UToronto -- LOR invitations

[Brisingamen]

People applying to UToronto (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences), do you have any idea whether the application software waits until an application is submitted before sending out invitations to LOR writers? 

 

I added my LOR writers more than a week ago and all of them are saying they haven't received any message from UToronto. I haven't submitted the application yet -- the deadline is more than ten days away (15 January), and I was hoping to tweak my statement a bit before sending. The Graduate Office is closed till Monday (6 January), so I don't anticipate they'll respond till at least 8 January... now I'm just wondering whether their system is the problem or whether I actually need to hit "submit" and pay an application fee to get the messages sent to LOR writers. 

[surefire]

Hi bombilfry,

 

I'm a current grad student at U of T. I entered the program in September of 2012, so I can speak to my experience from the 2011/12 application session. It's entirely possible that U of T has changed the system since my application, but I can tell you what I remember:

 

- I was able to add my letter writers and make sure their notifications were sent out well in advance of the deadline without submitting my full app. My e-mail records indicate that the LOR notifications were sent by U of T on December 6th, 2011, while I submitted my complete application on January 22, 2012 (my deadline was January 23).

- I DID have to pay them before they sent the e-mail notifications. I imagine that this hasn't changed.

- BUT, as mentioned, I didn't have to submit the full application. I think I was able just to "submit" the LOR section (after you do that you can't change that section).

- My U of T app status page listed the date that U of T sent out the notifications (Dec. 6) and then posted the dates upon which letters were submitted by my writers. If you don't see a notification on your app "status" page, then U of T didn't send the notifications. I reckon that they haven't sent the notifications because you haven't paid; U of T, in general, won't do things until you pay them.

 

So, I reckon you need to "submit" the LOR page and pay them, and then the notifications will go out. If you can't figure out how to do this without submitting the whole app, try to find/call a number on the application "help" page. If that isn't fruitful, CALL SGS at U of T (they will be buried under holiday e-mails, they may be irritated by a phone call, but it's the more effective way to resolve it). Before you call though, do comb the application pages to see if you can figure out how to do the partial submission and full payment, if that's what you need. If I recall, each page of the U of T app had a "help" or "more info" button that you could click on for more detailed instructions.

 

HTH! Good luck!

[Brisingamen]

Hello, surefire!

 

Thank you so much -- that really helps.

 

I think my problem is I've sent in four applications to US universities that use an entirely different system -- and none of them needed me to pay before they'd send out the invitations. BUT payment was the last step in the process for all of them, after uploading supporting documents. So I've been thinking it works the same way for U of T as well. From what you describe and from the fact that "payment" comes before "supporting documents" in the online application, it seems I've just misunderstood that point. I'm going to try sending that application fee tonight (after double-checking that documents can be uploaded later) and let's see what happens. Fortunately one of my referees is lovely and very supportive and will not have a fit if I nag her to tell me whether she has the email inviting her to submit the letter... 

 

I anyway took the time today to work on getting everything into shape for a final submission -- so that can be done this weekend as well, if necessary. I am guessing that provided I send everything off on time, I won't be penalized should my letter writers be a day or two late (assuming they don't get their invitation emails until the deadline itself). 

 

Many thanks! 

[surefire]

 

I anyway took the time today to work on getting everything into shape for a final submission -- so that can be done this weekend as well, if necessary. I am guessing that provided I send everything off on time, I won't be penalized should my letter writers be a day or two late (assuming they don't get their invitation emails until the deadline itself). 

 

Many thanks! 

 

No problem! Glad to have been of help!

 

Regarding your above statement: my experience was that they sent out the e-mail notifications to your writers very quickly after you pay. I paid them on December 6th and they sent out the e-mail notifications that same day! There generally is a "grace period" for submission of third-party materials (transcripts and LORs), but I wouldn't rely too heavily on it, and anyway, I think that you can still get the notifications out and see the letters submitted well in advance of the deadline! It's awesome that you have such supportive writers, that bodes well!

 

Best of luck with all of your applications! I'm not sure what your discipline/department might be, but if U of T emerges as a prospect for you, feel free to PM me with any questions and I will help to the best of my ability!

 

Bonne chance!

[TakeruK]

I also applied to U Toronto, in 2009 and 2011. My experience matches surefire's experience. I also want to add that the LOR deadline can vary depending on department. For example, in my case, I remember the application being due on Jan 15, but my department (Astronomy & Astrophysics) said the LOR and transcript deadline was Feb 1 because they don't start reviewing applications until mid-February. Since LORs are something reviewed by the department rather than the grad school, I would imagine whether or not this separate deadline even exists will depend on which program you are applying to! 

[Brisingamen]

Well, I sent the application fee off and now​ the web application says "requests sent" to all of the referees! You were right. Phew. I can still upload documents later...

 

They won't have trouble meeting the deadline now (that is, provided the messages do reach them and don't get blocked by firewalls or suchlike) -- I was only concerned about the letters getting pushed too close to the deadline (which is 15 January). Particularly since one referee will be travelling Monday onwards until 16 January and was concerned about not being able to send the letter this weekend.

 

Thanks, TakeruK and surefire, most helpful! surefire, U of T is my top choice for several reasons. So I'm hoping they stick their necks out and make me an offer. Will PM you with the details, am a little iffy about sharing too much on a public forum.  

[Brisingamen]

Sweet Baby Moses, is one ever home and dry on sending in application stuff? One of my referees still hasn't got his letter submission request -- because his official email id is not functional, as the servers are down and goodness knows when they'll be back up. Now to hope UToronto makes an exception and sends the request to a personal email address or lets him submit it by post even if it reaches after the deadline. No questions here for anyone, just a public gripe. 

[ereissoup]

Just email the graduate secretary/coordinator/administrator/chair etc and ask them to re-send the invitation to the correct email. Your problem isn't unusual, they will most likely acommodate you. 

[Brisingamen]

ereissoup, thanks for the reassurance. I've emailed them and hope they respond soon after they get back from vacation this Monday.