As Canada’s top university and one of the best universities anywhere in the world, how to get into the University of Toronto is a question asked by students at home and abroad. The University of Toronto has a highly selective and popular undergraduate program, and is home to some of the best graduate schools in Ontario. If you want to get into university in Ontario, you’ll likely consider an application to the University of Toronto for its shining academic reputation. In this blog, we’ll look at what it takes to get into the University of Toronto, what programs it offers, the OUAC application process and deadlines, tuition and funding at the University of Toronto and much more.
Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results.
>>Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here.<<
Article Contents
8 min
read
Mission statement
“The University of Toronto is dedicated to fostering an academic community in which the learning and scholarship of every member may flourish, with vigilant protection for individual human rights, and a resolute commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, equity and justice.”
Academic overview
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is Ontario's oldest universities and one if its most well-known institutions. It also ranks as the top university in Canada and one of the top universities worldwide, as one of the most prestigious universities in Canada. The University of Toronto is a research-intensive institution and is well-known for being a university-based start-up business incubator, having launched over 500 start-ups in the last decade. The school currently houses more than 95,000 students as one of Canada’s largest universities. With over 53,000 current undergraduate domestic students, 20,000 international undergraduate students and an acceptance rate of 43%, the University of Toronto is a very competitive and popular choice. If you’re planning to study in Canada as an international student, the University of Toronto is a top pick.
The University of Toronto offers over 700 undergraduate programs in the fields of social sciences, life sciences, computer science, commerce, arts, humanities, engineering, mathematics and more. The institution also offers professional programs in nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, law school, education and medicine,
The University of Toronto med school ranks as one of the best medical programs in Ontario and anywhere else, and it does accept international students.
Located in the largest urban center in Canada, the University of Toronto remains of the top choices worldwide for undergraduate and graduate international students, as well as domestic students. The institution ranks consistently high for academic excellence, its entrepreneurial spirit and its global research endeavors.
Ontario universities application
For any university application in Ontario, Canada, you’ll need to submit it through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) system. If you’re an international student, a college admissions consultant or college advisor can help orient you on this process and what it requires of you.
The OUAC is a unified application system for all undergraduate and graduate programs in the Canadian province of Ontario. First-time undergraduate students need only worry about the standard 101 application form, as long as they are currently attending high school in Ontario. International students and mature students should apply using the 105 application form. It should be noted that Canadian students not currently attending high school in Ontario should also apply through the 105 application type.
For graduate students applying to law school or medical school, for example, there are specialized forms to fill out, such as the OLSAS for law school or OMSAS for med school.
Whatever your student situation, it’s a great idea to consider getting an academic advisor in Ontario, as they will be familiar with the application system, eligibility requirements and be able to smooth any wrinkles in your university application process. They can also help coach you on strengthening your application, to increase your chances of being admitted to this highly competitive and selective school.
OUAC application components
The OUAC undergraduate application has several components. Once you’ve created an account and indicated your selected programs or schools, you’ll need to fill out your personal and contact information. The application package will include your:
· Academic transcripts
· Current high school information and grades
· Personal statement or college essays
· OUAC activities section, including work experience, volunteer work and extracurriculars
The OUAC activities section is similar to the Common App activities section in its content. The written portion of the application, which includes a personal statement or your reasoning for choosing the University of Toronto, may also include supplemental college essays to strengthen your candidacy.
Not all programs at the University of Toronto will require a supplementary profile, essay or application. Those programs that do require additional information will indicate additional requirements on the OUAC application.
OUAC Application timeline
The deadline for undergraduate programs at the University of Toronto is January 13 for almost all programs. Some deadlines have been extended by several weeks, so check the University website for confirmation. The OUAC deadlines are also earlier than the institution deadlines, so the application system has time to send your application to your chosen school.
For international, mature and other students using the 105 application type, the regular application deadline is usually February 1.
Scholarship deadlines are also typically earlier than the school deadlines, so it’s best to apply early and well before the deadline. Supplementary application deadlines are typically in mid-January or early February, although the early recommended date is mid-December.
Application timelines and deadlines at the University of Toronto vary greatly by program, so be sure to check appropriate deadlines on the school website and the OUAC website.
Applying to the University of Toronto is a lengthy process, so it’s recommended you start early in your final year of high school so you have time to prepare the required documents and fill out the numerous applications.
Want to know more about the college application process? Check out the video below.
University of Toronto admission statistics
The University of Toronto is one of the hardest schools to get into in Canada, as it also places high in the Canadian universities ranking. The school has an acceptance rate of 43%, and the average GPA of accepted students sits around 3.6. SAT and ACT scores of accepted students who submitted standardized test scores is also quite high, sitting at around 1330 for SATs and 29 for ACTs.
While it is not impossible to meet these statistics, it does mean students should aim to be at the top of their class and present a strong academic performance to increase their chances of getting in. The U of T is home to some extremely competitive programs and admission average scores for these are even higher in some cases. Along with a solid academic profile, applicants should aim to submit a strong and well-written OUAC application in order to have the best chance of success.
Eligibility and prerequisites
Students applying through the Undergraduate 101 type application, or domestic Ontario high school students, will be required to submit their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and transcripts, with six Grade 12 U/M subjects, including the ENG4U and EAE4U course grades. If you are applying for a mathematics program, you will need to take the MCV4U course prerequisite.
