EngSci@UofT: Difficult? Skoll+PEY+MBA in 6yrs?

[IcedCore]

How doable is EngSci at the University of Toronto, followed by Engineering Physics for the last 2 years? However, add in the Skoll program into the mix, which is followed by a one year MBA during my 6th year, where my 4th year is PEY (coop) for an entire year. Any thoughts on the difficulty level, considering that the people at UofT told me that only 11 kids last year completed Skoll?

 

[Kevin_Axion]

What do you want to do after you get your degree?

 

[Physicist_E]

How doable is EngSci at the University of Toronto, followed by Engineering Physics for the last 2 years? However, add in the Skoll program into the mix, which is followed by a one year MBA during my 6th year, where my 4th year is PEY (coop) for an entire year. Any thoughts on the difficulty level, considering that the people at UofT told me that only 11 kids last year completed Skoll?

This^

Do physics or engineering DONT do engsci for the love of god.
A lot of arguments of why is in that vid :P

 

[IcedCore]

But then watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3s8hWgOeAs&feature=related

THE WHOLE THING THOUGH!
to be honest, I believe that finishing it, and succeeding in it as well, will only prove that you can pretty much do ANYTHING. And who wouldn't love to feel like that? :P I'm not saying that I'd do it for the feeling alone, but it does sound very interesting.

 

[IcedCore]

@Kevin, I want to be able to pick from Engineering, being a Theoretical Physicist, and delving into Business, if that's too much to ask (: I just cannot decide.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

@Kevin, I want to be able to pick from Engineering, being a Theoretical Physicist, and delving into Business, if that's too much to ask (: I just cannot decide.

If you want to be a theoretical physicist do physics. If you want to do business then do commerce. If you want to do engineering after your undergraduate degree DON'T do engineering science. Engineering science students take excessive course loads and fall behind until 3rd year when they specialize and have to learn all of the material they missed in the first two years. On top of that, engineering science students end up with lower GPAs and then compete for the same jobs as normal engineering students, the extra education is useless and engineering science degree doesn't really prove anything to employers. If you want to go to graduate school for engineering then engineering science is excellent preparation.

EDIT: I'm applying for chemical engineering or mechanical engineering (I'm also looking at math & physics specialist but that's another "issue" all together)

 

[Highway]

lol @ trying to do engineering + physics. . . i can't even imagine that -- especially with chemical. holy ****.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

lol @ trying to do engineering + physics. . . i can't even imagine that -- especially with chemical. holy ****.

I never said that. I'm either doing one or the other.

 

[IcedCore]

@Kevin, well I was considering to take that course at first, the math and physics specialist. What's your input on its rigor alone, and then vs EngSci?

 

[Kevin_Axion]

@Kevin, well I was considering to take that course at first, the math and physics specialist. What's your input on its rigor alone, and then vs EngSci?

The math and physics specialist is very rigorous and is an excellent preparation for grad school. Here's an outline of the program: http://www.artsandscience.utoronto.ca/ofr/calendar/crs_mat.htm

How are you faring in Advanced Functions and other required grade 12 courses (you don't have to say your marks)?

 

[IcedCore]

@Kevin, not to brag or anything, but my average is pretty darn close to 100, with English bringing me down -.-, as well as religion, as much as high marks can bring you down from perfect ;). As of now, I'm understanding everything pretty quickly. Very few things have stumped me on the way, and simple help from my teachers solved all those issues. So, it's all going very smoothly, except for that 90 in English :P I like it, but talking about the Western Canon doesn't really tickle my interests.. By the way, I take all 3 maths and sciences
How about you?

 

[Kevin_Axion]

@Kevin, not to brag or anything, but my average is pretty darn close to 100, with English bringing me down -.-, as well as religion, as much as high marks can bring you down from perfect ;). As of now, I'm understanding everything pretty quickly. Very few things have stumped me on the way, and simple help from my teachers solved all those issues. So, it's all going very smoothly, except for that 90 in English :P I like it, but talking about the Western Canon doesn't really tickle my interests.. By the way, I take all 3 maths and sciences
How about you?

That's not bragging, you clearly worked hard for those marks.

