University Preparation Session

Loretto College School

December 9, 2014, 1:30-2:30pm

Questions Devised by Grade 11 and 12 Students

1. Choosing a university/Making Plans at this stage

What is the best place to find accurate information about universities?

Do I need to visit the universities Im thinking of going to?
Is Guelph Humber a university or a college? And how do their programmes work?
What do universities look for when accepting you?
How do you find out about scholarships & aid?
How do I decide whether to live on or off campus?
Are there downsides to taking a gap year?
When you start university, what surprises are in store? What dont you know on Day One?
How much is tuition and how do you pay it?

2. What programmes to choose

Do you have to apply to two programmes to do a double major?
What happens if I want to transfer programmes once Ive started?
When applying for U of T 'Life Science' program they asked for "Interest of Major." Are you
committed to that, or it is just for reference?
Can you do a more general programme in your first year?
What are the benefits of co-op programmes?
How do you choose your college at UofT?
Can I do a semester abroad? Are there any downsides?
3. School life and living on campus
How do you balance school and social life?
Are campuses safe? (particularly in reference to York)
What social programmes are available? Are there clubs & societies to join?
How is the environment/community at York University? What about UofT?
Are there work opportunities on most campuses?
Should you have a part-time job when youre going to school?
Are there sororities and fraternities to join?
Are there housing opportunities around campuses?
Can you park on campus? Is it difficult to commute?
4. Academics and expectations
How do you pick courses for your major?
How do double majors work? What are the benefits of doing a double major?
How much do your grades drop the first year?
How do you deal with anxiety?
How understanding are professors? How are they different from high school teachers?
How are university classes different from high school classes?
How long are classes usually?
Where can you find extra help for your courses?
What do you do if you have an IEP?
What do you do if you need ESL help?
When during the day do you take classes?
How is tuition divided and allocated?
How many people drop out of university? Why?
Where should I sit in classes?

How do you stay organised?

Is attendance taken in classes?
What should I do if I have a problem with a professor?
Do professors use rubrics? How are you marked?
What are the expectations when you give a presentation?
What type of classes do you take in first year?
Are there tutoring programmes where you can get extra help? Do you pay for these?
Can you take summer school or online courses? What are the benefits & downsides?

5. Post-university
What can you do with a history degree?
What are the chances youre going to get a job?
How do you decide about taking graduate school, internships, co-op, college programmes?

Can you do anything with just a BA? Or do you need to take a graduate programme?

If I want to go to law school, what courses should I take?

Confirmed Speakers
Dr. Kevin James, professor in the History Department at Guelph University
Sarah Star, 4th year PhD student in English at the University of Toronto
Lara Howerton, MA student in Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto
Caitlin Henderson, PhD student in Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto
Megan Boyle, 2nd year student in Business Studies at Guelph-Humber
Francesca DAmico, PhD student at York University