the secret rules of university - know before you go!
DESCRIPTION
After graduating with Distinction from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto and earning a Master's in Economics at Oxford University, Tom Smith wrote a letter originally intended as advice only for 3 of his younger cousins just beginning their University careers. His blunt, unique advice evolved into this presentation - information you unlikely to find ANYWHERE else. There are secret rules to a successful university career - know before you go!TRANSCRIPT
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.
• don’t want nasty surprises
2Secret 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
3Secret Rules of University - Thomas Smith
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.
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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.
• won’t help you choose your field; it will give you things to think about, but not tell you what to do.
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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
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How high are you aiming?
How you approach university depends on the career you’re 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 studentsNo matter how high you’re 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
10Secret Rules of University - Thomas Smith
Advice if you are Aiming High
Later years:
• Third year – It’s really important.
• Reference letters must be planned in advance.
• Do assignments strategically.
For all years:
• Pain is temporary, grades are forever
• One strike and you’re out
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12Secret Rules of University - Thomas Smith
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.
• Don’t 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; don’t worry about how fast you’re 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, you’re 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 won’t 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. Don’t 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 attended2. The degree you earned
Grad schools are also concerned with these:3. Your GPA4. 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
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“Good grades” are not enough. Go for every point.
Secret Rules of University - Thomas Smith
Courses you select
• Don’t 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 don’t get bored and neglect it.
– Easy enough that you can get a good grade.
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One strike and you’re 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 you’re out
If a course threatens to ruin your pristine transcript, don’t 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 you’re 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 you’re 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 you’re 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:
• Work hard.
• Good luck!
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