I'm pleased (I had AP computer science but I dropped it because I was awful at it and it was really boring):

Advanced Functions: 96

English: 96-98

Philosophy: 94

 

[IcedCore]

Amazing English mark :P What other courses do you take?
Oh, and in all honesty, do you feel as if high school is "time consuming"? I feel as if people tell me the transition is very steep, and if high school has you stumped, then university will take you to a whole new level of confusion. Would you consider that finding things, as in coursework and homework, easier than others a good indicator that one can succeed in university? University as in UofT.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

Amazing English mark :P What other courses do you take?
Oh, and in all honesty, do you feel as if high school is "time consuming"? I feel as if people tell me the transition is very steep, and if high school has you stumped, then university will take you to a whole new level of confusion. Would you consider that finding things, as in coursework and homework, easier than others a good indicator that one can succeed in university? University as in UofT.

Thanks, In my second semester I'm going to take:

Calculus & Vectors

Physics

Chemistry

Not sure what to put here (probably Data management or Earth Space Science [this looks pretty easy])

I have 3 courses so my course load is pretty light. I don't find it time consuming at all or incredibly difficult. There may be the odd question in math but I usually solve them after thinking about it for a few minutes. The transition is steep there's no denying it. Having good time management skills is an essential skill. Being intelligent is only half of what is necessary in university, Terence Tao famously stated that although he was naturally gifted he had to work just as hard as other people in order to succeed.

 

[IcedCore]

Coming from him, that really is something to say. I'm just going to perfect the fundamentals I learn, and then some. I hope that the university experience is everything that it's cracked up to be. I'll message you again when admissions come along. See you then!

 

[Kevin_Axion]

Coming from him, that really is something to say. I'm just going to perfect the fundamentals I learn, and then some. I hope that the university experience is everything that it's cracked up to be. I'll message you again when admissions come along. See you then!

Yea, I'll talk to you later. I'm going to Waterloo on Saturday, are you?

 

[IcedCore]

I live in Toronto ):
Either way, I have an essay to write on the Western Canon, along with finishing and sending my UofT National Scholarship App. I pray to the Lord that I win this because UofT is expensive AND stingy with giving entrance awards :\
Tell me how it goes !

 

[nicholls]

How doable is EngSci at the University of Toronto, followed by Engineering Physics for the last 2 years?

Very doable. I am doing it right now (third year).

Any thoughts on the difficulty level

First two years are relatively difficult, depending on your background and skill level. Most people just complain too much. I'd like to say it gets easier after second year but so far I'm finding it to be about the same (at least I'm working just as hard).

I want to be able to pick from Engineering, being a Theoretical Physicist, and delving into Business, if that's too much to ask (: I just cannot decide.

Then engsci is a solid choice. Obviously you can do any sort of engineering you want afterwards. Theoretical physics is definitely doable through the physics or math options. Business you can pretty much do after any engineering degree, but you could also do the math and finance option and that would prepare you quite well for at least the finance aspect of business.

 

[IcedCore]

@Nicholls, how prepared do you think you were in high school? Did you take AP and IB, or such? What were your grades like in grade 12, and then what were they in 1st and second year EngSci? You feel as if the journey was worth it?

 

[nicholls]

@Nicholls, how prepared do you think you were in high school? Did you take AP and IB, or such? What were your grades like in grade 12, and then what were they in 1st and second year EngSci?

My high school was pretty non spectacular. I did not take AP or IB at all. My average in high school was something between 98 and 98.6 depending on who you asked. I had the highest average in my school board. But again, my school wasn't very hard (I got more than 100 in my advanced functions class, lol bonus marks).

First semester engsci I got something like a 3.78 gpa. Second semester I brought it up to a 3.95 and I've held it pretty steady at that point since then. So I basically went from getting 95-100 in everything in high school to getting 80-95 in everything in engsci. I actually feel like I am being challenged now, which is a good thing. High school I didn't have to work for anything. Now I have to work for everything.

You should expect your marks to drop probably around 10-15%. I think with your marks you will be fine, probably ahead of the curve.

You feel as if the journey was worth it?

