U of T: Ontario Counsellor Update
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The past year has been anything but ordinary, but our community here at the University of Toronto has remained extraordinary, engaged, and active in every part of civic life. We're welcoming thousands of students to online classes and lively, smallgroup webinars and workshops. Spirits are high across our campuses as we turn our thoughts to the term ahead.
We value our partnership with our fellow educators. Your work in these uncertain times is vital-we are heartened, humbled, and inspired by your dedication to your
Start of the Semester
Our students, staff, and faculty have embarked on a school year unlike any in our university's 193-year history. Colourful face masks, sanitizing stations, and creative workarounds-such as curbside pickup across our library system-are now the norm on our campuses, as we do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. This fall, students will largely be learning online, with some smaller classes engaged in a mix of lab- and studio-based activities. Learn more about our plans.
Financial Relief for Students
We're gratified to report that we've been able to disburse $6 million in nonrepayable financial aid to Canadian and international students experiencing hardship due to the pandemic. This is over and above the $90 million in awards and grants that we normally issue to undergraduate students each year. Since March, our COVID-19 emergency grants have covered everything from unpaid rent to last-minute airfare. Learn about our financial aid and awards programs.
Our top priority remains the health and wellbeing of our students, including our future students. We know that this has been a tough year. We have been monitoring the closure of examination centres and the impact on secondary schools everywhere, and we continue to investigate options for students unable to access services. You can find the latest on this year's application cycle on our Counsellor Updates for 2020-21 page. Please be sure to check out our Undergraduate Admissions Bulletin for all of our programs and their prerequisites, as well as our English Language Requirements page for the latest on the English proficiency tests and qualifications that we accept. We've also created a new Financial Aid & Scholarship guidebook to help your students navigate funding their post-secondary education.
Application Best Practices
A gentle reminder that we require all applicants, including those who must present proof of English proficiency, to complete a senior-level English course for admission to any of our first-entry programs. The English grade will be included in the calculation of the applicant's graduating average.
Applicants may be assessed for admission on the basis of their complete academic record. The admission selection process includes consideration of the Grade 11 and Grade 12 academic record. Emphasis is placed on Grade 11 results where marks in the required number of Grade 12 courses are not yet available. Admission is competitive and subject to space availability.
Our marquee fall events have moved online — From October 17-25, we'll be hosting a series of open houses during our reimagined Fall Campus Week. These are fabulous opportunities for students and parents to sample what's in store at U of T and get tailored guidance from the comfort of their own home. Learn more about our Fall Campus Week events.
Until then, students can always get a head start on their plans by signing up for virtual campus tours, webcasts, or webchats, and asking us anything about our admission requirements, co-curricular opportunities, residence options, meal plans, athletic programs, and academic programs. Visit us virtually.
In an effort to limit our carbon footprint, we have reduced our production of print materials and have moved away from shipping boxes of books. Students are now able to custom-build their very own U of T viewbook, tailored to their interests, through a new dynamic tool available at viewbook.utoronto.ca. Our complete viewbook library is also always available at uoft.me/viewbooks. We're grateful for your support of our shift to a greener publishing cycle.
As a member of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3)-a growing consortium of North American research universities organizing for reduced greenhouse gas emissions on and beyond their own campuses-U of T is committed to building a sustainable future. Learn more about our recent carbon action initiatives.
