That sucks man, we've got your back....

That really sucks. I hope you can do something to get back in. Good luck!

What the hell? Don't you hate the fine lines? 71 vs 75. I'm sure there has got to be some sort of waiver that you could put in. Fight hard for it. Don't give up until everything has been expended.

Goodluck man,
-Dave

Yeah man. Give it the fight. Show them your already extensive computer science portfolio. Show them that a mere 4 points is nothing compared to what you can BRING to the school. Make them want you!

Quote:Original post by visage
Yeah man. Give it the fight. Show them your already extensive computer science portfolio. Show them that a mere 4 points is nothing compared to what you can BRING to the school. Make them want you!

I second that. You're a 100% better programmer than 90% of the craphats that got a 78% in maths that they probably accept.

Who needs math anyway?

Some of the shit I've seen Waterloo turning out in the past five years doesn't deserve to lick your boots.

I'm behind you 100%.

It seems more than a little unfair that they've left it to now to inform you of that detail - I'm a bit hazy on the academic calendar in Canada but I'm assuming it's pretty close to the start of the new year. That's really harsh.

Quote:Original post by visage
Yeah man. Give it the fight. Show them your already extensive computer science portfolio. Show them that a mere 4 points is nothing compared to what you can BRING to the school. Make them want you!

I agree that you'll probably have to fight a bit to get admitted, but do it carefully; if you attack them they'll just get defensive and dismiss you out of hand.

From my understanding of how universities work, all they want from the grade is an assurance that you have both the background knowledge and the mental ability to cope with the maths courses in first year. Given Waterloo must also take in foreign students there must be some sort of equivalent test they take to prove that, so if you could also take that and prove you know your maths then that could suffice.

But in my view the best thing to do is to get someone the University trusts to vouch for you. Although this might be unlikely, if you have any contacts within the university who know what you are capable of - especially the computer science or mathematics faculties - then ask them politely to make your case for you. If you have any maths or IT teachers at school who respect your ability then ask them to give the university a recommendation on your skills. And definitely show them your portfolio of work.

If all else fails it might be possible to gain admittance to another course and transfer after a semester or two. Universities judge first year uni scores much higher than high school grades (at least over here in Australia); there's too many students who did well under the spoon-fed high school system that just fall apart after the less directed learning style at uni, and vice versa for students who thrive.

Best of luck! I hope you'll manage to convince them to let you in somehow.

Probably some computer program that looked at your grades and said
(0.71 < 0.75) ? SendRejection : SendAcceptance;

There's always some avenue for appeal. I managed to get into my university course from school with a very low entrance rank (40 somthing percentile), but a kick-ass score in the Computer Studies subjects (90 something percentile). All they required was that I did an extra English (which turned out to be a bludge) couse as one of my elective subjets.

Fortunately the head of the school looked at my results before rejecting me completly, but after the rejection letter was sent.

hmm..for some reason I saw you as an intelligent person who does not need to be spoon fed and led by the hand in order to get far in CS. I do not think I am wrong. Dont matter what frikkin school you go to, you matter. Make sure they come to regret their superficiality. wtf kind of arbitrariness is that on their part? Disgusting.

wait..its too late to try to get into another uni right now isnt it? Well I suppose you should call and ask them if they need to buck up on their maths as well. a match of 95% of their abritrariness is a good one. but remember, do not to make the mistake of thinking that a particular university will or will not make your career. The university is not what will teach you. Asides, as an undergraduate it dont matter where you be. As a graduate you need to seek the individual experts in your area of interest, regardless of university, otherwise the fit will hit the shan.

That seriously sucks. If I've learned nothing else from 9 years at uni (and I haven't), it's that the people that work in admissions are the worst kinds of bureaucrats. In my experience they won't take into account much else, if the numbers aren't there then they don't have to use their own judgement.

Trapper Zoid's advice is good, and there is usually a backdoor into enrollment if you know where to look. Sometimes making friends within the administration can work wonders (it got me in), as they'll know the lesser-known entrance paths. Also having Professors on side can really help, as they often hold a lot of sway (they bring in large sums of money to pay the bills).

Any possibility of transferring from one program to another, or a different university? In my experience it's the research that counts, not the university where it was done.

Good luck!

You should tell them that you have spent alot of money and time on moving and ask them if they can let it go. I mean....that's bullshit!

Like everyone else I back you up 100%!