International student eligibility requirements vary by country, but the requirements for education are listed on the University of Toronto website. International students are required to submit test results for an English Language Proficiency test as well. There are no French language requirements for any applicants.
If you are a homeschooled applicant, from Ontario, elsewhere in Canada or otherwise, there are some additional requirements to include in your application.
If you are applying to any science, commerce or management programs as a homeschooled student, it is strongly recommended to complete the SAT Subject Tests in prerequisite subjects.
Tuition and funding opportunities
Tuition costs for undergraduate students range from $6,000 to $14,000 Canadian, depending on the program. For international students, these numbers range from $37,000 to $60,000.
However, there are many options for international student scholarships offered both abroad and in Canada to help offset the costs. The Canadian federal government has several programs available to help international students to study in Canada.
Along with scholarships, there are numerous grants and bursaries students can apply for, both internationally and domestically. There are also student loans and financial aid provided by the University of Toronto, including a bursary program and a work-study program. Domestic Ontario students also are eligible to receive many benefits through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
First-year students at the University of Toronto have a housing guarantee, meaning they can live on campus to save costs for their first year of schooling and they are given first choice. Students need to express their interest in living on campus in their application, which must be submitted by March 31.
Admissions interview
The University of Toronto only requires an admissions interview for some of its undergraduate programs, namely its commerce and business-related programs. If your program requires an admissions interview you will be notified soon after you submit an application. Be prepared for the common college admission interview questions or ask a college admissions consulting service for help in preparing you.
The admissions interview will be conducted just like a professional job interview, where your interviewers will ask more in-depth questions about you, your application and your candidacy. Be ready to answer questions about why you want to attend the University of Toronto or what made you choose a specific program. If you are invited for an interview, do take the time to properly prepare yourself just as you would any professional interview. This is your opportunity to show the admissions committee that you should be offered admission to the school and that you will contribute meaningfully to the school community.
Acceptance, waitlist, deferral information
Acceptance letters are sent out by June 2, once all regular admission decisions have been completed by the University of Toronto admissions committee.
The University of Toronto may sometimes place highly qualified applicants on the waitlist if there is no more space in a program or the applicant falls just below the eligibility threshold. If you are placed on the waitlist the school will notify you, and you’ll be required to fill out a waitlist registration form to secure your spot. You will receive a final decision by the end of June. Admission off the waitlist is not guaranteed, but the university will wait to see if any spots open in your program of choice or if there are other programs open where you will be a good fit first. Students on the waitlist are assessed by academic merit and not ranked.
You can also choose to take a gap year and defer your enrollment for up to one year. Deferral decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. You can submit a request for deferral after you receive your offer of admission. Be sure to receive confirmation of your deferral before making any plans, as you won’t be able to resubmit your application or accept your admission if the deadline for acceptance has already passed.
Contact information
The University of Toronto undergraduate admissions office can be contacted at: 416-978-2190.
Information on visitors tours for any of the university's campuses can be found at ww.utm.utoronto.ca/tours or by calling 905-828-5400.
FAQs
1. Is it hard to get into the University of Toronto?
In short, yes, it is fairly difficult to get accepted to the University of Toronto. The school has an acceptance rate of 43%, which is much higher than other top-tier schools in the US, but relatively low when compared to other Canadian universities. The average accepted student scores are also relatively high.
2. Is the University of Toronto Canada’s best school?
The University of Toronto is currently ranked number one in Canada and ranks high internationally as well.
3. Is the University of Toronto expensive?
For domestic students, the university of Toronto is fairly affordable, especially for Ontario students who can rely on government-funded aid through the Ontario Student Assistance Program. For international students, the costs can be significantly higher, but still cheaper than studying in other countries abroad.
4. What GPA do you need to get into Toronto University?
The average accepted GPA at the University of Toronto is 3.6.
5. What does the University of Toronto look for?
The University of Toronto is generally known for accepting students who perform very well academically. On average, accepted students show grades above 90% in their high school years. Although a well-balanced application may help offset lower grades, depending on the program applied for.
6. Is the University of Toronto a good choice for international students?
The University of Toronto has an excellent academic reputation and is located in the busiest population centre in Canada. It remains one of the top choices for international students the world over.
7. Is it harder to get into the University of Toronto than Harvard?
In general, it is much harder to get into Harvard University, although it is considered more difficult to earn high grades from the University of Toronto as it features a heavier course load and more rigorous curriculum.
8. Is University of Toronto an Ivy League school?
No; the University of Toronto is not considered part of the Ivy League, which comprises eight institutions from the US only.
Like our blog? Write for us! >>
Have a question? Ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions!
4 Comments
Unisa Conteh
Please I need help and clarification about my application to the university of Toronto,few days ago I received an application offer to study at the University of Toronto with a study permit,I do my application through online when I saw the advertisement on Facebook and I want to know if the documents I received are from the University and I was asked to pay 120$ . In the admission offer it was clearly stated that it's a free scholarship.please help me to confirm if it's a legal admission I have already secure so that I will continue with it I applied for a master's in political science, my WhatsApp number is +23277620251
ReplyIkuzo Rita Xaviere
I want to apply for University of Toronto
ReplyGwyneth Setera
I wanna know if they need to see the grades during jhs and shs
ReplyAli Raza
Good
Reply