lexipedia

I think the issue here might not be applying to the school, but getting the necessary permits/visas to enter and stay in the country. The school won't ask you anything (unless you need a criminal record check for a placement), but immigration will need to know. http://www.canadianimmigration.net/criminality-and-inadmissibility/dui-canada-entry.html This should help. ^

RKS - I believe that an email that a friend received said that, as of April 27th, all the places had been filled.

RKS - I was the one who said that the class size has gotten increased. From what I hear now, it hasn't been quite doubled, but is nonetheless significantly larger than last year. I know acceptances started rolling out the first week of March, and the rejections dates were end of March or early April for those accepted in the first round. They are notoriously slow. You should call Anita, her number is on the website. She will likely be able to help you. I know of quite a few people who got offers and rejected them, don't lose hope yet.

I had a serious discussion about this with my undergraduate advisor while I was choosing programs. He said that, in some ways it is harder, because MA students generally have significant independent research experience, and possibly publications. But, if you keep the possibility of a PhD in mind throughout your degree it is definitely possible. His suggestion was to make sure you get involved in research, try and publish something, and get experience at conferences. I know that the MPP program is doing one in the US next year actually. It depends on what you want to do your PhD in of course, but there is no reason that a (carefully planned) MPP makes you unqualified for PhD work. Try and develop a "portfolio" of research and writing that would be applicable to a PhD application, think about it as a goal throughout your degree.

The guy who answers the phones told me that the entire package was due on the January date (deadline for online application and payment) so you couldn't submit your SoP, CV, references, etc. online after that and had to mail them in. I nearly had a heart attack. Good luck! My decide-by date was the 30th, but then was extended until today. I sent in my form declining the offer last week so my spot is open for the next round.

The tuition is $15K each year, so $30K total. There is a paid internship in the middle worth approx $7-10K over the summer. I know a few people who were offered $3K for each year and they were in the first round. The reality is, many people don't get any money at all and TAships are rare because you're generally applying for courses in other departments. I was accepted with some money, and turned it down, though it was a hard choice. Like NeeNee's friend I was deciding between MPP and MGA - I chose MGA.

NeeNee, don't talk to the guy - he's useless. Call Anita, and tell her that you are on a deadline for another program. She is very helpful. Also, they've almost doubled the size of the program this year, which is good for anyone waiting. And a lot of those first-rounders will turn the program down because they don't offer much funding. Many people get nothing at all and the tuition is $15K. But, it's an excellent program, and good luck! Don't lose hope yet.

I applied to the MScPL, MPP, MA Political Science, MAPS collaborative and MGA. The MPP program is the only one that changed status - even a month after I was accepted to some of them.

Just as a note for all of you, I applied to five U of T programs and was accepted to all of them a while ago, and four out of five of those applications STILL say "Under Review" on SGS. Only one department bothered to change it. So, don't lose hope!

cjanney - Good luck! One of my best friends is doing the MPP program as well. Also, I spoke to some of the faculty and they said that the electives will likely diversify next year, with some crossover to the MGA. I'm personally really jealous of the August stats/math primer you can do.

cjanney - I got an offer with the email, but the tuition is still higher than anywhere else I applied. But, it's my top choice anyway, so I'm embracing the debt and accepting. My mother put it this way, "if you could take out a $20k loan right now, to buy a house worth a million dollars over time, would you do it?". I guess I'm investing in my future, and my happiness. Are you accepting?

Good luck with the wait list! Do you have a specific topic you were hoping to focus on?

I'm pretty sure 20 is the limit, but U of T has a tendency to offer admission to their first round - many of whom don't take it. The reality is that MA funding (especially in polisci) generally sucks. So, many of those initially offered a place will turn it down for other schools. Which home department did you apply to? I actually was a U of T undergrad and did my research at the Asian Institute. It was a fantastic experience, MAPS/MPP was my top choice after MGA.

Canteaus - Yep, Masters of Asia Pacific Studies. I applied to Political Science, Planning and Public Policy.

cjanney - did you get a funding offer in the email, or are you waiting for the letter? Look into the OSAP estimator, and also explore U of T's UTAPS program which can provide bursary money. They also have an estimator and do it by program.