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Personal Statements and Curriculum Vitae (CVs)

Personal statement.

Admission committees typically request a brief essay (500 to 2000 words), sometimes called a Personal Statement (also known as Statement of Interest or Purpose). It is a very important piece for assessing your fit for the program, and your writing ability.

Some schools provide prompt questions, so look for those! In general, these statements discuss:

• Your research and/or professional interests
• Your future goals and career plan
• How their institution and/or program will meet your goals
• What you will contribute to the program

We have two short exercises , led via video, to get you started on writing your personal statement!

Curriculum Vitae or CV

You may be asked to provide a resume , or you may be asked for an academic CV. They are related but different, as follows:

The following sample documents were developed by AA&CC staff and student staff, with input from faculty members:

• Model Undergraduate CV for Research-Focused Graduate Programs - with comments [ DOCX  - 38 KB]
• Model Undergraduate CV for Research-Focused Graduate Programs - without comments (for look) [ PDF - 165 KB]

Find more explanation and other useful examples here .

Application & Personal Statement Resources

• Effective Admission Letters (U of T Writing Centre)
• Purdue University Online Writing Lab
• CTL’s Graduate School Application and Personal Statement Assignment Calculator

School of Graduate Studies

Frequently asked questions (faq), admission requirements, wh​​at are the admission requirements        .

For Master’s Programs and Full-Time Special Students, ​an appropriate bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, with a final year average of at least mid-B from a recognized university.

For Doctoral Programs, an appropriate master’s degree, or its equivalent, with an average of at least B+ or demonstrated comparable research competence.

Many  graduate units  have higher minimum requirements than the minimum SGS requirements. As we receive many more applications each year from excellent candidates than we have placements available, meeting the minimum admissions requirement does not necessarily guarantee admission.

The minimum admissions requirements set by SGS can also be found on the  Admissions  page.

What is an appropriate bachelor’s degree? 

An appropriate admitting degree is one that satisfies the following criteria:

• The issuing institution must be recognized as having degree granting authority by the appropriate jurisdictional authorities (e.g., Provincial / Territorial government or regional quality assurance body);
• The degree must be the standard first entry degree which gives access to advanced research-based graduate programs in the country of origin (e.g., This is typically four years in North America or three-year Bologna compliant degrees. Please consult the SGS International Equivalencies Database for more information.); and
• Where appropriate, have the required affinity or programmatic fit to the graduate program to which you are seeking admission.

All admission decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are based on a composite of information which may include previous academic performance, comments from referees, relevant professional activities, proposed research statements, correspondence between research interests and available faculty expertise, and, in some programs, standardized test scores. Eligibility cannot be determined until a complete application is submitted.

Are three-year Bologna compliant degrees acceptable?

Qualified applicants with three-year Bologna-compliant bachelor’s degrees (except three-year UK degrees preceded by the GCE A-levels which are considered equivalent) are considered admissible and are encouraged to apply. In addition to the SGS minimum admission requirements , there are several factors that will be taken into consideration while assessing these degrees: requirements for gaining admission to the degree; content of the degree and duration of the degree, among others. Eligibility cannot be determined until a complete application is submitted.

I have a four-year Bachelor’s degree from a community college. Will it be acceptable?

Applications to graduate studies at U of T from graduates of four-year community college bachelor’s programs are considered admissible and are encouraged to apply. In addition to the SGS minimum admission requirements, there are several factors that will be taken into consideration while assessing these degrees: the degree of affinity between the applied degree and the program to which the applicant is seeking admission; the academic content of the third and fourth year courses; and other indicators that the applicant is adequately prepared for independent research which is a distinctive characteristic of every graduate degree. The degree program should be normally comprised of at least 75% liberal arts and science content. Eligibility cannot be determined until a complete application is submitted.

Can I apply to a PhD program directly from a bachelor’s degree?

Some graduate ​units will allow direct entry to a PhD program from a bachelor’s degree for exceptional applicants. Such applicants require an appropriate Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with an average of at least A–.

For more information,  contact the department to which you are applying.

I am an international applicant. How do I know if you recognize my degree?

Please consult our  International Degree Equivalencies directory . If your degree is not listed there, you may wish to contact SGS for confirmation.

Note that we will not review or assess your academic record without an official application to a graduate degree program at the University of Toronto, including payment of the appropriate application fee. Prior to application, we are able to confirm if the degree you have received is considered equivalent to our minimum admission requirements. If you do need to email us to inquire about your specific degree, please be sure to include the country and university in which it was earned, and the full official name of the credential awarded, with date of award and length of study period.

Application Deadlines

When should i apply.

Application deadlines vary from program to program. Please visit the program’s admission requirements page or  contact the graduate unit  for the exact date.

I might miss the application deadline; can I have an extension?

All applications should be received by the application deadlines which are set by individual programs . Please  contact the program you wish to apply to for approval to apply after the deadline.

If you have missed the application deadline, you cannot submit an online application until you have received approval from the specific program.

Application

I would like to apply to a graduate program at the university of toronto. where should i get the application form.

To apply to a graduate program, you must complete the online admissions application form available from the program’s admission requirements page. Please carefully read the instructions, requirements and deadlines provided by the program’s website as the application fee is non-refundable.

Will you accept my application and supporting documents prepared and submitted by an agent or consultant?

The University of Toronto does not have any financial arrangements or special relationship with any agents who assist in the preparation and submission of a graduate application for a fee. You are required to complete and submit your own application and must provide your own personal details. All of the information necessary to complete an application to any graduate program is available on the program’s admission requirements website .​

I don’t have access to the Internet; can I get a paper application form?

If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact the graduate unit for an alternative method of applying.

Do I have to list all the schools and institutions I have attended?

Yes. It is required that you list all post-secondary institutions you have attended. You do not need to submit any information or documents related to high school education.

I want to apply to more than one program; do I have to submit more than one application?

You will be assigned an applicant number and password when you start the SGS online application. If you wish to apply to more than one graduate program , you can add a new application from the program selection section of the online application.​

If you wish to apply to more than one program, you must pay separate application fees and submit separate sets of documents for each.

Exception: Applicants to any of the programs administered by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education ( OISE ) may apply for up to three programs in a single application; applicants to OISE programs pay a higher application fee for this privilege, whether or not they choose to apply to more than one program.

I have chosen a program but I do not see where to upload supporting documents.

If you click on the “review” link on the left-hand side of your application, it will take you to a checklist of all that needs to be completed before you can press the “Continue” button to submit your application. Once you have cleared the list, and pressed “Continue” your application will be submitted, and you will be taken through to your application status page. From the status page, you will be able to upload supporting documents and pay your application fee.

I recently became a Canadian Permanent Resident. How can I update my legal status on my application?

Legal Status updates can be made by e-mailing the School of Graduate Studies notarized copies of your documents. Strict university regulations mean that we can only update your citizenship status if we are presented with original legal documents or notarized copies.

Can I make changes to my application after I paid the application fee?

Application Changes must be handled by the program you have applied to. Please contact the gradauate unit if you need to make any changes to your application.

Application Fee

How much is the application fee.

A $125 CAD application fee is required. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. A supplementary application fee may be assessed depending upon the program to which you are applying. The supplementary application fee can be found on the program’s website or at the payment step of the online application.

How should I pay the application fee?

Payment is made at the time of application online using a credit card (only a Visa or Mastercard credit card is accepted).​

• Debit cards issued by Visa or Mastercard will not be accepted.
• If you do not have a credit card issued by one of these two service providers, you can purchase a pre-paid card.
• Applications will not be processed unless the application fee is received.

Can my application fee be waived?​

I changed my mind and do not want to go to graduate school anymore; can i get a refund of the application fee.

There is no refund, waiver, or deferral of the application fee.​

Academic Records & Transcripts

How should my academic transcripts be submitted.

Most programs accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application. These can be scans of paper transcripts or a PDF of your academic record. A few programs require official transcripts at the time of application. All programs require official transcripts if an offer is made.

If official transcripts are required, applicants should ask each university attended to send their academic transcripts directly to the graduate unit to which they are applying in a sealed and, preferably signed envelope. The envelope should be signed and stamped by the registrar or by an authorized official of your school/college/university.

Do not send transcripts to the School of Graduate Studies.

My institution will release transcripts to me but not to the institution to which I am applying. Will you accept transcripts submitted by me?

If the institution will only release the verification to you, please request that they are sent in a sealed envelope so that you can forward that envelope directly to the graduate unit.

• Do not open the envelope as that will void the verification.
• The documents must be received in the original sealed envelope to be considered official.

My university sends transcripts electronically. Will the University of Toronto accept electronic transcripts?

Yes, the University of Toronto will accept electronic transcripts sent directly to the graduate unit. Electronic transcripts forwarded by applicants are not accepted.

My transcript does not include course title or grades. What should I do?

You should provide the graduate unit with course descriptions and / or an official statement of academic standing from an appropriate academic officer of the institution concerned.

What do I do if my educational institution has closed?

If the school(s) you attended is no longer in existence, or if it is impossible to obtain official documents from any school(s), you should ask the Ministry of Education in the country in which the credential was awarded to furnish an official statement testifying to the impossibility of obtaining records. The Ministry should also be requested to supply the graduate unit at the University of Toronto with a list of courses taken and grades received by the applicant in that school or university.

I have not completed my current degree yet; what should I do?

If you have not completed your current degree at the time you apply to the University of Toronto, please request transcripts from your university showing the work you have completed to date. Please indicate the date when the final result will be available. If you are issued an admissions offer based upon your course work to date, all degree requirements must be completed prior to registration and a final transcript must be received by your graduate unit indicating the date of conferral of your degree.

My name in my official transcripts is different from my passport / other transcripts; shall I provide a document explaining the discrepancy?

Yes. In case the names differ, you must provide original documentation of your name change, such as marriage certificate or a notarized name change certificate to SGS Student Services.

My academic records are in a language other than English. Shall I also submit English translations of my documents?

Certified English translations are required for all international documentation written in a language other than English or French. SGS does not recommend translators but the translator must be certified. Translations do not replace original documentation. Both the original documents and translations must be submitted.

My transcripts are in French. Shall I submit English translations?

French and English are both official languages of Canada. We therefore do not request English translations of transcripts written in French.

Can I get my transcripts back?

Once supporting documents are submitted they become the property of the University of Toronto and cannot be returned.​

Recommendation Letters

How many reference letters are required for admission.

SGS requires two letters of reference; however, you should review your program-specific list of admission requirements to determine if additional letters of reference are required.

