Going in to grade 12 Help

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

How do you guys think university is?
How do you guys think Collage is?
Which one is easier to get a job in?
Is co-op any good to get a job?
I have the choice right now to change my grade 12 course just wonder what is the difference?
I want to go in to Information Technology at university Or Computer Systems Technology at collage.
Which One is better?

[PlayerOne]

i personally always had a big NO in my head for colleges, but if you are interested in things that are more hands on, such as plumbing or agriculture, then go college, other than that, i'd say go university, it'll be tough, but

tough schooling = nice and easy future
nice and easy schooling = tough future

make the right choice

EDIT: i was just trying to get a point across, don't be afraid to study a certain area that you enjoy just because it may seem too tough, but my statement was not aimed towards people that may find the area that they enjoy easy

in other words, my statement was trying to get a specific point across that may not be true of everyone

[civ@uw]

tough schooling = nice and easy future
nice and easy schooling = tough future


Wrong.

Smart schooling = nice and easy future

[Methy]

tough schooling = nice and easy future
nice and easy schooling = tough future

make the right choice

Wow this is the biggest misconception I've ever read.

It's what you make of the schooling and how hard you apply your self. I know plenty of people that have degrees and are having a tough time out there. Me on the other hand have a simple little college diploma and I'm having very good success out in the work force. But I've worked my ass off to get where I am.

Do not think you can simply go to university and have everything handed to you on a silver platter once you graduate.

It is true that people with a degree tend to receive higher pay than college graduates but you still need to work for that money.

[Methy]

I want to go in to Information Technology at university Or Computer Systems Technology at collage.
Which One is better?


I took the computer systems technology in college and if I had to do it over again I would take the Information Technology at university. Simply put, College doesn't teach near the same amount as a university course. I can remember my last year in college (of a 3 year program) I was learning the same things as a friend of mine in his 1st year university for computer science. Just some food for thought.

[divx]

I took the computer systems technology in college and if I had to do it over again I would take the Information Technology at university. Simply put, College doesn't teach near the same amount as a university course. I can remember my last year in college (of a 3 year program) I was learning the same things as a friend of mine in his 1st year university for computer science. Just some food for thought.
well, college is only 2, 3 year program and uni is 4 or 5 year long, of course you learn more.

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

Wow this is the biggest misconception I've ever read.

It's what you make of the schooling and how hard you apply your self. I know plenty of people that have degrees and are having a tough time out there. Me on the other hand have a simple little college diploma and I'm having very good success out in the work force. But I've worked my ass off to get where I am.

Do not think you can simply go to university and have everything handed to you on a silver platter once you graduate.

It is true that people with a degree tend to receive higher pay than college graduates but you still need to work for that money.

What degreaa did you take in collage

[Ruckus]

its good that you're looking for early help on here...but my advice is to talk to your guidance counsellor at your school...they could help you on all of this, plus you can explain your personal situations better...

[adehbone]

stay away from guidance counselors!.....they are morons.....they will break down your life into so few options and make you choose 1 or 2 routes....when in reality you have whole lot of routes.....

even if you had a 50avg in grade 11...you can get into a good univeristy with good gr 12 marks....if that is truly what you want to do

tell us more about what your interests are...and what you are thinking of taking etc.....if not go and take some aplitude tests....and figure out what you like.....take a good selection of courses

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

My interests are computers, i can get good marks when I try, in grade 12 international businesses I took on virtual school I achieved a mark of 86%. I was thinking now Information Technology at Ryerson. With Co Op
My 6 Grade 12s I decide was
English Grade 12
Data Management Grade 12
Information Technology Grade 12
Organization Business Grade 12
Photography Grade 12
International Business Grade 12 Already Have 86%
I’m weak In spelling this is by biggest weak point but theres spell chek lol :)

[Deimos]

How do you guys think university is?
How do you guys think Collage is?
Which one is easier to get a job in?
Is co-op any good to get a job?
I have the choice right now to change my grade 12 course just wonder what is the difference?
I want to go in to Information Technology at university Or Computer Systems Technology at collage.
Which One is better?

College = good
Whcih easier to get job? => College=underqualified, University=overqualified,Job=neither
Co-op=very good
In the end = doesn't matter, experience, experience, experience

BTW: What do you know about computer programming so far? You better get a head start and start differentiating yourself from the crowd, because its a big crowd. And regardless if you choose college or university, you're not going to be given anything (especially a job). Its always competition.

