What to do While Waiting for a Decision

Waiting for an admissions decision can feel daunting, I know. Since I was once in your shoes, and now having worked at the Student Recruitment & Admissions Office, here are some things you can take to make sure you are on the right track.

1. Check your email and JOIN U of T regularly

If you haven’t already, make sure to check the JOIN U of T website and your email often. JOIN is where you can track the status of your application, view any documents that we might need from you (before making a decision), and upload files or supplemental applications. We also email you important notices (like, upcoming deadlines), invitations to upcoming events and opportunities, and keep you up to date with other useful information. Keeping on top of your emails and JOIN are the most important steps to make sure your application goes smoothy, so make sure to check in frequently.

2. Maintain your academic average

After submitting your application, make sure to remain consistent with your academics. If you're in an Ontario high school, we will automatically receive midterm and final marks from your current school throughout the application cycle. If you're not, you'll need to submit those yourself most of the time (check JOIN for updates). U of T Mississauga admits students largely based on academic performance – having a good academic standing in your prerequisites and overall average is the best way to make your application as successful as possible!

Keep in mind that after you receive an admission decision from us, it's not an excuse to coast since every offer we send is conditional on your final grades. So, make sure to stay focused – maintain (or improve) your grades and it'll only benefit you.

3. Attend a webinar, in-person, or on-campus event

There are a lot of events and activities available to undergraduate applicants prior to September. Here are just a few I wanted to highlight:

• We have a useful collection of Program Spotlights on YouTube, where you can view informative presentations for a wide array of programs so that you can get a better look at the vast learning opportunities at UTM.
• We also host regular webinars, such as Ask a Recruiter for those interested in UTM and want to chat with a Recruitment Officer.
• Similarly, we host Transfer Tuesdays just for those of you who are post-secondary transfer students.
• If you're a junior student and not yet eligible to apply but are interested, we host Mapping Your Education.
• There are also many on-campus events available, such as guided campus tours led by our Student Ambassadors (like me!).
• Finally, we have our major, full-day in the fall and spring: Fall Campus Day and March Open House.

All of our events can be found on our events calendar which is regularly updated over the course of the year. Be sure to also (again) keep an eye on your email and our Instagram page because you'll also get information on upcoming events!

4. Consider Financial Aid Options

The University of Toronto offers students a wide variety of financial aid, scholarship, and bursary options. To start your research, we have a centralized Awards Explorer available – a library of many, many awards available at all three U of T campuses. There are also a variety of scholarships offered at U of T Mississauga, such as entrance scholarships or even the International Scholar Award. Be sure to visit our financial aid information page for domestic and international financial aid options; there are also private scholarship options which some organizations may provide to students.

Ontario students can also benefit from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), provided by the Ontario government. Be sure to make an OSAP account soon because applying early means you may receive your funding sooner.

5. Stay Positive!

We send out admission decisions starting in February of each year (all Ontario 101 applicants will hear back U of T before June) and I the wait can be stressful. But, everyone's university journey is different; don’t be discouraged if some of your friends get a quicker response than you. An earlier offer carries no benefit (except maybe calming some nerves), so no worries! 

I hope that these five steps help with making your unique journey as smooth and productive as possible. In the meantime, be mindful, take care of yourself, and be sure to reach out if you need help; talking with someone or taking a walk are great ways to offset stress. And if you ever feel lost in the university application process, don’t hesitate to contact us – we are all here happy to help!