Apply

To become a Pearson Scholar, you must be nominated by your school and apply to undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. Ask your school guidance counselor about being nominated. Once you’ve been nominated and have applied to the University of Toronto, you will be sent a personalized, secure link to the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship application.

Pearson Scholars are students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and creativity, who are accepted as leaders within their school, and who have the potential to contribute to the global community in the future. They can be distinguished from other students who may have equally high academic results by virtue of their breadth of interest, intellectual energy, and impact on the life of their school and community.

Application Process

To apply, you will need to:

1. Receive a nomination from your school (High schools not already contacted/verified are asked to submit an application to participate in our program, available here.)
2. Apply to study at the University of Toronto to begin your studies in 2021 and complete your application for admission by the appropriate deadlines.  Please be advised that you will be considered for the Pearson Scholarship for your first choice of the program at U of T.  You may apply for several programs and may receive admission to them all; however, the Pearson Scholarship, if awarded to you, would be restricted to your first choice of the program at U of T at the time our scholarship decisions are made.
3. Once we’ve received a nomination and you’ve applied to the university, you can complete the online Lester B. Pearson Scholarship application.

Pearson Scholarship Deadlines

• School nomination deadline: November 30, 2020
• Student OUAC application deadline: December 14, 2020 (Please note this is the final date to submit an application to the OUAC; however, it is recommended you apply for admission through the OUAC before November 7, 2020, as spaces in programs fill-up quickly and popular programs may close early.)
• Student scholarship application deadline: January 18, 2021

How your application is considered

We first verify that you meet the University’s general admission requirements. These are basic requirements that all candidates must meet to be eligible for University of Toronto admission consideration. The general requirements, including our English language requirements, are outlined by educational jurisdiction in the Requirements section.

Secondly, we assess whether you meet program-specific requirements for your intended area of study.  Do you have the necessary subject pre-requisites and have you completed any required personal statement, supplementary application or audition?

The University of Toronto does not have the capacity to admit all applicants who meet the minimum general and program-specific requirements. We seek to admit the best possible students on the basis of academic performance and potential, and will select students for admission based on competitive strength.

The emphasis of our final assessment will be placed on the results of your most recent two years of study, including your marks in prerequisite courses, and on the strength of your supplemental information (personal statement, profile, etc) where this is required. However, we may also consider other aspects of your complete academic record including, but not limited to: consistency; where and when courses were completed; and the number of times any courses have been attempted.

Recognizing that not all current Canadian high school applicants will be able to present results according to the usual timeline, U of T will make conditional offers of admission throughout the year on the basis of your available Grade 11 and 12 marks; this assessment is possible provided your record (OUAC record for Ontario high school applicants) shows that you are enrolled in all required Grade 12 courses. If a Grade 12 mark in a pre-requisite subject is not available, we will use the mark in the corresponding Grade 11 course.

In Canadian jurisdictions where Diploma/Provincial exams are now optional, when considering an applicant’s final results for Fall 2021 admission, we will use the final mark on a transcript whether a Diploma/Provincial exam was written or not.

While educational jurisdictions around the world are adjusting their evaluation methods, grading processes, or using alternative methods of assessment, such adjustments will not negatively effect Fall 2021 admission consideration.  We will continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the school year and will be as flexible as possible throughout the admission process.

Full disclosure of all academic information must be made at the time of application, and any request for special consideration must be submitted to Enrolment Services as soon as possible following your application.

Globalization and ensuring diversity within the international student population is a key priority of the University of Toronto.  We are committed to balancing our international student body so that a wide range of regions and countries are represented.   This is essential to making sure that both our domestic and international students have a truly global experience, reflecting the many and varied viewpoints that international students bring to the classroom.

When admission decisions are made, and alternate offers. You will receive a decision from all of the University of Toronto faculties you selected. Those who are not admitted to their selected program(s) may be considered for alternate programs and campuses, space permitting.  Admission decisions are released between mid-December and late May.

It is always wise to apply and submit required documentation well in advance of deadlines in order to maximize your opportunities for admission consideration.

Residence decisions

If you are interested in residence, you must complete a separate application.  Go to StarRez to apply and to learn about the residence guarantee.

Conditional Offers of Admission:  How to keep your offer of admission

Most of our admission decisions are based on interim marks, and so our offers are typically conditional on achieving acceptable final standing.  Students are expected to maintain consistent academic standing for the duration of their high school (and post-secondary, if applicable) studies.

The terms of the offer, including conditions and specific minimum grade thresholds, are described in the terms and conditions section of your offer letter.  Admitted students who do not meet the required condition(s) can expect to have their offer rescinded and will not be permitted to register.