[Deimos]

My interests are computers, i can get good marks when I try, in grade 12 international businesses I took on virtual school I achieved a mark of 86%. I was thinking now Information Technology at Ryerson. With Co Op
My 6 Grade 12s I decide was
English Grade 12
Data Management Grade 12
Information Technology Grade 12
Organization Business Grade 12
Photography Grade 12
International Business Grade 12 Already Have 86%
I’m weak In spelling this is by biggest weak point but theres spell chek lol :)

Sounds like pretigious University of Waterloo Computer Engineering isn't for you. Cut-off was 96% average.
You should be taking 8-10 courses per year (disregard all the counsellors/principles who say you cant/shouldnt)

Calculus, Algebra, Physics, English are absolutely necessary for any higher end degree.

As for your selection:

Data Management => databases? Microsoft Access? Me thinks complete joke. Download a real database (Oracle, DB2, MS SQL Server), learn SQL, get a Java/.NET/C++ IDE, and follow the hundreds of tutorials online. Or better yet, pick up a Application Developer book... trust me, you will learn 100x more in a week, than the whole course.

Information Technology => learning to make arrays, and bubble sort, and some stupid history of computers drivel to memorize. Better pick up "New Scientist" or" Scientific American".

Organization Business => Boss is up there, you are down here. There, I gave away the big secret.

Photography=> Are you kidding me? Virtually all cameras
are point and shoot and include 100-200 page instructions of how aperature, ISO, AF, etc all work. Dont make photos against the lightsource (sun). Hold-half way to focus and then frame your shot. There, I saved you 4 months.

International Business => If this is an exchange program type thing it might be interesting. If on the other hand, they just reiterate what they say about globalization on TV, then you're better off staying at home for 4 months watching TV.

[phatpat]

I disagree. I went for a 2 year computer system technician course with co-op... learned enough knowledge to obtain A+, network+, msca and ccna... and obtained a $34k/year job right out of college.

I only obtained my network+ and ccna, but still. You can't say it doesn't teach the same amount.

Then again, some of my college buddies who were playing games all class (and while I was studying) are working still looking for jobs... so keep in mind that if you put in a lot of effort, not always, but most the time you will get more out of it.

I believe University is geared towards project management or theoretical application where a college will give you the applied technologies. I think a lot of University courses (comp sci) teach and focus programming as well.

BTW, Our 3rd year of the Comp System technology course involved the accelerated CCNP semesters... again, all applied technologies vs theoretical (eg, voltages and resistance in electrical lines and the wonderful math to calculate it)

I took the computer systems technology in college and if I had to do it over again I would take the Information Technology at university. Simply put, College doesn't teach near the same amount as a university course. I can remember my last year in college (of a 3 year program) I was learning the same things as a friend of mine in his 1st year university for computer science. Just some food for thought.

[Alvito]

first figure out what type of job you would like.

volunteering in high school really helped me with finding what i liked.

and that is children. i worked in a daycare and i'm currently working in a summercamp and i love it. i'm in university so i could finish a ba in anything and then go to teachers college.

thats probably what i'm gonna end up doing.

[Deimos]

1. A+, network+, msca and ccna... and obtained a $34k/year job right out of college.

2. I believe University is geared towards project management or theoretical application where a college will give you the applied technologies. I think a lot of University courses (comp sci) teach and focus programming as well.

3. BTW, Our 3rd year of the Comp System technology course involved the accelerated CCNP semesters... again, all applied technologies vs theoretical (eg, voltages and resistance in electrical lines and the wonderful math to calculate it)
1. What are A+, network+, msca, ccna?
2. Disregard any of that theory vs practical crap.
3. V = I x R. Resistors in series, you add resistance, in parallel you add and divide over their multiple. There, I saved you 4 months.

CCNA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCNA
might be usefull if trying to get work at Cisco... ofcourse employers demand experience.

[phatpat]

To the Original Poster: Deimos is mostly correct in his previous posts to say that neither college, nor University will get you a job. Co-op is a huge bonus and RELATED experience is very important... but your education does matter too.