Yea it is pretty worth it. I don't have any regrets. I built a robot last year and it worked very well, something I will remember for the rest of my life. It has given me a lot of exposure to many different fields of science and engineering. Also, I am very glad that I am getting an engineering degree rather than a physics degree. The engineering design courses keep you in touch with reality, and you should take them very seriously.

I wouldn't be concerned with your marks at all. People make it out to be a lot harder than it actually is. It just requires good time management. Engsci has never stopped me from going out and having a good time on weekends and sometimes weeknights.

 

[IcedCore]

@Nicholls, Thanks so much for the insight. It's about time a get a real response from an actual EngSci graduate. Well, considering that you too are coming from a non-spectacular high school, did you do anything special over the summer to teach yourself more than what you needed to know, for high school or for EngSci? How did you cope with the intake of those 6-7 courses/semester, with difficulty beyond ridiculous? Or is it really THAT ridiculous? By the way, I really appreciate you taking this time to answer my questions because without your responses right now, I probably wouldn't have gone into EngSci for those horror stories that you have thankfully debunked (:

 

[IcedCore]

*** It's about time I***

 

[Kevin_Axion]

@Nicholls, Thanks so much for the insight. It's about time a get a real response from an actual EngSci graduate. Well, considering that you too are coming from a non-spectacular high school, did you do anything special over the summer to teach yourself more than what you needed to know, for high school or for EngSci? How did you cope with the intake of those 6-7 courses/semester, with difficulty beyond ridiculous? Or is it really THAT ridiculous? By the way, I really appreciate you taking this time to answer my questions because without your responses right now, I probably wouldn't have gone into EngSci for those horror stories that you have thankfully debunked (:

"Debunked", let me remind you that this is one person's perspective. I'm not telling you to not go into it but I'm pretty certain Engineering Science has one of the highest drop-out amount.

 

[IcedCore]

I guess, but kids have a tendency to complain because they think they know everything, so I was simply waiting for the one person, or probably a few more, who went through the course, maintaining insanely high grades, all while having a social life. I think if one man can do it, possibly a few more can follow. I just needed that light of hope is all.

 

[nicholls]

"Debunked", let me remind you that this is one person's perspective. I'm not telling you to not go into it but I'm pretty certain Engineering Science has one of the highest drop-out amount.

Not drop outs, switch outs. I know lots of people, some of whom who did better than me in first year who realized after a year of engsci that they really loved ECE or civil or one particular stream of engineering and thus decided to switch into that stream. I also know at least one other who decided he liked physics better and switched into physics. Lots of these people found engsci hard, but many of them switched out because they realized it was pointless to do another general year of engineering if they know what they want to do.

The only way you can lose out doing engsci is if you end up hating it and then want to go into a program which isn't offered at UofT. Other than that you can pretty much switch into anything at UofT after first or second semester.

Did you do anything special over the summer to teach yourself more than what you needed to know, for high school or for EngSci?

No, between high school and engsci I played video games, drank alcohol and chilled over the summer and did absolutely nothing school related.

How did you cope with the intake of those 6-7 courses/semester, with difficulty beyond ridiculous?

Difficulty is not ridiculous. They are generally more difficult mainly because in first and second year we covered a lot more material than anyone else. For example, you finish calc 1,2,3 in less than 3 semesters (2.5), then use that extra half semester to learn fluid dynamics. But when it comes down to it, it is still calc 1-3.

The way I dealt with the workload is time management. Yea we had a lot of work to do at times but I would just suck it up and get it done. I learned a lot of good time management and work ethic skills in my first two years. They are now second nature to me. So I guess I would just say that you get used to it after a while.

The one thing I haven't mentioned about engsci yet is the community which engsci is. Your entire class takes all the same courses and thus you get to know each other very well. Competition is minimal if not nonexistent. Its also comforting know that if you are stressed out, so are probably at least 200 other people.

 

[IcedCore]

Ahaa, better than a 3.95? My goodness, these people really are brilliant. So pretty much, talent + hard work + getting used to stress + organization + time management = goals beyond many? (:

Of course, I'm expecting the hardest thing I've attempted so far, while in the course, so I'm still getting mentally prepared for a huge learning curve.