6 steps to becoming a University of Toronto student
You are in your last year of high school and now have to decide where to begin your post secondary education. Where do you start? University of Toronto has prepared six easy steps on becoming a student at Canada’s leading university.
(1) Evaluate your interests
The first step on deciding what school you want to go to is to figure out what you like and what you don’t like. Are you interested in business? Are you passionate about the arts? Do you yearn to learn about the sciences? Canada’s largest university has three campuses located in different parts of the city. With 200 program options in over 70 fields of study at the Scarborough campus alone, you can be sure to find something that interests you! U of T offers the greatest resources to advance your future career through paid co-op (co-operative) education programs with over 78 options in arts, science and management. If that’s not enough, U of T offers concurrent teacher education programs for the aspiring teachers out there. If you are opting for a university experience with the hands-on component of a college education, U of T Scarborough offers many joint programs with Centennial College including Journalism, New Media and Canada’s only Paramedicine degree program. No matter where your interests lie, University of Toronto offers something for you.
(2) Consider Quality
“I chose U of T because of the prestigious status over the other schools and because of the fact that it is one of the world’s top universities. Furthermore, I found the Co-op programs to be an effective way of gaining real world work experience while staying in school” explains Hira, a 4th year Co-op Management student. Not only is the University of Toronto, Canada’s premier university, it is also one of five universities world-wide ranked in the top 16 for all fields of study (according to the Times Higher Education Supplement 2008). Since the beginning, U of T has fostered a legacy of discovery from the creation of the infant cereal “Pablum” to the discovery of insulin, and the world’s first nerve transplant. Our students learn from some of the best and brightest researchers and professors. You are sure to have a degree that is recognized internationally when you graduate from the University of Toronto.
(3) Look beyond academics
Non-academic factors can make a big impact when deciding which university to go to. Alyson, a 3rd year Psychology student explains: “When I first applied to university, I didn’t know where I wanted to go. Most universities offer Psychology so I had a lot of schools to choose from. I selected U of T Scarborough because of the small campus. I felt like the smaller campus would fit with my lifestyle and it would encourage me to focus. I loved the community-feeling when I was on this campus. I felt like I could make a name for myself here. Seeing how
close-knit the campus was really influenced my decision because it made me realize that I wouldn’t be ‘just a number’ on campus. I would have the ability to participate in many activities and know the people around me. I was really worried about the transition into university because I felt like I would have to complete the process by myself. Seeing all the services that are offered on campus to make you the best student – academic and extracurricular made me want to come to U of T Scarborough.” U of T Scarborough’s small campus is intimate and allows for greater personal growth. The campus has a vibrant student life, rich in diversity and offers many extra curricular activities. As well, there is a wide array of resources and services offered at U of T Scarborough from academic advising to career counseling, and from the Health & Wellness Center to Residence Life Advisors.
(4) Treat the Application Process Seriously
The first step here is to research, research, and research! The most important and useful publication is the U of T Scarborough View book for 2010/11 which provides information on everything including program offerings, academic requirements, and scholarship information.
What else do you have to do? Read everything that the university sends you. For example, after you’ve applied, you will receive an acknowledgement email and letter outlining the Next Steps Guide. This online resource contains detailed information about our application procedures and deadline dates.
(5) Ask Questions
U of T Scarborough offers a unique service called Ask UTSC. You can ask academic questions about applying, programs, choosing courses, etc. and receive your answer right away. You can access information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – no need to worry about business hours!
If you really want to know what it’s like to be a U of T student, who better to ask than our current students? The Ask a Student service allows you to ask our current students about courses, fun activities on and off campus, and so much more etc.
(6) Visit and Get to Know the Campus
The best way to figure out if a school is right for you is to visit it. U of T Scarborough offers one hour campus tours Monday through Friday. Current students can give you a tour of the campus and answer any questions that you may have about academics, student clubs, services, residences, etc. You can reserve your spot online or you can phone 416-287-7529.
Look out for open house events such as U of T Scarborough’s annual Fall Campus Day held on October 31st, 2009 and the March Applicant Showcase on March 6th, 2010. During these
events, you can attend presentations on the various programs of study, get advice on how to fund your education and get a tour of the campus. You will also have an opportunity to speak with current students and professors.
U of T Scarborough wishes you good luck on your final year of high school and hopes to see you next year. In the meantime, visit our website for further information www.utsc.utoronto.ca/admissions