Fraudulent Information or Documentation

You should be aware that when you submit your application you are required to certify that the personal information and documents submitted in the application, or to be submitted (all of which constitutes the application), are true, complete and correct in all respects. If evidence is found to the contrary, your admission to the University may be rescinded, your registration may be revoked, or you could be subject to additional academic penalties.  Other universities may also be notified.

If you are not admitted to U of T

The most common reasons for not being admitted to the University of Toronto:

• your overall average, or grades in prerequisite subjects, are not competitive
• you did not present a senior level/Grade 12 English course for admission consideration
• you did not present a senior level/Grade 12 course in all prerequisite subjects required for program(s) you applied to
• you have repeated an unacceptable number of courses for the program(s) you have selected
• you have an insufficient number of available courses at the time of consideration
• English language requirement (if applicable) was not met by the deadline
• supplementary information (if required) was not submitted, or was not competitive

Review of Decisions

All admissions decisions are final.  In extraordinary circumstances, a decision may be reviewed for procedural fairness and lawfulness.

In the case of first-entry undergraduate admissions, requests for review should be uploaded to the applicant portal within seven (7) calendar days of the date of issue of the admission decision.  For other academic programs, please consult the relevant website or office.

Required Documents

After you have applied for admission, visit join.utoronto.ca often to find complete information about the documents required to complete your application.

You must submit full documentation (transcripts) for all secondary and post-secondary studies attempted.  Depending on your academic background and/or the program(s) to which you have applied, you may also be required to submit the online ‘self-reported grades’ form, proof of English language proficiency, standardized test results, or other supplemental information. Notarized translations of any documents issued in a language other than English or French are also required.

Whenever possible, transcripts and test scores must be submitted electronically.  In the event that the electronic submission of your results is not possible, you will be given the opportunity to upload your documents.  The admissions committee will usually consider uploaded (unofficial) documents in order to make a provisional admission decision.  However, official transcripts  – received directly from the issuing institution – may be required at any time during the admission process, and are always required to finalize an offer of admission.  When required, official transcripts should be mailed to:  Enrolment Services, 172 St. George St., Toronto ON M5R 0A3.

Documents received by Enrolment Services become the property of the University and will not be returned or forwarded to other institutions. We do not retain documents from previous applications.  Do not submit any irreplaceable documents to Enrolment Services.

How to Submit Required Documents

For the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, please visit the Faculty’s website.

Ontario High School (currently enrolled full-time)

Your school will send Grade 11 and 12 results through the OUAC. All grades MUST be submitted via the OUAC; unsolicited Ontario transcripts/report cards will not be reviewed.

Ontario High School (not currently enrolled or enrolled part-time)

After you have applied, upload your transcripts and self-report your grades through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal.

Quebec CEGEP

Provide your Permanent Code on your OUAC  application, allowing U of T to obtain your transcripts electronically from the OUAC.

Canadian High Schools Outside of Ontario and Quebec

After you have applied, upload your transcripts and complete the self-reported form through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal.

U.S. High School

After you have applied, submit transcripts electronically via Parchment/Naviance. Where electronic transfer of documents is not possible, upload your transcripts.  Complete the self-reported form through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal. Test scores (SAT/ACT/AP) must be sent electronically.

International Baccalaureate

After you have applied, upload your transcripts and complete the self-reported form through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal. Final IB results must be sent electronically by the IBO.

GCE (British-Patterned Education)

After you have applied, upload your transcripts and complete the self-reported form through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal. Final IGCSE/GCSE/O level and AS/A Level results must be issued by the appropriate exam board.

High Schools Outside of Canada and the U.S.

After you have applied, upload your transcripts and complete the self-reported form (if requested) through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal. If you are attending an international school that offers multiple curricula you must ask your school to specify the type of program in which you are enrolled and ensure that appropriate documents are submitted.  Check join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal for a list of documents required to complete your application.

Universities and Colleges in Ontario

Submit your postsecondary transcripts electronically via OUAC.

Universities and Colleges Outside of Ontario

Upload your transcripts through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal.

U.S. Universities and Colleges

Submit transcripts electronically via Parchment/Naviance. Go to Parchment (http://exchange.parchment.com/sign-up/), register for a student account and have your transcripts sent electronically to Enrolment Services. Where electronic transfer of documents is not possible, upload your transcripts through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal.

Universities and Colleges Outside of Canada and U.S.

Submit your transcripts electronically via Parchment/Naviance. Where electronic transfer of documents is not possible, upload your transcripts through join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal. Check join.utoronto.ca or the Engineering Applicant Portal for a list of documents required to complete your application.