How to Get Into University of Toronto Engineering

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Goals of this post: How to get into UofT Engineering

• Discuss the following:
  • Admission Statistics for Engineering programs
  • Online Student Profile
  • Tips on How to Stand Out

Note: This post is not affiliated with the university.

Additional Note: This will be updated each year

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Over the years, UofT has seen a huge increase in applicants to their Engineering programs. Many times exceptional applicants are left out due to the shear amount of competition that is present. This post will help those looking to get into Engineering at UofT.

Admission Average

University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering offers one of the best undergraduate engineering programs in the world.   Admissions to each of the faculty’s 10 entry options is extremely competitive and the overall entrance average is increasing each year. As shown on the figure on the left, the entrance average for 2018 was 93.6%. Following this trend, the entrance average for 2019 seems to be around the 94% mark.

Chances for 2020 Admission

Please Note: Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) admissions are done together

Note: This is not officially posted by the University, but rather is made using past averages of previous admitted students and also those who have not gotten in.

It is not to say that if you have a low average you wont get in and vice versa. In the past, applicants with high 90s have gotten rejected while applicants with lower averages have gotten in. Other factors are not taken into consideration for this graph (Example: Extracurriculars). 

Numbers of Applicants

Total Applicant Pool

Each year, the Engineering faculty receives over tens of thousands of applications. In 2018, a record of 13272 applicants was received for just 1062 spots. Out of those 13272 applicants, only 3380 were given offers (more offers are given since not everyone will accept the offer).

Number of Spots

Over the past couple of years, the amount of registered students in first year engineering is about 1147 over 10 programs. Here is the breakdown for the number of students in each program over the past 7 years:

It is also to note that in recent years, the applicant to available spot ratio for ECE, Track One, and Engineering Science has gotten more competitive compared to previous years.

Average amount of space in each program seems to be:

Online Admission Portal & Process

This section will show the steps in which you will apply inside the engineering portal.

1) Engineering Applicant Portal Dashboard

When you enter the UofT Engineering Applicant portal for the first time, you will be greeted with the dashboard. In the dashboard you will find your personal information alongside with which sections of the profile you have completed.

It is also to note that the dashboard is also where you will get your letter of acceptance if you do get in.

2) Program Rankings

After the dashboard, you can rank up to 4 programs in the order you would like to be considered for. In the past, strong applicants who got rejected from their first option are considered for their alternative choices.

You cannot put Engineering Science or Track One anywhere other than your first choice due to the high volume of applications.

Note: It does not matter what Engineering program you chose on OUAC, the admissions team will only look at this portion of the profile. In addition, you are allowed to change your choice around, however it is not recommended to do so near the early acceptance admission period or the final admission period.

3) Applicant Timeline

The applicant timeline will give the admissions committee a brief outline of your full time activities from the time you began your high school studies until the end of high school.

4) Additional Information (Test scores, Special Circumstances, and etc)

This section may not be for most students, but for those who would like to submit any additional information, you may do so here.

5) Academic Profile

In the academic profile section, you are to list your courses you have taken along with the name of your high school(s).

6) Extracurricular Activities

The extracurricular activities section is probably the most important section. Here, the admissions committee will distinguish which applicants get in compared to others with similar averages.

• Write the name of your extracurricular followed by the date and a description
• Choose which category your extracurricular belongs in
• Enter the scope (Example: Provincial, Municipal, Community, Local, National)
• Enter the date started and completed
• Lastly, fill your reference information with a short description of who they are
  • Do not lie here, you will be caught and your application will be dismissed
  • The admissions committee will check upon your references

7) Personal Profile (Video Interview)

Another vital part of the profile is the personal profile section. You will be in an interview like setting where the admissions committee will look at how you answer each question, your personality, how you present yourself, and your ability to comprehend and analyze a situation. The questions that are asked to you are pre-recorded and are chosen from a large question bank.