Deimos: You are so pessimistic it is scary.

A+, Network+, MCSA and CCNA are all industry standard certifications for the IT field. Not required for a job, but helps prove to the industry that you have a base level of knowledge acquired to obtain the certificate.

CCNA is sponsored and run by Cisco, not 100% geared towards Cisco gear. From your website: "A CCNA candidate must prove familiarity and expertise with, among other subjects, Cisco's IOS, TCP/IP, LAN and WAN technologies and management, switching and routing protocols, the OSI model, LAN troubleshooting, and be familiar with a variety of communication protocols, some Cisco-specific and some not."

These concepts give you a VERY good overview of the basics of networking on both a WAN and a LAN perspective. These do not relate just to Cisco as every other networking company in the world has based themselves around these developing technologies.

Here is more unofficial info on the IT certs (i'm sure there are hundreds of more links):
mcsa = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MCSA#Microsoft_Certified_Systems_Administrator
a+ = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompTIA#A.2B
network+ = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompTIA#Network.2B
ccna = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCNA#Cisco_Certified_Network_Associate

[Deimos]

Deimos: You are so pessimistic it is scary.

you caught me offguard on a good day.
I'll take the compliment, nevertheless.

[deep]

I think you should specialize in collages. Unlimited upside potential.

[evman150]

How do you guys think university is?
How do you guys think Collage is?
Which one is easier to get a job in?
Is co-op any good to get a job?
I have the choice right now to change my grade 12 course just wonder what is the difference?
I want to go in to Information Technology at university Or Computer Systems Technology at collage.
Which One is better?

College is for the kids who can't get into university.

I know of not one person currently attending Camosun College (Victoria) who wouldn't rather be going to the University of Victoria (or UBC/SFU).

So if you have bad grades or are stupid, go to college. If you have good grades or are smart, go to university.

Pretty simple.

[Deimos]

College is for the kids who can't get into university.

I know of not one person currently attending Camosun College (Victoria) who wouldn't rather be going to the University of Victoria (or UBC/SFU).

So if you have bad grades or are stupid, go to college. If you have good grades or are smart, go to university.

Pretty simple.

Although you do require better grades to get into university, and receive better education, it is also longer and more expensive. And you are in no way guaranteed a job.

And when you finish university, without any experience, your education will make you overqualified for entry level positions. In contrast, after graduating from college, and saving some time and money, although your practical experience, especially with co-op, will allow you to much more easily get an entry-level position, in the long run, you will always be seen as underqualified, and you will thus have to get bachelor's diploma anyway.

The only way out of this death-trap is fast track through university straight into masters and phd, and then teach others in high school about whether to go to college or university.

[MizTEcK]

Wrong.

Smart schooling = nice and easy future
i concur

[phatpat]

I don't understand this forum's fascination with University.

I am no way interested in the education a university provides. I don't and never liked school. I had marks the 90's in high school (advanced classes, not general) but just hated it so I dropped out.

So maybe that is stupid, but I went to college after as a mature student. I got out ASAP. I had no (and still have no) interest in University. That does not make me stupid or anyone else in this world.

I believe Colleges teach a different education then what University does. Colleges (in Ontario at least) are known for teaching the 'hands-on' approach to learning. I have met many employers that would much rather pay a college grad less money to do the same job a university student could do.

The choice between University and College I believe lies in where on the totem pole you want to be... I think the university degree will get you into upper management quicker... I on the other hand am much happier doing the work. I'm much too honest to be a back-stabbing, lying, manipulative manager.

Don't get me wrong... I believe colleges pump out a lot of dumb graduates who don't deserve to graduate in the same class as their other successful candidates... but that is an issue with the colleges themselves, not the education they can provide. this is where the next point is made....

To the original poster: No one has mentioned that YOU, yourself can get the job when you are finished your education. Apply all over and don't set your bar too high. Look and act professional and mature. Keep your head high and for goodness sake, don't be arrogant and think you know it all. With IT it seems, the more you know, the more you realize that you have to learn. I've been at interviews with Comp Science graduates from university who think their 4 years of school is worth $100k/year.

Set yourself above the rest of the competition. Get a few certifications to set you apart from others in your class and get RELATED experience in the field you wish to excel. Be sure your resume is updated and is customized to the job in which you apply.

