When students read the admission requirements for any university program in Ontario, the first prerequisite is 4U English. From Computer Science to East Asian Studies, from Chemistry to Law, the base requirement are good marks in the most common course for Ontario students – ENG4U.
In my opinion, ENG4U is a great required course for university programs. From preparing students for the university experience to an insight into student drive, and finally to gauge a student’s overall competences in all areas of learning, 4U has a ton of benefits for admissions officers and the applicants.
The jump from high school to university is massive leaps and bounds greater than the jump from grade to grade — students find themselves buried in a larger workload then they did during secondary. I believe the 4U English course, with a curriculum based on students developing critical thinking skills and learning how to create and elaborate on their own ideas, can help the adjustment for those entering post-secondary. Going to university takes education from basic class-learning to self-directed, and the responsibility of originality and well-thought out ideas is up to the student themselves. Grade 12 University English gives students an in-school way of doing so, especially with a good teacher directing skill development.
Every university-bound student has to take ENG4U. For some, they take it seriously with goals in mind, committing to every project and assignment to boost their own learning and to improve admissions chances. But for others (too many!) who don’t realize just how important the course actually is, it’s just another throw-away course where they give it half the energy they are capable of and end up with bottom-tier marks. The challenges and trials of the 4U class allow universities to truly see the demographics of students and separate the hard workers from those who ignore responsibility and shun their class load in favour of other activities.
Students who apply to programs such as the sciences and maths probably don’t see the purpose of universities taking their 4U grade into effect — when in reality, it gives universities a new view of them as a student and their attitude towards education. Having the 4U course be a requirement in science, technology, engineering and math programs is a way for admissions officers to see the student’s strengths and whether they are one-sided towards STEM or overall academic excellence. Even in STEM programs, writing analytically, reading critically and speaking with purpose are 100% necessary for success in post-secondary school.
In the end, it really all comes down to how a university sees you on paper. From your grades to essays, it’s how the student is portrayed as a strong scholar and the desired member of the university’s community. With a course such as 4U that every university requires for all programs, a great performance shows them you’re a good candidate as well as responsible and capable of handling post-secondary. It’s up to the student to demonstrate those capabilities to them, and that’s why I believe 4U English is rightfully a required course for university programs.
Spencer's 4U English Blog 