• First Question (Video)
  • Introduce yourself. Why are you interested in engineering? Why UofT?
• Second Question (Written)
  • Involves you writing a short essay for a past experience you have had
  • Here the admissions committee will pay attention to the way you portray your thoughts and present them in a timed manner.
    • Example: Describe a stressful situation when working with a group and how you handled it.
• Third Question (Video)
  • You are given a situation, and an incomplete set of information. What 3 pieces of additional information would you select to find a solution?
    • Example: Describe the 3 step process you would use to determine how many elementary schools there are in a city of 5 million people.

Tips on Getting In

1) Think about the following questions when applying: Why engineering and why engineering at UofT? What do you bring to UofT that others don’t?

Remember, tens of thousands students apply each year. What you write needs to stand out to the admissions committee. Talk about why you want to pursue an Engineering degree at UofT. What makes UofT so special to you? What past experiences have you had that show that you love to problem solve?

Many students can state many reasons why they would like to pursue engineering, but have weaker arguments as to why they want to go to UofT. Most applicants also tend to generically highlight UofT’s academic reputation and rankings, rather than focus on what specifics they are drawn to.

2) Participating in extracurriculars

High grades will not always get you in. Yes having a high average will give you a competitive edge over others, but you also need to be well rounded. Joining clubs and participating in extracurriculars helps to show that. 

3) Starting the application process early

Starting the application early will give you enough time to put detailed responses into each of the portal sections. This also is important if you want to be considered for early acceptance.

I remember I had all my extracurricular responses already filled in a Microsoft Word document and other information that was required well before I even applied.

4) Use your resources

If you have any questions, here are some available resources:

• UofT Reddit (Use the admissions megathread)
• Engineering Undergraduate Admissions 
• Alumni from your high school who went to UofT
• University fair, March break open house, Engineering campus tour
• Read some of my previous posts

Interview Tips

1) Look presentable

You don’t need to dress super fancy or anything, but don’t look like you just woke up. Always put your best self forward.

2) Sit somewhere quiet and where you won’t be disturbed

Sitting somewhere quiet will help you keep your train of thought. You don’t want to be disturbed during your process of thinking or saying something. If you get interrupted by noise or someone calling you, it will not look good on your behalf.

3) Practice

Before I attempted the interview when I applied, I made sure to do the other interviews for other universities first to get the most practice. I also searched possible questions and answered them out loud. In addition, you will have the opportunity to have unlimited mock interviews that will be provided to you before the actual interview.

4) Take notes while the questions are being presented

When the questions are being asked to you, take down notes. After each question, you have a minute or so to think about what you are going to say/write.

5) Relax

Take a chill pill. The only way you will do good is if you relax. Even if you make a mistake, do not stress about it. I even remember myself completely messing up one of the questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Does UofT Engineering have Co-op?

Yes. UofT Engineering has ESIP and PEY Co-op. ESIP is a 4 month summer internship program and PEY Co-op is a 12-16 months long internship. PEY Co-op can be declared after 2nd or 3rd year.

2) What minors can I take?

You have the option to minor in 1 of 10 areas:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Bioengineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Sustainable Energy
• Engineering Business
• Robotics and Mechatronics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanoengineering
• Music Performance

3) Does it matter how I rank U of T Engineering on my OUAC application? 

From the Admissions FAQ: “Highly competitive applicants can expect to receive an offer of admission regardless of choice. However, where we have a select number of spaces to offer to students that are found to be equally competitive, we believe that those students who have indicated a strong preference to be here will ultimately be more successful in our programs.”

4) Does Engineering have POSt?

POSt is only for those students in the Faculty of Arts & Science. Everyone in Engineering moves on to second year, provided they not on academic probation.

Concluding Thoughts

The application process may seem daunting, but if you start early and prepare for the interview, you will be fine. This may be a stressful time for some so good luck to all applying. Enjoy grade 12, join clubs, go to prom, do some calculus and live in the moment 🙂 .

Sources for this post: 

• Annual Reports 
• Memorandum