Also, if you haven't already, get started on learning Linux... I wish I did... could have come in handy once already in life for a job.

I don't think either college or university is a bad choice for you... you can always go back, always take more courses and change your mind... sometimes it is just harder later in life though.

College is for the kids who can't get into university.

I know of not one person currently attending Camosun College (Victoria) who wouldn't rather be going to the University of Victoria (or UBC/SFU).

So if you have bad grades or are stupid, go to college. If you have good grades or are smart, go to university.

Pretty simple.

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

I don't understand this forum's fascination with University.

I am no way interested in the education a university provides. I don't and never liked school. I had marks the 90's in high school (advanced classes, not general) but just hated it so I dropped out.

So maybe that is stupid, but I went to college after as a mature student. I got out ASAP. I had no (and still have no) interest in University. That does not make me stupid or anyone else in this world.

I believe Colleges teach a different education then what University does. Colleges (in Ontario at least) are known for teaching the 'hands-on' approach to learning. I have met many employers that would much rather pay a college grad less money to do the same job a university student could do.

The choice between University and College I believe lies in where on the totem pole you want to be... I think the university degree will get you into upper management quicker... I on the other hand am much happier doing the work. I'm much too honest to be a back-stabbing, lying, manipulative manager.

Don't get me wrong... I believe colleges pump out a lot of dumb graduates who don't deserve to graduate in the same class as their other successful candidates... but that is an issue with the colleges themselves, not the education they can provide. this is where the next point is made....

To the original poster: No one has mentioned that YOU, yourself can get the job when you are finished your education. Apply all over and don't set your bar too high. Look and act professional and mature. Keep your head high and for goodness sake, don't be arrogant and think you know it all. With IT it seems, the more you know, the more you realize that you have to learn. I've been at interviews with Comp Science graduates from university who think their 4 years of school is worth $100k/year.

Set yourself above the rest of the competition. Get a few certifications to set you apart from others in your class and get RELATED experience in the field you wish to excel. Be sure your resume is updated and is customized to the job in which you apply.

Also, if you haven't already, get started on learning Linux... I wish I did... could have come in handy once already in life for a job.

I don't think either college or university is a bad choice for you... you can always go back, always take more courses and change your mind... sometimes it is just harder later in life though.

What did you do to get you a+ Certification?
Did you buy books and study and then just do the exam?
I’m interested in obtaining this certificate?
How long can it be used?
Does it expire?

[divx]

What did you do to get you a+ Certification?
Did you buy books and study and then just do the exam?
I’m interested in obtaining this certificate?
How long can it be used?
Does it expire?

Perhaps a better question would be, how useful is it?
If you want to work as a techie at futureshop, bestbuy, staples, that's great, go for it.

[Deimos]

I don't understand this forum's fascination with University.

I am no way interested in the education a university provides. I don't and never liked school. I had marks the 90's in high school (advanced classes, not general) but just hated it so I dropped out.

So maybe that is stupid, but I went to college after as a mature student. I got out ASAP. I had no (and still have no) interest in University. That does not make me stupid or anyone else in this world.

I believe Colleges teach a different education then what University does. Colleges (in Ontario at least) are known for teaching the 'hands-on' approach to learning. I have met many employers that would much rather pay a college grad less money to do the same job a university student could do.

The choice between University and College I believe lies in where on the totem pole you want to be... I think the university degree will get you into upper management quicker... I on the other hand am much happier doing the work. I'm much too honest to be a back-stabbing, lying, manipulative manager.

Don't get me wrong... I believe colleges pump out a lot of dumb graduates who don't deserve to graduate in the same class as their other successful candidates... but that is an issue with the colleges themselves, not the education they can provide. this is where the next point is made....

To the original poster: No one has mentioned that YOU, yourself can get the job when you are finished your education. Apply all over and don't set your bar too high. Look and act professional and mature. Keep your head high and for goodness sake, don't be arrogant and think you know it all. With IT it seems, the more you know, the more you realize that you have to learn. I've been at interviews with Comp Science graduates from university who think their 4 years of school is worth $100k/year.

Set yourself above the rest of the competition. Get a few certifications to set you apart from others in your class and get RELATED experience in the field you wish to excel. Be sure your resume is updated and is customized to the job in which you apply.