What is the process for referees?

When you have chosen a program to apply to you will be prompted to enter contact information for your referees, including their institutional e-mail address. Your reference request is sent to each referee by e-mail as soon as you enter their contact information. Please enter referee contact information only if you are certain of applying to any given program.

My referee did not receive the email from the School of Graduate Studies. Could you please resend it?

Referees are advised to check their junk mail folder. If they still do not have the letter, you can resend the request email from the supporting documents section of your application. If you have entered your referee’s address incorrectly, please contact the graduate unit you are applying to for help making the correction.

When are references due?

It is each applicant’s responsibility to review the application instructions for their chosen program, and inform referees of the application deadline. Applicants should apply well in advance of the deadline to give referees adequate time to submit their references.

The contact information of my referee has changed. As I have already submitted the online application how can I edit the referee’s contact information?

As you have already submitted your online application and paid the appropriate application fee, you cannot make any changes to your application, except your own information (address). Therefore, if you need to update the contact information of your referee, you should contact the graduate unit and provide them with the required information.

Additional Supporting Documents

How do i know when the graduate unit received my supplemental materials.

Applicants may monitor the status of their application by logging into the online application.

Where do I send my application supporting documents?

Applicants should upload supporting documents on the status page of their application. The status page becomes available on payment of the application fee. Some units also request documents at the pre-submission stage of the application. If you need assistance uploading documents or need to send hard copies, contact the graduate unit to which you are applying.

Testing Information

Do i need to take the gre exam.

Although most of our graduate units do not require a GRE exam, there are some that do. Other departments encourage international applicants, in particular, to consider taking the GRE as this assists them in making a fair assessment of your preparation for graduate study. Please check the graduate unit’s instructions to see if the GRE is required in your case.

English is not my first language. Do I need to take the TOEFL exam?

If you graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, then you must demonstrate your facility in English by successfully completing an acceptable English language proficiency test. This requirement should be met at the time you submit your application, and must be met before registration is allowed. The TOEFL is just one of the m any tests that we accept. For more information, including minimum required scores, please see the English-language proficiency testing page .​

Financial Aid

How do i apply for financial aid.

The university expects all graduate students to have a solid financial plan in place before pursuing their program of study. Both Domestic and International students are encouraged to explore the  SGS financial aid and a dvi sing  web pages to find information about accessing and applying for government student loans, grants, and student lines of credit. Students may also search for  admission awards  on the Graduate Awards Office web page or through their home graduate unit.

Funding for Research-Stream Students

Will my graduate unit offer me a funding package.

Admission decisions will be uploaded on the application site. Applicants are automatically e-mailed when the decision is available.

Waiting for Decisions After You Apply

Where can i get information on the status of my application.

Students accepted into most research-stream Master’s and PhD programs will receive funding from their graduate unit — in other words, from their department and / or Faculty. Funding typically covers one year of master’s study and four to five years of doctoral study. The unit will provide an annual Funding Letter clearly outlining the value and composition of each student’s package.

Visit our funding and FAQ pages  to learn more about  Base Funding  and the average  Actual Income  received by full-time, active graduate students in their respective programs.

Incoming students are strongly encouraged to apply for external awards for which they may be eligible well in advance of applying for admission. Visit the SGS awards and funding  web page to located various admission awards for your program.

When will I hear a decision on my application?

This varies by graduate unit, and is affected by the volume of applications received. Some early offers of admission are sent out in January or February; however, the majority of offers normally come in March. SGS generally advises applicants to expect a response by April, although decisions continue to be made after this point.

I sent my application but I have not heard back from the graduate unit. How do I know my application and supporting documents have been received?

Graduate units do not normally confirm the receipt of applications. You are responsible for ensuring that you have read and understood the application requirements for that graduate unit, and that you have gathered all the necessary components of your application package. You can check the receipt status of your documents by logging in to the online application and viewing the status page for your application. A delay can be expected between the time of receipt and when the status is updated.

I submitted a supporting document, and it is not showing as received on my status page.

Please note that the application system can take up to half an hour to mark documents as received.

In uploading your documents you are asked to choose a document type from a drop-down list. You need to choose the correct document type. For instance, if your program asks for a “Statement of Intent” and you mark the document as “Personal Statement” it will not show as received, and your application may be considered incomplete.

The application deadline has passed, but I still have access to my application. Can I proceed?

Most units will not accept late applications. Contact your graduate unit for advice . Application fees paid after the deadline will not be refunded.

Will the School of Graduate Studies provide feedback for students who have been rejected?

The School of Graduate Studies oversees the graduate admissions process and sets minimum admission requirements for all graduate programs at the University of Toronto, however, admission decisions are made locally at the departmental level.

Due to the large number of applications graduate units receive each year, we unfortunately cannot accommodate requests for personalized feedback on your application. Admission to University of Toronto is very competitive and students who meet, and even exceed, our minimum requirements may not necessarily receive an offer.​

Offer of Admission

What is an offer of admission.

The offer of admission from the School of Graduate Studies is your official acceptance letter which outlines important information about your program (e.g., start date, graduate unit, program, and degree). Very often there are conditions on the offer, which must be satisfied before registration is permitted. Below are details on how to clear some of the most common conditions. If a condition in the offer letter is not included in the examples below, and you’re unsure how to clear it, please contact your graduate unit. The term “graduate unit” is used to refer to the department, Faculty, school, or institute offering your graduate program.

(1) Completion of your current program with a specific average and confirmation of degree conferred. This condition has two elements that must be satisfied:

• proof that you have obtained the specified average and
• proof that you have received your degree.

You must arrange to have a transcript of your final official academic record forwarded to your home graduate unit once you have completed your coursework and received your degree. If your transcript is forwarded before it has been updated to indicate conferral of degree, the second part of the condition will not be cleared. To save time and expense, ensure that your academic transcript includes the confirmation of degree conferred.

If you satisfy your requirements during the summer but will not receive your degree until after your graduate program commences, then you must arrange to have the following two documents forwarded to your graduate unit:

• an official transcript of your academic record which indicates final standing, and
• an official statement from your registrar which confirms that the degree requirements have been satisfied and indicates the expected date of degree conferral.

(2) Authentication of self-reported grades: This condition requires you to authenticate self-reported grades by providing your graduate unit with official transcript(s) of your academic record, directly from the issuing institution(s) by the specified date.

(3) Certified English translation of academic record or diploma: If your transcript or degree is not in English, you must arrange to have the document translated by an authorized translation service or your embassy or consulate.

After Being Admitted

I have been admitted; however, i have a few questions before i make the final decision. who do i need to contact.

You should contact the graduate unit from which you have got your acceptance letter. The graduate administrator of your program will be able to answer your questions.

May I defer admission to the University of Toronto?

With departmental approval, you could defer admission for up to 12 months. Admitted applicants who accept an offer of admission are expected to enrol in the term for which they applied and were admitted.​​ 

More Questions About Grad Studies at U of T?

As graduate programs and degree requirements vary widely across the University of Toronto, if you have a program-specific question, your best point of contact will be the graduate administrator for the unit offering the program you wish to apply to.

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Future Student Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to apply, will i be considered for all the programs i applied to at the same time, or only in the order i ranked them.

You will be considered concurrently for all your U of T applications.

Will I get an alternative offer to the Faculty of Arts & Science if I do not get admitted to the category I selected? Will I get an alternative offer if I am not admitted into my selections?

You will only be considered for one admission category at the Faculty of Arts & Science. Applicants to the Rotman Commerce and Computer Science admission categories have the option of selecting an alternate admission category for consideration. Selecting an alternate category does not affect your eligibility for your first choice.

If you applied to more than one faculty or campus at U of T, you will be considered for all your choices concurrently. In some cases, the University of Toronto Scarborough or Mississauga campuses may send alternate offers to competitive Faculty of Arts & Science students. 

Will I need to submit reference letters, personal statements or supplementary applications?

Reference letters and personal statements are not required for admission to any of our programs.  Computer Science  and  Rotman Commerce  require students to fill out an additional supplementary application, but no other programs at the Faculty of Arts & Science require this. Some colleges  and  first-year opportunities  require additional applications as well.

How should I submit my transcript?

You can upload unofficial transcripts through the JOIN U of T portal. Official final high school transcripts or board exam certificates should be sent directly from your school through Parchment or mailed directly to the Office of University Admissions and Outreach.

If you are not currently a high school student, please visit the  Apply to U of T web page  for more information on how to submit your transcripts.

Do I need to ask my high school to mail in my transcript now?

No, you can personally upload your current unofficial transcripts to the JOIN U of T portal for admission consideration. Only your official final high school transcripts are required to be mailed in. 

Should I upload my transcripts to the JOIN U of T portal even though uploaded transcripts are considered unofficial?

Yes, we will consider you for admission based on your uploaded unofficial transcripts. We will only require your official final transcripts to be sent directly from your school at the end of the year to clear your admission conditions. 

My mid-term grades will not be released until December/January/February, how should I self-report my grades?

If you are required to self-report your grades, you will have access to a form in your JOIN U of T portal with instructions as to what grades you should report. This is a very important step, so we recommend that you update your self-reported form any time you receive new mid-term or final grades, as this allows the admissions committee to receive your most up-to-date academic information quicker. 

What should I submit if I don’t have my mid-term transcript yet? What if I don’t get mid-term grades or a mid-term transcript?

Please submit all available transcripts or most up-to-date grade reports. We will be able to assess your application for a conditional offer of admission based on what you provide. You can submit supporting documents until February 1. We will continue to accept updated grades if they become available later, provided that spaces are available in our programs. 

My interim transcript will not be available until January/February. Will this impact my admission because the recommended date to submit documents for early consideration is in December?

No. Early consideration will be based on Grade 11 marks and any available or predicted Grade 12 marks. These transcripts can be submitted before the early recommended date to submit documents. Students who do not submit their documents before the December 15 early recommended date will be assessed in our later rounds, from February to May, using all available marks.

Already Applied

When will i hear back after submitting my application.

You will receive an email from both the Office of University Admissions and Outreach and the Faculty of Arts & Science approximately ten business days after you submit your application via the OUAC or U of T International Application. These emails will provide you with instructions on how to access the JOIN U of T portal. Here, you will track the status of your application and submit any necessary supporting documents.

Offers of admission are generally sent out between January and May. Some offers may be made outside of these dates.

I have submitted my application but want to make a change, how do I do that?

