FAQs on Applying:
How do I apply?
What is the minimum average required for admission?
Is there an application deadline ?
How will my application be evaluated?
Do I need to find a supervisor prior to my application?
If a faculty member offers me a position in his or her laboratory, am I accepted into the program?
Do you offer a stipend?
How many students are accepted each year?
How many applications do you receive each year?
How many students are currently in the program?
What is the average time to finish the graduate degree?
Can I be accepted directly into the PhD program?
How can I find out the status of my application?
Can I waive my application fee?

FAQs on Rotations:
I am applying to a Biology stream MSc program (CMB or MSB).  Can I opt out of rotations?
I am applying to the Medical Physics stream.  Can I participate in rotations?
Do I get to choose which labs I rotate through?
I would like to work with a specific faculty member.  Am I required to participate in rotations?
How long do the rotations last?
What if I am offered a position before I am finished all three rotations?
What if I do not want to work in any of the three labs I rotated through?
What if none of the labs I rotated through agree to recruit me?
Do I receive a stipend during rotations?

Appication FAQs:

How do I apply ?
Please click here to access the online application and for more information.

What is the minimum average required for admission?
For entry into the M.Sc. program, applicants generally have a minimum average of A- in the final two years of their undergraduate studies (10 full credits equivalent).

For entry into the Ph.D. program, applicants generally have a minimum average of A- during their entire M.Sc. program. All the grades for the entire masters program and its required courses are used to calculate the admission average.

This guideline is flexible, paricularly for applicants demonstrating exceptional aptitude for research.

Is there an application deadline?
Applications are accepted throughout the year, however we strongly encourage students to apply by February 1 to be considered for September admission. Applying by February 1st maximizes admission opportunities and availability of supervisors.

How will my application be evaluated?
Applications are evaluated based on academic acheivement, references and potential for creative research. Previous experience in research is certainly an asset.

Do I need to find a supervisor prior to my application?
It is not necessary to have a supervisor prior to applying to the program. Eligible applications are circulated to faculty members who are recruiting for potential graduate students.

If a faculty member offers me a position in his or her laboratory, am I accepted into the program?
No, the Graduate Admissions Committee makes the final decision about your admissibility into the program. This decision is made after the interview stage.

Do you offer a stipend?
For the 2011-2012 academic year, students in the Master’s program receive $25,050/year. Students in the Doctoral program receive $26,050/year. If you receive a competitive scholarship (OGS, NSERC, CIHR, etc.), the department will provide a top-up incentive of $3,000 above the minimum stipend.

How many students are accepted each year?
Generally, 40-60 students are accepted into the program. However please note that each application is evaluated on its own merit and the department does not accept students based on quota.

How many applications do you receive each year?
We receive approximately 200 applications each year.

How many students are currently in the program?
Approximately 260 graduate students.

What is the average time to finish the graduate degree?
Approximately 2 years for our MSc degree, and 5 years for our PhD degree.

Can I be accepted directly into the PhD program?
If you have an undergraduate degree, we generally would consider you for our MSc program. Once in the MSc program, you can reclassify into the PhD program. If you have an MSc degree from a Canadian University, you may be accepted directly into the PhD program. Direct entry PhD students are required to pass a qualifying exam within the first 15 months of enrolment.

How can I find out the status of my application?
Biology stream applicants: please contact Ms. Annette Chan at medbio@uhnres.utoronto.ca or 416-946-2819.
Medical Physics stream applicants: please contact Ms. Donna-Marie Pow at donna-marie.pow@sri.utoronto.ca or 416-480-5496.
Applicants should periodically login to the School of Graduate Studies online application system to check the status of any outstanding documents such as transcripts and reference letters. Your application will only be reviewed once all components of your application have been received.

Can I waive my application fee?
The application fee required by University of Toronto's School of Graduate Studies is non-refundable.

FAQs on Rotations:

I am applying to the Biology stream program.  Can I opt out of rotations?
As of September 2009, all MSc students entering the Biology streams are required to participate in rotations. Rotations are optional for direct-entry PhD candidates

I am applying to the Medical Physics stream.  Can I participate in rotations?
At this time, unfortunately we offer rotations to students in the Biology streams only.

Can I choose which labs I rotate through?
You will have an opportunity to specify labs of your choice if you are offered admission.  Also, students can specify their interest in working with particular faculty members on their letter of intent. We try to accommodate at least two of your choices.

I would like to work with a specific faculty member.  Am I required to participate in rotations?
Yes.  If you are admitted to MBP, please specify this faculty member as your first choice for a rotation.  After completing your three rotations, you may join this lab if the supervisor agrees to recruit you.  In other departments that offer rotations, almost half of the students with a specific lab in mind choose a different lab in the end.

How long do the rotations last?
You will be required to complete three rotations that each last 5 weeks, beginning in September and ending in December.

What if I am offered a position before I am finished all three rotations?
You cannot accept a position in any lab until you have completed all three rotations. Even if you have already determined which lab you want to work in before December, we ask that you complete all three rotations before you inform us of your choice.

What if I do not want to work in any of the three labs I rotated through?
There is the possibility of completing a final rotation in a fourth lab.  If you participate in a fourth rotation, this would become your permanent lab.

What if none of the labs I rotated through agree to recruit me?
You would complete a fourth rotation and then continue in that lab permanently.  If the fourth rotation does not work out, your offer of admission will be withdrawn.  This is rare and generally only occurs if a lack of commitment or a related issue is demonstrated by the student.

Do I receive a stipend during rotations?
Yes, stipends remain unchanged during rotations.