Also, if you haven't already, get started on learning Linux... I wish I did... could have come in handy once already in life for a job.

I don't think either college or university is a bad choice for you... you can always go back, always take more courses and change your mind... sometimes it is just harder later in life though.
^^^^
EXCELLENT ADVICE
too bad you werent my guidance counsilor

I'm much too honest to be a back-stabbing, lying, manipulative manager.
because of requirement for higher marks, some university degrees produce those that are willing to do whatever it takes, go as many nights without sleep, and back-stab and manipulate as many people as possible to get there.
other university programs are a good way to measure if you're rich enough. Afterall, we wouldn't want somebody from low poor society getting a nice cushy job fidling around with pencils, now would we?

[divx]

^^^^
EXCELLENT ADVICE
too bad you werent my guidance counsilor


because of requirement for higher marks, some university degrees produce those that are willing to do whatever it takes, go as many nights without sleep, and back-stab and manipulate as many people as possible to get there.
other university programs are a good way to measure if you're rich enough. Afterall, we wouldn't want somebody from low poor society getting a nice cushy job fidling around with pencils, now would we?
minor issue, affecting only some of the poor immigrant students. got a poor family? I got a solution for you. Student loan + coop, formula works great. Cover your expense first with loan, then pay it off with coop. But that's assuming you can get into a school that offers coop, but that's no longer a money issue.

[natefive]

Sounds like pretigious University of Waterloo Computer Engineering isn't for you. Cut-off was 96% average.
You should be taking 8-10 courses per year (disregard all the counsellors/principles who say you cant/shouldnt)
Okay Deimos, you are officially an....um, a person of lesser intelligence. Scroll down to about the 4th last post (by Muskokas.Finest) and check it out:
http://strobe.uwaterloo.ca/urp/forum2006/viewtopic.php?t=60&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
I got in with an 82% average?! Hmm, a far cry from the 96% cut-off you stated. And I'm just wondering how you can take 10 courses in a year (without summer school). Yeah, they don't do that at regular Ontario high schools. Maybe you went to a "special" school.
Calculus, Algebra, Physics, English are absolutely necessary for any higher end degree.
Those are good courses, but not absolutely necessary for any high end degree. AFM at UW is definetly high end, and I beleive it requires just English and Calculus, and maybe a 2nd math.
This next part is really ridiculous.
Data Management => databases? Microsoft Access? Me thinks complete joke. Download a real database (Oracle, DB2, MS SQL Server), learn SQL, get a Java/.NET/C++ IDE, and follow the hundreds of tutorials online. Or better yet, pick up a Application Developer book... trust me, you will learn 100x more in a week, than the whole course.
It's a math course buddy. Grade 12U, definetly good if you are interested in business. Sheesh!
Information Technology => learning to make arrays, and bubble sort, and some stupid history of computers drivel to memorize. Better pick up "New Scientist" or" Scientific American".[quote]
Didn't/am not going to take it, so I won't comment.
[quote=deimos]Organization Business => Boss is up there, you are down here. There, I gave away the big secret.
Yeah, okay:rolleyes: I was thinking of taking this, but opted for International Business instead. I beleive it is called "Business Leadership: Management Fundamentals" now, and it deals with leadership and communication skills. Could definetely be beneficial. Oh yeah, me smart, you dumb. There, I just stated the obvious.
Photography=> Are you kidding me? Virtually all cameras
are point and shoot and include 100-200 page instructions of how aperature, ISO, AF, etc all work. Dont make photos against the lightsource (sun). Hold-half way to focus and then frame your shot. There, I saved you 4 months.
I'll give you something here. You probably shouldn't take this as as a core class. An 8th course instead of a spare maybe. Is this a M/U course? If not, you cannot go to University with only 5 M/Us.
International Business => If this is an exchange program type thing it might be interesting. If on the other hand, they just reiterate what they say about globalization on TV, then you're better off staying at home for 4 months watching TV.
My oh my. Yeah, I'm sure watching TV will teach you just as much or more than this class about international marketing, managing an international business and the global economy.

