UTM Ask Me Anything 2024

Transitioning to university can come with a lot of changes. The first place you’ll get a lot of support is EagleConnect. The free online program includes quick and informative modules, webinars, virtual community-building events, Q&A sessions, and more, and is supported by a team of upper-year students called Squad Leaders. As part of EagleConnect you will also learn about all the events that will aid you in your academic and social life at UTM, programs like HeadStart, UTM Orientation and so much more. To join your squad log into Quercus using your UTORid / JOINid.  

UTM offers two key resources for parents, families and supporters of UTM students. First is the Parent, Family and Supporters Orientation taking place on August 30 and 31. Register for the 2024 Parents, Families and Supporters orientation.

The second is a monthly newsletter that provides just-in-time information to assist you in understanding the student lifecycle and even prompting communication starters to talk with your student about what they are experiencing at UTM. 

Sign-up for the Newsletter

Your permanent University of Toronto Student Card (TCard) is more than just a photo ID. It has many uses, both around campus and off-campus. Your TCard serves as:

• a printing and photocopying card
• a library card
• an electronic key card controlling access to the Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre (RAWC), library and labs
• an identification card for exams, voting on campus, student discounts
• a debit card which can be used to purchase food at select locations on campus

To get your first TCard, you will need to submit your photos and documents. For detailed instructions, please visit How to get your TCard.

Academic advisors are staff at the university who provide students with support in navigating and achieving their academic plans from first year through to graduation. Academic advising is available through the Office of the Registrar and through individual academic departments and the Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar provides information related to degree requirements, university rules and regulations, interpretation of the Academic Calendar, and personal or academic concerns that influence academic performance. Departmental Advisors offer detailed information on their respective programs (specialists, majors, and minors) and individual courses.

On-campus employment is a great way to build experience. We hire students for all kinds of work across campus, from lifeguards in our swimming pool to food service workers in dining areas to event hosts and helpers to science lab assistants to bookstore cashiers; there’s an amazing range available. We also offer unpaid volunteer opportunities for students who just want to gain experience and explore interests. These are typically part-time positions, from 8 to 20 hours a week. You can view both paid and volunteer postings through the UTM Career Centre website. Some jobs are posted throughout the year based on employers’ needs, others are posted just before each term starts – for example, campus work-study positions for this fall will be posted starting Friday Aug. 16. Hit the Career Centre website for details.  Students have an opportunity to further explore on-campus jobs through academic internships and the UTM Co-op Internship Program. Please visit the Experiential Education Unit for more information on these exciting opportunities.

Most UTM students live off-campus and travel daily to attend classes and participate in co-curricular programming. If you will be commuting to campus, you have many options, including public transit (including fare-free rides on MiWay, Mississauga Transit using our U-Pass), the UTM shuttle bus (also fare-free between the UTM and downtown Toronto St. George campus, and UTM and Sheridan College Oakville for students in joint programs), Kiss ‘n Ride areas, cycling and parking. For information about public transit and parking, visit the UTM Parking website.

The UTM Co-op Internship Program (UTMCIP) is welcoming its first cohort of students this Fall term - starting September 2024. Students entering their Year of Study 2 as full-time students in participating programs are eligible to apply.  Students can apply to the UTMCIP by adding the regular stream of a participating program in ACORN and then submitting an online UTMCIP Application Form available on the website to join the UTMCIP stream of the same program. The application period is currently open and closes on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. 

Students admitted into the program will have access to work-readiness modules and professional development support, as well as exclusive access to a dedicated University of Toronto Co-op Job Board that highlights discipline specific, in-demand jobs. 
 

The UTMCIP is launching for the first time in Fall 2024. It is being piloted with limited enrolment among academic units that have existing work-integrated learning programming as part of their curriculum. The Department of Management is expected to join the UTMCIP in Fall 2025. Following the two-year pilot, the Experiential Education Unit (EEU) plans to expand the UTMCIP to include additional academic units and programs in future years.