If you have applied using the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) application and wish to make changes to your initial application, you must do this by logging in to the OUAC website . 

All other applicants (International/Internal/Part-Time/Non-Degree) should log in to  JOIN U of T , click on Check Status and follow the instructions for making changes to your application.

We do not accept any changes or corrections via e-mail or telephone and changes cannot be made after the application deadline .

My school sent my transcript last week, how do I know if you have received it?

It can take a few weeks for sent documents to be matched to an application. You can track the progress of your documents on the JOIN U of T portal. 

Do I need to submit proof of English proficiency?

If English is not your first language you may be required to submit proof of English proficiency. Some international high school curricula can act as exemptions from English language tests. Visit the Future U of T website for a  complete list of English facility requirements , accepted tests, exemptions and expected scores.

I sent my IELTS/TOEFL scores last week, how do I know if you have received it?

It can take a few weeks for sent documents to be matched to an application. You can track the progress of your documents on the JOIN U of T portal. It is very important that the names on these tests match exactly the name you used on your application (i.e., the same combination of first, middle and last names). If the name on your test does not match your U of T applicant name exactly, we will not be able to match them and this will often be the reason for a delay.

Am I able to defer my offer of admission?

If you decide to put your studies on hold, you may request a one-year deferral of your offer of admission. The deferral of admission will include a deferral of any entrance scholarship(s) awarded and the residence guarantee if applicable. Applicants who plan to attend another post-secondary institution will not be permitted to defer their admission. Please note that offers to non-degree studies, the International Foundations Program and the Computer Science admission category at Faculty of Arts & Science, St. George campus are not eligible for deferral. Find instructions on how to submit a  deferral form here .

When do I get to tell you which residence building and type of room I want to live in?

You must indicate your interest in residence by March 31 through the StarRez portal on the JOIN U of T portal to be covered by the first-year residence guarantee . Once you receive an offer of admission you will be able to go back to StarRez to rank your residence preferences. These will vary depending on your college of admission. Once you’ve submitted your preferences, you will hear back from the Housing Office between June and July about your residence assignment. You then have the choice to accept or refuse the room assignment. Should you accept the room, a deposit will be required.

Transfer Students

How can i go from the honours bachelor of arts (hba) or an honours bachelor of science (hbsc) into the program of study i’m interested in.

Your transfer credits will determine whether you are eligible to enrol in a program of study or if you are missing required courses for this program. If you are missing required courses, you will remain as a HBA or HBSc student during your first year at the Faculty of Arts & Science while you complete the courses required for your intended program of study. Once these courses are completed, you can enrol in your intended program of study.

Use the Academic Calendar to compare your previous post-secondary courses with Faculty of Arts & Science courses to determine whether you have course equivalents for your program of interest.

If I’ve done Advanced Placement (AP), General Certificate of Education (GCE), French Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate (IB) or Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), will I be eligible for transfer credit?

If you have completed college or university studies, AP, IB, GCE, CAPE or French Baccalaureate examinations you may be eligible for transfer credit(s) at the University of Toronto. Transfer credits are assessed after admission. You can find out more about expected Faculty of Arts & Science transfer credit equivalencies on our website.

How do I know what transfer credits I will receive?

To assess your eligibility for transfer credits we are looking for course syllabi and descriptions, and a final official transcript. We need as much information about your courses as possible to determine whether the Faculty of Arts & Science offers a course equivalent to what you have already studied.

While we determine your transfer credit eligibility, you can check which of your courses might be eligible for transfer through the Transfer Explorer . This is a planning tool showing credits previously transferred to the Faculty of Arts & Science from other post-secondary institutions. When using the tool, ensure that the transfer credit assessment is for the Faculty of Arts & Science at the St. George campus.

Remember, Transfer Explorer is for planning purposes only and is not a guarantee of what transfer credits you may be awarded.

When will I know what transfer credits I will receive?

The time it takes to assess transfer credits varies depending on a number of factors such as whether or not the documentation in your file is complete, where your studies were completed and the time period during which your transfer credit request is received. A Canadian university assessment takes approximately six weeks, and an international assessment up to ten weeks.

Mid-May to mid-August is our peak assessment period, so we recommend starting your Transfer Credit Application as soon as you receive your offer of admission.

Scholarships/Financial Aid

How do i plan my finances for university is there any financial aid available to me.

Financial planning is an important part of readying yourself for university. We have a wide variety of tools to help you plan for the years ahead. Find tuition costs, financial aid information and a helpful planning tool on the Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid page .

How do I make sure I’m considered for scholarships? What scholarships are available to me?

Once you have completed the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) process and been admitted, you have two ways to acquire awards and scholarships: 

• Automatic: You are automatically considered for a variety of admission awards and scholarships when you apply to the Faculty of Arts & Science (based on your grades at the time of admission).  
• Application-based: Some awards require you to complete a separate application. 

All admission scholarship decisions are communicated through the JOIN U of T Portal.

As an A&S student, you may be eligible for additional admission awards from your college. There are also awards for upper-year and graduating students that you may qualify for throughout your studies. 

Visit the Awards & Scholarship page for more information.

When will I find out about scholarships?

Students can expect to receive their scholarship offers at the time of their offer of admission. All scholarship decisions are communicated through the JOIN U of T Portal . 

What if my final high school grades change after I receive my scholarship offer?

All Faculty of Arts & Science scholarship and award offers are conditional on the completion of your secondary school program with high academic standing and satisfying the conditions of your offer of admission to the University of Toronto, as indicated in your JOIN U of T portal . Provided that you meet all the conditions on your offer of admission we will not withdraw the scholarship offer. Please remember that your final high school marks are an important part of your academic record for the future – keep working! 

Scholarships are based on your grades at the time of admission. Decisions on all awards are not revisited. 

I have requested an admission deferral. Can I also defer my scholarship(s)?

Yes. You may request a one-year deferral of your offer of admission and if granted, your scholarship will be deferred as well. Deferrals are not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Deferral requests that are approved will include deferral of eligible entrance scholarship(s) awarded (check the terms of your award for conditions and eligibility) and the residence guarantee, if applicable. For more information about deferrals visit future.utoronto.ca . 

I received two offers of admission from the University of Toronto from two different faculties/campuses. Will my scholarship offers be transferrable?

No. The admission scholarship offer you received from the Faculty of Arts & Science is not transferrable to other campuses or faculties. Your award will be conditional on your registration as a student in the Faculty of Arts & Science, St. George campus.

How and when will I receive my scholarship/award payment?

Unless otherwise specified, payment for admission scholarships/awards is applied to your student account after your full-time registration in the Arts & Science admission category for which you were offered the award, and compliance with your award terms and conditions are confirmed for the fall term, typically by mid-October.

The scholarship payment is first applied to any outstanding fees on your student account. If the award amount exceeds the fees owing, the remainder of the award will be issued to you and deposited into your Canadian bank account via direct deposit. You will be able to view your award information, including pending payments, on ACORN under My Award. 

If you have not already done so, please set up direct deposit on ACORN . For more information on the types of award refund payments available, please visit the Student Accounts website . 

I was awarded an admission scholarship, but I have a third-party sponsorship or external award that will directly pay for my tuition fees. How will my admission scholarship be processed?

All award payments are applied towards outstanding fees owing on your student account. Payments are not applied to any one fee in particular (i.e., tuition fees or residence fees). The award amount is applied to the overall balance owing. Any remaining award amount after your fees have been paid in full will be refunded to you directly. For more information on the types of award refund payments available, please visit the Student Accounts website . If you have not already done so, please set up direct deposit on ACORN . You will be able to view your award information, including pending payments, on ACORN under My Award. 

The award payment timeline will not be adjusted to accommodate third party sponsorships or external awards. You can download a copy of your ACORN invoice once you are registered as a student, and the invoice will detail the fees owing. At that time, award payment will not have been posted. Award payments are posted by mid-October. A step-by-step guide on how to print important documents on ACORN is available in the ACORN how-to guide under "Printing Transcripts & Other Documents."

For more information regarding third-party sponsor payments, please visit the Student Accounts website . 

Can I defer my tuition and fee payments until my award is credited to my student account?

Students who are offered an admission award may be eligible for a tuition fee deferral on the basis of Undergraduate Scholarships or Awards (register without payment). You should refer to your specific award Terms & Conditions to confirm if your scholarship qualifies. Full eligibility details about tuition deferrals and payment of fees is available through the Student Accounts website .

What is a “renewable” award?

A renewable award is issued for multiple years. Award renewal is based on your academic performance and compliance with the award Terms & Conditions for each academic year. The renewal will be based on your final grades, and you will receive an email notifying you of your renewal eligibility in the following Summer term.  The award may be withdrawn due to unsatisfactory academic performance.

Students are notified when awards are renewed or not renewed and have an opportunity to provide supplementary information, when appropriate.

If the award is renewable, what grade should I maintain?

You should refer to your award Terms & Conditions. Unless otherwise noted, your academic status must remain “ in good standing ” as defined by the Faculty of Arts & Science.  

If I fail to meet renewable conditions one year, but meet them the next, can I receive the award?

No. Unfortunately, once the student does not meet the renewability criteria, the award is withdrawn.

If I reduce my course load to part-time status, will this affect my eligibility for an award?

You should refer to your specific award Terms & Conditions for details regarding registration requirements. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] .

I was offered an admission award. Is my scholarship offer tenable with other awards?

Refer to your award Terms & Conditions for details regarding scholarship tenability. If your award Terms & Conditions specifies that it is not tenable with other awards, the scholarship offer that is of higher value will replace the scholarship of lower value. If in doubt, please contact the Faculty of Arts & Science Awards Unit at: [email protected] .

I was awarded the University of Toronto International Scholar Award but there has recently been a change to my legal status and now I qualify for domestic tuition. What do I do?

This award is conditional on registration as an international student (i.e., a non-Canadian requiring a study permit) and international students charged domestic fees are not eligible for this award. Should there be a change in your legal status, you are required to notify the Faculty of Arts & Science , as your eligibility may be affected. If there is a change to your legal or fee-paying status during the academic year, you may be required to repay all or part of their award.

How will my leave of absence affect my renewable award?

Students with an approved leave of absence may be eligible for an award deferral during their leave period. Information regarding leaves of absence, and the eligibility requirements, can be found on the Faculty of Arts & Science Academic Calendar . After reviewing the Faculty’s leave policies,  please discuss your request with your College Registrar’s Office. When meeting with your advisor, please inform them that you are a recipient of a renewable scholarship. 

