Hi. I’ve recently been accepted to the university of Toronto, at St. George for Life Sciences (I chose psychology in the application form) and Social Sciences at the UTM campus (id actually applied for management but my math grades were low so I didn’t get it).
I’m having a difficult time deciding between the two. First off, I will be living with my aunt in Mississauga so the UTM campus would be more convenient but either way I would have to travel. And second, although I know Life Sciences is more serious and difficult, I didn’t do biology or chemistry in the 11th and 12th grades. But I did get an A in biology in the 10th not that it matters much.
I’m asking if academically I would benefit more from choosing Life Sciences and the St. George campus. Or would it not make much of a difference?
Also, in my first year will be be taking classes in all areas of life sciences or will I only have options relating to psychology? Will I be unable to take biology related classes because I haven’t studied the subject for these two years?
I was also considering that by taking Social Science, if I work hard enough will they let me join the business stream? I don’t think that’ll happen though.
I don’t have a clear idea of what I want to do with my life. I mean, mostly I’d like to work in marketing or advertising some day. But I also like the idea of helping people, which is why I enjoy psychology. I haven’t done science recently but I wish I did sometimes, because I feel like I would be happiest in a career where I get to help people.
But I also find management careers in retail and
creative fields like fashion, film, art etc. interesting.
Please give me your opinion. I really need to decide fast! Thanks. 
Come on? Anybody?? Really I’m just asking for a second opinion.
Psychology at St. George requires high school calculus and a course or two in statistics in second year. You said your math marks are low - do you have calculus?
First year biology has grade 12 biology as a prerequisite. Where did you do your grade 10 biology? Did you cover molecular biology?
I would not go into life science/psychology just because you want to help people. There are a couple thousand students there who want to get into med school who are in life science. The grading is fierce. You can help people in whatever career you have.
You can transfer into management at UTM after first year. Here’s the procedure https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/management/undergraduate-program-information/management-upper-year-admission
You should do what’s right for you, what you feel in your gut. However, my opinion is that if you want to work in marketing or advertising, got to UTM and work your hardest to transfer to management.
Thank you. Yes, that’s what I was thinking too. but I would prefer going to the UTSG campus. Is there anyway I could transfer there from UTM after the first year?
Sounds similar to an American choosing between UNC Chapel Hill versus UNC Pembroke. Go to St. George or at least transfer there.
That’s what I want to do. But is it likely? To be able to transfer from UTM Social Science to UTSG Commerce? I’m smart, and I am willing to work really hard but I’m not a complete genius. Or at least I’ve never been all THAT hardworking before.
If you are not hardworking, I wouldn’t recommend UTSG. The commute from Mississauga to downtown Toronto can be very long as well. Have you looked at google maps to determine how long it will take on public transit? A lot of students who do that commute find themselves exhausted.
As a life science student at UTSG, you will get first priority on life science courses at registration time. However, you can choose courses from any department within the Faculty of Arts and Science. You can declare a major in any department as long as your grades are sufficiently high to qualify.
Thank you. I’m actually going to Canada this week to check out the commute and the campuses, so I can decide properly.
So after the first year I could major and minor in anything in the Faculty of Arts and Science (not only life sciences) as long as I qualify? Is it also the same at the Mississauga campus? Say, if I choose to major in English or psychology instead of a social science, will that be possible?
I’m sorry if it’s an obvious question, but I’m not used to the system.
I’m not as familiar with the Mississauga campus. Check out U of T’s reddit forum. There’s a lot of current students there who can help you.