Admission averages

[allenh98]

Hello guys. I'm going into grade 12 and I need to see how I'm doing academically to get into computer engineering/computer science at University of Toronto or Waterloo. Last year, i had a 85% average with 1 AP course (physics). I am planning to get a Sun Certified Java Programmer 1.4 certificate, and i took advanced function tuturing during the summer. My first semester courses are advance function, normal physics - which I already know half of due to AP 11 physics, AP comp sci, advance function, and gym teaching assistant (garunteed 90+). I am aiming for a 90+ average and i think that is a reachable goal. How is my marks looking to get into U of T/Waterloo engineering? Thanks in advance.

[allenh98]

Oh and how big are extracuriculars? I dont have much atm, i have a level 8 piano certificate and not much more, bare minimum volunteer hours. I have a good shot at getting on the volleyball team/basketball team and i will get a SCJP cert soon. Also, can someone tell me what Waterloo or U of T engineering/CS courses look for?

[Clayton]

90% will get you into pretty much any undergraduate CS/Engineering program unless you royally screw something else up. You have nothing to worry about.

[Tony]

http://compsci.ca/blog/computer-science-at-waterloo-the-new-scheme-of-things/

Prabhakar Ragde wrote:

The use of Scheme means that the prerequisites for the course are aptitude and an open mind, rather than prior experience.

[allenh98]

Clayton @ Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:32 pm wrote:

90% will get you into pretty much any undergraduate CS/Engineering program unless you royally screw something else up. You have nothing to worry about.

What about like 85?

[[Gandalf]]

One important factor that most universities look at that hasn't been mentioned is your English mark. Personally I had a high 80s average with a higher English mark and got into everywhere I applied (including Waterloo and U of T) without much trouble.

That is for computer science, it might be a bit different for engineering. I know U of T has a pretty crazy engineering program, so it might be a bit tougher to get in. Anyway, to sum it up, anything above an 80 and you have a good chance to get into anywhere you apply, as long as you put some effort into it. Don't worry about it too much.

[iluvchairs112]

computer science is a little easier to get into than computer engineering so you should be able to get in with 85 avg and decent extracirriculars. 90 avg is good for everything though

[allenh98]

What avg do they look at? Gr 11 or gr 12 first sem/second sem?

[riveryu]

[quote="[Gandalf]"] One important factor that most universities look at that hasn't been mentioned is your English mark. Personally I had a high 80s average with a higher English mark and got into everywhere I applied (including Waterloo and U of T) without much trouble.
[/quote]

Wow really? How come my brother who's second year in UW still have to take an English course? He had 91 in English and 91/92 ish overall avg.

[Tony]

English is a "special" mark in your average. That is, it will be looked at individually, regardless of what your overall average is.

UW requires an ELP (English Language Proficiency) test that everybody has to write and pass, to graduate. Now to be fair it's quite easy -- write an open ended essay about something from a selection of topics. Although I'm sure that there are exceptions. An exchange student could pick up on Math and CS really easily, and then struggle through English. Would it be fair to let someone graduate who is not able to communicate their ideas? It's a gray area.

[riveryu]

Well, I don't think English is an essential requirement after you graduate, is it? They can communicate in other languages can't they? Maybe even go back to your country and work there or elsewhere.
Unless Waterloo specifically want to train English speaking students to graduate and work in Canada (or any English country??). Whats the point?

[Tony]

I think it is less about English per say, and more about competent communication. Which in this case happens to be English.

There is not "training" and one is not required to take courses in English (although that is an alternative to writing ELP).