Now for some fun role-playing, just to show you what you're like.
English=> Here's a dictionnary, memorize all the definitions and you're set for life!
Calculus=> 1 million dollars + 2 million dollars = 3 million dollars. That's all the math you need to know if you want to be rich.
Physics=> What goes up must come down. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. There, saved you 4 months, you don't have to go to class now! You're welcome.
Algebra=> Letters are for english only. As for the math, see "Calculus".
Yeah, pretty stupid huh. That's what I thought.

[Deimos]

I'm glad you're getting the hang of it. You generalize the population into two groups. Those who thought high school was tough and had trouble in math, and those for whom most of it was a complete waste of time.

I think they use more than just average for Waterloo, or standards have changed. Many many years ago in the 90's the cutoff was like 95%

...
(that was really stupid of me -_-)
...

[Deimos]

English, Calculus, Algebra/Finite, Physics and sometimes additionally one or two other courses, are the "core courses" that are required for many university programs, especially engineering, and the marks for which count the most.

If you show off to the university that you got 95% in "Canadian Geography", or "Photography" or other soft social course, they wont care. You put a lot of work into it, and had a real knack for it. But, the truth is its a bird course. You might think its a secret. But they know. Just as they know that your preconceived idea of difficult math is figuring out why derivative/integration of cos/sin.

Likewise with software companies who look at high school students applying based on what the arrogant students think they know about programming. Ooh, I made an array, I sorted a list, I made a VB application for gorcery store cashier... and it doesnt end there.. you get off with that arrogant approach after university too. Heck, even after years in the field, you start to think you have a handle on things.. only because a higher level expert hasn't knocked your system of preconceived conceptions back to the stone ages.

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

But if you’re going in to a business field or into a field like that its better to go off with the TV shows because that’s what you will be learning in university. So if you decide to do a major in International Business you a TV show
It always depends on what you’re going in to.
No Point Taking Grade 12 chemistry and physics when you go into a business field.

Posted of Ryerson
First-Year Studies

(Approximately 15-18 hours per week): Business and Information Systems, Introductory Financial Accounting, Marketing, Organizational Behaviour and Interpersonal Skills, Productivity, Statistics for Management, Liberal Studies.
http://www.ryerson.ca/undergraduate/admission/programs/itm.html

Taking course like business might help me or any one going in to the business field or information technology field.

Why would you waste time when your field has noting to do with science?

Pick course that will help you out in university.

If you’re going in to engineering then taking Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Geometry and disterec math, would be the best thing to do. Don’t take business course or other course.

[adehbone]

ok UW comp eng calm down and get off your high horse....dont know what you on...but i worked in the RO and I can bet you that Comp Eng is not harder to get into as nanotech/mechatronics/electrical...

i have 2 friends in comp eng...one got in with a 88 avg...but did well on both math courses.....so plz tell where it was said in stone that you must have a 95% avg to apply.......this is like the math/biz or math/ca kids who say the cutoff is 95% in their programs....its a great program...but if you getting a 96% avg....maybe applying to MIT isnt a bad option...

buddy i got 90s in economics, algebra, social some crap, philosophy...and UW gave me a 4500 entrance scholarship......i dont know what high school you went to....but mine didnt give 90s to anyone who signed up for humanties course.....and philosophy/econ required more work than algebra i would say

UW uses a series of algorithms to calculate your math avg, phy/chem avg...etc.....and alot of ppl have got in with less than 90 avgs...but murdered their euclid and other contests...the AIF can add or subtract alot to one's avg......maybe you didnt get in...cuz from your AIF it showed your only interested in math/eng......since you think studying anything else in life is a waste of time

To THE OP: Ryerson ITM is a good selection...you are taking a good selection of courses.....Data management is all the math youll need....but UW math/eng ppl think everyone needs to learn hardcore algebra......the business and tech courses show your interests and should afford you high marks....before i entered UW CS...i was seriously considering the ITM program.....which area of IT are you more interested in though? do you want to be a code monkey or a manager/planner of IT?

also there is alot of sad low-paid crying, UW and UT grad enginners/CS out there......i have seen these ppl on my co-ops...sometimes they are making the same salary as the 3yr college grad....so to all those ppl who said college is a dead-end.....well university aint a sure thing either

[Methy]

What degreaa did you take in collage

Computer programmer/analyst = 3 year program.

[Deimos]

Computer programmer/analyst = 3 year program.

what do you learn in that?

