Prepared for a panel presentation at the University of Toronto (Scarborough) to discuss the process and timeline of applying to different grad schools

1. Applying to Grad School
Application Steps & What to Expect
Prepared by Jessica K. Gill
HBSc (University of Toronto)
MA & BEd (York University)

2. GRAD SCHOOL APPLICATION STEPS & TIMELINE
• March to June
• Evaluate your goals, select program & note admission reqs
Identify a Graduate
Program
• June to October
• Personal Statement, Resume/CV & test scores (if needed)
Prepare your
Documents
• August to September
• Arrange to speak with 2 to 3 of your professors
Contact Professors for
References
• October to early January
• Create online profile and submit documents/transcripts
Apply to the Program
• Late January to March & onwards
• Choosing which offer to accept
Hearing Back & Making
a Decision

3. Identify a Graduate Program
• Think about your goals
• Why do you want to go to grad school?
• Where do you see yourself in the future?
• What are your research interests?
• Look for overlap between your research interests and the faculty’s
• Potential supervisors
• Visit departmental websites & contact faculty with questions

4. Prepare your documents
• Check application deadline date (usually between December and
January)
• Check admission requirements/ documents you need to submit:
1. Personal Statement
2. Updated CV or Resume
3. Letters of Reference (usually 2 to 3)
4. Test scores (GRE  common if applying in the US)
• Secure a supervisor (not always necessary beforehand, check with the
department)

5. • Follow the program’s guidelines and wordcounts
• Things to include:
• Academic background & achievements
• Why you chose to apply to that specific program/ University
• Your research area of interest & connect to faculty’s specialty
• Potential supervisors you want to work with & reasons why
• Extracurriculars, work experience, volunteering
• Tailor your letters
• Proof read for grammar and spelling
• Visit UTSC’s Writing Centre for help
Prepare your documents: Personal Statement

6. • Connecting with professors (during the semester)
• Visit office hours & stay in touch via email
• C-level & D-level courses have smaller class sizes
• Get involved on campus/ research projects
• Ask professors who know you well & can speak about your abilities
• 2 to 3 references usually required
• Provide a hard-copy portfolio with: letter of intent, updated CV, writing samples,
transcript & a list of points you would like to be discussed about you
• Provide the deadline date for when the application is due
• Request references as early as possible (August to September)
• Writing a reference letter is an involved process and your professors are busy too!
Contact Professors for References

7. • Applications are completed online. Visit the program’s Department or Graduate Admissions
website for details
• Each school has a different application process
• Ex: York uses MyFile, Waterloo uses OUAC & Quest
• Follow instructions to complete an online profile (~$100+ application fee)
• Upload your documents
• Personal statement, CV/Resume, GRE test scores
• Order transcripts
• Complete supplementary information form (if requested)
• Input referee information
• inform referees when you have submitted, include any special submission instructions & make sure to say
thank you!
• Complete your application before the deadline date
• Send a friendly reminder to your references too!
Apply to the Program

8. • Offers begin to come in around February (depends on the school and
program)
• Things to consider before making a decision:
• research interests & faculty match
• Funding package (TA, RA, GA-ships & Scholarships)
• Living costs
• Revisit your goals
• Book a campus tour: talk to professors & students
• Accept or decline your offer online before the stated deadline date
Making a Decision

9. • Courses
• Small classroom sizes & seminar format
• Focus on critical discussion
• Presentations
• Work Load in courses
• Increase in assigned readings
• Longer written assignments (~15 to 25 pages)
• Completion of a Major Research Paper (MRP) or Thesis (~60+ pages)
• Select a topic of interest & formulate a research question you want to explore
• Select a supervisor, submit your research proposal & ethics review  research & write paper
• Tips for staying on track
• Secure your supervisor early on & create a timeline with them
• Decide on a topic and stick to it
• Ask for help & consult frequently with your supervisor (foster a relationship)
What to Expect in Grad School

10. • Writing a Personal Statement
• https://penlighten.com/sample-letter-of-intent-for-graduate-school
• https://www.prepscholar.com/gre/blog/graduate-school-statement-of-purpose-
sample/
• http://www.sfu.ca/olc/blog/csi-blog/how-write-your-way-grad-school
• Creating a CV vs. Resume
• http://www.success.uwo.ca/careers/resumes__letters/curriculum_vitae.html
• https://www.mcgill.ca/caps/files/caps/guide_cv.pdf
• https://www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer/career/applications/resumes/index.php
• Preparing for Grad School
• https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/applying-professional-graduate-schools
• http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/gradlife/Pages/How-to-Have-a-Positive-Graduate-
Student-Experience.aspx
Helpful Resources