Students who have received an approved leave of absence are required to contact the  to request a deferral of their award. 

I still have questions about my Faculty of Arts & Science admission award. Who do I contact?

If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected] .

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• Preparing a Personal Statement

Below are some tips for preparing your personal statement, also called a statement of intent or admissions letter by some universities.

• The personal statement is more than an example of writing proficiency. It will enable the admissions committee to learn more about you. Discuss your goals, your achievements, and your interests.
• How did you first become interested in industrial relations and human resources? Are there particular work experiences, courses, class assignments or research papers that you have prepared that you would like to draw to the attention of the admissions committee?
• Use the statement to reflect on your strengths. Highlight those skills and personal characteristics that you possess that make you a strong candidate for the graduate program.
• Do you have professional, community service, volunteer, or extra-curricular activities that may not be reflected in your resume?
• Elaborate on your career goals. Describe how this program coincides with your short and/or long-term career objectives.
• Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain?
• Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships that may have impacted on your past performance?
• Remember to keep the statement to  one page  (single spaced). Do not send samples of your academic work and publications unless the admissions committee requests these.
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U of T Engineering: Personal Profile Questions Prep & Examples 2023/2024

If you are looking for guidance on the U of T Engineering Online Student Profile , including U of T Personal Profile questions prep tips and examples, then you’ve come to the right place. 

This Application Prep guide is fully updated with the 2023/2024 application (i.e. for applicants planning on starting the program in Fall 2024 ).

Before you dive in, it’s important to understand that the U of T Engineering admissions committee receives thousands of applications every year. To help you stand out from the crowd , you need to demonstrate a clear sense of self , strong life experience , and exemplary real-world skills , and audacious goals .

We recommend reading both our Deductive Communication Approach™ and Narrative Communication Approach™ Guides to empower you with the skills to communicate all these things in a clear, compelling, and concise way on your Profile. 

You’ll notice that all the written and video Personal Profile question examples in this guide follow these two communication styles. The purpose of sharing these structures is to help teach you best-practice processes for communication. If you aren’t sure which communication you should use, we’re always here to help .

Using these essay structures does not mean your essays will be the same as other students because they’re designed to help you create unique answers that are completely authentic to your individual identity and experiences.

If you’re serious about getting into U of T Engineering and reaching your fullest post-secondary potential, connect with a coach . It’s never too early to receive coaching!

Table of Contents

• U of T Engineering Online Student Profile : Application sections; Deadline; Evaluation criteria; and More.
• 2023/2024 U of T Engineering Personal Profile : Overview; Possible written and video questions; Interview question examples and prep tips; and More.
• Common Questions about the U of T Engineering App : Do I have to do a Personal Profile?; Is the Personal Profile a real interview?; How do I prepare for the Personal Profile questions?; and More.

Engineering U of T: Portal & Online Student Profile

U of t engineering: application overview .

Before getting started on your Profile, you need to complete and submit your OUAC application ( 101 application for current high school students and 105 application for transfer students and all other applicants). The deadline for the OUAC application is January 15, 2024 (see other important dates and deadlines here ).

Once you’ve done that, U of T will send you an email with instructions within 7-10 days about how to set up your JOIN U of T account . 

Then, you will log into the Engineering Applicant Portal to access and complete your Online Student Profile (OSP) , which is a mandatory part of the U of T Engineering admissions process. The OSP is due on January 15, 2024 .

However, the early consideration deadline for U of T Engineering’s Online Student Profile Deadline is December 1 , 2023 . This is for domestic and international students.

COACH’S TIP : Throughout the entire application process (from when you apply on OUAC to when you get your offer), make sure to check our Engineering Applicant Portal often . This is the main way that U of T Engineering will contact you or give you updates, so you want to make sure that you don’t miss a message for them that could put your application at risk. You can also check the status of your application through the U of T Engineering portal.

The U of T Online Student Profile has 6 sections :

• Engineering Program Selection : Rank the engineering programs you want to be considered for (you can choose up to 4 U of T Engineering programs here). Rank your choices in order of preference (i.e. with your top choice as #1, followed by #2, #3, and #4). You will receive ONE offer of admission.
• Academic Timeline : Outline your academic activity from Grade 9 to present. Most of this information can be taken directly from your OUAC application. 
• Other Information: Submitting standardized test scores or detailing plans to meet English language requirements; all other fields are optional. Applicants must enter details of any AP, SAT, or ACT exams taken or planned, and have official scores sent directly using provided institution codes. An Optional Applicant Statement is available for any additional academic history or personal challenges that may impact the application. For those with significant personal, health, or accessibility concerns, the Special Consideration section allows for requests for special accommodation in the admissions process, with appropriate documentation required.
• Academic Profile : Select institutions and any secondary and post-secondary courses you have taken at those institutions.
• Extracurricular Involvement : Detail your activities outside of the classroom, like paid/unpaid employment, hobbies, clubs, sports, etc. You will indicate the type of activity and briefly describe it and start/end dates. Be as specific and concise as possible in the description and describe the key skills you’ve developed, what you’ve learned, and how it has helped you grow as a person.
• Extracurricular Essay. Write on 250-word essay related to the skills you’ve gained through those extracurriculars, and how it shaped your decision to apply to the U of T program.
• Personal Profile : Answer 3 randomly selected questions (1 written and 2 video questions). Keep reading to learn more about these questions and how to answer them in a memorable and unique way.  

THE EXTRACURRICULAR ESSAY

“ Extra-curricular activities can shape each individual’s lifelong learning both inside and outside the classroom. What skills and interests have you developed through your extra-curricular involvement, volunteerism and/or work experience. Reflect on how your involvement in a particular activity may have shaped your plan to study your chosen program(s) at U of T Engineering. (250 words or less) “

When tackling this question, you should start by reflecting on your extra-curricular activities, volunteerism, and work experience to identify specific skills and interests you’ve developed.

We recommend focusing on ONE activity. 250 words is too short to write about more than one, unless they are related enough.

The two parts of the question are:

• Skills and interests you developed.
• How this shaped your plan to study at U of T Eng.

These two should connect. Don’t say something like “I developed sales skills” which led me to want to study “Mechanical engineering”.

Ensure there is some sort of connection between the two.

Before writing, always focus on developing an overarching narrative. Spend the time really brainstorming the topic, in excruciating detail, and ensure the theme of the essay makes sense and is unique.

We offer a great structure in our template.

EXAMPLE ONLY

COMPLETING THE OSP

Once you have completed different sections of the Online Student Profile, you will see a check mark beside that section on your dashboard. You can also see the required documents that U of T has received as well as standardized testing results (if applicable).

The deadline for the Online Student Profile and all required documents (through the U of T Engineering portal) is January 15, 2024 for regular consideration (for early consideration, check the deadlines here ). 

IMPORTANT : Submitting your application to U of T for early consideration as an OUAC 101 applicant will NOT impact the admission decision or give you a better chance of getting accepted. The only difference is that if you are accepted, you might receive an admission decision earlier than someone who applied for regular consideration. Click here to learn more information, and if you have questions, connect with a coach any time for support.

When deciding who to accept into the program, the admissions committee uses a ‘ Broad-Based Admissions’ approach , where they evaluate you beyond your grades , considering your achievements , skills , and extracurriculars outside of the classroom.

This is where the Online Student Profile comes in. This Profile gives a full snapshot of these broad-based evaluation criteria, including your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and the information you provide in your Personal Profile answers (more on these below). 

It’s your one chance to make a lasting first impression and show why you’re a perfect fit for the U of T Engineering program .

Keep reading for a breakdown of the Personal Profile, as well as possible written/video questions, prep tips, examples, common questions about the application, and much more. 

If you have questions about this year’s Online Student Profile or you need help with your Personal Profile, connect with a coach for 1-on-1 support.

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University of Toronto Engineering Personal Profile

U of t engineering: personal profile – overview .

As mentioned above, the U of T Engineering Personal Profile is one part of the Online Student Profile. 

You will access the Personal Profile through your Online Student Profile in the U of T Engineering Portal. The entire Personal Profile is completed through a third-party site.

The Personal Profile will take about 30 minutes total to complete. It consists of 3 randomly selected questions:

• 1 written question, where you’ll have 10 minutes to prepare and give a 250-word response.
• 1 video question, where you’ll have 3 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to answer .
• 1 video question, where you’ll have 3 minutes to prepare and 3 minutes to answer .

REMEMBER: You only get ONE attempt at these 3 questions. Once you click the ‘Start Interview’ button, you must complete the entire Personal Profile at once. 

When you are taken to the external video platform page, click the “Check In” button, and then watch the Welcome Video and do the Registration and Device Setup. 

COACH’S TIP : Before recording your final written/video questions, you will get unlimited practice questions. Use these questions as an opportunity to get comfortable with the platform and how the process feels. These answers will not be shared with the reviewers, so do as many as it takes for you to feel confident and prepared.

The Personal Profile is evaluated by members of the U of T community who have been carefully selected and trained. They’re looking for students who are articulate , passionate , and dedicated . They also want to see that you can work well under pressure , have the drive to succeed in the program, and can think critically to solve problems . 

We know that this is super stressful. But the best thing that you can do for this part of your Profile is to stay calm and be yourself and let your personality shine. 

If you need help as you prepare for the U of T Engineering Personal Profile written and video questions, connect with a coach for support . We’ll help you prepare answers to possible questions, do mock interviews, and share tips that have helped hundreds of students get into their top-choice programs.

U of T Engineering: Personal Profile – Possible Questions 

The U of T Engineering Personal Profile questions generally fall into these 2 question types: 

1. U of T ENGINEERING PERSONAL PROFILE – PERSONAL QUESTIONS  

Before they review your Personal Profile, the admissions committee doesn’t know much about your personality and work ethic, your interest in engineering, your skills and strengths, and your goals for the future. 

IMPORTANT : The first question (written) will be a short essay (max 250 words) where you talk about an experience you’ve had that has taught you something, allowed you to grow, built your skills etc. This is also a personal question.  The first video question will usually be a personal question that asks you to introduce yourself and talk about who you are and your interests (specifically in engineering).  Keep reading for possible questions and examples for personal questions.

Personal questions are meant to allow the interview to get to know you beyond your grades by focusing on topics like: 

• Interests & Goals
• Leadership & Responsibility
• Role Models & Influential Factors
• Accomplishments & Achievements
• Creativity & Innovation
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Social Issues & Helping Others 
• Resilience & Failure
• Morality & Integrity
• Dealing with Conflict
• And much more! 

