The Secret Rules of University: Know before you Go!

Thomas Smith

YOU ...
are now making university plans. will invest several years and thousands of dollars. are setting course for life & career success. want the best return on time & money spent. dont want nasty surprises

Secret Rules of University - Thomas Smith

Thomas Smith
Grew up and graduated from a public high school in Toronto Earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto Went on to do a Masters in Economics at Oxford University Now works in finance in London, UK
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This presentation
After finishing university and leaping from school to a career, Thomas wants to share the advice he wished he had received before starting.

Secret Rules of University - Thomas Smith

This presentation ...

is about how to reach academic success and how to move from university into your career. is not a motivational talk, but practical and strategic advice. wont help you choose your field; it will give you things to think about, but not tell you what to do.

Secret Rules of University - Thomas Smith

Two Questions About You

1) How high are you aiming?
2) Where are you on your university timeline? ... in high school and applying ... just started ... nearly finished

Secret Rules of University - Thomas Smith

How high are you aiming?

How you approach university depends on the career youre aiming for: I want to go on and do a PhD.
I want a professional career as a lawyer or banker. I just want to pass and get a job.
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Where are you on your timeline?

Stages on your university timeline: Early years: finishing high school, first year or second year undergrad Later years: third and fourth (and fifth) year undergrad
Some advice applies to ... the early years. the later years. all years.
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Advice for All students No matter how high youre aiming

Early years: Keep your options open

All years: Careers are long Beyond mountains, there are mountains Start planning next summer in September
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Advice if you are Aiming High

Early years: Schools are only good if you must compete hard to get in
A qualification is only valuable if lots of people fail at it

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Advice if you are Aiming High

Later years: Third year Its really important. Reference letters must be planned in advance. Do assignments strategically.
For all years: Pain is temporary, grades are forever One strike and youre out
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Keep doors open for yourself

At the start, you never have enough information to make big decisions. Never make a commitment you do not have to make. The world will change, and you will change. You need time and experience before you narrow your focus.
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Careers are long

You will have multiple jobs, and each will last multiple years. Dont sacrifice a long-term career goal for one that pays off immediately. If you only realize in fourth year you want something different, go back and do it. Get yourself pointed in the right direction; dont worry about how fast youre going.
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Beyond mountains, there are mountains

In mythology, heroes conquer the mountain and end in Victory. In school and work, you never get to the end where you enjoy the fruits of your labour. The reward for hard work is more hard work. Education continues forever, youre still at the start. After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. Nelson Mandela
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Plan next summer in September

Relevant work experience: 1. Provides you with practical knowledge you wont learn in school. 2. Sets you apart from competitors when academics are not enough. 3. Is not just about making money you want experience in your field. 4. Should be organized early in the year. Dont wait for spring to start!
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University is more than education

Elementary, high school, and skilled trades training are about acquiring knowledge.

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University is more than education

University is also about separating the smartest people from the rest. It is a competition which decides some people are smarter than others. Succeeding is a SIGNAL to employers and other universities that you are smart and committed to your field.

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Signalling Value of Education

Fields with codified knowledge (engineering, science) have very clear standards. Brand of school matters less.
Fields with hazier achievement measures (law, business) have more relative standards. Brand of school matters more.

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Signalling Value of Education

Very bright people who choose easy degrees are not signalling to employers how smart they are.
Ask yourself: Do few people attempt the course? Do lots of people fail to get into the course? Do lots of people fail the course?
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Aiming high: where others fail

Chartered Financial Analyst: 80% who start do not finish
Top MBAs: only 10% of applicants get accepted Pure math degree: few people even attempt

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Grades
Grades are permanent All grades count Grades can always be higher Every point on your grade can get you to a better post-grad or career.

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Pain is temporary, grades are forever

For grad school or a competitive career, grades matter a lot.
Employers are concerned with these: 1. The school you attended 2. The degree you earned

Grad schools are also concerned with these: 3. Your GPA 4. The professors with whom you studied
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Grades
You have two levers to pull your grades higher:
1. How hard you work 2. The courses you select

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How hard you work

You have to: Memorize pointless material Pull all-nighters Miss parties and family functions
Good grades are not enough. Go for every point.
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Courses you select

Dont make university harder on yourself.
I thought taking a Quantum Physics elective would be fun.

Electives should be at the intersection of interesting and easy.

Interesting so you dont get bored and neglect it. Easy enough that you can get a good grade.
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One strike and youre out

Your transcript needs to be a pristine, unblemished record One bad grade can ruin the whole thing

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One strike and youre out

If a course threatens to ruin your pristine transcript, dont be afraid to drop it if: You have done poorly on early tests. The probability of doing well looks very low. Your supposedly fun elective is a lot more difficult than expected. A required course has begun poorly drop it and take it again.
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3rd Year: Penultimate Year

The year upon which you are actually judged. Graduate schools want your application between Sept and Jan of your final year. Grad schools will decide on you before you ever finish 4th year. You cannot leave important courses until 4th year.

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3rd Year: Penultimate Year

If you are going straight to work after 4th year: You will be applying and interviewing during 4th year. Employers will only be able to judge you on the grades, projects and work experience you have before 4th year.

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Reference Letters
Employers and grad schools need more than a number to judge you on. You need personal testimonials to support your work ethic and enthusiasm.

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Reference Letters
For a good reference letter: The writer must know you and have good things to say about you. The writer should come from a department relevant to where youre applying. The writer should be well-known in their field.
This is very important for PhD programs; a high quality application requires high quality referees.
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Strategic Research/Papers
In later years, focus your assignments on the niche in which you want to work. Bend assignments away from general work and into your area.
Professors will usually help you with this; if youre showing a real interest you can deviate from the syllabus.

Now you can use your current course work to prepare for your future.
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Strategic Research/Papers
This is especially important for PhD applications. Grad schools will want to see that youre interested and experienced in research. For a PhD application you should do an independent research course during your undergrad.

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Final thoughts:
For a PDF of this presentation, email ritasmith@rogers.com (The chart on page 12 is much easier to read in PDF). Work hard. Good luck!

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