UofT and Computer Science POSt
Disclaimer: This information pertains to the Computer Science program at the Faculty of Arts and Science at the St. George campus. The process may differ at the Scarborough and Mississauga campuses.
What is POSt and Why Should I Care?
If you're not aware, UofT has something called a Program of Study (POSt), which means that while you may have been overjoyed to receive your admission letter from UofT, you'll soon discover you haven't actually been accepted into your desired program! Generally, you're accepted into a general, broader admission stream and, once you arrive at UofT, you'll need to use your university grades to apply for your program of choice at the end of your first year.
UofT is ranked #1 in Canada and #9 in the world for Computer Science in 2020, attracting a huge number of qualified candidates each year and making the program extremely competitive. Candidates with any post-secondary studies (including myself) are also not allowed to apply directly to the Computer Science program, making entry into the program even more challenging for those not coming straight from high school.
So, what does it take to get into UofT CS as a transfer student?
Well...
Getting into Computer Science POSt
Note: Starting in Fall 2022, out-of-stream students are ineligible to apply to the CS Specialist program.
To be eligible for CS POSt as a transfer student, you must first be admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Science (ArtSci) and apply as an out-of-stream student at the end of your first year. While in-stream students are only required to achieve over 77% in two first-year courses to stay in CS, out-of-stream students will need to compete for a limited number of seats to enroll in the program.
They will be evaluated based on the following:
- Average grade in CSC148 and CSC165
- A supplementary application
Historical data indicates that the admitted GPA typically falls within the low to mid-90s for both courses, alongside a stellar supplementary application.
My Strategy
Subject Knowledge Matters
A common strategy includes attending lectures, participating in office hours, starting problem sets early, and excelling in non-test assessments.
CSC148
Resources
CSC165
Resources
- How to Prove It: A Structured Approach
CSC165 lecture videos from Professor Francois Pitt(they took it down, sorry guys)
In addition to the dedicated course notes for CSC148 and CSC165, Course Notes for CSC110 and CSC111 may also be beneficial.
Your Supplemental Application May Play a More Crucial Role Than You Think!
Case in point: I was admitted to the CS major with the lowest average among my peers. I also know individuals with much higher averages who were rejected. Thus, admission is not solely about having the highest grades. Be genuine, share your story, and highlight the qualities that differentiate you. Ultimately, it's not just the numbers that matter; it's your unwavering passion and the unique path that has brought you here.
Have Backups!
Life doesn’t always go as planned. Here are a few backup programs to consider if you don’t get into the CS major:
- Statistics specialist/major
- Math major
- Math and Its Applications specialist
- Cognitive science