Students need to apply to the UTMCIP. This is done by adding the regular stream of a participating program in ACORN and then submitting an online application to join the UTMCIP stream of the same program. Please see the Application Process on the Information for Students page. All students who meet the eligibility requirements stated on the website will be considered for admission. However, due to the limited space in the UTMCIP, meeting the minimum requirements will not guarantee enrolment in the program. A combination of criteria will form the basis for admission and academic units will consider a student’s CGPA and Subject POSt prerequisites. Academic units will also consider prior work, volunteer, extracurricular and/or community involvement, as reported by applicants on their UTMCIP application form.

Only students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts & Science programs at the U of T St. George campus are eligible to participate in the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP). The UTM Co-op Internship Program (UTMCIP) is the only co-op experience available for students at the Mississauga campus. The time to degree completion for students enrolled in the UTMCIP will normally be five years as students are required to complete 12 or 16 months of paid, full-time work experience. As an alternative, UTM also offers academic internship courses that enable students to gain enriching work experience while completing other academic courses simultaneously, thereby allowing students to graduate in a four-year period. In these courses, students complete approximately 100-200 hours of placement work for academic credit. ​​Academic internship courses are available to students in their third and fourth year of study. ​

Students will be eligible to apply to UTM Co-op Internship Program (UTMCIP) streams after their first year of study and/or completion of at least 4.0 credits, in alignment with the program’s requirements, and no more than 6.0 credits in total. Please see Student Eligibility Requirements on the Information for Students page. 

The Research Opportunity Program (ROP) provides students in second to fourth year with the valuable chance to participate in the research of a faculty member while earning academic credit. Students can apply for an ROP project by the end of their first year of study and enroll in a project as early as second year. ​The ROP provides students with practical research skills and knowledge, while offering a platform to build strong relationships with instructors, learn about exciting new developments in various fields, and explore new areas of interest.

There are many ways that students can get involved in experiential learning! UTM is committed to offering innovative, high-impact, and real-world opportunities to all of its students through experience-driven programs. Experiential Learning (EL) is “learning by doing” and can occur both within or outside of the classroom. Within the classroom, EL can take place in laboratory experiences that involve student-initiated projects and experiments, participation in case studies, role-playing, simulations or debates. Outside of the classroom, EL can take place as a part of co-op, academic internships, projects with community partners, field trips, and international travel opportunities. The Experiential Education Unit (EEU) in the Office of the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean can support students’ exploration of for-credit EL opportunities, such as academic internships, the Research Opportunity Program, and the UTM Co-op Internship Program, to name a few examples. For more information on exciting co-curricular experiential learning opportunities, we encourage students to connect with our campus partners, such as the Centre for Student Engagement, the UTM Career Centre, and the International Education Centre.

The Admission Category is a grouping of similar programs, with the same or similar requirements. Students admitted to an Admission Category, complete common foundational studies in first year to determine which Program of Study (POSt) they are most interested in, and best suited for.  The official terminology for Program at the University of Toronto is “Program of Study (POSt)” or “Subject POSt”. Though general programs are listed within our Admission Categories, many more exist at various levels (i.e. Specialist, Major, Minor). These levels are determined by the number of credits completed in that particular area of study. You can request your Subject POSt(s) once you’ve completed Year 1 or 4.0 credits, including specific program requirements. Watch this video to learn more.

At the end of your first year (or when you complete 4.0 credits), you will choose your program(s). You must choose one of the following combinations:

• 1 Specialist program; or
• 2 Major programs; or
• 1 Major and 2 Minor programs

The total number of credits required determines whether the program is a Specialist, Major, or Minor:

• Specialist: 10.0 – 18.0 credits
• Major: 6.5 – 9.0 credits
• Minor: 4.0 – 4.5 credits

When thinking about your POSt, keep in mind that some programs have unlimited spaces, while others are more competitive (which is further explained in this video).

The Academic Calendar is also a great tool for program planning, as it outlines the unique entry requirements for every program offered at UTM – including any first-year courses that you’ll need to take for entry into the program. 

