University of Toronto

> Apply to U of T > Admissions 101: a glossary of terms

Admissions 101 � a glossary of terms

Academic Bridging Program - a program that gives mature students, who do not meet the published admission requirements, the opportunity to qualify for admission to a UofT degree program. Eligibility and program information can be found at www.wdw.utoronto.ca/bridging

Acknowledgement Letter - letter sent by the University acknowledging receipt of an application. Admissions and Awards sends these letters in hard copy and by e-mail.

Calendar (course catalogue) - calendars include course descriptions, program requirements, and Faculty rules and regulations. Calendars are posted on Faculty websites.

Colleges - U of T 'colleges' are the seven administrative divisions of the Faculty of Arts and Science, St. George campus. Each student in the Faculty is a member of one of the seven colleges. Applicants are asked to rank the colleges in order of preference at the time of application. More information about the U of T college system can be found at www.artsci.utoronto.ca/prospective/colleges.

Concurrent - meaning 'at the same time'. For example, U of T's Concurrent Teacher Education programs allow students to study towards two degrees simultaneously.

Condition - an outstanding requirement that must be met before a provisional offer of admission can be confirmed. The terms and conditions of a provisional offer of admission are stated on the offer letter. See also �provisional offer�.

Continuing Education - U of T offers non-credit courses in a number of fields of study through the School of Continuing Studies. Courses completed through the School of Continuing Studies cannot be used towards a U of T degree program.

Co-operative Education (Co-op) - an educational system in which students combine academic work and practical work experience in their field of study to earn credit toward a degree.

Correspondence courses - also known as 'distance' education. U of T does not offer undergraduate degree programs through distance education.

Deferring an offer of admission - accepted applicants may request a one year deferral of their admission. A deferral request must be done in writing and sent directly to the Admissions and Awards office no later than September 1st. In the letter, students should explain why they are requesting a deferral and what their plans are for the upcoming year. Students must explicitly state and sign that they will not be attending another post-secondary institution during their deferred year. Applicants admitted conditionally must satisfy the condition of their offer of admission before their deferral request is considered. Students must include a copy of their final results with their request.

Direct Entry Programs - programs that do not require any previous university preparation; students may apply for these programs at the end of their secondary school studies. (NB � secondary school studies in this instance refers to grade 12 in Ontario or its equivalent).

English Facility - sufficient proficiency in the English language for a student to be able to succeed in an English language university. Applicants to U of T who have studied in an English language school system for fewer than fours years, and whose first language is not English, may be required to present proof of English facility. Details and acceptable tests of English facility are described in the Admissions section of this website.

Faculty - a Faculty is an administrative, research, and teaching division of the University. Faculties on the St. George campus include: the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, the Faculty of Music, and the Faculty of Arts and Science. The University of Toronto Scarborough and the University of Toronto Mississauga are both Faculties. The term 'faculty' or 'faculty member' is also used to refer to someone who is a university professor.

First Language - the first language you learned at home as a child and still understand.

General Certificate of Education (GCE) - a senior secondary-level qualification obtained by students following the British-patterned education system.

Graduate Student - one who is working towards an advanced level degree, usually a Master's or a Doctorate.

Internal applicants - those who are currently, or have previously, registered in degree credit courses at the University of Toronto and who wish to pursue studies in a different Faculty.

International Baccalaureate - a secondary-level educational program offered at specific schools around the world.

International Student - a student who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.

International Foundation Program (IFP)- is a unique program that combines conditional acceptance to the University of Toronto with intensive English language instruction. The IFP is available to academically qualified international students whose English test scores do not meet the University of Toronto's entrance requirements..

Legal Status - your status in Canada (i.e. citizen, permanent resident, student visa holder, convention refugee, etc.).

Mature Student - the University of Toronto does not have a mature student admission category. Applicants who do not meet the published admission requirements may consult Admissions and Awards for information about qualifying for admission.

Non-Degree student - a student who is completing degree-level courses for professional or personal interest, but is not working toward a U of T degree. Applicants for non-degree studies at U of T must meet the published admission requirements.

Non-Matriculant - a student who has not formally graduated from secondary school

Notarized Translation - a translation signed and stamped by a notary public, that is someone who has legal authority to attest to the authenticity of a document

Offer of Admission - an official letter outlining the terms and conditions of a student's admission.

Official Transcript - a transcript of a student's academic record received directly from the issuing institution. Official transcripts are provided to U of T in a sealed, stamped/signed envelope.

Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) - The OUAC is a centralized processing office for applications for undergraduate admission to the universities of Ontario.

Prerequisite - a specific course/subject required for admission consideration. For specific pre-requisite requirements for U of T programs, refer to the information on our website that matches your academic background and your program interests.

Professional Program - a degree program designed to prepare students for a specific career or profession.

Provisional Offer - an offer of admission that is made before the applicant's final grades are received. See also 'conditions'.

Recognized post-secondary Institution -an educational institution authorized by the appropriate higher education authority in its country to award higher education degrees or diplomas.

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) - a standardized test designed for the purpose of admission to post-secondary institutions. This examination is commonly completed by students following the American secondary school curriculum, or students interested in attending post-secondary institutions in the U.S.A.

Second Entry Programs - programs that require some university-level preparation for admission. Examples of Second Entry programs at U of T include Pharmacy, Nursing, and Medical Radiation Sciences.

Special Student - see non-degree student

Status Check - a website that provides applicants with up-to-date information about the status of their U of T application. Applicants should visit Status Check on a regular basis. Visit www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm/status to log in.

Student Number - also known as a U of T student/person ID. Your U of T applicant number � the number that will be communicated to you when we acknowledge your application - will become your U of T student number when you register at the University of Toronto. (The U of T applicant number is different from the OUAC reference number.)

Transfer Applicant/Student - an applicant who has completed post-secondary (college or university) study prior to applying to U of T. Applicants are required to provide transcripts for all post-secondary studies completed or in progress.

Transfer Credit - also known as Advanced Standing. Transfer credit may be granted to admitted applicants who have successfully completed previous post-secondary studies and certain standardized tests/examinations.

Transitional Year Program - The Transitional Year Programme (TYP) at the University of Toronto is a special access program for adults who do not have the formal educational background to qualify for university admission. More information can be found at www.typ.utoronto.ca

Undergraduate - post-secondary, university-level education up to the level of a Bachelor's degree. Admissions and Awards processes applications for undergraduate studies only. Students enrolled in Bachelor's degree programs are often referred to as 'undergraduates'.

UTAPS (University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students) - UTAPS is a financial aid program for full time students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons (recognized convention refugees) and are eligible for need-based government student assistance or funding from a First Nations band. Details are provided within the Financial Aid category of this website.

Visiting Student - a student from a recognized university located in North America, who is admitted to U of T on the basis of a Letter of Permission (LOP) issued from her/his home university.