UofT for Physics Is it really that bad?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the undergraduate physics program at the University of Toronto (UofT), with participants sharing their experiences and concerns regarding GPA expectations, the transition from high school to university, and the overall academic environment. The scope includes personal anecdotes, advice for prospective students, and reflections on the challenges of the program.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concerns that high GPAs in high school do not guarantee similar performance in university, emphasizing the increased difficulty and competition at UofT.
  • There are claims that students with high GPAs are less likely to voice complaints about their experiences, suggesting a potential bias in feedback.
  • One participant notes that the student-teacher ratio in high school allows for better understanding, while university professors may not provide the same level of support.
  • Several participants highlight the rigorous nature of the Math and Physics Specialist program, with one stating it is the "worst possible program" and discussing the challenges of theoretical math courses.
  • Another participant mentions that while physics courses may be slow-paced, the problem sets are particularly challenging and time-consuming.
  • Concerns are raised about the impact of a low GPA on graduate school applications, with some suggesting that only a small number of students achieve high marks.
  • There is a discussion about the social life of students at UofT, with one participant warning that it may be significantly impacted by the demands of the program.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the challenges of the UofT physics program. While some share negative experiences and concerns, others provide counterpoints or emphasize the importance of focusing on learning rather than GPA alone. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views on the program's difficulty and the implications for students.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that experiences may vary widely based on individual circumstances, such as prior knowledge and study habits. There is also mention of changing program dynamics over time, including variations in faculty and course offerings.

Who May Find This Useful

Prospective students considering the physics program at UofT, current students seeking advice on managing academic challenges, and individuals interested in the experiences of others in STEM fields may find this discussion relevant.

  • #31
So what about Waterloo? is that just as hard?

I thought the CAP exam is for high school students?

Oh I was there for hmm a high school program for physics. I only went to a classroom and a lab though...
 
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  • #32
cristo said:
I wonder whether students who have an A average would be complaining about the teaching/difficulty of the courses, etc... ?

Sorry.. I don't buy it: it's common for every student to complain about how difficult classes are at their university. I also don't see how this is a bad thing; do you want to just sail through university?

Yes, but I am giving it everything I got. I am also one of the top students from high school. I will never get beyond a B+ at this school.

People at other schools still go out like twice a week and are A+.
 
  • #33
Being a top student at high school is kind of a joke though - I'd actually be interested in a study that shows to what level it is indicative of college success. One of the valedictorians from my high school dropped out of university due to the social pressure of not being the smartest in the class anymore, and for the most part all the other top 10% students went on to be fairly average at college as well.
 
  • #34
People who go to UofT tend to complain more. Probably explains why it seems like they work harder, but in fact, it's just that they complain about it much more.
 
  • #35
Howers said:
Yes, but I am giving it everything I got. I am also one of the top students from high school. I will never get beyond a B+ at this school.

People at other schools still go out like twice a week and are A+.

Perhaps you're not doing the right kind of studying, and so whilst you may be spending a long time, it may not be very productive. Have you sought advice from one of your advisors? That is what I would do if I were you, instead of complaining about your college.

Also, you should not compare yourself to other students: saying that people at other schools go out twice a week and get A's is a really weak argument; they are not you! What's to say that if you went to their college you'd get A's if you went out two days a week? Nothing.. you could get lower grades than B's.
 
  • #36
cristo said:
Perhaps you're not doing the right kind of studying, and so whilst you may be spending a long time, it may not be very productive. Have you sought advice from one of your advisors? That is what I would do if I were you, instead of complaining about your college.

Also, you should not compare yourself to other students: saying that people at other schools go out twice a week and get A's is a really weak argument; they are not you! What's to say that if you went to their college you'd get A's if you went out two days a week? Nothing.. you could get lower grades than B's.

I've talked to teachers and they said I was doing really good. They also reminded me that this is UT, however you want to infer that.

I don't know if my study habits are good or bad... I do as many problems as possible, and read the text. I'm still ahead most of the class.

I'm not complaining about my college, or my grades. I'm just telling the poster what to expect from UT. UT will ackwoledge your B. So may other Canadian schools. But when it comes to say American schools, I think you're at a disadvantage.
 
  • #37
What is the cut off mark for UofT physics?

From Electronicinfo it says that its from 70s-mid 80. Why is it so low or that not the cut off mark?
 
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  • #38
There was once a guy who went to Western for undergrad. Now almost every graduate student in the U.S. and Canada learns electrodynamics through his textbook (Jackson). Don't pick U of T because of its "prestige", your undergrad school's prestige doesn't matter, it's your research experience, recommendations, achievements, and GPA that matter the most.
 
  • #39
To my knowledge, U of T and McGill Science depts. are known for being harsh on grades. These are also the only schools I know of that include the average class grade for the each course in student transcripts. So, the grading policy shouldn't really hurt your application at an ideal grad school committee (a fictional creature) where they will be able to compare your grade with the class average. It will hurt directly for things like applying for Med School, where the raw numbers matter.
 
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  • #40


how big a difference is there between UofT and like MIT? and what's the difference? (physics wise of course)
 
  • #41


Gokul43201 said:
To my knowledge, U of T and McGill Science depts. are known for being harsh on grades. These are also the only schools I know of that include the average class grade for the each course in student transcripts. So, the grading policy shouldn't really hurt your application at an ideal grad school committee (a fictional creature) where they will be able to compare your grade with the class average. It will hurt directly for things like applying for Med School, where the raw numbers matter.

I wouldn't say this about McGill. I am an undergraduate here, and just about everyone I know in the honors program has at least a 3.5, and quite a few have 3.9 or better. Maybe because the markers are easy, or maybe because the students are very smart. I don't know. Many times profs give ridiculous exams where the average is like a 30-40% and then they curve as they see fit, which would give some credence to the easy marking hypothesis. The students here put a whole lot of work in, but I can't really compare that amount of work with any other universities. Or maybe these high grades are untrue, and my friends are a misreprentation of the students. One of my profs has some statistics posted on his door, so maybe I will go get them and post back later.
 
  • #42


bump

anybody else goes to UT that can back up Howers point?
 
  • #43


I personally think toronto is harder than other school,
There is a reason for having so many people complaining
On the other hand, people that I know of goes to u of t and have a fine life
I still think that is is more reputable than other university as well, IF you are planning to go to grad school in US or UK because it is more likely that they heard of the school at least more than guelph or york ; those are good schools as well just not popular in outside of Canada

by the way, happy thanksgivings everyone! :)
 

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