colleges

i won’t fear when people like you are here

Hi, I’m from Singapore and I recently got accepted into UTSG
I got placed into Woodsworth College, fear not, this message is not about which college is better but rather about what is the point of a college?
Has I understand it, it doesn’t matter which college you chose because you have access to any courses and you can even live inside the residence of an other college.
Thank You for your time and answer
Best Regards

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hey there,

congratulations on your acceptance! and welcome to the four-year party that is uoft. by party, of course, i mean constant panicking about what the future holds, arguing with roommates about everything from Rilke to Riemann sums, and eating dinner about five hours later than normal people. it’s awesome.

your question is a very understandable one. i haven’t met a single person at this university who doesn’t think the college system is confusing – however, it does actually serve a purpose other than just turning first-years against each other.

since the Faculty of Arts & Science is so big, the job of dealing with students is split between seven colleges. the college you belong to has a file all about you, and acts kind of like the main office in a high school. you’ll go to your college registrar’s office for academic advising, for example. that includes crying about your grades, trying to figure out what the heck you’re gonna do with your life, and all that fun stuff that comes with a wholesome, university experience.

each college also has its own student committee/council/union type deal. they run your frosh week and college-specific clubs, and make other important decisions about which i only have the vaguest ideas. you can read about a couple of them here.

importantly, if you’re dirt poor but have something more than “good at blowing bubble-gum bubbles” on your resume like me, colleges have their own unique scholarships that are available only to students of that college.

your college might offer cool, extracurricular programs that are unique to that college. UC, for example, offers a mentorship program for its students.

finally, if you’re interested in taking any College One classes, you can only take the classes from one college. that doesn’t necessarily have to be your college, but most people take the College One program at their college – in fact, many people base their college decisions largely on the One program offered by that college.

and i see you picked up on the taboo question. good on ya. you’ll go far, young grasshopper.

cheers,

aska

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