How to Apply to Programs

In order to enrol in limited programs, you have to complete 4.0 credits and complete some additional requirements like obtaining minimum grades or completing required courses. These additional requirements are available in the Academic Calendar. 

Note: If you are applying to a Collaborative Life Science program, you will have to follow different instructions (see the Special Instructions for Collaborative Life Science Programs section below) 

ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of 4.0 credits. If you have not completed 4.0 credits, you can still apply. We expect that you will complete 4.0 credits by the time you are accepted into the Program.  
• Prerequisite Courses: Limited programs require that you complete certain courses. Look up the program in the Academic Calendar to see if there are any prerequisite courses listed.  
• Minimum Grades: Some limited programs require you to obtain a minimum grade in prerequisite courses. This could be minimum grades in select courses, or a minimum average grade across multiple courses. Look up the program in the Arts & Science Calendar to learn what the minimum grades are. Keep in mind that obtaining these grades does not guarantee that you will be admitted into these programs.  
• Special: Some limited programs can have special requirements like a supplementary application, an essay or an audition. The requirements are listed in the Arts & Science Calendar.

ENROLMENT PERIOD

Limited programs have two enrolment periods. Some limited programs accept applications in the first request period only, while others accept applications in both the first and second request periods. Check the Program List to find out when certain programs will accept applications. 

• First Request Period: If you expect to complete the prerequisite courses during the Fall/Winter session, you should apply to limited programs during the first request period.
  • Apply from March 1, 2024 – April 26, 2024
  • Check results between April 27, 2024 – June 7, 2024
  • Enrol by July 5, 2024
• Second Request Period: If you expect to complete the prerequisite courses during the Summer session, you should apply to limited programs during the second request period.
  • Apply from July 6, 2024 – August 20, 2024
  • Check results between August 21, 2024 – September 4, 2024
  • Enrol by September 16, 2024

Tip: If you don’t get into your first choice of program in the first request period, apply to a different program in the second request period, or enrol in an open program.

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1: Submit a request on ACORN 

1. Go to the Arts & Science Calendar and find the limited program you are interested in. 
2. Confirm that you have fulfilled all of the enrolment requirements listed in the Calendar. 
3. Note down the program code listed next to the program name. For example, the Anthropology Specialist is ASSPE0155. 
4. Log on to ACORN. 
5. Select Academics — Enrol & Manage — Program. 
6. Select “Add a Program”. 
7. Enter the Program code. 
8. Confirm your request. 
9. If the status next to the program code changes to “REQUESTED – You have applied for admission to this Program”, you have successfully completed Step 1. 

Step 2: Provide supplemental information (if requested) 

In some cases, the department will require some supplemental information for certain limited programs. The department may send you an email request for supplemental information or post specific instructions on their website.  

1. Visit the program’s website and check your U of T email regularly to see if they have emailed you a request for supplemental information. 
2. Complete the supplemental information request.  

Step 3: Check results of your requests to see if the department has invited you to enrol in the program 

1. Beginning on the “Check Results” date listed above, log on to ACORN. 
2. Select Academics — Enrol & Manage — Program. 
3. A list of your programs will appear. 
4. Check the status next to your program. If the status is:
   • INVITED – You have been offered admission to this program and you can move onto the next step. 
   • REFUSED – You have been denied admission into this program and you may need to enrol in alternate programs to ensure you are in an appropriate combination for your degree. 
   • REQUESTED – Check back again. Your program request is being processed by the department. 

Step 4: Accept the invitation to enrol in your Program 

1. If you have been INVITED, you can accept or decline the invitation in ACORN. 
2. If the status next to the program code changes to:
   • ACTIVE – You are enrolled in this program and you have successfully completed all the steps to enrol.
   • To decline an invitation to enrol simply select “DELETE.”

Collaborative Life Science programs are hosted in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine. The following Collaborative Life Science programs have special enrolment instructions. 

You can apply to a maximum of six Collaborative Life Science programs (majors or specialists). If you apply to more than six programs from this list, any additional programs will be removed. 

In addition, you can apply to other open or limited programs that are not part of the Collaborative Life Sciences group. 

Programs accepting applications in the first request period only:

• Biochemistry Specialist (limited)
• Biochemistry Major (limited)
• Biomedical Toxicology Major (limited)
• Biomedical Toxicology Specialist (limited)
• Environment & Toxicology Specialist (limited)
• Immunology Major (limited)
• Immunology Specialist (limited)
• Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Specialist (limited)  (General, Genetics Stream, Microbiology Stream)
• Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Major (limited)
• Nutritional Sciences Major (limited)
• Pathobiology Specialist (limited)
• Pharmacology & Biomedical Toxicology Major (limited)
• Pharmacology Major (limited)
• Pharmacology Specialist (limited)
• Physiology Major (limited)
• Physiology Specialist (limited)
• Specialist in Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology (limited)

Programs accepting applications in the first and second request periods:

• Fundamental Genetics and its Applications Specialist (limited)
• Global Health Specialist (limited)
• Health & Disease Specialist (limited)
• Neuroscience Specialist (limited)
• Neuroscience Major (limited)

To apply to Collaborative Life Sciences programs, follow the instructions below.

ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of 4.0 credits. If you have not completed 4.0 credits, you can still apply. We expect that you will complete 4.0 credits by the time you are accepted into the program. 
• Completion of prerequisite courses 
• Minimum grade requirements 

You can apply to a maximum of six Collaborative Life Science programs (majors or specialists). If you apply to more than six programs from this list, any additional programs will be removed. 

In addition, you can apply to other open or limited programs that are not part of the Collaborative Life Sciences group. 

ENROLMENT PERIOD

You can apply to most Collaborative Life Science programs during the first request period only. Some Collaborative Life Science programs also accept applications in the second request period. Check the program list above to find out when you can apply for these programs.  

First Request Period 

In the first request period, there are three decision iterations during which you may receive a decision on your application. If you receive an invitation during one of the iterations, you must accept or decline the invitation during that iteration. If you do not accept the invitation during that iteration, your invitation will expire. 

• Apply between March 1, 2024 – April 26, 2024
• First decision iteration: May 17 – May 30, 2024
• Second decision iteration: June 5 – 17, 2024
• Third decision iteration: June 21 – July 5, 2024

Second Request Period 

In the second request period, only the following Collaborative Life Science programs will accept applications: 

• Fundamental Genetics and its Applications Specialist
• Global Health Specialist 
• Health & Disease Specialist 
• Neuroscience Specialist 
• Neuroscience Major

If you are taking the required courses for these programs in the Summer session, you must apply to these programs in the second request period. 

• Apply between: July 6, 2024 – August 20, 2024
• Check results between: August 21, 2024 – September 4, 2024
• Enrol by: September 16, 2024

HOW TO APPLY DURING FIRST REQUEST PERIOD

Step 1: Submit a request on ACORN 

You can apply to a maximum of six Collaborative Life Science programs (majors or specialists). If you apply to more than six programs from this list, any additional programs will be removed. 

1. Go to the Arts & Science Calendar and find the Collaborative Life Science (major or specialist) program you are interested in. 
2. Confirm that you have fulfilled all of the enrolment requirements listed in the Calendar.
3. Note down the program code listed next to the program name. For example, the Biochemistry Specialist program code is ASSPE1762.
4. Log on to ACORN.
5. Select Academics — Enrol & Manage — Program.
6. Select “Add a Program”.
7. Enter the program code.
8. Confirm your request.
9. If the status next to the program code changes to “REQUESTED – You have applied for admission to this Program”, you have successfully completed Step 1. 

Step 2: Check results and respond during first decision iteration 

1. Between May 17 – May 30, 2024, log on to ACORN. 
2. Select Academics — Enrol & Manage — Program. 
3. A list of your programs will appear. 
4. Check the status next to your Program. If the status is:
   • INVITED – You have been offered admission to this program and you can move onto the next step. 
   • REFUSED – You have been denied admission into this program and you may need to enrol in alternate programs to ensure you are in an appropriate combination for your degree.
   • REQUESTED – Check back during the next decision iteration. Your program request is being processed by the Department.
5. If you have been INVITED, you can accept or decline the invitation in ACORN. If you do not do so by the end of this iteration, your invitation will expire.
   • You can be enrolled in only one specialist from the Collaborative Life Science group. If you accept an invitation to more than one specialist from this group, you will be removed from the first specialist for which you accepted an invitation. 
   • If you accept an invitation for more than one program from the Collaborative Life Science group (majors and specialists), make sure that these programs are acceptable combinations (see next section). If these programs are not acceptable combinations, you will be removed from the first program for which you accepted an invitation. 
6. If the status next to the program code changes to:
   • ACTIVE – You are enrolled in this program and you have successfully completed all the steps to enrol. 
   • To decline an invitation to enrol simply select “DELETE.” 

Step 3: Check results and respond during second decision iteration 

1. Between June 5 – 17, 2024, log on to ACORN. 
2. Select Academics — Enrol & Manage — Program. 
3. A list of your programs will appear. 
4. Check the status next to your program. If the status is:
   • INVITED – You have been offered admission to this program and you can move onto the next step. 
   • REFUSED – You have been denied admission into this program and you may need to enrol in alternate programs to ensure you are in an appropriate combination for your degree. 
   • REQUESTED – Check back during the next decision iteration. Your program request is being processed by the department. 
5. If you have been INVITED, you can accept or decline the invitation in ACORN. If you do not do so by the end of this iteration, your invitation will expire.
   • You can be enrolled in only one specialist from the Collaborative Life Science group. If you accept an invitation to more than one specialist from this group, you will be removed from the first specialist for which you accepted an invitation. 
   • If you accept an invitation for more than one program from the Collaborative Life Science group (majors and specialists), make sure that these programs are acceptable combinations (see next section). If these programs are not acceptable combinations, you will be removed from the first program for which you accepted an invitation. 
6. If the status next to the program code changes to:
   • ACTIVE – You are enrolled in this program and you have successfully completed all the steps to enrol. 
   • To decline an invitation to enrol simply select “DELETE.” 

