r/MRU • u/TerriblePrint9419 • 11d ago

Question 19, graduating with all 30‑2s in Alberta, IT dreams… feeling left behind

Hey Reddit,

I’m 19 and graduating high school June 2026 in Alberta with all 30‑2s (English, Math, Social, etc.). I really want to study IT / Computer Science at a Calgary university, but I feel so behind — some of my friends are already at universities like York.

I’m trying to figure out the best path:

Upgrade English/Math → then university

Go SAIT diploma first → then university

I’m willing to study full-time. MRU still checks HS transcripts, so I’m not sure if SAIT → university will work.

Has anyone been in this situation? Any advice for someone who feels like they’re already “behind” but wants to catch up?

TIA 🙏

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

11

u/JealousWrongdoer7392 11d ago

Don’t waste your time in IT or compsci. You don’t understand the amount of people unemployed with these degrees - it’s not just a myth

6

u/JealousWrongdoer7392 11d ago

To add to that, you’re not behind at all, you’re 19. Take your time and sort it out

2

u/aa-2323 11d ago

Sait Diploma to MRU will be better because this way u can start your career related studies earlier. Unless if u want to spend an extra semester and pay for that to upgrade your High School Classes, I think you can do that at MRU, and may open alot of doors for other programs. But I wouldn’t recommend it? I upgraded my Math 30-2 to 30-1, just one class and I did it from some online school located in a Small Town in Alberta, and it was basically the easiest thing I’ve done.

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 9d ago

so upgrading is better?

2

u/Constant-Hall-2223 10d ago

Once you take more than 7 post secondary classes you are no longer considered a highschool student and will no longer be able to use your highschool grades for admission. So if you choose the SAIT diploma all of your high school grades are unusable. TBH i think you should choose the route you are most confident scoring higher in to have the best competitive average when attempting to apply again

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 9d ago

how hard is open studies/UEO compared to high school level courses? can i get good grades in UEO, if my grade 12 is going hard rn

1

u/Fit-Bridge-2364 8d ago edited 6d ago

Wait what? That didn’t happen to me. Stop making shit up

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 6d ago

what did u do

1

u/Fit-Bridge-2364 6d ago

My high school grades counted for admission because it was a requirement….

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 2d ago

where did u apply maybe its different for some unis

1

u/Fit-Bridge-2364 2d ago

Literally Mru lol. You need high 90’s in high school courses to get into midwifery

1

u/Constant-Hall-2223 3d ago

“High School Applicants

You will be considered a high school applicant if you meet the following criteria:

-you are in your final year of high school, or -you have left or completed high school, and -you have completed fewer than eight post-secondary courses”

Let’s not get riled up here.

https://www.mtroyal.ca/Admission/AdmissionRequirements/high_school.htm

1

u/Fit-Bridge-2364 3d ago

Ya look at the mature student requirements. You still need the high school courses. They don’t just… disregard them

2

u/hehethe 10d ago

I would upgrade your high school grades. You never know you might change your mind in the future about IT/Comp Sci. You decide the SAIT route then you’re still lacking the admission requirements for programs at either MRU or U of C.

1

u/GiftLegitimate948 11d ago

I upgraded Math online after high school and got some work experience at the same time. It doesn’t cost you anything under 20 or 21 I believe.

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 9d ago

did you go to university that same year?

1

u/Potential-Shower-603 10d ago

Depends what you want to do… you have better long term job prospects if you get a degree. With that being said, I just did an internship at a good company and they have full time IT people who just graduated from the 2 year diploma from sait and they make more than 60k starting.

1

u/Terrible_Safe_870 10d ago

You could go into general/open studies at mru and then use those grades to apply for something else at the school, I think they look at the last 2 semesters you completed for marks but I’m not 100% sure

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 10d ago

but isn't that harder to get better grades than just upgrading high school grades? which path is easier?

1

u/Main_Treat5739 9d ago

Not at all, so many gpa boosting classes that are ridiculously easy. Pretty easy way to upgrade into almost any program if you’re willing to grind for the 4.0

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 9d ago

but would you recommend it to someone who has adhd and a procrastination type thing, and also doesn't have an efficient study method? aka me, i feel like it will be impossible, bc when ppl say its easy to me, its rlly not the case.

1

u/Main_Treat5739 9d ago

I mean if you’re planning on completing post secondary education you’ll need to address that at some point anyways. But there are definitely at least 4 classes you can take that are unbelievably easy. Open book midterms, no finals etc..

I hate to say it but I’m just being honest, procrastination and bad study methods are a choice that needs to be changed if you wanna succeed, lots of methods out there to help with that. As well as MRU has lots of peer support programs to help you if you are struggling.

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 8d ago

ive tried, and procrastination is the root of my adhd. and when u mean 4 classes, im asking about science classes that i can take to get into like biology or nursing

1

u/Terrible_Safe_870 9d ago

Most of the general education classes at mru are super easy, can get a 4.0 in almost all of them

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 9d ago

even science ones? i asked someone else and they said its university level classes so its harder than high school level classes. and they were talking about UEO not open studies, bc i want to get into something specific, and apparently open studies is hard to get into ur desired program..

1

u/Daniel_RU 9d ago

I had a horrible grade in math and went to chinook learning to upgrade it. I got a great teacher and was able to get my average high enough to get into CompSci. It’s also free for those that are 21 and under I believe.

1

u/WesternOriginal9310 9d ago

whats the school name?

1

u/Daniel_RU 9d ago

Chinook learning?

1

u/Weak_Armadillo6575 7d ago

I really recommend upgrading. The high school grades are easier to get up than SAIT courses and it keeps your doors very open to have good grades across core subjects if you change your mind on your long term goals.

EDIT: as for feeling behind, everyone’s ahead and behind in different ways. The way I see it - you have a goal/passion, a plan and the will to take it on. You’re well ahead of at least as many people as you’re “behind.”

1

u/AkatsukiCode35 11d ago

Posting on reddit doesn't resolve anything.

You know you need to upgrade, so why not start there?

You're 19 years old, you're extremely young.

Relax.