managed to see all my friends is the one where I did six courses!
But start off with five though and see how it treats you. If you find you can’t handle it, then maybe drop down to four. But do be careful! I’m not too sure what you’re applying to, but there are certain schools that actually want you to have taken 5.0 FCE per year (e.g. law schools).
Q4. K looked it up!
According to the calendar, a self-designed program is:
Students may design their own Programs, which must be substantially different from any Program in this Calendar. Such a Program, if formally adopted by the student’s College on the basis of its academic rigour and coherence, and if approved by the Committee on Academic Standards, will be accepted as fulfilling the degree requirement for certification in a Program (transcripts indicate only Completed Self-designed Programs approved by X College). Since the approval process is necessarily a long one, students following this alternative must discuss this process with their College Registrar immediately after completion of the fourth course in the Faculty.
So that.
But according to one of my sources, this “self-designed program” thing isn’t really good for someone trying to get into grad school. I mean programs here are designed to give you a good education in x field, so just… don’t try to stray.
Cheers!
aska