University of Calgary v.s. University of Alberta and chances

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hey guys. I'm a sophmore in high school and I will be graduating during my junior year. I've began considering a couple of universities in Canada. Particularly, I'm thinking about majoring in either computer science or software engineering (I've been leaning on software engineering because computer science is based more on theory). I'm an international student. Don't worry, money wouldn't be a problem for me. To give you a little bit more detail about myself, I don't do all that well in school. My GPA is 3.4, but I normally get higher marks in my math and science classes. I don't take programming at the moment, but I'm going to take it during my Junior year. Due to my low GPA I've been considering the University of Calgary and University of Alberta; I've heard they've got stellar engineering schools. The only problem with me is since I will graduate during my junior year I wouldn't be able to take precalculus. Yet, I will obtain an "Academic and Honors Diploma." Do you think these universities will deny my application if precalculus won't appear on my transcript. Please help guide me. Thank you in advance. </p>

<p>Here are my grades:</p>

<p>Freshman: 3.5 GPA</p>

<p>Algebra I: B
English (including lit and writing): A
Physical Science: B
Spanish III: B
Technology: A
World Geography: A
Extra-curricular: Creative Writing: A
Extra-curricular: International relations (MUN): A </p>

<p>Sophmore: 3.45 I have also taken the PSAT (waiting)</p>

<p>Geometry: B
Chemistry: B
AP World History: A
Spanish IV: B
Writing II Lit II: A
Health: A
Programming: A
Extra-curricular: Environmental science: B</p>

2

<p>Sorry, I meant to say AP Computer science instead of programming</p>

3

<p>The universities will definitely deny you without pre calculus. They will likely deny you without calculus too. Here’s the link for the University of Calgary admissions requirements for American students. <a href=“http://www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/requirements”>http://www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/requirements&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Yeah, I’m probably gonna take precalculus during the summer. My school only offers precalculus and AP calculus</p>

5

<p>and no, they won’t deny without calculus. Just precalculus.</p>

6

<p>You will need all A’s for them to let you in without calculus. </p>

7

<p>Why would you graduate during your junior year?</p>

8

<p>My school offers an Academic and Honors Diploma if you graduate during your junior year. I think colleges will be pretty impressed if they find that on my transcript</p>

9

<p>No, it means little. Colleges recommend you NOT graduate junior year unless you’ve taken every possible advanced class offered by your school AND tried dual enrollment. In short, it’ll be detrimental to your application. Since your school offers Calculus, take precalculus during the summer and calculus senior year, along with the most advanced courseload you can (1 each in math, English, foreign language, History/social science, science + 1-2 “fun” classes you take because you really want to). You can also take precalculus senior year, it’ won’t be a problem as long as you have your core classes.</p>

10

<p>You see, my school only offers calculus if you jump ahead in math. Will it still be okay if I take precalculus and that’s all. </p>

11

<p>Yes you’ll be okay as long as you have precalculus. But graduating junior year is a terrible idea.</p>

12

<p>I have reconsidered my decision. I’ve decided to apply to Carleton University in Canada. They don’t require calculus on your transcripit.</p>

13

<p>^Way to go and read what we’ve been telling you, ie., that calculus is not required on your transcript in any case at either Calgary or Alberta… Do apply to Carleton U but there’s no difference wrt the precalc vs. calc requirement :)</p>

14

<p>no, in Carleton U precalc an calc is optional; I’ve looked on their website</p>

15

<p>Carleton U is easier to get into, right? </p>

16

<p>If you want to study science or engineering in Canada, precalculus is required and calculus is highly recommended. You will be lost in the first year required math course otherwise. The vast majority of university bound students will have precalculus (aka Functions) and most will have calculus. That’s counting students who are going into arts as well. Without calculus, you are at a disadvantage. The average of students admitted into science at Carleton in 2012 was 80% and into Engineering was 83%. However, Canadian high school grades tend to be 7-10% LOWER than US high school grades. Those admission averages correspond roughly to slightly over the 50th percentile of GPA/percentage grades. </p>