Application Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I get the application materials?
  Click here for Application Instructions and Forms
   
  
• Must I apply on-line?
  YES. Paper copies of the application forms are no longer available.
  Carefully read the application instructions and complete the on-line forms before the deadlines. Print a copy of your completed on-line application for your records.
  
   
• What items are required for an application? (see instruction above)
  • Application forms (on-line)
  • Payment of $110 application fee (on-line)
  • Letter of Intent (on-line)
  • Curriculum Vitae (on-line)
  • Statistics Requirement form – applicable to Epidemiology and Social & Behavioural Health Science (Health promotion) applicants (on-line)
  • 2 Letters of Reference (on-line)
  • Scanned transcript of all undergraduate and graduate programs (on-line)
  • Un-official TOEFL/TWE scores - if applicable (on-line)
  • Proof of Financial support – if applicable (sent directly by funding agency)
  • Official TOEFL/TWE Scores – if applicable (sent directly from testing centre)
  • Official transcripts from ALL undergraduate and graduate programs - if requested by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (sent directly by institution)
  
  
• Can I apply late?
  NO. Late applications will not be considered. The on-line application system will no longer be available after the deadline posted below.

• When must I apply?
  On-line applications will be available beginning Mid-August 2011.
  
  The on-line application system will be open until 11:59pm EST on the following dates:
  
  

  PhD and MScCH	- November 14, 2011
  MPH and MSc	- January 16, 2012

  Late or incomplete applications will not be considered
   

• What if my references are late?
  Reference will be accepted for two weeks after the application website closes. Start early and remind your referees about the deadlines.
  
  
• I am applying to an MPH, what is the statistics requirement?
  For most of the disciplines, at  least one undergraduate statistics course is required before you can enter the program.  For more information, please see admission criteria for the specific program.
  
  
• Do I need a supervisor before I can apply for a PhD?
  No, you do not need a supervisor. However, you should have a clear idea of the potential area of research, so that we can we sure to match your research interests with our faculty. You might want to look up some of the faculty publication and research interests on the website. http://www.sph.utoronto.ca/faculty_about.asp
  
  
• What if I haven’t completed my degree?
  Applicants who are in a degree program at the time of application, should upload current transcripts reflecting work in progress.  Final Official Transcripts, with a notation indicating "Degree Conferred", will be requested of successful applicants.
  
  
• Can I apply to more than one degree specialization in Public Health Sciences?
  No. Please review the program descriptions carefully and/or consult the appropriate Program Leader for advice before you make your final decision.
   
• Can I transfer my application from one Program or Field to another?
  No. Each program has different admission criteria and you should be sure as to the degree and program in which you are interested and eligible.  If you select the wrong Program or Degree Program (see instructions) by mistake, you may create a new application, and make an additional application fee payment.  However, if you select the wrong Field of Study (eg, Epidemiology instead of Occupational & Environmental Health) and have proceeded to the application payment, you will not be able to go back to make changes.  In addition, you will not be allowed to create a second application for a new Field of Study.  Before you make your application payment (either on-line or off-line), please make sure you have selected the correct Field of Study.
  
  
• Can I apply to a degree program in Global Health or Public Health Policy?
  The Global Health and Public Health Policy Divisions are under development and the MPH and PhD programs are not yet in place. However, the Global Health division does offer a Doctoral Collaborative program and a Global Health focus available to Master of Public Health students. In order to be eligible to apply for these programs you must first be accepted into another degree program.
  
  
• Can I complete the program as a Part-time student?
  • The full-time program is the standard. In order to make our programs more accessible to students, we have introduced a range of program formats. However, most classes are held between 9:00-5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. 
  
  • Master's program applicants must state their intentions at the start of the program. MPH students may transfer between full-time and part-time status once, within the first year of study. Students in other master's programs may only transfer from full- to part-time status within the first academic session in which they begin their program.
  
  • Part-time MPH students may take a maximum of 3.5 Full Course Equivalents (FCE) per academic year. During the year in which the required practicum is taken, up to 4.5 FCE are allowed. Part-time students are permitted to schedule these throughout the academic year (September to August) as best suits their needs. The maximum time limit to complete the program is 6 years.
  
  • PhD students who wish to study part-time must register as flex-time. They are required to pay full-time fees for the first four years of the program, after which a transfer to part-time studies can be made. 
  
  
• What are the tuition fees?
  The U of T schedule of fees can be viewed at the Student Accounts website.
  
  
• Must I write a TOEFL or other English Proficiency Test?
  • Proficiency in the English language is required and must be established by all applicants from universities outside of Canada where the language of instruction is not English.  However, a university education in English may not be considered sufficient (e.g. TOEFL/TWE is still required for graduates from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh).  You must take a test of English language proficiency which includes a test of written English.
  
  • A TOEFL score (no more than 2 years old) of at least 237 in the new scoring system or 93 in the Internet-based test must be submitted at the time of application. The Test of Written English (TWE) component is compulsory and a score of at least 5 is required. For more info see: http://www.sph.utoronto.ca/apply_international_2009.asp
  
  • Applicants without a TOEFL/TWE or with an unacceptable score will not be considered.
   
• When will I be notified of my acceptance/rejection by the programs?
  For applicants who submitted completed applications by the November 2011 deadline, letters of acceptance or rejection will begin to be mailed out in February 2012. 
  
  For applicants who submitted completed applications by the January 2012 deadline, letters of acceptance or rejection will begin to be mailed out in April 2012.
  
  All applicants will have received an answer by June 2012.
   
• How do I check the status of my application?
  Log on to the SGS applicant website with your applicant number and password.  If all documents have been received your status will be "Under Review”.
   
• Can I still apply if I don’t meet all the admission requirements?
  • If you graduated more than five years ago, and have relevant experience, but do not meet the standard admissions criteria, you may be considered for admission based on your experience.
  • If you have recently graduated, but do not meet the admission criteria, you will not be considered for admission to our programs. You will need to UPGRADE.
     
• How do I UPGRADE?
  Applicants who have completed a four year undergraduate degree with less than a mid-B average, must UPGRADE, before being considered for admission. Upgrading requires the completion of the equivalent of a full academic year (4 - 5 full courses), of third and fourth year courses with an average of at least B+.