A 3-Step Guide to Prepare to Apply to University

Are you a student interested in applying to our university? If you are, and you’re looking for information about how to apply before the February 1 guaranteed consideration date, then you’ve come to the right place! If you potentially see yourself at our university this upcoming fall, here is a three-step guide to help you prepare for applying.

Our university has over sixty undergraduate programs across six faculties, meaning there is a very good chance that we have a program that suits your interests. There is a list of all of the undergraduate programs we have on our website, but there are even better ways to learn about the programs we offer. 

I suggest you keep an eye on our Future Student Blog (you’re on it right now!), and read posts such as “Describing each of The Creative School programs in a sentence (or two)”, “Why I’m thankful I did my business undergrad at Ryerson” and “Carly’s 5 Must-Take Classes in Professional Communication”. These blogs are a great way to learn about our programs, see why our students chose our university and get to know more about the classes we offer. 

If you prefer video content, we also have a YouTube channel (external link, opens in new window)  where you can watch recordings of information sessions, as well as videos from our own student ambassadors. For example, you can get to know what engineering students can’t live without (external link, opens in new window) , watch a Ryerson Q&A with a current student (external link, opens in new window)  and learn more about programs like Retail Management and Hospitality and Tourism Management right from people in the program (external link, opens in new window) . 

We also have social media channels where our student ambassadors (like me!) regularly make content for our Instagram (external link, opens in new window)  and TikTok (external link, opens in new window) . These accounts give you the opportunity to learn about our university directly from current students. Our student ambassadors also do social media takeovers and live streams, so you may even have the opportunity to ask your questions about their programs directly to them. 

When I was applying to university a few years ago, there were some things I did in between researching programs and actually applying. From my prior research, I knew that Creative Industries was likely the program for me. However, I still needed to be 100% sure that I was making the right decision about my university and program choice. 

Before I applied, I visited the campus in downtown Toronto to make sure I liked what it had to offer, and to see where I would potentially be spending the next four years of my life. Spoiler alert: I loved it and everything the city has to offer! I suggest signing up for a Virtual Tour so you can see our university’s campus for yourself.

When I was visiting campus, I also attended an information session about my program. My parents and I found it very helpful to learn about the program straight from the faculty. Take a peek at our Future Student Events to see if there are any opportunities to explore your interests, attend webinars about programs and faculties of interest and possibly connect with current students. 

I’m also a person that needs to talk out almost every single decision I make. Of course, my university decision was no exception to this need. The person who was the most helpful in making my big decision was my high school guidance counsellor. She gave me unbiased advice on where she thought I should go because all she wanted for me was to reach my full potential. Your parents and supporters are also crucial people to talk to. They want the best for you, but they also need to be aware of what you’re thinking for your future. Read my blog post “How to tell your parents and supporters about your university decision” for some advice.

Aiming to apply before the February 1 guaranteed consideration date is a crucial step! The guaranteed consideration date means that if you apply to a program at our university before February 1, your application will receive equal consideration among all other applicants. Ready to learn how to apply? There are three easy steps to follow!

1. Submit your application: to apply to our university, you’ll need to submit the appropriate application. Visit the How to Apply page on our website for everything you need to know. 
2. Submit/upload required documents: after submitting your application, be sure to submit or upload any required documents. This may include transcripts, proof of English proficiency, supplementary forms and non-academic requirements (NARs), amongst others.
   
   What are NARs? They can consist of portfolios, references or statements of interest, for example. Double-check if the Grades-Plus programs you’re interested in have any NARs, and ensure you know when they need to be submitted by. Note that Grades-Only programs do not have NARs.
3. Check your application status: once you’ve submitted your application and any other required materials, you just have to sit tight! I know it’s difficult to wait for such big news, but in the meantime, you can check your applicant portal for the latest updates.
   

We recommend getting your application in as soon as possible. After the February 1 guaranteed consideration date passes you can see what programs are still accepting new applications on our website. If a program you’re interested in is still open, send in your application and any non-academic requirements (if applicable) as soon as possible. 

Applying for university can be a bit stressful and overwhelming, but it’s also the start of something new and exciting. Hopefully this guide will help ease some of your nerves. Good luck!