Hey im a prospective student at mcmaster. I think my average will fall anywhere between 87-90 this semester. I was wondering if anyone who got in last year could tell me what the admission averages were because theres not much to find online. Also, if anyone is in the program can they comment on the difficulty/satisfaction?

Anticipated cutoff is 83-87%
http://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/...n-requirements

Nobody can give you anything more accurate than that. The cutoff depends on how many people apply, and what their averages are. It says their target enrollment is 45, but they'll probably offer more acceptances knowing that some people will go to other schools. So say they send out 55 acceptances, then the people with the top 55 averages will get accepted. If the 55th person has a 95% average, then the cutoff will be 95.

Originally Posted by tristannguyen

Hey im a prospective student at mcmaster. I think my average will fall anywhere between 87-90 this semester. I was wondering if anyone who got in last year could tell me what the admission averages were because theres not much to find online. Also, if anyone is in the program can they comment on the difficulty/satisfaction?

Try and get into Computer Science at another school. Aim for Waterloo. If not, apply to Ryerson.

Originally Posted by herBs

Try and get into Computer Science at another school. Aim for Waterloo. If not, apply to Ryerson.

whats the reasoning behind this?
just curious

Originally Posted by jitnikovi

whats the reasoning behind this?
just curious

Comp sci and Software at mac are pretty weak...and its well known in industry. The software eng and compsci programs are in reality both comp sci programs. Whereas waterloo as the strongest most reputable comp sci and software program in Canada. A top school internationally for software too

Originally Posted by qwerty91

Comp sci and Software at mac are pretty weak...and its well known in industry. The software eng and compsci programs are in reality both comp sci programs. Whereas waterloo as the strongest most reputable comp sci and software program in Canada. A top school internationally for software too

"Well known in the industry"... ya, that's why I know of several companies in the area who have expressed that they like to hire interns/new grads specifically from Mac.

In fact, this is a little unrelated to the quality of the program, but I know some companies prefer interns from McMaster over Waterloo because we can do 16 month internships instead of 4 months.

I'm not saying that there aren't some problems with Compsci and Soft Eng here, but I wouldn't say that they're "weak". Especially as the Compsci program at least is being reorganized and refocused at the moment (look at the second year courses not offered before 2014/2015 here http://130.113.236.37/CALENDAR/current/pg2486.html).

Originally Posted by MarkA

"Well known in the industry"... ya, that's why I know of several companies in the area who have expressed that they like to hire interns/new grads specifically from Mac.

In fact, this is a little unrelated to the quality of the program, but I know some companies prefer interns from McMaster over Waterloo because we can do 16 month internships instead of 4 months.

I'm not saying that there aren't some problems with Compsci and Soft Eng here, but I wouldn't say that they're "weak". Especially as the Compsci program at least is being reorganized and refocused at the moment (look at the second year courses not offered before 2014/2015 here http://130.113.236.37/CALENDAR/current/pg2486.html).

fair enough. Software is downright dreadful though. Wouldnt wish that on anyone.

edit: and by that I mean that software grads dont know how to code well at all unless they have significant experience from personal projects or (better yet) internships.

Originally Posted by qwerty91

fair enough. Software is downright dreadful though. Wouldnt wish that on anyone.

edit: and by that I mean that software grads dont know how to code well at all unless they have significant experience from personal projects or (better yet) internships.

I agree that Software Eng ppl do have trouble coding, however, that isn't the point of the program. Sfwr Eng is all about how to design software and make it work properly, not how to code.

Originally Posted by GCSM

I agree that Software Eng ppl do have trouble coding, however, that isn't the point of the program. Sfwr Eng is all about how to design software and make it work properly, not how to code.

When I say "code" I am including software design at every level. Not just the syntax and how to write a for loop. I tried unsuccesfully to explain an abstract factory to someone in software. They just didnt understand how proper abstraction of components leads to less complexity in large systems. Also other really basic things like frameworks shouldnt throw checked exceptions, EJBs and how to design a really simple business application bringing together:
-data layer (sql or preferably nosql such as cassandra)
-access layer (directory services)
-interface layer (web)
-web api (rest)

Surprised Ownaginatios hasn't appeared yet. lol

OP, your average is fine. Focus on completing your year.

Originally Posted by jitnikovi

whats the reasoning behind this?
just curious

Because I'm in the Computer Science program. Without transferring out, the best thing I could've done is major in Business Informatics which is a combination between Computer Science & Commerce. The professors are subpar at best. And no, I'm not exaggerating. Most courses feel outdated in terms of what's actually going on in the industry today from a relevant educational perspective w.r.t. potential job opportunities. Most of the professors lack real time work experience since they come from a pure research background and make some courses way too theoretical than they need to be. There's a lot. If I had the choice again to accept my offer to McMaster or another university..I wouldn't be coming here.

On the other hand, the people you meet here are great. But I'm sure that ends up being the case wherever you decide to go depending on how social you are and if you can find a group of people you "fit in" well with.

Good luck in your final year of high school, cheerio.

Originally Posted by qwerty91

When I say "code" I am including software design at every level. Not just the syntax and how to write a for loop. I tried unsuccesfully to explain an abstract factory to someone in software. They just didnt understand how proper abstraction of components leads to less complexity in large systems. Also other really basic things like frameworks shouldnt throw checked exceptions, EJBs and how to design a really simple business application bringing together:
-data layer (sql or preferably nosql such as cassandra)
-access layer (directory services)
-interface layer (web)
-web api (rest)

Sounds like you're generalizing it to everyone in software. It's like if I said that students in ECE plagiarize their way through school, because I know not just one but many who do that.

Don't get me wrong though, I agree with you in that the software program at Mac isn't the strongest.

Much of the industry doesn't believe in ONLY school education and school projects now. Whether you're a student from U of T or Mac, you need those side projects to show that you're passionate for software and a self learner. Unless of course you're a student of University of Waterloo. In which case you're going to be working with a company every 4 months and end up with almost 20 months of coop experience.

Oh well, in the end everyone gets a job in software. Unless you're a retard (no offence).

I'd also like to add that the CS program is much better than the software program. CS students take less units, pay lesser tuition and don't have to take unnecessary and bs math courses that software students have to take. Also you have enough flexibility to complete a minor using your electives every year.