When you receive your offer of admission to UTM, it will indicate whether you need to submit a transfer credit assessment, along with instructions on how to do it. The process is done online and you can learn more by visiting https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/transfer-credits, or watching this video.

Your assessment can take between 4 to 8 weeks to become available, which is why it’s very important to submit your transfer credit assessment as soon as you get your offer of admission. If you do not receive your assessment before choosing your UTM courses, we can still support you in your decision-making with advice and tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YB-QUTWwIk

You may come to UTM with a program in mind, a set career plan, or a vision of what you want to achieve during your undergraduate career. But as you learn more about yourself, and the programs our campus has to offer, it is normal for your dreams and goals to change. It is common for students to switch between specialists, majors, or minors that better align with their interests, skills, and strengths.

If you want to change programs later and need support, it may be a good time meet with an academic advisor in the Office of the Registrar and with a career counsellor from the Career Centre to help you explore your future options.

The Office of the Registrar is here to help! Students can register for Academic Advising Check-Ins and other virtual events throughout the summer to speak with an academic advisor or peer leader about course selection, or any other questions about academic planning.

If you have completed college or university studies, AP, IB, GCE, CAPE, or French Baccalaureate examinations you may be eligible for transfer credit(s) at the University of Toronto. Transfer credits are assessed after admission. You can find out more about expected U of Mississauga transfer credit equivalencies on our website.

For more information on applying for post-secondary transfer credit assessments please visit www.utm.utoronto.ca/transfer.

If you decide to put your studies on hold, you may request a one-year deferral of your offer of admission. The deferral of admission will include a deferral of any entrance scholarship(s) awarded and the residence guarantee if applicable. Applicants who plan to attend another post-secondary institution will not be permitted to defer their admission. You can find instructions on how to submit a request for admission deferral form here.

U of T fees (including tuition, other fees, and residence and meal plan costs) will be posted to ACORN. For details on how to make a payment, visit https://studentaccount.utoronto.ca/making-payments/

All U of T Mississauga students will be automatically considered for scholarships at the time of admission. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons currently studying at a Canadian secondary school are encouraged to fill out the Awards Profile available in the Join U of T Applicant Website. However, all other students will be considered automatically.

Financial planning is an important part of readying yourself for university. We have a wide variety of tools to help you plan for the years ahead. Find a list of scholarships, tuition costs and a helpful planning tool on our website.

Payment for admission scholarships/awards is applied to your student account after your registration is confirmed for the fall term, typically by mid-October.

The scholarship payment is first applied to any outstanding fees on your student account. If the award amount exceeds the fees owing, the remainder of the award will be issued to you and deposited into your Canadian bank account via direct deposit. You will be able to view your award information, including pending payments, on ACORN under “My Award.”

If you have not already done so, please set up direct deposit on ACORN. For more information on the types of award refund payments available, please visit the Student Accounts website.

Accepted applicants must pay the required deposit payment and accept their offer of admission. Deposits are non-refundable and are applied to the first term tuition fees.

Most scholarship funds can be used to pay for tuition and other charges on your university account, and any leftover funds after those university charges are covered can be paid out to students.

1. Login to StarRez at residence.utoronto.ca with your UTORid and password.
2. First years will select "My Applications" and Upper Years will select "Upper Year Returner"
3. Go to "Application Offer"
4. Under "Select Next Step" click "Accept Offer & Pay Acceptance Deposit"
5. Pay the $1,650 non-refundable and non-transferable acceptance deposit. 
6. Click "Submit Acceptance"

Please ensure you have done the above steps before the deadline. Dates and deadlines can be found here: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/housing/applying/undergraduate/undergraduate-dates-deadlines. 

The acceptance deposit is applied towards the total cost of living in residence. More information about your residence fees can be found here: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/housing/applying/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees

Yes, regardless of the style of housing you receive, all students in residence must have a Student Meal Plan. A Student Meal Plan ensures your dining requirements are covered for the academic year, allowing you to focus on other activities that will help you succeed at UTM. If you have questions about what meal plan is best for you, we recommend that you visit the Student Meal Plan website or contact the Hospitality & Ancillary Services office at mealplan.utm@utoronto.ca or by phone at 905-569-4795.

