Software Engineering @ UFT as hard as everyone says?

[Fasih]

I want to get into UoW but I don't think i will with a 84 average in grade 11 1st sem. I also wanted to apply to UFT for software engineering but people have been telling me that UFT is a killer and not to take it at all. What do you guys think?

[syntax_error]

Grade 11 semester 1 marks mean nothing. I repeat nothing. you have chances to improve that average considerably, focus on all your 4U1 courses. Thats the only thing send to them.

As for UfT, don't focus on what people say is a place to get a high GPA or better marks, get in where you want to go other things tend to fall into place.

[Fasih]

Well yeah I just hope I can maintain a 85+ avg in 1st sem in grade 12.

Only reason I want to get into UFT is because it's closer to home. If I were to go to UoW i would need to get an apartment there... I heard the program for software engineering is great at UFT.

[[Gandalf]]

In terms of academics, all university programs are hard, but you will get used to whatever workload is put in front of you. Whatever you choose, I'm sure if you put in the effort, you can both excel and have fun...

There really is nothing else to say, because what is "hard" is highly relative. Go to the university that you think will benefit you most, while still keeping yourself intact.

Edit: Also just felt like I should add, you can't go wrong between Waterloo and UofT. If you have what it takes for Waterloo, you have what it takes for UofT, and vice versa.

[Turing_Gamer]

syntax_error wrote:

Grade 11 semester 1 marks mean nothing. I repeat nothing. you have chances to improve that average considerably, focus on all your 4U1 courses. Thats the only thing send to them.

I don't know about that. Sometimes universities look at some of your Gr.11 marks, according to some teachers at my school.
Most courses look at Gr.12 marks, but some look at Gr.11

[Alexmula]

gr 11 marks are only considered for early acceptance

[syntax_error]

Turing_Gamer @ Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:31 am wrote:

syntax_error wrote:

Grade 11 semester 1 marks mean nothing. I repeat nothing. you have chances to improve that average considerably, focus on all your 4U1 courses. Thats the only thing send to them.

I don't know about that. Sometimes universities look at some of your Gr.11 marks, according to some teachers at my school.
Most courses look at Gr.12 marks, but some look at Gr.11

Some sure do, those universities that are not in Canada sure they do. Many in the States ask for a record all the way back to grade 9, since Fasih was only referring to UfT and Waterloo, its only your grade 12 marks. Course they look at grade 11 for early admission but those imho, aren't really worth much at all, you still need to maintain a GPA and get certain marks in the perquisites. In a nutshell, its only really the grade 12 marks.

[Fasih]

Cool thanks guys.

One question tho. I only have programming experience from my ICS courses in grade 10 and 11. Will there be a lot of people in the Software Engineering courses who have like 3-6 years of experience in C++ or Java? Like I didn't want to go into software, I didn't even think about it, but after taking the ICS courses at my school I wanted to go into that field. So I only have that experience, and that's with Java.

[ssy]

From my understanding, UofT (that's what you meant by UFT right?) doesn't have a specialized Software Engineering program. I think you either specialize through the Computer Engineering program or the Computer Science program, correct me if I am wrong?

That being said, I assume the program will be kind of different at UW and at UofT. Within Computer Engineering, you will have to do a lot more electrical stuff, and you only get to specialize when you reach the fourth year.

You should look at the curriculum and course sequencing at both universities before you decide.

And grade 11 marks don't matter, they only look at your grade 11 for consideration for early admission. I had a really low average in grade 11 (think below 60%), but pulled my average waaay up in grade 12 and got into UW.

[SnytaxError]

Does taking eng grade 12 in summer school affect my acceptance?

[Turing_Gamer]

Everything you basically do in technology, especially in Gr.12, affects your acceptance.

[Euphoracle]

Turing_Gamer @ Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:19 am wrote:

Everything you basically do in technology, especially in Gr.12, affects your acceptance.

No it doesn't. UW and UofT really don't care if you've taken your 'tech classes'. I didn't (they were cancelled at my school; lack of enrolment) and I got in without problems. What affects your acceptance is your academic average (the 6 12U courses etc) and what you can boast on your AIF if your academic average is particularly low. That said, if you have a significant and mature programming example project up and running (that is impressive, of course) that may skew your average to lesser importance in admissions. Keep in mind, though, that your academics are probably the most important thing that you have to get accepted. Keep those up (>85) and you should not need to worry about extras. I literally had no extras to add but had a 90something average and got in without trouble.

[Turing_Gamer]

I suppose...

[USEC_OFFICER]

So the people with the highest averages get in, like every other university.

[GustavoRaysor]

syntax_error @ Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:53 pm wrote:

Grade 11 semester 1 marks mean nothing. I repeat nothing. you have chances to improve that average considerably, focus on all your 4U1 courses. Thats the only thing send to them.

As for UfT, don't focus on what people say is a place to get a high GPA or better marks, get in where you want to go other things tend to fall into place.

That's encouraging to me. Thanks Syntax.