To help you prepare for any personal question you might get on your Personal Profile (both written and video), we’ve created a strategy to help simplify the prep process. 

We’ve broken down many common interview questions into themes , so you can come up with talking points for each , and then simply adapt these points to any question you’re given. Trust us, this is the EASIEST and most EFFECTIVE way to prepare for your U of T Engineering Personal Profile. Check out the full process in our Interview Prep Skills Guide for tips and answer templates/examples, and connect with a coach any time for support.

COACH’S TIP : For personal questions, we recommend using storytelling to help make your answers more unique, memorable, and authentic. Check out our Narrative Communication Approach™ Guide to learn more. 

Keep reading for more Personal Profile question tips and strategies for giving answers that will set you apart from the crowd.

2. U of T ENGINEERING PERSONAL PROFILE – PROBLEM QUESTIONS 

Problem questions are objective , meaning they don’t have anything to do with you personally. Instead, they ask you to solve a problem using critical, logical, and creative reasoning and then challenge you to prove your answer using evidence . 

IMPORTANT : The third question (video) will usually be a problem-solving question (keep reading for possible questions and examples), where you are given a situation or problem and you’re asked to use critical thinking, logic, and evidence to present an answer.

What you want to do for these questions is take a position , justify that position with a couple supporting arguments, and then briefly explain what your answer says about you (so that it benefits your application). 

We know that it’s probably super intimidating to answer a problem question on the spot, so we’ve developed a strategy to help you present your arguments in a logical and structured way. 

We call it the Deductive Communication Approach™ . This uses a top-down method, where you state your Answer, back it up with some Main Arguments and Supporting Arguments, and then talk about why it all matters (and how it has allowed you to learn and grow as a student).

By having this communication approach in your interview toolkit, you can go into the interview super confident that you’ll be able to give a logical answer and keep your cool — no matter what question you get.

COACH’S TIP : Problem Questions can seem intimidating, but DON’T PANIC. The most important thing is how you come across versus what exactly your answer is. The admissions committee isn’t expecting a perfect answer — what they really want to see is a strong thought process . For example, we’ve seen the question: “Do you believe there should be a cap on rent charged in large cities?” In this case, the admissions committee isn’t expecting that you’ll know a ton about economics models. Instead, they want to see that you can stay calm, form a rational and logical answer and back it up with solid reasoning and evidence. Learn how to give strong answers to Problem Questions in our Interview Skills Guide here .

U OF T ENGINEERING PERSONAL PROFILE – QUESTION BANK

Here are some personal questions and problem questions that we have seen come up in the U of T Engineering Personal Profile interview. These questions are possible for BOTH the written and video responses:

• Describe a 3 step process you would use to determine how many elementary schools there are in a city of 5 million people.
• Describe 2 qualities that you feel would make you a good candidate for Engineering at the University of Toronto.
• Consider one of the most meaningful mathematics problems you have solved recently. Explain the process you used to solve the problem. Be specific with both how you knew what to do, and why you chose to do things this way.

Not sure how to approach questions like these? Connect with a coach to work 1-on-1 and improve your communication skills, think about possible questions and how you’ll answer them, and do mock interviews. We guarantee this preparation will give you the confidence you need to ace your Personal Profile. 

U of T Engineering: Personal Profile Questions – Examples 

Here are some examples to help you as you prepare for the U of T Personal Profile written and video questions. 

REMEMBER : This is an EXAMPLE ONLY and is NOT meant for you to copy. Why? First and foremost, this is plagiarism and is a serious offense . Plagiarizing these essays will result in immediate disqualification from the admissions process . This can be easily detected using technology and application reviewers are usually trained and/or able to spot when an application isn’t original and does not align with an applicant’s background, personality, values, etc.

All of these examples follow our Deductive Communication Approach™ , and incorporate these 4 components: 

• Hypothesis/Answer : State your main point/answer clearly and concisely, while capturing the attention of the audience. Make your answer as unique as possible.
• Main Reason(s) : Explain why you believe your interpretation is true, limiting yourself to 1-2 reasons.
• Supporting Arguments : Provide examples to support each of your Main Reasons, using your own experiences and personal insight as the data/evidence.
• So What? : Summarize the insight, explaining what it means and why it’s important. Think deeply to draw bigger lessons and influential learning outcomes.

VIDEO QUESTIONS EXAMPLES

Remember that you will have to answer TWO questions, each with 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to answer.

Personal Profile – Video Question Example 1: 

Here’s an example of an answer to the Personal Question : 

“Briefly introduce yourself and tell us about a time where you faced a challenge in your studies or in another part of your life and how you confronted this challenge. How has confronting this challenge prepared you for studying engineering at university?”

COACH’S TIP : You’ll notice that our Youth Coach’s answer to this question is around 1 minute long. As a general rule, make sure to be as concise as possible. Don’t ramble on, but be clear and to the point . Just because you have 2 minutes to answer each video question DOESN’T mean you have to use the entire time. Remember: quality over quantity here.

Personal Profile – Video Question Example 2: 

Here’s an example of an answer to the Problem Question :

“ You want to determine if a new material created for solar panels increases the amount of energy that can be captured. You have acquired 15 panels of different sizes manufactured with different materials including the new material. You decide to set up an experiment to solve this problem. What do you think are the 3 most important variables to address in your experience? How would you incorporate those variables in your experiment?”

COACH’S TIP : As mentioned above, don’t panic when you get a complicated question like this on the interview. Take a deep breath , and then break the question down into small sections, reading closely to understand exactly what it’s asking you. Also remember that the app reviewers aren’t looking for a perfect answer (they don’t actually care about solar panels). Instead, they want to see that you can stay calm under pressure and use critical thinking and problem solving to come up with a logical and persuasive answer.

Personal Profile – Video Question Example 3: 

“Tell us about yourself and talk about the engineering concept or idea that interests you the most.”

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WRITTEN QUESTIONS EXAMPLES

Remember that you will have to answer ONE written question, you will have 10 minutes to prepare and give a 250-word response.

If you need help preparing for your written question, connect with a coach any time for support.

Personal Profile – Written Question Example 1:

Here’s an example of a U of T Engineering Personal Profile written answer to the Personal Question: 

“Choose between teamwork, inclusivity, and community building to describe an experience that you had in the past two years, either in school or outside of school that enables you to develop that characteristic.”

Personal Profile – Written Question Example 2:

Here’s an example of a U of T Engineering Personal Profile written answer to the Problem Question: 

“ Consider one of the more difficult mathematics problems you have solved recently. Explain the process you used to solve this problem. Be specific with both how you knew what to do, and why you chose to do things this way.”

REMEMBER : There is a 250 word limit for the written questions.

Need some help preparing your U of T Engineering Personal Profile questions? We’ve got your back! Connect with a coach now to get started.

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University of Toronto Engineering: Personal Profile Questions – Prep Tips

Many students ask us for tips for preparing for the U of T Engineering Personal Profile. Here are the ones we think will help you the most:

TIP #1: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

It can seem really scary to see yourself talking on screen and worrying about how you are coming across to the admissions committee. 

Open up your camera and practice answering some of the Possible questions listed below. Recording yourself will help you get the hang of things and get comfortable with seeing yourself on camera. Learn more about effective interview prep tips here .

If you want to take your prep to the next level, work 1-on-1 with a coach and do some mock interviews so you know exactly what to do when you’re recording your answers for real.

TIP #2: ALWAYS ANSWER THE ENTIRE QUESTION 

It seems silly, but it is common to get off track and later realize you didn’t answer the question.  Break down each part of the question into smaller components, and address each one as you move through your answer. If you’re working on a written question, take some time at the end while you’re proofreading to make sure you’ve answered everything. 

TIP #3: TAKE YOUR TIME

Sometimes when you know you have a limited amount of time you might speed through everything like a mad race against the clock.  For the video questions, remember to take a breath and pause between your sentences to allow the reviewer time to process what you said. Focus on speaking clearly and slowly. 

TIP #4: SHARE IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT YOU

Remember that every answer you give should tell the interviewer something about you that boosts your application, even if the question isn’t about you.  Highlight your skills and experiences, show that you have thought about goals, and use the questions to help the admissions committee learn more about you. You’re going to be a great addition to their program — tell them how!

TIP #5: BE CONCISE 

Your answers should be clear and to the point, leaving out unnecessary information. In the video questions, you don’t want to ramble — get to the point and be clear, providing clear examples and specific points that fully answer the question.  The written questions are the same. 150 words isn’t that much so you have to make every word count. Get rid of information that is repetitive or doesn’t add value. It is better to have a short, concise answer than a convoluted answer that is redundant and possibly unfocused. 

TIP #6: BE PROFESSIONAL (BUT ALSO HAVE FUN!)

When preparing for your video questions make sure that you come across as a young professional with something special to offer the program. How can you do this? 

• Dress professionally
• Make sure the background behind your camera is empty
• Go somewhere that is quiet and free from distractions
• Sit up straight
• Maintain eye contact with the camera the entire time

Learn more here about effective physical, vocal, and mental cues that will help you leave a good impression.

While it’s important to be professional, it’s also important to have fun with these questions. The admissions committee wants to admit unique people who have a shining personality and the experiences to match. Show them who you are and be yourself.

TIP #7: DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF

The admissions committee reviews thousands of applications. You’ll never stand out if your answers are the same as everyone else’s, so come up with answers that are unique.  For example, if there’s a question that asks “Describe a time when you had to adapt” don’t simply talk about how COVID made everything more difficult. Instead, you can talk about an experience where you took on a challenge and tried something that hadn’t been done before. Then, shift the question into talking about your successes and what you learned from the experience.  

 For other interview prep tips that can help you stand out from other applicants, check out our Interview Skills Guide , which breaks down tips for preparing, performing, and perfecting your answers.

If you would like more tips to help you prepare, as well as the chance to up your game and do some mock video/written questions, connect with a coach today. Our coaches have helped hundreds of students conquer their Personal Profile questions and achieve admissions success!  

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University of Toronto Engineering: Personal Profile Questions – Themes 

Since you don’t know the questions until you’re doing the interview for real, it helps to think generally about a few key themes specific to you and your interest in the U of T Engineering program. 

Then, as you’re completing your written and video responses, you can use these as general talking points to easily come up with an answer to many types of questions. 

