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I'm probably not the only one who's in this situation here, but from reading around the majority of people here have the grades to get into the school of their choice, I however, fear I do not.
Basically everyone I know has been accepted to at least one school besides a relatively few people, as most of my friends got early acceptance to either Engineering or Business programs (both requiring way higher averages than I could ever hope for). The real kicker happened today when Queen's University (the only school I'm interested in) sent out their first round of acceptances. I opened facebook today and literally say about 30 people bragging about being accepted.
My marks aren't high, averaging low 80s and high 70s at the moment with one class bringing me down with a 62 (I basically screwed the pooch on this one), however as of now I only have 2 classes that count towards admission (81 and 62, evening my average out to a mere 71.5). I screwed myself over by taking a grade 11 class my first semester and the grade 12 class in the second semester, as well as a spare. I have 4 classes this semester (Calculus, Advanced Functions, Chemistry and Biology) that I need to do well in or I'm basically not getting in.
The Programs I applied to are Hardware Engineering and Computer Science, both of which are requiring around an 80-83 average (at least last year it did). I'm really freaking out and worrying if I'm going to get in as I didn't do as well as I expected in my first major Calculus and Biology tests, however I'm doing will in my Chemistry class (100% on first test) and decent in my Functions class. I'm worried because my acceptance is basically relying on my midterm marks (which will be around middle of April) and my PSE for Queen's and SPF for U of T.
I'm at the point now where it's clear, I'm either going to just graze by (not likely) or I'm going to end up taking a victory lap, however both my parents are heavily against it. Is anyone else in this same situation or am I the only one here?
 
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One alternative you can do is go to community or another school, do WELL then re-apply to Queens, you probably wont graduate on time but thats not important. All that is important is if you really want to learn your intended major and not just go to this school for what ever reason.
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I just can;t understand this mindset, but I guess I just didn't really care. I took classes (as few as I could) and got really good SAT/ACT scores. Simply put, taking calcus in 11th grade instead of 12th grade and good test scores got me into one of the best hard science and engineering schools in the world.
I don't even remember any of the grades I got in highschool, cause none of it mattered.
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Dude calm down. There are always ways to get into university. If you don't make it the first time you may have to find a work around. But if you are seriously passionate about a particular degree you can find a way in. Transferring is the most common but you can also appeal directly to the University. Stressing about it and winding yourself up is not going to help.
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On March 01 2012 11:00 N3rV[Green] wrote:
I just can;t understand this mindset, but I guess I just didn't really care. I took classes (as few as I could) and got really good SAT/ACT scores. Simply put, taking calcus in 11th grade instead of 12th grade and good test scores got me into one of the best hard science and engineering schools in the world.
I don't even remember any of the grades I got in highschool, cause none of it mattered.
Did you even read what you wrote?
I just can;t understand this mindset
good test scores got me into one of the best hard science and engineering schools in the world.
He is trying to do exactly what you did. He is just finding it harder. Just because you waltzed through your school work doesn't mean everyone does. Finally your highschool grades matter because that is what gets you into the degree you want. So yes they do matter.
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It's a little different North of the Border, where although the courses that relate to your major matter a bit, the main focus is on the ability to hold an average in all your courses above a certain amount. 80s aren't really that hard to get but I'm not exactly off to a good start myself. Also SATs are you U.S. schools and aren't worth paying if you're not leaving the country to study in the U.S. (which happens to cost an absurd amount of money).
I have no other choices besides either staying back for a year in High School or working until I become a Mature Student, where as long as I have a OSSD (diploma from HS) I can get in, the problem is I'm not the one paying for my education, my parents are and they REALLY don't like that idea.
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On March 01 2012 11:05 Leftwing wrote:
It's a little different North of the Border, where although the courses that relate to your major matter a bit, the main focus is on the ability to hold an average in all your courses above a certain amount. 80s aren't really that hard to get but I'm not exactly off to a good start myself. Also SATs are you U.S. schools and aren't worth paying if you're not leaving the country to study in the U.S. (which happens to cost an absurd amount of money).
I have no other choices besides either staying back for a year in High School or working until I become a Mature Student, where as long as I have a OSSD (diploma from HS) I can get in, the problem is I'm not the one paying for my education, my parents are and they REALLY don't like that idea.
Well to quite frank, if you work your ass off and still miss out they will just have to accept it. Parents can actually be rational beings despite what we think as teeenagers. I think the only issue you really need to sort out is whether you are working as hard you can. If you are, then you can cross that bridge you when you come to it. I would be very suprised if there was no way you could get into your Uni if one subject was pulling you down. Especially if that subject has nothing to do with what you are studying. I mean you can probably enrol in a different course that has similar subjects and then transfer. Yes your degree will take longer and cost more but at least you get into the course you want. There is always a solution, do your best and deal with things as they come.