We recommend students bring only the essentials they may need here in residence. There are many grocery stores, shopping malls, and places to buy additional items to make your new home nice and cozy! Find out more on our preparation checklist here: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/housing/current-residents/move/preparation-checklist. 

Unfortunately, we will not be accommodating early move-ins at this time. We have arranged preferred rates with hotels for family accommodations should you be in the area before your designated move-in date and time.

A student's waitlist number is based on date and time the applications are received. Waitlist number updates will be sent weekly after confirmation emails have been sent.

Receiving a spot in residence from the waitlist: 

As spaces become available in a specific category, offers will be made.

If a waitlist category is exhausted, then an alternate category will be used to fill the space. This process will continue until no space remains or the waitlist is exhausted;

We will notify applicants through e-mail when a room becomes available and require an answer within two (2) business days. If we do not receive an email back within that time frame your application will be cancelled. Please ensure to keep your contact information up-to-date directly through ACORN.

Cancelling from the waitlist:

If we offer you a residence room and you decline because you would like another housing style, your application will be cancelled. 

If you find alternate housing and you would like to cancel off the waitlist, please cancel via the Cancellation/Withdrawal form found in your StarRez application. Verbal or phone cancellations will not be accepted. The application fee and acceptance deposit are non-refundable.

The waitlist will remain active throughout the academic year.

We have lots of events, activities, gatherings, and opportunities for you to meet other students. We highly recommend joining our Orientation events in September to get the year started. Additionally, you can find we have a variety of options for students to join large scale events and smaller ones throughout the year. When you move-in, ask your Don more questions about how to get involved!

Living off campus is a great way to get to live independently and discover the unique tapestry of the many neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Student Housing & Residence Life offers resources and information sessions, including assistance navigating your off-campus search. Visit our Off Campus Housing page for more information and upcoming events. You can also check-out UofT's central housing website for assistance. They can provide one-on-one assistance, roommate search, help you find listings, understand your rights, and more!

UTM has dramatically expanded Indigenous spaces on campus. Many, like UTM's Tipi and Teaching Lodge, are available for booking. Please visit https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/indigenous/placekeeping for more information.

The Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) at UTM works to mobilize University of Toronto’s commitments to Truth and Reconciliation as outlined in Answering the Call – Wecheehetowin. Following the recommendations of the report, the OII guides the University of Toronto Mississauga's efforts in amplifying Indigenous voices and Indigenous placekeeping on campus. 

In addition to weaving Indigenous life and thought into the fabric of UTM, the OII serves as a resource to campus faculty and staff, who may consult the OII for help in integrating Indigeneity into student life, physical spaces, course curriculums, faculty research, and recruitment initiatives.

The UTM Indigenous Centre (IC) provides service delivery, programming, and support to Indigenous faculty, students, staff, and librarians. The IC works to build lasting and meaningful relationships with surrounding Indigenous communities. The IC also hosts gatherings and cultural programming for UTM's Indigenous members and provides a welcoming and inclusive space for future Indigenous students.

Everyone is welcome to our events/programming! The UTM Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Indigenous Centre support Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, faculty, and librarians.

If your study permit indicates that you may work in Canada while you study, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours off campus and there’s no restriction to on campus work. You must maintain full-time status for you to work off or on campus.

You may work full-time off-campus during scheduled school breaks if you maintain full-time status in the semester prior and will return as a full-time student in the upcoming semester.

For more information and for certified immigration advice, please contact the International Education Centre

The UTM  Orientation will take place from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, classes start on Sep. 3 and residence move-in will take place on Aug. 30-31. Please plan your travel dates accordingly so you can join us and engage in all the programs available to make your journey at UTM a success.

The International Education Centre (IEC) can provide you with certified immigration advice from the time of admission to up to three years post-graduation. 

