Application Deadlines and Requirements

Application to the Institute of Medical Science graduate program is available online via the School of Graduate Studies https://admissions.sgs.utoronto.ca/apply/

Your application will be considered after payment of the application fee is received by the School of Graduate Studies and the complete application (including all applicable documentations) is received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all required documents are submitted to the application by the due date. The following checklist items are to be completed via the online application website:

• Upload your updated CV, Letter of Intent, and copies of your academic transcript(s) from previous institution(s) attended.
• Reference submissions by referees.
• If you are a domestic or international applicant applying for entry into the PhD/PhD Direct Entry program, or if you are an international student applying for entry to the MSc  program, you must upload a letter from the potential supervisor indicating acceptance of supervision and funding commitment.

Additionally, you must request your academic institution(s) to mail official copies of your academic transcript(s) to the IMS office address listed on the transcript request form. 

English language testing results must be sent directly from the testing centre to the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies. If you take the TOEFL test, the code for forwarding your results directly to the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies is 0982.

All international and PhD applicants must upload a supervisory letter to their online application.  Domestic applicants applying to the MSc program do not require a supervisory letter at the time of applying.

A letter of intent/statement of interest, once completed, should be uploaded to your application profile on the SGS Online Application System. It should briefly describe your previous research experience, outline your future goals, research interests and other pertinent information such as:

• Research background – Summer/Undergraduate research
• Potential research area – with identified/approached supervisors, if applicable
• Other information – {e.g. accessibility services, medical issues, extenuating circumstances, low grades, gap in educational history (i.e. medical reasons, employment), lack of research/opportunity, etc.}
• PhD applicants must also provide a research proposal

You may be invited for an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee to discuss your application (either by telephone/Zoom), prior to receiving a decision on your application.

The Committee meets once per month from February to July to review completed applications received for September registration.  Only completed applications will be sent to the Admissions Committee for review.

The decision of the Admissions Committee is based on the overall evaluation of the application, including transcripts, letters of reference, Letter of Intent/statement of interest, assessment of the applicant’s qualifications according to the standards set by the Institute of Medical Science and the School of Graduate Studies, and assessment of the potential for success in the graduate program.

The Committee’s decision is not based on any single factor but on the overall evaluation of the application.

You will be notified via email after your application has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee.   You are advised to schedule a meeting with one of the Graduate Coordinators if you have any questions on the outcome of your application at the end of the admissions cycle.

Decisions on admission suitability by the Admissions Committee are final and appeals will not be considered.

Conditional offers of admission must be cleared by the set deadline. This allows you to pay your fees and register in the graduate program in a timely fashion.

It is mandatory for all incoming students attend the "New Student Orientation" session. Routine communication from IMS is sent out throughout the year via email and through the website.

5.4 Period of Residence

IMS requires that students must be in a geographical location in proximity to the University's campus to fully participate and benefit from the graduate program.   Residence provides the student with an opportunity to become immerse in the intellectual environment of the University. International students and students who will be moving to Toronto must be in a geographical location at the time of registration and remain there until thesis defense.