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Relax bro. The world is not coming to an end because you didn't an early acceptance.
Eventually you ll realize that your life doesn't revolve around school/grades.
The world is oversaturated with people who have degrees in science/math/engineering/business and not enough jobs in those field. If you actually think you're set for life because you got an education from a good school, you're in for a rude awakening.
If I had to do it all over again I would take the money i wasted on an education and start a business. I wish high school would encourage more people to take chances on themselves. Start a business, invest money, take calculated risks, or even go a non mainstream route like culinary school.
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The thread title as viewed from the sidebar was so attractive...
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I know eh? ^^ The problem is the course that is bringing me down is Physics, and well it's important for half of my intended programs. Luckily I really don't even want to go into that field so it shouldn't be a big deal, the only reason I even applied was because I was forced to.
@ Dazed Actually you read my mind. The problem is I want to start a business but I need to learn what I want to do first. I intend to take Computer Science and start a business developing Apps/games with a couple of my friends (also programmers and a couple business guys).
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Just don't go to Queens. Canada isn't like many other countries where your University's name determines everything about your education. Basically, at the undergrad level, all Canadian universities are of equal quality, and as long as you get good grades at your university, you can get into master programs of your choice (or get employed at the same companies as any other grads).
I know many students that purposely avoided the bigger names for their undergraduate so that they can easier retain a high GPA for applying to masters.
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It's a personal choice for me, a chance to escape where I live and experience something new, where most of my friends will be too. It's not just for the sake of going to a good school.
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If you want something to keep your hopes up, early acceptance is just that- early. They will send out more acceptance notices as time goes on.
Remember that there are also colleges which can also be nice (small class sizes and less expensive)
Anyway, apply to a bunch of places, dude, don't put all your eggs in with your Queens app.
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On March 01 2012 12:21 Vestrel wrote:
If you want something to keep your hopes up, early acceptance is just that- early. They will send out more acceptance notices as time goes on.
Remember that there are also colleges which can also be nice (small class sizes and less expensive)
Anyway, apply to a bunch of places, dude, don't put all your eggs in with your Queens app.
Too late to apply, all he can do is get the marks he needs.
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On March 01 2012 11:21 Praetorial wrote:
The thread title as viewed from the sidebar was so attractive...
LOLOL DAMITTT I KNOW RIGHT??
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It shouldn't be too late to apply for smaller colleges as contingencies. You can actually save a lot of money and set yourself up for a successful transition into university. If at all possible, make sure you start your secondary education somewhere asap. It will be better to do than to sit back in HS for another year and try again. Most smaller school will let you take basic courses that can transfer into other institutions without any problems. They're typically easier and will help you bump your GPA. Unless Canada as a whole has ridiculously stringent community school guidelines on when applications are due, your should definitely look into them.
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On March 01 2012 12:21 Vestrel wrote:
If you want something to keep your hopes up, early acceptance is just that- early. They will send out more acceptance notices as time goes on.
Remember that there are also colleges which can also be nice (small class sizes and less expensive)
Anyway, apply to a bunch of places, dude, don't put all your eggs in with your Queens app.
Yeah, it seems like you made a few mistakes, this being one of them. I know people who were worried about having averages too close to the cut off, so they applied to a lot of schools including safe schools. Are queens and UofT the only schools you applied to? I think UofT doesnt send out acceptances until mid terms (at least I didnt get mine yet  ), so you still have a chance. Kind of sucks that you got Adv Functions and Calc in one semester, but Adv Functions is basically functions with radians, so if you did well in grade 11 you should do fine in it.
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a cool option for engineering is going to college for the three years and getting your diploma then doing the accelerated degree at lakehead for 2 years
you save a bunch of money, get 2 pieces of paper, and college is pretty fun too
takes an extra year though, but that doesnt matter in the long run
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The easiest path to university is through high school. If you don't get accepted into your first choice than you'll be given an alternative offer which you may or may not accept and than transfer into your original choice in the second year. But just be sure you know what the transfer requirements are since some programs are next to impossible to transfer into. Just stay back an extra year if it's needed.
Ontario secondary school grades are seriously inflated so if you can't easily maintain a 80, I question your ability to do well in university, no offense or anything.
Toronto does send early acceptance, the first batch should have went out in February and the second batch should go out over March break.
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EPT