Contact the IEC at international.utm@utoronto.ca to book an appointment. Make sure to include your full name and utorid or student number. 

You will need a valid study permit to study in Canada along with your passport. Make sure to also bring your letter of introduction and your UofT acceptance letter with you. Visit the International Student page for more details https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/new-students/international-students.

If you have questions, contact the International Education Centre (IEC) at international.utm@utoronto.ca.

All registered international students are automatically enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) which provides similar coverage in Ontario to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). In addition, all students are enrolled in the UTM Student Union supplemental health plan. If you have questions or for additional information, contact the International Education Centre (IEC) at international.utm@utoronto.ca.

Once you have paid your fees and become a registered student, you will receive an email to your UTmail providing you with the details and access to your UHIP card. It can take up to 10 business days from the time fees are paid for the card to be emailed to you. If you have questions or for additional information, contact the International Education Centre (IEC) at international.utm@utoronto.ca.

The International Education Centre (IEC) is a dedicated resource for international students. We can help you with immigration advice, mentorship programs, the dedicated International and New to Canada Student Welcome during Orientation, tailored programs and services including a trip to Niagara Falls and much more. We are here for you and know being away from home can be difficult. Contact us at international.utm@utoronto.ca or visit us in the Student Services Hub when you arrive.

We encourage student to arrive by Aug. 30 to participate in Orientation and start classes on time on Sept. 5. If you know your study permit will not arrive by this date or need support, please contact the International Education Centre. 

If you are flying through Pearson Airport, look for the UofT airport booth on Terminal 1 and 3 between 8 am and 10 pm from Aug. 19 to Sept. 4. Visit the International Education Centre website for more details: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/international/international-life/pre-arrival-information. Visit the International Education Centre in the Services Hub Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 pm and don’t forget to participate in Orientation.

If English is not your first language, you may be required to submit proof of English facility. Some international high school curricula can act as exemptions from English language tests. Visit our website for a complete list of English facility requirements, accepted tests, exemptions, and expected scores.

UTM’s Health and Counselling Centre offers many services for students, including personal and group counselling, medical care and wellness programs. HCC clinicians offer short-term, solution-focused counselling and therapy services, and the Centre provides referrals to assist students in accessing resources in the community when complex and/or long-term care is needed. There is also Telus Health Student Support (THSS), which provides University of Toronto students with immediate and/or ongoing confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health, or general life concern at no cost to students. You can call or chat with a counsellor directly from your phone whenever, wherever you are for a range of concerns. Students who use THSS still have access to existing campus and community mental health services; THSS is an additional support service.

Accessibility Services provides services and academic accommodations to students who have a documented learning, physical, sensory, mental health disability or medical condition. A disability can be temporary or permanent. Test/exam accommodations and notetaking services are requested through your online AIMS (Accessibility Information Management System) account. To access AIMS and receive accommodations, you must meet with your Accessibility Advisor and register.

UTM students not previously registered with Accessibility Services can follow the below instructions to start the registration process:

1. Review the Documentation Requirements
    https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/accessibility/future-uoft-students/documentation-requirements
2. Go to AIMS https://aims.utm.utoronto.ca/custom/misc/home.aspx and select the New Student Online Intake icon.
3. Click on register and login in with UTORID
4. Complete the information form (Emergency Contact, OSAP, etc.)
5. Upload scanned medical documentation to the bottom of the form.
6. Await email confirmation of your online submission. Accessibility Staff will contact you once your submission has been reviewed.

The Department of Recreation, Athletics, and Wellness Centre encourages everyone to move their way to wellness through a variety of sports, fitness and wellness programs designed for all fitness and skill levels. All registered full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students can access the Recreation, Athletics, & Wellness Centre (RAWC). The facility is equipped with an eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, two gymnasiums, squash courts, running track and modern fitness and strength training facilities. All RAWC members receive complimentary towel service, access to all our facilities, group fitness classes, drop-in sports, aquatic programs and fitness centre. Learn more about program schedules and offerings at www.utm.utoronto.ca/athletics