Here are a themes to get you started (read our Interview Prep Skills Guide for a complete breakdown of more themes):

U OF T ENGINEERING

This is probably the most important theme you should focus on. In your answers, you need to be able to specifically communicate why you want to attend U of T Engineering . It sounds obvious, but a lot of students actually have no idea. 

Make sure to do lots of research and use it in your answer . The more depth to your research, the more differentiated your answer will be. In all of your answers, make sure you have a statement (or a ‘pitch’) at the end of each answer that shows exactly why you are the perfect fit for U of T and how you would add value to their program as a student. You should also be very familiar with the program , co-op opportunities , specializations , courses , professors , and resources offered. 

Finally, look into the extracurricular activities and groups that make U of T Engineering unique. Even though you might not be asked about them directly, expressing an interest in these programs that the university funds can go a long way.

ENGINEERING (IN GENERAL)

You should easily be able to answer the question: “Why engineering?” You need to go beyond obvious answers like, “I’m good at math” or “I’ll be able to get a good job when I graduate.” Instead, relate your interest in business to a particular passion you have, like software engineering and sustainability or 3D printing technology. Talk about how this interest started as well as what it has taught you about yourself.

When thinking about your interest in engineering, take the time to understand what is personally appealing about it (and how it relates to U of T). This way, you’ll be able to prove exactly why you’re there and what you hope to get out of the program — and this self-awareness will really set you apart from other applicants. 

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

It is very likely that there will be a question that will ask you to provide more information about yourself . This can include an experience you’ve had, how you developed your interest in Engineering, your skills , your educational/career goals , and/or challenges you’ve faced and overcome. 

The most important thing is to make sure you’re authentic and truthful . You also want to take the time to think about how your experiences have shaped who you are, as well as what you value and the vision you have for the future. Come up with 3-4 skills you have, like time management, leadership, and problem solving, that you want to work into your answers. In other words, you want to show that you have self-awareness. If you aren’t sure how to prepare for this theme, complete our Student Identity Blueprint™ or connect with a coach to get started.

The U of T Engineering admissions committee wants to accept students who are actively involved in the community , not just because it shows commitment, selflessness, and passion, but also because it highlights time management, leadership, and responsibility. 

Make sure you have 1 or 2 examples of how you have been involved in your community and emphasize the impact you had by being involved. Finally, provide some personal insight about how this changed you as a person and contributed to developing your interest in engineering (if applicable). 

There is often a question about how you have dealt with difficult situations , like during a group project or as a member of a team. When answering these types of questions, don’t just focus on the problem, but more so the resolution or lessons learned while providing specific examples. 

The point of conflict questions is so that the admissions committee can see how your experiences, accomplishments, skills, and values contribute to the way you view and interact with the world .

In addition to conflict in team settings, a lot of the time there are questions about how you have worked in a team effectively. Once again, make sure you have specific examples to clearly define how you succeed in the team, and not just the team’s success. 

U of T wants to make sure that every student they admit to the program will be a valuable member of their own community , so positive and inclusive interaction with others is key for these types of questions.

TIME MANAGEMENT

There are questions that are really just structured around seeing how you handle pressure and manage your time . Be sure to really explain why the example you are giving is a good example of how you can manage your time and operate under stressful situations.  

As mentioned above, it’s important for questions like this to be truthful . Don’t say “I am NEVER late for anything!” or “I’ve never given something less than 100% when I ran out of time.” This just isn’t true (for anyone!). Instead, be honest and talk about what lessons you learned because of these situations. For example, you could say that you learned that taking on too many projects meant that they weren’t being completed properly, so now you focus on quality not quantity when choosing projects to take on.

If you want to learn how you can align these themes to your unique interests and experiences, connect with a coach now.

McMaster Engineering Supplementary Application & Video Interview Examples 2023/2024

If you are looking for guidance and examples for the McMaster Engineering timed written responses and video interview, then you’ve…  Read more

Common Questions about the U of T Engineering Application & Personal Profile  

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive from students about the U of T Engineering Online Student Profile and Personal Profile.

Do you need a Personal Profile for U of T?

Yes. The Personal Profile (which is a section in the Online Student Profile) is a mandatory component of your application. If you do not submit it, your application will not be considered.

How do I complete the University of Toronto Engineering Personal Profile?

The first step is submitting your OUAC application ( 101 application for current high school students and 105 application for transfer students and all other applicants). When you’ve done that, U of T will send you an email with instructions within 7-10 days about how to set up your JOIN U of T account . 

Then, you will log into the Engineering Applicant Portal , where you will fill out all the sections of the Online Student Profile (OSP) , including the Personal Profile. The video and written answers for the Personal Profile are completed through a third-party site (which you will automatically be redirected to in the ‘Personal Profile’ tab of the OSP. 

What’s in the U of T Engineering Personal Profile Interview?

You will have to answer 3 random questions. 1 question will be written (with 10min to prepare and a max of 250 words) and 2 questions will be video (with 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to answer for each question). 

• The first question (video) will usually be a personal question that asks you to introduce yourself and talk about who you are and your interests (specifically in engineering). 
• The second question (written) will be a short essay (max 250 words) where you talk about an experience you’ve had that has taught you something, allowed you to grow, built your skills etc. 
• The third question (video) will be a problem-solving question , where you are given a situation or problem and you’re asked to use critical thinking, logic, and evidence to present an answer.

Read more about how to answer personal questions and problem questions above , and check out our list of possible questions and written/video question examples .

You will have unlimited opportunities to practice but once you click ‘Start Interview’ you will get only 1 chance to complete your final questions .

Who evaluates the Personal Profile?

U of T says that the Engineering Personal Profile is evaluated by a group of individuals who they have hired to ensure that each student is evaluated fairly. 

They take the Personal Profile into consideration, along with the entire Online Student Profile and your academic record. This is called ‘Broad-Based Evaluation’, which evaluates you beyond your grades, taking account your achievements, skills, activities, and more. 

How do I prepare my Personal Profile for U of T?

Generally, the questions that will appear on the U of T Engineering Personal Profile are either: Personal Questions (all about you) and/or Problem Questions (objective questions where you flex your critical thinking skills). 

To prepare for whatever questions you get, we recommend breaking the questions down into general themes , and then creating a series of talking points for each. That way, you can adapt your talking points to whatever question you get.

For a full breakdown of how to effectively prepare for the written/video questions, read the section above and check out our Interview Prep Skills Guide .

Does U of T Engineering require an interview?

Yes and no. The Personal Profile asks you to complete ONE written question and TWO video questions. However, you will NOT be interacting with a live person like you’d normally do during an interview. 

However, you need to conduct yourself as if you were doing an interview with a live person, like dressing professionally, giving structured and memorable answers, showcasing your skills, experiences, and interests, and proving that you’d be a great fit for the program. 

What do I need for the U of T Engineering Online Student Profile?

There are 6 sections in the Online Student Profile: 

• Engineering Program Selection : Rank the engineering programs you want to be considered for.
• Academic Timeline : Outline your academic activity from Grade 9 to present.
• Academic Profile : List any secondary and post-secondary courses you have taken, as well as any standardized tests.
• Interest in PEY Co-op : State whether you plan on doing a Professional Experience Year (PEY) . 
• Extracurricular Involvement : Detail your ECs outside of the classroom.
• Personal Profile : Answer 3 randomly selected questions (1 written and 2 video questions). 

All of these sections as well as your required documents are mandatory for a complete application. Check out this section above for a complete breakdown of the application.

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• Do I need a Profile?
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• What's in the Profile?
• Who evaluates the Profile?
• How do I prepare the Profile?
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Eligibility Requirements

Apply to the transitional year programme.

Are you interested in pursuing post-secondary education but due to social and/or educational barriers you’ve been prevented from achieving that dream? The Transitional Year Programme is a unique 8-month access to university program which fills in the gaps between your current experiences and your undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto.

Upon successful completion of the Transitional Year Programme, you will have 2.5 university credits and be granted admission into the University of Toronto's  Faculty of Arts and Science .You can explore your future degree programs through here . 

TYP actively encourages applicants from members of African Canadian/Black communities, from Indigenous communities, from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered or Queer communities, from sole support parents, high school dropouts, and people from working-class families of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Minimum Application Requirements

• You must be 18 years of age by September 30th of the year of admission.
• You must be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident (landed immigrant) or Protected Person (refugee).
• If you have graduated high school, you must not have the necessary grades to get into a degree program on your own
• You must have left school early for reasons connected to social or economic difficulties, illnesses, or some other personal problem beyond your control.
• It is recommended but not mandatory to have at least two high school courses at Grade 11 or higher level in academic subjects (in the current Ontario system they would be 3U or M or 4U or M subjects), or an equivalent from another school system, and/or suitable life and/or work experience. TYP must be the only feasible way for the applicants to have access to a university education*

* this applies to candidates who have completed at least two Grade 11 courses in academic subjects or higher level in academic subjects (in the current Ontario system there would be 3U or M or 4U or M subjects) or the equivalent in another school system OR who can satisfy the Admissions committee by demonstrating that they have achieved equivalent academic skills by some other means for consideration to meet the minimum academic skills required for the programme. Those lacking this skill may be referred to an appropriate academic upgrading program. TYP reserves the right to hold a place for future admission for those who successfully complete the recommended courses or programs.

Meeting the minimum academic requirement DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION. The admissions committee may also refer an applicant to a similar program within the university or elsewhere, should they feel, that it may better meet the applicant's academic skills or needs.

The need of applicants – which includes (but is not limited to) considerations of race, class origins, parental status, community of origin and community of residence – is the first consideration in the selection of new TYP students. The TYP admissions committee uses no fixed standard for admission. Instead, it considers each application individually to assess the potential of candidates.

Documents Required

Each applicant is required to submit the following documents:

It is important that you compile all the necessary documents before filling out the application.

• Two References  - Typically, you are required to provide at least one academic and one personal reference. However, if you left school more than three years ago, a second personal or professional reference may be submitted in place of the academic reference. Please have your referees complete and submit their references on the official Transitional Year Programme form
• Please download the reference form  for your Transitional Year Programme application
• Transcripts -  This includes transcripts from any high school and all post-secondary institutions you have attended, i.e up until where you finished/left off. If your transcript/s is in a language other than English, you must include a certified English translation of the transcript (notarized) along with the official transcript in the original language.
• Personal Statement -  Your statement must be one page and provide relevant information about educational, social, financial, and personal difficulties which you may have encountered during your life and which may have acted as barriers to you qualifying for entry to university in the usual way. Your statement should also outline how you have overcome such barriers, what your current life situation is like and how you are prepared to take on full time university studies.
• Proof of Status in Canada-  Any government ID photocopy
• Writing Sample - After you have submitted your application and required documents, you will be asked to provide a supervised writing sample. You will have to write a short piece on a topic we propose in a limited time. No special preparation is necessary and a TYP staff member will reach out about the dates and times of these sessions.

