<p>I'm curious to hear what CC-ers think about one of Canada's premier institutions of higher learning, the University of Toronto. Current/former/prospective students, other in-the-know parties, haters at McGill, Western, York, Queens, etc., or anyone else, are all welcome to share any thoughts whatsoever. </p>
<p>I'm an undergraduate at U of T (St. Michael's College), a newly declared philosophy specialist entering my second year this September. Overall, I must say that I love it here. The massive campus is beautiful and vibrant with activity, the architecture at many of the individual college campuses (Trinity, University, Victoria, Knox) is amazing, the libraries are many and jaw-dropping (especially Robarts, Thomas Fisher, and the John H. Kelly Library at St. Mike's), the professors that I have had thus far have been impressive, and the athletic, Greek, and party scenes are A-1. As a religious Catholic, I also also appreciate the vast amount of opportunities to get involved in the community on that level; it's also nice to have two great churches on campus with Holy Mass and Confessions four times daily, M-F! As an older student (turned 26 last month), away from school for a few years, it was definitely a challenge adjusting to everything for the first few months -- it's very easy to be intimidated by it all and want to hide -- but I've since been having the time of my life. I actually can't wait for September.</p>
<p>Do you feel that you suffer as a result of not being coddled with your studies? This is a common downside I hear about U of T -- that the administration and professors don't hold your hand enough through your studies.</p>
<p>Yep!
And I got nearly scared by an undergraduate there, describing me the scenario for international computer science undergaduates. He described it as extremely hard, actually somewhere next to impossible. Forget grade inflation and just study your butt off to get results that won't look that encourageing after all. The financial aid was scarce too, for int's.</p>
<p>Do you feel that you suffer as a result of not being coddled with your studies? This is a common downside I hear about U of T -- that the administration and professors don't hold your hand enough through your studies.</p>
<p>In such a large university, I think that this is inevitable. Many classes are really big, and professors and administrators just don't have the time to "hold your hand." I'm sure it's the same at other like-sized schools. </p>
<p>But to answer your question, no. I'm generally not the type of student who benefits greatly from close supervision. I like the freedom to sink or swim on one's own. That said, I have connected personally with a couple of my professors (going to Mass together after class, meeting for lunch occasionally), which bridges the gap in some ways.</p>
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the libraries are many and jaw-dropping
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jaw-dropping hideous right? I've to yet to hear one student describe Robarts as anything other than "ugly"--there is a reason why the style of architecture is called brutalism.</p>
<p>"jaw-dropping hideous right? I've to yet to hear one student describe Robarts as anything other than "ugly"--there is a reason why the style of architecture is called brutalism."</p>
<p>Hey, it may not be the prettiest example of U of T architecture, but the actual collection is fantastic. On these terms, it is the biggest and best library in Canada. </p>
<p>I must say, though, some floors give me the creeps when I'm studying there late at night.</p>
<p>Hey, I go to U of T too. Engineering 3rd year and now out on co-op. I positively love it there/here. Its been such a fantastic experience so far. I lived in St. Michaels (Loretto) and it was pretty neat because its such an artsy environment and I am a technical person. Loretto helped me get a different perspective to how I approached studies. I am more curious to know what do the Americans and people from rest of the world know/feel about U of T ?</p>
<p>Well, I'm from the rest of the world. I can't pretend to know much about UofT, but I respect it(maybe because I don't know much :) ).</p>
<p>No just kidding, but a guy from there scared the hell out of me, when he described the situation for a CS international undergraduate... and very limited scholarships.. :(.. not my type of place sorry!</p>