University of Toronto

I recently visited the University of Toronto’s main campus, St. George. The University of Toronto was founded in 1827, and most of the older buildings were built in the gothic architectural style. The St. George campus is located next to downtown Toronto, and the University of Toronto’s other two campuses are Mississauga and Scarborough.

Much like the city of Toronto, the University of Toronto has a green emphasis. The city offers green rooftops and is bike-friendly. The university has eco-friendly buildings and hides its parking under a spacious lawn.

University of Toronto Academics

The University of Toronto offers over 700 undergraduate and 200 graduate programs. Partly because of the University of Toronto’s size, it is broken down into both academic and administrative units. The St. George campus has five different academic units, which it refers to as faculties:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is particularly large, so it is broken down into seven colleges: Innis College, New College, St. Michael’s College, Trinity College, University College, Victoria College, and Woodsworth College. Think of these colleges as if they were houses at Hogwarts. You will share classes with students from multiple colleges. These colleges, however, have their own cafeterias, student governments, locations, advisors, traditions, and types of residences.

Trinity College is particularly selective and did not accept my tour guide. She said that she later learned to be selected, you need to rank it first and write an essay.
The largest college is University College, and it is also the most centrally located college.
Victoria College has a mix of dorm- and apartment-style housing in addition to some pretty aggressive birds.
St. Micheal’s College offers an all-you-care-to-eat meal plan.

Within the Faculty of Arts & Sciences is Rotman Commerce, the business school. The University of Toronto is highly regarded as a whole, and particularly for research and engineering.

The University of Toronto has an extensive library system that consists of 40 libraries. My tour guide informed me that it is the #3-ranked library in the world, just after Harvard and Yale. Students are assigned a librarian to help them navigate the library system during their freshman year.

Freshmen students take a mix of large and small classes. Freshmen seeking small classes should consider taking first-year foundation classes, which tend to be small and less intense than typical classes. Research opportunities begin during the sophomore year for students.

Students sometimes take a fifth year to graduate. My tour guide is a fifth-year student taking advantage of a research opportunity prior to applying to graduate school. Some students take a fifth year because they would otherwise need to take five courses in a semester, which is a heavy course load.

Students can study abroad at over 160 institutions in 117 countries.

University of Toronto Admissions

Like most selective colleges in the U.S., the University of Toronto seeks to admit students who take the most rigorous courses available while maintaining a high GPA. The University of Toronto prefers to admit students who earn a high grade the first time while taking a course.

The University of Toronto is test-optional, but engineering applicants must disclose any and all test scores. Engineering students can either be specialized, general, or undeclared when they enter. Engineering is highly regarded at the University of Toronto, and admission to it is more challenging than admission to other parts of the university, such as humanities and social sciences. The University of Toronto wants applicants to submit SAT, ACT, and AP scores electronically (i.e., do not just self-report scores if you want the University of Toronto to consider the scores). The five faculties have direct admission.

Applicants should take senior-level English, which could include an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate course. Calculus is required for most math, science, computer science, and business programs. IB math, however, can meet the Calculus requirement.

Applicants to Computer Science and Rotman Commerce must submit supplemental applications. Those applicants may select a second admission category, and doing so does not disadvantage them for being considered for their first choice. However, students are not considered for their second choice until the university reviews all applicants for their first choice.

Applying early for admission can boost a student’s odds of being admitted or receiving a scholarship. Late applicants risk having slots fill up and scholarship funds being awarded to others. The typical date for early application is 11/7 and 1/15 for regular decision.

Education Consultant Jim Houser On University of Toronto Quad

University of Toronto Affordability

The pricing structure at the University of Toronto is so complex that its pricing book is 32 pages long: https://planningandbudget.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-25-Tuition-Fee-Report.pdf. Tuition varies by program and residency. The cost is frequently $63 K/year for international students.

Scholarships seem to favor Canadians. However, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship program recognizes international students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement who are also leaders. Pearson Scholars receive full-ride scholarships.

University of Toronto Housing

The University of Toronto guarantees housing for freshmen. In addition to the housing options in the seven colleges, the university reserves some off-campus housing options at hotels and apartment buildings. Students who seek out their own off-campus housing need to carefully consider commuting time in Toronto as traffic is a challenge.

University of Toronto Outcomes

The university has 680,000 alumni, and the benefits of those connections. Engineering students may benefit from working as a coop student prior to graduation at a rate of around $56 K/year.

University of Toronto Students

Much like city of Toronto, the university has a large international population. Students are also active in the 1,000 clubs the university offers. Quidditch Club is one of those clubs and some of the clubs revolve around identities the students have, such as being an indigenous, international, or LGBTQ student.

University of Toronto Athletics

The St. George campus has three athletic facilities for students. The University of Toronto offers varsity, tri-campus, and intramural sports. The sports include football, and tickets to sporting events are free.

Educ8Fit Consulting

I work with students and families on the college and graduate school admission process. I help them navigate such complexities as merit aid and international admissions. Please contact Educ8Fit Consulting at either Jim@Educ8Fit.com or College Admission Counseling | Educ8fit Consulting | United States, contact for a free 30-minute consultation.