Once you have collected all your required documents, you are ready to apply!

You will not be able to save any of your information on our application form so please allow 30-60 minutes to complete it.

Begin your Application

If you have any questions about the application process, the required documents, or if you are concerned that you may not meet the above requirements, please reach out to us at  [email protected]

What Happens Next

Once you have submitted your application form, including all the required documents, your application package will be sent to the admissions committee for review. If accepted, you will be notified by email. Please be on the lookout for the following communications:

• Welcome Letter
• An Admissions Offer
• Registration Letter

If you have any questions about the above communications, please contact us at  [email protected]

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Some advice on who to choose for references, what to write in your personal statement, and what your resume should include.

Curriculum Vitae/Résumé

Your résumé should outline work experience since university graduation.  Be sure to clearly identify:  firms/employers, locations, positions held, responsibilities and dates of employment.

You should also outline your participation in volunteer work or community organizations, board appointments, as well as any other relevant accomplishments or information you feel would help your candidacy. 

Please also include a complete summary of your post-secondary education, including any academic awards you have received. 

Purpose of Graduate Study (Personal Statement)

This is your opportunity to articulate (in no more than two pages/1000 words) why you want to be admitted to the GPLLM and why you would be a valuable asset to the program. 

Please address all of the following:

1.    Why have you chosen to apply to the GPLLM and what do you hope to achieve?    Please refer to your career and any other personal details that you think are relevant. 2. Please indicate the concentration(s) for which you wish to be considered and explain why you have chosen that concentration. 3. Please describe the extent and manner in which your current position requires you to engage with the law and legal or regulatory issues. 4.    If you are a lawyer, please explain why you are pursuing an executive legal education.    5. How will you contribute to a dynamic classroom experience?

Reference Letters

Reference letters are an  important  part of your application. Each recommendation should be from an individual who can comment on, and provide examples of your professional qualifications, academic promise and suitability for the program. Ideally, these are from individuals who have supervised you. Note that your referees will be asked to upload a letter - there are no form questions for them to respond to. 

Helpful Hints :

• A reference letter is compelling when the referee provides detailed reasons for supporting your application. A strong reference letter will be based on concrete examples to support the comments the referee is making about you, particularly examples of when the referee observed what they are stating. 
• Please refrain from soliciting references from peers, co-workers or direct reports.  Personal references are also ineligible (e.g. friends, family members, etc.).
• Please share the following questions with your referees to help guide their reference:

  Comment and provide examples on the following: 

•   Does the applicant have the academic capacity to succeed in the program? 
• Will the applicant benefit professionally from taking the program?
• Will the applicant contribute to the classroom and learning experience of others?
• Does the applicant have both the time and the motivation to succeed in the program?

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The Department of Sociology encourages domestic and international students to apply for graduate study. As an academic community that strives to be welcoming and inclusive, we especially encourage students historically underrepresented in sociology to apply. Please see our Funding page for more information about the Graduate Distinction Scholarship available to incoming Black and Indigenous Students.

We hope the following information facilitates the application process.

Applicants interested in applying to one of the Sociology graduate programs need to complete the application and pay the application fee by December 1st, 2023   (11:59 PM EST)  to upload all application materials . Late applications will not be accepted.

The Sociology Department Admissions Committee, comprised of the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies and six faculty members representing different areas in the department, reviews the complete files of all applicants and admits the ones with the most outstanding records and potential to thrive in our department, recognizing that some applicants have had fewer opportunities than others to demonstrate their potential.

The committee bases its decisions primarily on the applicant's academic record, the strength of support in the letters of recommendation, the quality of writing sample, and the statement of interest. The committee also considers the applicant’s lived experience and potential to enhance our department’s diversity as supplementary considerations. Applicants are not required to submit GRE scores, the committee will not take them into consideration for admissions. The committee pays particular attention to the statement of interest to determine whether the applicant will find adequate support and supervision from faculty members given their research interests and the department’s strengths.

Applicants educated at non-Canadian institutions should note that their educational background will be assessed for equivalency with a University of Toronto degree. Unfortunately the Department of Sociology does not have the resources to pre-screen applications. Please consult the International Degree Equivalencies Chart to determine if your international degree is considered equivalent. More information is available at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Admissions Information page.

Students applying to the MA and PhD programs are strongly encouraged to also apply for an OGS ( https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/PRDR019245.html ). Students should send a copy of their OGS application to the Graduate Office ( [email protected] ; [email protected] ) so we are aware that you have applied to our OGS round. Please note that as per OGS rules, if you choose to submit an OGS to the University of Toronto, you cannot submit an OGS to another institution. The deadline to submit your OGS application January 10th.

Application Timeline

The application process opens every year in October and closes by the end of May. 

Between October 1 and November 30:

On October 1st, The School of Graduate Studies opens the admission period. Applicants should register and familiarize themselves with the online application and required documents. Over the fall, students should draft their statement of interest, seek out faculty members to serve as referees, prepare their cv's, and choose their writing sample(s) and construct their personal statement (optional). International students should look into the degree equivalency and take language testing as appropriate.

Applicants must pay the application fee once all materials are uploaded. Once the application fee has been paid, you cannot make any changes to your application and once documents have been submitted online no further changes can be made to those documents. If you have discovered an error in the document that you have uploaded, please contact the Graduate Office. At this point, your application should be listed as "Documents Pending."

Once the application fee is paid, the online system will generate an email request to your referees for their letters. Stay in contact with your referees. If they do not receive an email, advise them to  check their 'junk mail folder' and ensure that they do not have a 'pop up blocker' installed, as this email may be incorrectly identified as spam. If they still do not receive an email request, please contact [email protected] to request that another e-mail request be sent to your referee.

Even after your referees have uploaded their letters, your online application will still say "documents pending" until the department manually changes this sometime in January. The department does not confirm receipt of applications but if the online system shows that the materials are uploaded, you can be assured that they are there.

Between February and May:

By mid-February, the department will have a short list of candidates for admission and will contact these applicants for copies of their official transcripts.

We normally begin sending out offers in February and continue through March. Once you have been admitted, we will invite you to visit the department (either virtually or in person) to meet the faculty, graduate administrators and some of the graduate students who are already in the program. We are available at that point to address questions you might have about the program. All applicants will be able to check the status of their application in the online admission system by the end of February. We ask that you respond to our offer of admission in a timely manner in consideration of other shortlisted applicants.

Application Information

Application Materials

Please note that all supporting documents, including letters of recommendation and transcript of grades, are submitted online. Admission decisions are based primarily on academic qualifications and indications of program fit. We also take account of applicants’ personal background information, with an eye to how different life experiences and personal characteristics may enrich graduate study in Sociology and contribute to departmental diversity.

Once you have paid the application fee, you should upload the following supporting documents  to your application:

Academic Letters of Reference

We require two (2) letters of reference from instructors or research supervisors. Reference letters are independently written by faculty. Once payment has been made, your referees will receive an electronic invitation, directing them to an online form, where they can submit their reference letter. For this reason, it is important that you provide an up-to-date institutional email address for your referees in the online application form.

You should ask for letters of reference from people who are in a position to comment on your likelihood to succeed in graduate school. Usually, the best people to do this are faculty members who have taught you sociology or supervised your research. Occasionally, a non-academic referee can also provide a valuable reference letter when the writer can extrapolate how the outcome provides a demonstration of your writing/research ability and/or your ability to be successful in a graduate program in Sociology.

Writing Sample

Applicants should upload a paper (10-25 pages, including summary) which they feel represents their best work. The sample should be double-spaced and original (i.e., of your own authorship) in a subject relevant to the field of Sociology. A combination of two smaller papers is permitted in order to meet the minimum requirement. If you submit a sample that is longer the 25 pages, the committee is not guaranteed to read past the 25th page.

Statement of Interest  

The statement of interest should articulate research interests and outline a prospective research agenda while pursuing graduate study. This letter should be  no longer than  one single-spaced page. However, you may include an optional second page for references. Successful applications connect these themes to the University of Toronto Sociology Department, showing why this program is the right fit for your research interests and career goals. PhD applicants, in particular, should refer to scholarly literature related to their research question or topic and make reference to relevant University of Toronto faculty whom they would like to work. If your degree was in a discipline other than Sociology, it is helpful to explain in your statement of interest the relevance of your coursework and prior training to the study of Sociology.

Academic Transcripts

All applicants must upload one electronic or scanned transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. The transcripts do not need to be official transcripts; they can be scans of academic results or "issued to student" transcripts (along with legend or grading guide) from all post-secondary institutions attended. Scanned copies of transcripts must be up to date and must include the "legend" which is usually printed on the back of the paper transcript. Please ensure the file is complete and readable before submitting . We ask that applicants who attended universities outside North America provide notarized English translations to accompany all foreign documentation not written in English.

Applicants do not need to upload official transcripts, however, the department will contact students who are short-listed for admission and request official transcripts at that time.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Applicants are required to submit a CV. Include any relevant experience on the CV, including publications or other academic contributions.

English Language Proficiency Scores (if applicable)

Applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate their facility in English by completing one of the English tests that the School of Graduate Studies recognizes . Applicants must list their scores on their online application and arrange for their score to be reported electronically to the University of Toronto (Enrolment Services) by the testing agency. The institution code for U of T is 0982. There is no need to specify a department.The Department of Sociology adheres to the School of Graduate Study minimum requirements for proficiency and relies on the School of Graduate Studies to assess all non-standard cases.

We prefer applicants to have completed this requirement prior to application but will sometimes admit students without the scores. The School of Graduate Studies does, however, require evidence of attaining a satisfactory score by the time of registering and will not allow students to register without it. The TOEFL is just one of the many tests that we accept. For more information, including minimum required scores, please see the English Language Proficiency Testing page on the School of Graduate Studies web page.

Applicants who completed programs of study at universities in the following countries are not required to provide proof of English language proficiency: Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Ghana, Guyana, Hong Kong (except Chinese University of Hong Kong), Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papa New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Applicants who are not from one of the above countries but who completed a program of study at a university where the language of instruction and examination was in English should make arrangements for an official statement to be sent from their institution confirming the use of English as the language of instruction and examination.

