Ok so I applied to U of T Scarborough as my first choice because the St. George campus doesnt offer journalism as a major. I recently got into the Journalism program there, however, people are telling me that its a terrible campus and that I shouldnt go there. Theyre saying that its a “reject” school and I shouldnt waste my money on it. Thing is, I really like U of T in general and want to go there but UTSC was my only choice because St. George doesnt have my major or choice. I just wanted to know what people on here really think of the scarborough campus. Is it worth it? Also, is it possible for me double major in journalism and English at UTSC?
Thanks
@thelesswebecome It’s not a terrible campus and it’s not a reject school either. It does have unique programs that the other campuses do not. Journalism is a joint major with Centennial College though. The Centennial College campus is rather far from UTSC. From reading the website it doesn’t sound like a double major is possible.
What other schools and programs did you apply to or get in?
@bouders Hmm ill have to call them to ask about the double major thing. I applied to U of T SG Arts and Science as my second choice but still havent heard from them (I think if youre admitted to your first choice they dont even consider you for your second? idk).
I also applied and got into the Australian National University and the University of Sydney, and applied but have not heard back from yet to Pomona College, Hamilton College, Amherst College, Penn State, and the University of Minnesota.
@thelesswebecome Are you Australian? If so, I would recommend going to any of those other universities over UTSC. UTSG is a different matter.
@bouders No im not australian, Im from the US but im currently living in south america.
Also why would you recommend that? is UTSC journalism really that bad?? :((((
@thelesswebecome UTSC journalism isn’t that bad, it’s just the other universities on your list are better.
UTSC was originally set up as a satellite of UTSG. It’s more of a commuter university, kind of a step up from community college but a step down from UTSG. The journalism program is joint with a community college. It’s fine for kids from Toronto who want to do a journalism program and stay in Toronto, but Ryerson is the better university for journalism in Toronto. Ryerson is many notches below UTSG in prestige. So, basically, unless you’re a kid from Toronto or Ontario who wants to stay in Toronto or Ontario and UTSC has a must have major, I would go elsewhere.
Is it the Centennial campus on Progress Ave.? It’s not all that far, maybe 5 or 6 km, but it would be a pain to have to go back and forth by TTC (public transit). Also where would you live?
Three of my Ds went to U of T St. George and loved it, stayed for grad, law, and med school. It’s a beautiful campus in the middle of a great part of the city. Scarborough is a suburb and I agree that it would be more of a commuter type campus. The satellite campuses of U of T are not as highly regarded, rightly or wrongly.
As for journalism, Ryerson and Carleton (in Ottawa) are the schools known for that major. Agree with bouders that UTSC does not seem to be the best choice for you.
No, it’s not the campus on Progress Ave. It’s the Story Arts Centre at Mortimer and Carlaw. It’s a more than an hour commute via TTC, and possibly car, depending on the time of day.
@bouders Im not even 100% sure I want to study journalism, thats why i didnt apply to ryerson, etc… Im still trying to choose between journalism and English/creative writing (I was thinking I could always transfer to the SG campus if I decided to study English). Also, I know that the other colleges that I listed are better, thats why I applied to them, but I still havent heard back from them and probably wont be getting into many of them since I requested a lot of financial aid.
You should have all your answers within a week. Good luck!
@bouders rejected from Amherst and Pomona, waitlisted at Hamilton, accepted to Penn state, but havent heard back from UMN. Is there a chance that I could contact U of T to tell them that Ive changed my mind and want my second choice (U of T SG arts and science) instead??
You will get a quality education no matter which campus of U of T you enroll at. When you graduate, your degree will say “University of Toronto”. It will not specify a campus. Giving up an opportunity to attend Canada’s premier university just because you don’t get your desired campus would not only be unwise, it would be incredibly stupid.
Just my 2 cents
Hey don’t know if you have decided but UTSC could be a great stepping stone for you. Its an awfully small campus that almost feels like a highschool due to all of the commuters, but it’s fine for one year. You can always attended their journalism program, using your elective credits to pursue English courses in case you decide to switch and decide by the end of the year if you would like to transfer to UTSG for arts and sciences or Ryerson for journalism. I don’t think you would like it for more than a year its quite boring, and about an hour and a half away from downtown Toronto where everything happens. Which is why most people I know (including myself) have transferred out after first year, but it’s a good enough place to figure out where you might be going (and Centennial College campus is literally one block away lol I walk further for groceries)
you’ll hate it for one year, but if you decide to transfer to st.george, it’s easier to be an inschool transfer. And if you decide to continue with journalism, you’ll have a year of your classes out of the way and you can easily transition into Ryerson (which has a great journalism program). The school sucks, but if you decide to go its only one year
@thelesswebecome Hi am wondering if you had to submit a portfolio or any type of journalism work to UTSC when applying. Also, can you tell me about the application process such as did you need to write an essay. The program website is very vague and only says the admission cut off mark is 70% and that is only for the overall average and not individual subjects such as English.