good school to get into for computer science

[manwinder]

i was wondering what are some good schools for cs, i no there is waterloo and toronto but does it make a big difference if i go somewhere else. i also have heard that i can't get into waterloo if i have taken 4u english online. also if i can't it doesn't really matter since my mark was a 65%. i no its bad but i don't like english, the rest of my marks aren't in yet, since i am in my first semester of grade 12. what are some ways of getting in, could i get in with sports, or doing some math contests or computer science contests. if u could list what are the minimum averages for me to get into to wateroo or toronot. also does it matter if my mark is a 65%, what if my average is 93%. or would they look at english specifically . thanks for any replys

[Tony]

I'll start with concluding advice -- apply anyway and see what happens.

Now to the details: that English mark does put you in a bad spot. There are extra "points lost" for it being a non-standard class (such as summer school, so I suppose that also applies to online classes); and they do look at it specifically (as English is one of only two required classes for CS at UW). There has been an anecdotal case of a rejection because of a low English mark (but average being above the "cut-off"). With a high enough average will likely come down to an "individual selection" where an admissions officer will make a decision, not some computer script.

Things like Math contests (Euclid) and CS contests (CCC) as well an Additional Information Form (AIF; this includes a teacher's recommendation letter) all improve your chances of getting in.

[manwinder]

thanks