Nichole DeCarlo, 4th Year Engineering Science Student

Stephanie Whitehurst, 4th Year Industrial Engineering Student

Ada Shang, 4th Year Engineering Science Student

My DEEP Experience:
I participated in one of the first few courses that the DEEP Program offered in Spring 2003. As a prospective student, I was informed of the DEEP Program by an email from the Faculty. At that time, I was still unsure of the Engineering profession, along with all of the different disciplines that the University of Toronto offers. By participating in the DEEP Program, I felt that I would be able to find the answers to my many questions; as well, it would be a good opportunity to experience how classes would be at a university like U of T. Since I had such broad interests, I was unsure of which course would be most suitable to achieve my goal of "experiencing" engineering. After careful consideration of the courses, I chose to take "Human Centred Design: Where Engineering meets Psychology", a course most related to Industrial Engineering. I found it to be a truly interesting course, focusing on human factors and ergonomics. It covered a wide range of topics including the different types of memory, human errors, and design principles. There was even a chance to apply our knowledge of design and create an alarm clock out of modelling clay. Our instructor was a student studying her Master's degree in Industrial Engineering. She was very friendly and approachable, and dedicated to making every lesson interesting and enjoyable. I must say, although I did not choose Industrial Engineering as my program (I went with Engineering Science!), the DEEP course definitely opened a gateway to a new branch of knowledge.

Previous to the final year of my high school year, I was not sure of what I was going to take in university. Throughout my education, I have always demonstrated a broad range of interests in school. I have taken courses in history, geography, business and music. In the beginning of my last year of high school, I was faced with the challenge of choosing majors. Through an intense process, and knowing that my ultimate goal is to make a difference in the world, I chose engineering. I wanted a well-rounded education where I can use my knowledge and apply it somewhere to make something work better than before. I believed by studying engineering, the education would take me closer to achieving my aspirations. DEEP aided in my decision in choosing U of T for studying engineering by exposing me to the various resources and facilities that engineering has to offer. I was familiar with the buildings in the Engineering Complex within the first few weeks of DEEP and I was then able to meet some current engineering students who were very friendly and helpful. I knew U of T engineering was where I belonged and now currently completing my undergraduate education, it has definitely proven true.

Nichole DeCarlo, 4th Year Engineering Science Student

My DEEP Experience:
During my last year of high school, I had a hard time deciding which university I should go to. I knew engineering was for me, but I wanted to go to the best engineering school in the country, the one which would offer me the most opportunities. When I heard about the opportunity to participate in the DEEP program at U of T, I thought it would be a great chance to learn a few things before university, as well as to get a feel for what life would be like if I chose U of T.

I chose the Applied Math and Engineering DEEP course, because of all the things I could learn that we didn't get taught in typical math classes, like game theory! We also spent a lot of time doing hands-on things and building different models to test our theories. The instructor was great. I was really worried about the size of U of T, but she told me that most classes are not very large, and the professors will know my name. That was a big relief. She also described what life on campus was like, and all the different things I could get involved in. It also gave me a chance to get to know the campus, and the buildings that I would be taking classes in.

After a lot of thought, I decided to come to U of T. I couldn't have made a better decision, and my involvement in DEEP helped me. There is incredible research being done here, and the professors doing the research are in your classes, teaching you. There are so many clubs and organizations to get involved in within engineering, or at the university in general. Engineering is also one of the most tight-knit communities on campus, and they know how to have the most fun!

The more time I spent on campus participating in DEEP, the more I knew engineering and the University of Toronto was the best choice.

Stephanie Whitehurst, 4th Year Industrial Engineering Student

My DEEP Experience:
The DEEP Program was a positive experience, which gave me a glimpse of what I would be doing in Industrial Engineering. In first year while many of my peers still did not fully understand what our program was about, I had a firm understanding of the different aspects of the program. Taking DEEP was also a wonderful social experience. I met many interesting people who ended up at the University of Toronto in engineering. It was comforting to enter the university in first year and already know a number of students in my program.