brollyparagus

Umm, sorry to point out the obvious, but you should check out http://www.phdcomics.com/, it's not going to answer most of your questions, but it is a great way to procrastinate!

I actually second this, plus my advice above

PC with Linux (Ubuntu/Debian): Very efficient at resource allocation and memory performance, pretty looking, OpenSource (free AND legal), and PC's are generally cheaper than MAC's so you get the best bang for your buck (you can go the MAC + Linux route but it's just more expensive). Good luck!

Lol, Fang is a cool enough guy. If OP explains his situation, a recommendation might not be so far-fetched.

From what I hear, Massey is actually very much like Trinity College (undergrad college) with the formal dinners and high-tables. I haven't heard much about the food though :/

Another UofT grad on GradCafeForums! I will be doing my Master's in Statistics this fall and I've already attended UofT for my Ugrad so I would also be more than happy to answer questions wrt the school or city.

UofT is not that bad with funding, depending on the department. My program (Stats) offers the same amount of funding to MSc students as they do to PhD students. I've heard something similar for PoliSci students who are fortunate enough to acquire funding as Masters students. Anyone planning on going to UofT for grad work?

lol, I haven't tried Gentoo yet and I am inclined to compile it one of these days on my laptop (the installation seems quite easy since it's ALL documented!)... My hesitation however stems from the fact that I am not TOO specific a user of any application, hence compiling all software is a bit useless to me. But then again, just the challenge of getting it going might be an accomplishment on its own!

What distro is your "go-to" oldwolf? I'm partial to Ubuntu (I know it's mainstream, but I 'shopped' around a lot before ending up with this. It's efficient at resource allocation, you can avoid bloating, and best of all, it's FREE!!!)

I've noticed many people professing a general dislike of Windows based operating systems, and many praising Mac OS's. A lot of these people happen to be Humanities-Social Sciences... I'm wondering whether the Hard/Mathematical Science students prefer using either of these, or the clearly (computationally) superior Linux OS's? But seriously, who likes Linux? Oh, and what distro?

My UofT GPA had an upward trend from 2.7 to 3.6 overall, but I don't think that factors. It's mainly doing well in those courses that helps, as well as good recs. Since you have two more years, take some time to do some research with a prof during the year or during a summer. I'm sure there are NSERC's for undergrads during the summer and interested profs who will probably provide stellar references thereafter. You've got nothing but potential at this point as you have yet to take the really important courses that get looked at during the admission process at UofT (and I suppose to an extent at Waterloo). Good luck! BP

Hello Fallen, I just graduated from the BSc program in Statistics and Economics at UofT and will be attending their MSc program coming this fall. I want you to know that the stats dept. at least at UofT and Waterloo are quite forgiving so long as you did will in the critical courses: MAT137 (Calculus), MAT237 (Advanced Calculus), MAT223 (Linear Algebra). While these three courses are 'critical', they do not determine entirely whether you will get in. My grades in MAT237 and MAT223 were in the B-/B range. However, these are very good prep courses for STA347 (Probability I), STA447 (Stochastic Processes), MAT352 (Mathematical Statistics), and MAT337 (Real Analysis, I did not take this but it might help you given your situation), and these are the major critical courses in which you need to score A/A+. Now my situation was a little different since I had done some research in my senior year, but as it stands, as long as you have done well in the courses I've mentioned, or will do so, you should talk to your referees and ask their advice on how to approach applying for grad school (they sure did help me!). Also, good luck with McDunnough if you're taking STA447 this term! BP