Step 4: Check results and respond during third decision iteration 

1. Between June 21 – July 5, 2024, log on to ACORN. 
2. Select Academics — Enrol & Manage — Program. 
3. A list of your programs will appear. 
4. Check the status next to your program. If the status is:
   • INVITED – You have been offered admission to this program and you can move onto the next step. 
   • REFUSED – You have been denied admission into this program and you may need to enrol in alternate programs to ensure you are in an appropriate combination for your degree. 
5. If you have been INVITED, you can accept or decline the invitation in ACORN. If you do not do so by the end of this iteration, your invitation will expire.
   • You can be enrolled in only one specialist from the Collaborative Life Science group. If you accept an invitation to more than one specialist from this group, you will be removed from the first specialist for which you accepted an invitation. 
   • If you accept an invitation for more than one program from the Collaborative Life Science group (majors and specialists), make sure that these programs are acceptable combinations (see next section). If these programs are not acceptable combinations, you will be removed from the first program for which you accepted an invitation. 
6. If the status next to the program code changes to:
   • ACTIVE – You are enrolled in this program and you have successfully completed all the steps to enrol. 
7. To decline an invitation to enrol simply select “DELETE.” 

Quick tip: Once you have completed 4.0 credits, you will not be able to enrol in further courses until you have enrolled in the minimum appropriate combination of Programs. That means you must be enrolled in 1 Specialist, 2 Majors, or 1 Major and 2 Minors to enrol in courses for an upcoming session. Therefore, while you are waiting for the results of Collaborative Life Sciences Program requests, you may need to enrol in Open Program(s) to be able to enrol in courses. You’ll have the opportunity to change your programs later when you receive your results or when you meet the enrolment requirements. If you need help, contact your College Registrar’s Office. 

HOW TO APPLY DURING SECOND REQUEST PERIOD

During the second request period, you can apply to specific Collaborative Life Science programs following the same steps and dates as other limited programs (see top of this page). The second request period does not have decision iterations and you can follow the same timelines as other limited programs. Check the program list to find out which programs accept applications in the second request period.

You can apply to a maximum of six Collaborative Life Science programs (majors or specialists). If you apply to more than six programs from this list, any additional programs will be removed. 

You can combine one of the specialist Collaborative Life Science programs with one major from the Collaborative Life Science programs, except for the following: 

• Biochemistry Specialist cannot be combined with:
  • Immunology Major 
  • Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Major 

• Biomedical Toxicology Specialist cannot be combined with:
  • Biomedical Toxicology Major 
  • Pharmacology Major

• Environment and Toxicology Specialist cannot be combined with:
  • Biomedical Toxicology Major 
  • Pharmacology Major 

• Immunology Major cannot be combined with:
  • Biological Physics Specialist, Immunology Stream

• Immunology Specialist cannot be combined with:
  • Biochemistry Major 
  • Biological Physics Specialist, Immunology Stream
  • Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Major

• Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Specialist cannot be combined with:
  • Biochemistry Major 
  • Immunology Major 

• Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology Specialist cannot be combined with:
  • Biomedical Toxicology Major
  • Pharmacology Major

• Pharmacology Specialist cannot be combined with:
  • Biomedical Toxicology Major 
  • Pharmacology Major 

• Pharmacology Major cannot be combined with:
  • Biomedical Toxicology Major 

To apply for a focus, you have to enrol in the associated major or specialist program first. There are two ways to enrol in program focuses. 

ENROL ON ACORN

If you are enrolled in one of the following Programs, you can enrol in a focus on ACORN: 

• Applied Statistics specialist 
• Computer Science specialist 
• Human Geography specialist 
• Human Geography major 
• International Relations specialist
• International Relations major
• Management specialist 

You can enrol in focuses associated with these programs on ACORN between March 1, 2024 – September 16, 2024.

To enrol in a focus on ACORN, select “Programs” from the “Enrol & Manage” menu. Make sure that you are already enrolled in the “parent” program. In the “Add a Program” box, enter the code or name of the focus you want to enrol in. 

A pop-up box will appear after you select the focus; click the “Enrol” button. If your enrolment is successful, ACORN will display the message: “You have successfully added the program [focus code] [focus name]”. The focus will appear under “Focuses/Currently Enrolled” as well as within the parent program under “Programs/Currently Enrolled”. Your enrolment in the focus is now complete. 

You may enrol in more than one focus. Descriptions of focus requirements are listed in the Academic Calendar.

ENROL THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT

If you are enrolled in one of the following programs, you can enrol in a focus through your Department: 

• Cell and Molecular Biology specialist 
• Cell and Molecular Biology major 

Contact the Department of Cell and Systems Biology if you wish to enrol in focuses associated with these programs. 

Certificates offered in conjunction with an undergraduate degree program are composed of a sequence of courses relating to a particular subject or theme, intended to complement an existing program. The total number of credits required for a Certificate is less than a minor (normally 2.0-3.0 credits), to allow room for completion alongside normal programs of study. 

Certificates do not contribute to degree requirements, but may be used to provide structure to elective course space. 

ADDING CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

To enrol in a certificate, students may add them via ACORN during the regular program enrolment period, but they must be approved by the department prior to final enrolment. Contact your Department for help with enrolling in certificates.