[phatpat]

More information on A+ is on their website... www.comptia.org

A+ is ok for a start... but isn't a strong certification. I never got my A+ as I seen it as a starting certification. (just for an idea of the job, you need your A+ to work at futureshop or staples)

I don't believe it expires and can be used for the duration of your life. There are many many books out there for A+ if you are seriously interested in it.


What did you do to get you a+ Certification?
Did you buy books and study and then just do the exam?
I’m interested in obtaining this certificate?
How long can it be used?
Does it expire?

[Deimos]

ProgramAdmission ranges for 2002
Chemical Engineering Mid-80s
Civil Engineering Mid-80s
Computer Engineering Low-90s
Electrical Engineering Low-90s
Environmental EngineeringLow-80s
Geological Engineering Low-80s
Mechanical Engineering High-80s
Mechatronics Engineering High-80s
Systems DesignLow to mid-90s
Software Engineering1Low to mid-90s

1computer-programming experience is required, see Admissions Booklet**Please note that we make admissions decisions based on high school marks and extracurricular activities (all applicants are asked to complete an Admission Information Form and arrange for a teacher to complete a Letter of Reference Form). As a result, wedo not have an exact cut-off but rather we look at a wide range of high school marks.

your friends with 80's avg must have been exceptionally lucky to get into that program in uwaterloo.

As for euclid etc, that they look at. It was like nearly a decade ago, but I recall I got like 90+% percentile in them except for Chemistry where I got like 70. Although I had really high average for the core 6 courses, didn't really help that I got like < 80 in Art. -_-[

[Deimos]

CompTIA A+ Sample Questions
CompTIA A+ 220-301:

Question 1
(corresponding objective: 1.10)

When upgrading only a computer's CPU, which of the following would be the most likely replacement for a Celeron 466 MHz CPU?

A. Pentium 4 Xeon 2.0
B. Pentium 3 1 GHz
C. Pentium 2 MMX-450
D. AMD K7-750


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Question 2
(corresponding objective: 1.4)

What is the default I/O address and interrupt for COM2?

A. 2F8 / IRQ 4
B. 3E8 / IRQ 3
C. 2F8 / IRQ 3
D. 2E8 / IRQ 4


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Question 3
(corresponding objective: 2.1)

"There is one floppy drive in a computer and it is not working. The drive activity light is on continuously. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

A. The floppy cable is defective
B. The floppy I/O controller is defective
C. The floppy cable is reversed on one end
D. The floppy drive is defective


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Question 4

(corresponding objective: 2.2)

What information should be gathered from a user when troubleshooting a complaint that an application no longer works on their PC? (Select THREE)

A. Recent changes made to the PC
B. The users level of technical skill
C. The pattern or frequency of the problem
D. The first occurrence of the problem
E. The age of the PC


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Question 5
(corresponding objective: 3.2)

Which of the following are used to avoid ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)? (Select THREE)

A. Grounded workbenches
B. Ground fault interrupters
C. Static wrist straps
D. Static mats
E. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)


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Question 6
(corresponding objective: 4.2)

Which of the following RAM types MUST be installed in matched pairs?
A. DDR
B. DRAM
C. RAMBus
D. SDRAM


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Question 7
(corresponding objective: 4.1)

What is the Front Side Bus speed for an AMD XP 2100+ CPU?

A. 100 MHz
B. 150 MHz
C. 166 MHz
D. 266 MHz


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Question 8
(corresponding objective: 5.1

Which component of a laser printer positively charges the drum?

A. Transfer corona wire
B. Charge corona wire
C. Fuser
D. Toner assembly


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Question 9
(corresponding objective: 6.2)

Which of the following methods can be used to set up an IP address on a workstation? (Select TWO)

A. A static address is configured on the workstation
B. A dynamic address is configured on the workstation
C. A dynamic address is obtained from a DHCP server
D. A static address is obtained from a DHCP server


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Question 10
(corresponding objective: 6.1)

What is the minimum UTP cable specification for 100 Mbps up to 100 meters?

