Hello,
I am a US citizen. I go to a relatively difficult school and I don’t think my top 6 scores in Math/Physics/Chemistry will necessarily qualify for the Engineering Science grade cutoff. However, my testing scores are fairly high: 770/790 on SAT, 800 Math II, 5 AP Calculus AB, projected 5 on AP Calculus BC, and projected 4-5 on AP Physics C. I assume that my other APs (Stats, Literature, CS, USH) don’t matter, neither do the grades in those subjects (please correct me if I’m wrong). I plan to take Chemistry and Physics SAT before college applications and am confident I’ll achieve 750-800 in both. Would these high testing scores compensate for my GPA which is not stellar given the rigor of classes I have taken (such as Multivariable Calculus this year as a junior), or would my application just be thrown out once I don’t meet the low 90s cutoff?
Thank you.
High testing scores won’t compensate for low GPA. How low is your GPA?
My Calculus/Physics/Chemistry grades all hover around B+/A- which puts me at high 80s/low 90s. Will my course rigor count for anything or do I need to pull off some As senior year to have a chance?
High 80’s/low 90’s is not low by Canadian standards. If your school reports by percentage grades, it is likely to your advantage, but I wouldn’t say that you’ll be disqualified based on a 3.4 GPA, for example. In your case, your high standardized test scores will likely compensate for such a GPA. U of T will look at your grades in physics, chemistry, calculus and English plus the next 2 highest grades. You may get admitted based on your junior grades (and standardized test scores), but if not, your application will be looked at again once the university has your senior mid-year grades. So, if you can increase your grades in senior year, that will help a lot.
Thanks! Glad to hear there is still a good chance!
One question about this : “U of T will look at your grades in physics, chemistry, calculus and English plus the next 2 highest grades.”
I was wondering if you could please clarify on how the grade reporting works. Do my reported grades in non pre-req subjects even matter? If I report a grade in all of the pre-req classes would it be fine to report other high grades in non pre-req classes which do have to do with engineering for the 6 rather than having doubles? By that I mean, should I report Multivariable Calculus, Intro to Real Analysis, Chem1, Chem2, Physics1, Physics2; or higher(Multivariable, Analysis), higher(Chem1, Chem2), higher(Phys1, Phys2), Stats, CS, Physics elective on relativity? The second is significantly more favorable for my GPA.
Yes, your grades in your non-prerequisite courses matter. U of T looks at your “top six” grades, with English, calculus, physics2 and chemistry2 included. After those four, whatever 2 courses have the highest grades, will be included in your admission average. They have to be academic courses though. You will submit your entire high school transcript and U of T will do the analysis.