Personal Statement (optional)

Applicants have the option of providing extra information about their lived experience that would help the committee understand why they intend to pursue graduate study in Sociology. For example, students may elect to disclose demographic or other personal characteristics that have influenced their academic path or that shape their academic goals. They may also describe hardships that they have overcome and that inform their research interests. Material from the personal statement will also help identify how the applicant may contribute to the diversity of the department. This document should be no longer than one single-spaced page.

Support from the School of Graduate Studies

Although we do not offer advising to applicants at the department level, the School of Graduate Studies offers a number of services to help potential applicants.

Have your questions answered through the online FAQ page that answers applicants’ questions. If the answer to a particular question is not available, a special form is provided to an applicant for a personalized answer from School of Graduate Studies admissions staff.

Information Sessions

The School of Graduate Studies hosts Information Sessions on “ Applying to Graduate School at University of Toronto ” each fall.  Please have a look at our 'Departmental Events' page on the website for dates/times. These events are a great opportunity for prospective students to learn about the application process, financial aid opportunities, and timetable for applying to graduate school.

Further Tips

For further tips, please visit the School of Graduate Studies web page .

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All things pertaining to academic, social, and cultural activities at the University of Toronto.

To Law School Hopefuls: Here's a Sampling of Personal Statements for U of T Law

https://www.law.utoronto.ca/documents/JD/UofT_Law_Personal_Statements_Examples.pdf

Came across this file a while back and figured it would be useful for people who aren't too familiar with the process. It's hard to really get a sense for what personal statements entail without knowing someone on the other side who's been through the process. Hopefully this sheds some light!

These personal statements are from successful applicants to U of T Law in 2013. It's a bit old, but it's not like the nature of personal statements has radically changed since then. Remember: these are just samplings to give you a feel. They are NOT templates.

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Apply to U of T

U.s. admissions, minimum admission requirements.

U.S. Senior Year/Grade 12 in an accredited high school with a high grade point average. We expect competitive applicants to be enrolled in a rigorous academic course load, and to have taken the highest level of course available to them in pre-requisite subjects. 

Students who have written SAT or ACT tests, and wish to have these considered in their assessment, may submit their scores.  Please note that applicants to Engineering are required to fully disclose any and all test scores.

Prerequisite subjects, including English, should be presented at Senior Year/Grade 12 level or AP/IB. SAT Subject Tests cannot be used to satisfy prerequisites.   Calculus 12 or AP Calculus or 1 semester of college or university Calculus is required for most math, science, computer science, and commerce programs.  Precalculus cannot be used to satisfy the Calculus prerequisite.  AP Statistics does not provide the appropriate preparation.

SAT, ACT and AP scores should be sent to us electronically. SAT and AP institution code is 0982 and ACT institution code is 5366.

Expanded Admission Requirements by Target Faculty

• Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
• Faculty of Arts & Science

Middle 50% data for admitted students from U.S. high schools:

• 50% of admitted students submitted an SAT or ACT result
• The SAT score range for the middle 50% of admitted students was 1430-1540
• For the ACT, 32-35 is the range
• For CGPA: 3.7 to 4.0

Programs that Require a Supplemental Application

If a program requires students to complete a supplemental application, audition, or profile, students will be invited to complete the relevant forms after submitting their application. Learn more about supplemental applications/auditions for first-entry programs that require them:

• Faculty of Arts & Science: Rotman Commerce
• Faculty of Arts & Science: Computer Science
• Faculty of Arts & Science: First Year Foundations (Ones Programs)
• John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
• Faculty of Music
• Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
• U of T Mississauga
• U of T Scarborough

How to Apply

Applications are completed in a two-step process: 

The initial application takes about ten minutes and  we won’t ask you for any documents or essays at this stage. T here are two different applications that you can choose fro m:  

Applying to More Than One Ontario University: Apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre using the “105” application.

Applying Only to the University of Toronto: Apply using the “University of Toronto International Application” if you reside outside of Canada; and you are not currently studying , nor have previously studied, in Canada.

After applying, students must self-report grades through the Join U of T Applicant Website and/or the Engineering Applicant Portal. Once students submit an initial  application  they will receive details  on how to submit their transcripts, test scores, and other required documents .  

Frequently Asked Questions

As each Faculty/campus at U of T varies drastically by size, we do not have a defined acceptance rate. Some specialized programs that are more competitive (i.e. Engineering, Computer Science, Business, etc.) will admit less students due to the competitive nature and size of the program. 

• The faculty to student ratio varies by program area. While it is true that many first-year classes can have several hundred students in each lecture, our total undergraduate population is 71,930 with 14,434 total faculty members
• The average class size also varies by program area. Some of our more specialized programs will have smaller classes (i.e. 100-150 students), but many of the first-year classes can be an average of 300-500 classes, as students are still exploring courses in their first year. While these lectures are larger, each class will also offer tutorial and/or practical sessions that have more of an intimate learning environment. Furthermore, students also can enroll in  seminar classes ,  First-Year Learning Communities , and  Foundational Year Programs  that offer more of a discussion style learning environment. These seminar classes typically have 25 students or less. 

The city of Toronto is recognized as one of the world’s most livable cities, offering a safe, tolerant, and welcoming environment (The Economist, 2019).  It also recognized as one of the world’s best cities, and is globally admired for its health, safety. and reputation (Safe Cities Index, 2019).  In addition, the University of Toronto is dedicated to creating a safe and secure environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors. U of T provides the following services to help ensure your safety:           

• TravelSafer  on the St. George campus is a reliable and safe alternative to walking alone at night. 
• At UTSC, please see the  U of T Scarborough Patrol  web page for more information. 
• At UTM, please see University of Toronto Mississauga’s  WalkSafer  webpage for more information. 

Campus police  – Each U of T campus has a campus police service. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, you should always call 911 before calling your campus police. On each campus, urgent calls to the campus police can be made free of charge. Campus emergency telephones  – These are located around each of the 3 campuses. By pressing the button on the emergency pole or phone box, you will be immediately connected to the U of T Police, who will know your exact location.  Community Safety Office  – The Community Safety Office is responsible for coordinating the ongoing education and outreach initiatives directed at improving safety and security on all three campuses. For more information, please contact the  Community Safety Office  website.

The application and admission consideration process is the same for Canadian and International students. Please visit our  application page  for detailed application information. Canadian Citizens, Landed Immigrants and Permanent Residents qualify for Domestic tuition fees. 

The University does not require students to complete core curriculum or general education courses. Instead, students will take a combination of courses required to graduate from their program of interest as well as elective or breadth requirement courses of the student’s choosing. 

While taking a campus tour or attending an event can be a great way to learn about U of T, we do not track demonstrated interest.  We also don’t consider legacy status as part of the admission process. 

Although some programs require supplemental applications or student profiles, most programs at the University of Toronto do not. If your program requires supplemental materials, it will be noted on your  join.utoronto.ca  applicant website or Engineering applicant portal.  You can also use the  Program Finder  to see if the program you’re interested in requires additional materials. Please note, general college essays and reference letters will not be considered unless requested by U of T.  Should supplemental materials be required for your specific program we will let you know once you’ve submitted your application. 

We have Canada’s largest intramural sports program and one of North America’s largest and most successful intercollegiate sports programs with 44 teams participating in 26 sports.  U of T Varsity Blues teams participate in two leagues: OUA (Ontario University Athletics) which oversees provincial university sports and U SPORTS, the body that oversees national university sporting competition. Although U of T (like most Canadian universities) is not a member of the NCAA, for comparison purposes, U of T Varsity would be approximately a Division II / Division III school. 

The University of Toronto is a publicly-funded institution and because of that does not provide financial aid packages similar to those at American universities. We are a Title IV school and do accept alternative/private loans.   US citizens, or eligible non-US citizens as defined by the US Department of Education, may apply for financial assistance from the US Federal Direct Loan Program if they are accepted in an eligible program at the University of Toronto. 

Visit U.S. Student Aid for more information.

While not as common as American Colleges, Greek Life and Sororities can be found primarily on the downtown St. George campus, which boosts over 20 Fraternities and Sororities.  We have over 1000 student clubs and organizations for you to participate in.   Click here to learn more! 

Find out which application you should use , depending on whether you’re a current Ontario high school student, an applicant from another Canadian province or territory, an international applicant, or in another circumstance.

Make sure you check the Important Application Dates to find out when your application, required documents, and other supplementary documents are due.

It depends on what you’re applying to, but most programs do not require additional applications. Some programs, colleges and campuses ask students to fill out an added application or profile. You should receive an email that will indicate if you need to fill out an application, where you can find it and what the deadline is. You can also find this information by looking up your intended program’s requirements in the Program Finder .

Find out about academic requirements for applicants from outside Canada .

Find out about U of T’s English Language Requirements and proof of English facility .

If you have completed college or university studies, AP, IB, GCE, CAPE, or French Bacc. examinations you may be eligible for transfer credit at the University of Toronto. Transfer credits are assessed after admission.

Find out more about transfer credits at U of T.

All changes to your application should be made before the application deadline .

If you have applied using the OUAC Undergraduate Application and wish to make changes to your initial application, you must do this by logging in to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre website .

All other applicants (International/Internal/Part-Time/Non-Degree) should log onto JOIN U of T , click on Check Status, and follow the instructions for making changes to your application.

We do not accept any changes or corrections via email or telephone.

You will receive an acknowledgment from U of T, with login instructions for our applicant website, JOIN U of T , about two weeks after you submit your application.

Telephone & In-Person Inquiries We are available for telephone and in-person inquiries.

Email Inquiries Connect with us by email for:

• Admissions: apply.adm.utoronto.ca/register/questions
• Ask a Student: apply.adm.utoronto.ca/register/askastudent

Contact Client Services for financial aid inquires including:

• OSAP (Ontario Student Assistant Program) full and part-time
• BSWD (Bursaries for Students with Disabilities)
• UTAPS (University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students)
• Part-Time Financial
• OOP Funding for other provinces outside of Ontario
• US student aid – for United States citizens (US Federal Student Aid loan opportunities, private loans (non-government), Veteran Affairs certification requests for benefits & education tax credit

Your feedback is important to us. Please take a couple of minutes to let us know how we did by completing our  University Admissions and Outreach Satisfaction Survey .

If you are unable to begin your degree studies in the fall, you may request a one-year deferral of your offer of admission. Deferrals are not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Check out further information on deferring an offer of admission .