Are there "Early Acceptances" for Graduate Programs?

[stephanie.ms.antunes]

Most of the schools I have applied to said that the decisions would be made BY April.

As much as I would love to wait until April to find out, I was just wondering if anyone knew if Graduate programs are prone to give out early acceptances (or at least acceptances earlier than the deadline for decisions). Do they generally release all of the acceptances at once, or do they let applicants in gradually?

Any help anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated!

(FYI: I am applying for my MSW at 3 Ontario Universities: University of Toronto, York University and Laurier University).

Thanks guys!

Edited February 4, 2012 by stephanie.ms.antunes

[lovenhaight]

I'm not sure if the process works differently in Canada, but programs in the US generally begin accepting people a few weeks into January and continue until their funded cohort slots are filled. There is a courtesy amongst universities that students commit no later than April (usually the 15th or so) so that any students on a wait list can be informed of their fate in time to make arrangements to attend if they are accepted.

So essentially, yes there are "early admissions", but they aren't really "early". The process just happens to take longer if you happen to be on the wait-list bubble. The stronger you are as an applicant for a particular program, the earlier they let you know.

[ktel]

I applied to U of T and Ryerson and found out much earlier than April (I think February or March). That was just for the official acceptances. I received a number of 'unofficial' replies from faculty members.

Edited February 4, 2012 by ktel

[ladybug3]

The schools you applied to, you will find out mid-April.

York might be a bit sooner, although the results here usually says a bit later.

UofT sent me my waitlist letter last year on April 14th. All letters - waitlist, acceptance, and rejection - were sent at the same time.

Laurier sent out letters slightly earlier last year, but say not to expect them this year until April.

I applied to the exact same program as you at UofT last year and at UofT and Laurier this year. I went to both schools' open houses this year. Unfortunately, we have to wait until at LEAST late March, but most likely April.

[ladybug3]

By the way, the waitlist curtesy does not happen here. I was informed April 14th of being on the waitlist with an option to either remain there or to refuse this offer. I accepted and was told I could find out any time between then and September 16th, 3 days after the program started.

[stephanie.ms.antunes]

The schools you applied to, you will find out mid-April.

York might be a bit sooner, although the results here usually says a bit later.

UofT sent me my waitlist letter last year on April 14th. All letters - waitlist, acceptance, and rejection - were sent at the same time.

Laurier sent out letters slightly earlier last year, but say not to expect them this year until April.

I applied to the exact same program as you at UofT last year and at UofT and Laurier this year. I went to both schools' open houses this year. Unfortunately, we have to wait until at LEAST late March, but most likely April.

Ah, that is what I was afraid of! I have seen a few people have received rejections from York already but no acceptances yet, so I'm assuming I don't want to see "Decision Made" right now anyways. Thank you for your help!

[stephanie.ms.antunes]

Thanks everyone!