A. CAT1
B. CAT3
C. CAT5
D. CAT5e
E. CAT6


LOL
:cry: :cry: :rolleyes:

[Deimos]

Program Average (based on averages from September 2005)


Architecture Mid 80's
Chemical Low 80's
Civil Low 80's
Computer Mid 80's
Electrical Mid 80's
Environmental Low 80's
Geological Low 80's
Mechanical Mid 80's
Mechatronics High 80's
Nanotechnology High 80's
Software Mid 80's
Systems Design Low 80's

by 2006 their standards have dropped considerably.

[natefive]

I'm glad you're getting the hang of it. You generalize the population into two groups. Those who thought high school was tough and had trouble in math, and those for whom most of it was a complete waste of time.

I think they use more than just average for Waterloo, or standards have changed. Many many years ago in the 90's I had 95% average and didn't make it into the program I selected, whereas a friend of mine squeezed in with a 93%.

As for how many courses per semester/year whatever. I grew up in the 5 year system. It was absolutely ridiculous. Fellow classmates who had math in their semester, would only take one other course not to over burden themselves. Afterall it is "advanced" math. Many of the social courses (history, geography, etc) were a complete joke. Total bird courses. 0 homework. read 200 pages from book, write exam.. you're done. Surprisingly, English is one of the few courses I found stimulating enough to keep me awake... Shakespeare is cool.

If it wasn't for the folks from 'Gifted' on my side, I would have never been able to convince my councillor to shrink those 5 years to 4. Heck, I even pushed 3.5 years, but had to make compromises. No summer school at all. And, probably more OAC (major) than most people did in 5 years.. with even room to spare to fit in Biology, Art and Phys Ed (on top of the core of calculus, algebra, physics, chemistry, english and computer programming)
Sorry Deimos, your posts are all over the map(maybe you should have paid attention in geography :D ), and half the time I can't understand what you're saying. Are you talking to me in that first little paragraph about generalizing? Because I said absolutely nothing about that, considering I wouldn't fall into either of the groups you stated.
Secondly, this thread seems to be turning into a brag-fest by you, no offense: "I had a 95% average". Next, you say how you were supposedly gifted, or bribed them onto your side or something, in order to spend less time in high school? At least I think that's what you're saying. You "made compromises" to fit it all in. No offense, but you described was a typical high school year for most people. I have not and will not take a single spare during high school, and my grade 12 year consists of 6 12U and 2 12M courses. It was going to be 7 12U and one 12M but there was a scheduling conflict. This isn't unusual either.
As for the standards falling, here are my speculations on why this happened. Maybe it's because there are now a ton of good engineering schools and an overabundance of computer engineers on the job market, so the top students are less inclined to want to pursue that path. Or it could be the move to a 4-year system, where people can't, as you said, take only math in a semester. Who knows.

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

ok UW comp eng calm down and get off your high horse....dont know what you on...but i worked in the RO and I can bet you that Comp Eng is not harder to get into as nanotech/mechatronics/electrical...

i have 2 friends in comp eng...one got in with a 88 avg...but did well on both math courses.....so plz tell where it was said in stone that you must have a 95% avg to apply.......this is like the math/biz or math/ca kids who say the cutoff is 95% in their programs....its a great program...but if you getting a 96% avg....maybe applying to MIT isnt a bad option...

buddy i got 90s in economics, algebra, social some crap, philosophy...and UW gave me a 4500 entrance scholarship......i dont know what high school you went to....but mine didnt give 90s to anyone who signed up for humanties course.....and philosophy/econ required more work than algebra i would say

UW uses a series of algorithms to calculate your math avg, phy/chem avg...etc.....and alot of ppl have got in with less than 90 avgs...but murdered their euclid and other contests...the AIF can add or subtract alot to one's avg......maybe you didnt get in...cuz from your AIF it showed your only interested in math/eng......since you think studying anything else in life is a waste of time

To THE OP: Ryerson ITM is a good selection...you are taking a good selection of courses.....Data management is all the math youll need....but UW math/eng ppl think everyone needs to learn hardcore algebra......the business and tech courses show your interests and should afford you high marks....before i entered UW CS...i was seriously considering the ITM program.....which area of IT are you more interested in though? do you want to be a code monkey or a manager/planner of IT?

also there is alot of sad low-paid crying, UW and UT grad enginners/CS out there......i have seen these ppl on my co-ops...sometimes they are making the same salary as the 3yr college grad....so to all those ppl who said college is a dead-end.....well university aint a sure thing either
I didnt decide yet