Frequently Asked Admission Questions

How is my application evaluated?

Many factors are taken into consideration by the BME Admissions Committee during the application review process. Given that admission is highly competitive, and that the number of students admitted may vary from cycle to cycle and from year to year depending on resource availability, it is important to note that possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The following list (which is not comprehensive) provides some examples of the applicant criteria evaluated by the BME Admissions Committee.

Academic performance
Your admission grade point average (GPA) is evaluated based on the last two years of full-time studies in your most recent degree program. Using the course weight/credit value criteria prescribed for “full-time” studies as defined by your academic institution (typically described in the legend of your transcript), BME will review numerical/letter grades attained during this period and ignore symbols/notations that do not reflect comparative performance. For example, courses identified as CREDIT/NO-CREDIT and/or PASS/FAIL will be excluded from your GPA evaluation. If you completed your program through part-time studies or had extenuating circumstances that extended your academic timeline, then BME will review earlier grades from your academic history such that the total weight and value of all grades evaluated will equate to two years of full-time studies. Additionally, the subject matter (e.g., math, physics, chemistry, etc.) of courses that you took during your final years will be considered with respect to the BME graduate program you selected.
Non-academic performance
Depending on your chosen program, non-academic performance (e.g., work experience, community activities/contributions, social/personal challenges that you overcame, etc.) may be evaluated in parallel with your scholastic achievements.
Recommender feedback
Comments about your personal history (e.g., work ethic, academic performance, outstanding achievements, etc.) will be thoroughly considered with respect to the relationship between you and your recommender (e.g., how long have they known you, whether they were directly supervising you, etc.)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about admission

Furthermore, please review the following list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) sorted in chronological order and with respect to the relevant program, which can be identified by their respective colour markers {[✓] Research programs (MASc, PhD), [✓] Professional programs (MEng), or [✓] Both}.

FAQ: Before applying

Do I need to have secured a supervisor before applying?

[✓] No. Applicants may apply for admission at any time. You do not need a supervisor at the time of application. However, admission is competitive and only candidates who have secured a research supervisor will be admitted.

How can I connect with prospective supervisor(s)?

[✓] Applicants are encouraged to proactively seek faculty members through opportunities such as BME Graduate Research Day, networking events, scientific conferences, etc. Learn more.

Listen to our podcasts to learn how to approach faculty members:

Can I apply to the Master of Engineering program without a Bachelor of Engineering?

[✓] Yes. An engineering background is highly recommended but not required. The collaborative nature of today's undergraduate degrees means that students with various scientific backgrounds are exposed to fundamental courses in mathematics, physics, and computer science, which are the core pillars of engineering. Thus, we encourage students with strong academic calibre and aptitude for engineering to apply.

Can I study part-time?

[✓] No. Both our research and professional programs are offered on a full-time basis. Part-time options are not available. Exceptions are made only for medical students registered at the University of Toronto’s Research & Collaborative Programs (MD/MEng).

FAQ: Application related

What is the deadline for finding/securing a supervisor?

[✓] Successful students normally begin their studies in the Fall term; this means that applicants may have until the end of August to confirm a supervisor (before their admission eligibility expires).

Can the Graduate Office match me with supervisor(s)?

[✓] No. Admission is highly competitive. All applicants are responsible for securing their own supervisor, and the Graduate Office is unable to assist in this matter.

I completed an undergraduate/master’s degree in an institution outside of Canada, where the language of instruction was in English. Do I need to take the English language proficiency test?

[✓] Perhaps. Please review our Institute’s English test requirements for more information regarding this topic.

Do you accept WES evaluations?

[✓] No. World Education Services (WES) transcript evaluations cannot, under any circumstances, be used as the basis of admission. Only official transcripts are accepted.

Can I submit my documents (e.g., language test scores, statement of intent, etc.) after the application deadline?

[✓] Yes. However, admission is highly competitive. Whereas consideration is granted to all applications that were received on time, there is no guarantee that late applications are reviewed.

Can you help me report my language test scores?

[✓] Yes. Please email sgs.international@utoronto.ca for assistance.

What is the deadline for recommenders to submit their supporting letters?

[✓] Recommender letters are part of the application, and the letter submission deadline is the same as the applicant deadline. In other words, your application is considered incomplete until all of your recommender letters are received by the online application system. If one or more recommender letters are late, then the entire application is marked as late. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up with his/her recommenders to provide reminders about the submission deadline (as appropriate) to ensure timely letter submission.

FAQ: After applying

Can you forward my application(s) to another department?

[✓] No. All submitted documents become the property of BME and will not be returned or be shared with other departments/institutions under any circumstances.

Can I change a recommender on my application?

[✓] Yes. Contact BME and report the name of the recommender you would like to replace. Provide the following information about your new recommender: 1) institutional email; 2) first name; 3) last name; 4) institution; 5) phone number; and 6) the recommender’s relationship to you.

When should I expect to learn about my application outcome?

[✓] For Fall entry, the BME Academic Programs Office will inform successful applicants about their admission decision by the end of April. All applicants should expect to be notified about their outcome by the end of July.

Can you provide feedback on my application?

[✓] No. Due to the confidential nature of the evaluation process, official reviewer comments are not retained; therefore, feedback regarding your specific application is not available.

Ask BME

Email contact.bme@utoronto.ca

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