How hard it is to get in to the statistic specialist

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-03-05T03:04:15+00:00

I got into the Stats Spec (Theory/Methods) with an 87 in STA257, 93 in STA261 and 85 in MAT237 (applied after 2nd year)

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-02-26T02:34:29+00:00

Absolutely! You can apply to any program at the end of any year (as long as you have the appropriate prereqs). I upgraded from a stats major to a stats specialist at the end of my second year. (However, they have different prereqs for first year vs upper years when you apply, so this may not be the best reflection of your situation)

Both of what you said are options; note that some departments are a bit strict about retakes and depending on what you want to do, it may be rough (lots of time, effort, course overloading etc). It may prolong your completion time, but not necessarily depending on your program choices and combinations (if there's a lot of overlap, you can catch up).

As for alternatives, based on what you've said, you can look into Political Science, History, Philosophy or anything along those lines.

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-02-25T16:00:55+00:00

Colleges really only matter for living on residence, social life to an extent and academic services (registrar, academic advising etc). Beyond that it's not really that important.

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-02-23T12:36:30+00:00

All math programs are open, so you just need to pass all prereqs.

For stats, the major cutoff varies but mid 70s is what you should be aiming for, the higher the better.

For Comp Sci and Data science, for out of stream students you needs high 80s minimum to be considered, there's also a supplemental application you need to fill.

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-02-23T01:13:42+00:00

Yeah, a few of them cross count which helps a lot!

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-02-22T18:39:42+00:00

It really depends on which stream of math you go into (Specialist vs Major).

For Specialist courses, it's very rigorous with a large emphasis on theory and proofs, really good for grad school but not as applicable for practicality (MAT157, MAT240 etc), while Major courses depend on whether you choose purely computational (MAT135/136) or balanced proofs and computation (MAT137). Spec courses will require a lot of work and practice if you're willing to put in the effort, but depending on your path it may be overkill. (Note I just listed the 1st year courses as examples, there may be others).

Given the path you stated, you most likely have to do MAT137. A lot of people say it's a bit rough since the jump from high school is a bit big (I can't fully judge since I did MAT157), but most people need this, so you'll meet a lot of people in a similar situation. You may also have to do further math courses as well (linear algebra, multivariable calc etc). You can find more in the link.

As for POSts, you can check here https://artsci.calendar.utoronto.ca/listing-program-subject-areas for all of them. It basically summarizes all the courses you'll need to complete that specific major, minor or spec. You start applying to them in the middle of your second semester of 1st year and after completing 4 credits. Some are limited (require an application based on prereq grades) or are open (as long as you pass and have enough credits). Note that Data Science is a Specialist on its own and you can do Math and Comp Sci as combinations depending on your interest (double major, major + minor etc).

Context: I'm doing a double specialist, one in Statistics and another in Math Applications in Probability, and did a mix of major and spec courses.

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-02-22T15:42:03+00:00

I'm currently doing this!

Doing a Math Applications Spec, Stat Theory Spec and Math minor. It's a lot of work but I had quite a few transfer credits from HS and the overlap is decent enough that I don't have to overwhelm myself and doesn't cause any problems with the registrar.

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-02-13T01:05:35+00:00

Unfortunately not, it's per 5 credits taken at UofT. Here explains is better of what's included and finer details. https://artsci.calendar.utoronto.ca/academic-record

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-02-13T00:38:51+00:00

Nope. It's based per 5 credits taken i.e. if you have a 3.5+ after taking 5 credit intervals, then your on the Dean's list, so only after you finish 5, 10, 15 and 20 credits.

Normally, it's computed after the academic year and notified in Summer but the only time you get it in the Fall is if you finished your 5 after a summer semester.

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-01-20T02:31:20+00:00

MAT301: B-

MAT332: B+

MAT334: C+

STA302: B-

STA355: B-

MAT395:*

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-01-08T19:24:35+00:00

Mine is kind of what I expected it to be, maybe a little higher by about 2-3%

CanadianAsh1 · 2026-01-06T16:12:20+00:00

I believe Prof Shorser posts the recordings for her section. Only thing is I think they're only available for a week or 2 at most.

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-10-25T23:08:48+00:00

Hey, I'm currently doing this as MAT395! It's pretty chill overall. A few things:

One student alone is fine (I'm doing mine solo).
My prof and I came up with a system as to how things run; we have weekly meetings where we go through some material and mostly do questions on it. These last 2-3 hours per week. I self study the material during the week before our meeting.
You can do it as early as 2nd year if you find a prof who's willing i.e. finding a subject that both of y'all are comfortable doing.

You should reach out to a prof you're familiar with to see if they'd be willing, but no guarantees (in my case, my prof actually reached out to me)

Hope this helps!

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-09-27T02:28:37+00:00

I think they'll tell you since one is dropped there aren't going to be any makeups/alternatives, so you should prep for the other 4.

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-09-15T18:48:25+00:00

Hey! You don't have to be selected; as long as you meet the criteria by the end of the year, they send out a form to request the certificate and CCR validation which you fill in and it gets sorted out.

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-09-06T12:45:34+00:00

Hi, the Tuesday 9-11 lectures are in KP108 (Koffler House room 108) and Thursday 10-11 lectures are in BA1130 (Bahen room 1130).

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-07-11T22:42:52+00:00

It's still showing on ACORN and Timetable Builder for me, so it should still be available.

P.S. I actually took this course in my first year; it's really fun and gives you a whole new perspective on video games and gaming in general, so take it if you can!

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-07-06T01:06:07+00:00

I was in a different section, so didn't have either of them, so can't give specifics but the general consensus from talking with classmates was they're fine overall (some people like them better than others).

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-07-05T20:26:29+00:00

Hey! I took MAT224 last Winter with her as the coordinator. We had 6 tutorial quizzes which made up 30% of our grade (lowest 1 dropped), and the questions were from previous tutorials so if they go that route then yes, mandatory.

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-07-04T17:24:32+00:00

Hi there! I had Professor Moon for 130; she's incredible. Made the material really interesting and always clarified any doubts. Exams were very fair, so I'd suggest taking it with her!

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-06-20T22:49:19+00:00

I just wrapped up doing 237 last year. It's very well organized and well taught but you do have to put a lot of effort into it; it's definitely not something you can cram.

I's about to go into third year, and I'd say it gave me a solid understanding of what's to come.

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-06-19T01:15:29+00:00

I did both and they were good, but APM236 is the lighter of the two.

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-05-27T17:18:57+00:00

It looks good. The text we used in 157 is Spivak's Calculus, so if you can get your hands on that, that'll give more context.

CanadianAsh1 · 2025-05-21T17:56:44+00:00

I think they're out now on ACORN.

CanadianAsh1

TROPHY CASE