JTJ

It means that you'll be informed via regular mail around the end of May with their decision.

It must depend on the department. I received my acceptance from U of T via snail mail and from York via email. I had applied to two separate departments at York, and both acceptances came via email. I also know that my department at U of T calls students whom they have accepted to the PhD. I too am in Humanities/social sciences.

One thing to consider with SGS - they're a tad slow at updating the status online. I am finishing up an MA at U of T this year and my status STILL says "no decision made" on SGS.

You're probably on a waiting list. I'm just guessing of course, but as was stated earlier, Canadian schools don't adhere to the 15 April deadline. So, they could be waiting to hear back on decisions from admitted applicants before they admit you. That happened to a friend of mine a couple years ago at York - he was wait listed but wasn't told about it. He received an acceptance in August. I do know though that the history department contacted all applicants back in March, so it must depend on the department. However, that is quite rediculous that you have not yet heard anything and I do feel for you! The waiting process is excrutiating.

Actually, based on the wording of your post, you clearly were trying to make a comment about U of T's reputation when it comes to dealing with applicants. It sounded as though you were claiming that they completely ignore applicants, etc. That was not my experience at all, so I wanted to make that clear. I apologize that I cannot further your hypotehsis. Furthermore, you claim that the same problem occurs in other schools, yet you singled out U of T. If you were not trying to generalize about U of T's reputation and have others do the same, then why single it out?

I did my MA at the University of Toronto and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the program. I had no problems at all with the application process. My questions were always answered right away by various professors and administrative staff in the department. I also know that the department I was in sends out MA accepetances and rejections by late March and PhD acceptances and rejections by mid-March. I don't think you can generalize the reputation of an entire institution based on one department.

It depends what your focus is and what you're applying for. My suggestion is to apply to all the schools where you can see yourself going and where there is someone (or a few people) with whom you'd like to work. This whole process is such a crap shoot. Also, don't just try for mid-level programs because you never know. I know someone who didn't get into his "safety" school but got into Harvard. I got into my safety school and my top choice, which is an ivy league school. So...my suggestion is to apply everywhere!

Thanks for the insight. I'm completing my Master's elsewhere, which I am really enjoying, so I'm very hesitant about returning to York. One of my major worries is about not being exposed to the same level of intellectual stimulation among my peers that I have been so fortunate to have experienced this year both in and out of the classroom. (and elsewhere as a visiting student at other institutions in previous years) In the end though, it makes the most sense for me to return to York out of all the schools to which I was accepted, due to specific faculty members there with whom I will be working. (despite the "academic inbreeding," although I don't think that necessarily "lowers the average IQ of a room"...) If I were to go elsewhere, I would need to change my field. Anyway, thanks for your personal insight into the graduate experience at York. And out of curiousity, why are there 3rd and 4th year phd students still doing course work?

Your impression of what it is like for undergrads at York is quite interesting. I've heard that from many people - undergrads at York, visiting students, and professors alike. However, that was not my experience at all as an undergraduate student there. I was in a very small and specialized program though with extremely small classes, independent studies, and amazing profs. I just never felt intellectually stimulated by the other students. It seems though that you enjoy the academics thereas a grad student, so this is quite hopeful!

Have you made personal connections yet with the faculty at program #1? Or is this just a feeling that you get via email contact. If the program has a better reputation and you're being fully funded, and there are faculty with whom you could work, I'd say choose #1. On the other hand, it is kinda nice to be a big fish in a small pond and I'm assuming that's where you would stand in program #2. I think it depends on how unknowledgeable the faculty are about your dissertation interest. You want faculty who are going to challenge you as well as guide you. If you don't feel like you'll get that at program #1, then is it really worth it? Then again, if the school's reputation will give you an edge when the time comes for applying for jobs, then that is also something to consider.

I can see what you're saying about York. It's a commuter school. That's why I would never be able to live near there. I've lived in Toronto most of my life, and I can't ever see myself living that far north of bloor! I just hope academically I get a different vibe from the school than I did as an undergrad.

Humanities PhD. I actually went to York for undergrad, so it should be interesting being there as a grad student. I guess there are pros and cons to that. What program are you in? And since you started this thread last year, I'm assuming you've been there for about a year already. How do you like it so far?

I'll be at York in September!!!