University of Toronto - Criminology MA, Fall 2017?

[criminawl]

Hello, 

After scouring the internet, I haven't seen much discussion about people's experiences applying to the MA program in criminology at U of T. 

I've already posted in the admission results section of this site, but I thought I'd start a thread here on the forum in case there are others in my position who are eager to connect with fellow applicants.

I received a letter in the post yesterday (March 1st) indicating that I've been waitlisted and that I'll be contacted again regarding any developments at a later date. The letter was sent on February 22nd. At first, I was pretty delighted to even be waitlisted, but now I'm thinking my chances of actually getting in are next to nil. Not feeling very optimistic. With the program being as competitive as it is (I read in a previous thread on here, dated maybe 2012, that only 30% of students who apply to this particular program end up actually being admitted), it would seem logical that the majority of those who have been given offers would accept. 

I have contacted the program coordinator for further information about the wait list, but I have no idea how it's ranked, how many of us there are on it, and when to expect a response by. All I know is that in September, after the wait list has officially closed, everyone should receive a final response. In a thread for BSW MA applicants, there was someone a few years back who said they were admitted to U of T off the wait list in September. What a long time to have to wait!

Anyway, if you've been admitted or waitlisted to the U of T's crim program, I'd love to hear from you!

Edited March 3, 2017 by criminawl

[internationlstudent2017]

Hi,

I've also applied to the MA Criminology at U of T. I don't have any news to share, but I wanted to reach out because waiting alone really is worse!

My application is still under review on sgs and I haven't been contacted at all, but I do live very far from Canada, which could be delaying a letter.

I am not very hopeful anymore, but, let's wait and see!

Good luck to everyone!!

[criminawl]

Thanks for replying, internationalstudent2017

It took a week for my letter to arrive in the post and I'm ~3 hours from Toronto, so I wouldn't lose hope if I were you! From what I've read, SGS is an unreliable way to learn about what's happening with our applications, which is too bad. From my understanding, they only seem to update SGS when everyone who has been admitted has accepted their offers.

Wishing you the best of luck!

[internationlstudent2017]

Thank you!

But I received an email today, I've been waitlisted after all!

I guess there is not much to do now except wait, but I don't really have hope. Maybe next year

Good luck for us, anyway! If I hear anything new I'll post here.

 

[SociologyStudent]

Hey,

I've also applied to the MA Criminology program at U of T. I e-mailed the graduate administrator two days ago and was informed that my application is "under review" and that I would hear back from them early next week. I just don't know how to interpret this.

 

Good luck to everyone!

[criminawl]

On 3/8/2017 at 2:10 PM, internationlstudent2017 said:

Thank you!

But I received an email today, I've been waitlisted after all!

I guess there is not much to do now except wait, but I don't really have hope. Maybe next year

Good luck for us, anyway! If I hear anything new I'll post here.

 

 

Ahh - being on the waitlist feels so conflicting! You're relieved to not be out of the running just yet, but then you start to doubt yourself and your chances. I'm trying to be more realistic by going about my life as if I'm not going to get in, but it's hard to snuff out that little bit of hope.

9 hours ago, SociologyStudent said:

Hey,

I've also applied to the MA Criminology program at U of T. I e-mailed the graduate administrator two days ago and was informed that my application is "under review" and that I would hear back from them early next week. I just don't know how to interpret this.

 

Good luck to everyone!

 

Hey! I feel like it's probably a good sign that you've been told your application is under review and to hold tight until next week.  Obviously, I have no clue what goes on behind the curtain, but I feel like they would have wanted to get their rejections out early, followed by those on the waitlist, and then everyone who has been accepted? That's complete conjecture, but if the survey results are any indication, this seems to be the pattern so far...In any case, good luck!

[SociologyStudent]

On 11/03/2017 at 1:16 AM, criminawl said:

Ahh - being on the waitlist feels so conflicting! You're relieved to not be out of the running just yet, but then you start to doubt yourself and your chances. I'm trying to be more realistic by going about my life as if I'm not going to get in, but it's hard to snuff out that little bit of hope.

Hey! I feel like it's probably a good sign that you've been told your application is under review and to hold tight until next week.  Obviously, I have no clue what goes on behind the curtain, but I feel like they would have wanted to get their rejections out early, followed by those on the waitlist, and then everyone who has been accepted? That's complete conjecture, but if the survey results are any indication, this seems to be the pattern so far...In any case, good luck!

Thanks for your comment, criminawl. I still haven't heard anything from them  Maybe I should send another e-mail next week...

[criminawl]

Posting here not because I have an exciting update--I wish!--but for anyone following this thread and future grad school applicants.

Nothing to report on my position on the waiting list. I last heard from Jessica at the beginning of March, when she confirmed that everyone should know their final decisions at the end of April. I noticed an admittance on the results page saying their offer was dated March 1st and that they had until March 21st to decide. It would make sense, then, for the Department to reach out to waitlisted applicants beginning around March 22nd...right? Knowing that the waitlist isn't ranked makes it impossible to predict what might happen, but I feel like I don't stand much of a chance now that 8 business days have passed since the deadline for admitted applicants to accept. 

I really wish I knew how many people were waitlisted, how many people applied, and how many were admitted! UofT doesn't seem to publish this information or at least as it relates to the Crim dept. This is probably for the best as I've been obsessing over this whole thing way too much!

Edit: I've realized that after my initial post, I never gave an update on what the grad coordinator said about the wait list. After getting my wait list notification in the post, I sent Jessica an email saying that I am still interested in the program. I also asked her if she could tell me anything about my place on the wait list. She thanked me (for confirming my interest), said the wait list isn't ranked, and that waitlisted applicants will be given a final decision at the end of April.

Edited April 1, 2017 by criminawl