Is this good for Software Engineering @ Waterloo?

[Fasih]

I just got my mid-terms for the second semester, and was wondering it they're good enough to get accepted into Waterloo for their Software Engineering program and Computer Science

Adv. Funct. = 76 (My teacher screwed everyone over)
Calculus = 89
Physics = 90
Computer Science = 93
Chemistry = 86
English = 86

[Tony]

You should ask the admissions officer via applying to the program.

[Fasih]

No the reason Im asking is because a friend of mine told me that Software Engineering @ Waterloo is their most competitive program, so the cut-off jumps really high. I've seen people get in with like an 86, but I'm really scared if what my friend is saying is true.

Also,

I will be using my International Business mark of 95 instead of Computer Science in my top 6, so my top 6 average is an 87.

[Tony]

- It's not "the most competitive"
- It's still probably "mid to high 80s"
- But the admission is not based on just the average, so it could go either way.

[Dratino]

Hah, you're lucky; my English mark was 75. And that's not the only bad part - I had 83 in physics.

An average of 87 doesn't seem bad; they select from the mid-80's, and 87 is mid-to-high, so you should just barely make it, if not by a larger margin.

Also, if you think Software Engineering is competitive, think about the poor Biotechnology/Chartered Accountancy people who have to prove themselves against requirements of a 94~95 average. It always makes me feel better to think that I'm not applying to that program.

*edit* Urgh. Biotechnology, not Bioinformatics.

[Fasih]

Dratino, you got in? If yes, when and what was your overall?

[Dratino]

Well, I got into Mathematics, which has a slightly lower requirement; my chances of getting into Software Engineering are in jeopardy because apparently some of the forms on the AIF that I submitted in February never got patched through and I got a notification from them about a week ago (April 6) saying that I hadn't submitted them >_>

And I agree with Tony that it doesn't just depend on marks. I got into Mathematics before I even had a chance to complete my AIF because of all the extracurriculars that I did.

[unoho]

also keep in mind that SE have slots. so it depends on how many people they are gonna take. this year, we are ~141 and the class is kinda packed.
so i think they might go w/ around ~130 students for next year (according to the SE director, they want to "reduce" the class size)

[z_cross_fire]

Fasih, I think you're doing fine. But, I'm a bit scared about my application to SE.

The marks I received are:

Functions - 93
Calculus - 87
Biology - 89
Writer's Craft - 76
Computer Science - 96 (mid-term)
Chemistry - 85 (mid-term)
Physics - 73 (mid-term)
English - 69 (mid-term)
(English mark is below the requirement of 70%)

Do you guys think that I have a chance? SE is my first choice, while CS is second.

[Tony]

@z_cross_fire -- you should put your best effort into improving that English mark, both for SE and CS.

[ultimatebuster]

what's the difference between SE and CS? isn't CS broader?

[Tony]

CS is more flexible. SE gives you an iron ring.

[Dratino]

How are they different in terms of content?

I seem to remember that software engineering is more about how the parts of the software interact with each other.

[unoho]

there's a big overlap between these 2 fields. i remember when i was applying for co-ops, i applied to both SE and CS jobs. and most of the jobs says CS and SE as their discipline.

personally i really think it comes down to what you want to do. SE people get Bachelor of Software Engineering degree

[z_cross_fire]

Tony @ Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:55 pm wrote:

@z_cross_fire -- you should put your best effort into improving that English mark, both for SE and CS.

Yes, I know that.
My english teacher is a really hard marker. A few of my friends switched up their whole time-table, just to leave his class and get another english teacher.
I guess, the only thing I can do is wait and see what happens; and yes, I'll keep trying.