Schools › University of Toronto

University of Toronto

Toronto admits mostly on grades, but its competitive programs add their own written and video supplemental applications. Here is how to write them.

Your chance See your chance →

Application route

OUAC (Ontario Universities' Application Centre), then a U of T applicant portal

Required writing

No general essay; program-specific supplemental profiles for competitive programs

Written responses

Timed, typed answers (e.g. 250-300 words) plus recorded video responses

Interview

Video interviews via Kira Talent for Engineering and Rotman Commerce

What Toronto rewards

The University of Toronto is not on the US Common App, and most of its programs do not ask for a personal essay at all. You apply through OUAC, the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, which is a centralized form shared across Ontario schools. For the majority of Arts & Science programs, admission is decided primarily on your grades and prerequisite courses. There is no general "Why Toronto" essay, no main personal statement, and no recommendation letters in the American sense.

The writing happens in the program-specific supplemental applications that Toronto's most competitive programs require. Engineering, Rotman Commerce, Computer Science, several Scarborough management programs, and Architecture each run their own form after you apply through OUAC. About a week after OUAC sends your application, U of T emails you a link to an applicant portal (the Join U of T portal, or the Engineering Applicant Portal) where you complete these pieces. The catch for international and American applicants: these supplements are often timed and partly video-based, so you cannot polish them for weeks like a Common App essay. You prepare in advance, then perform on the clock.

01Specific evidence, not personal narrative. Toronto's supplements reward concrete examples of what you have actually done and built, not a moving life story. Engineering says outright it wants activities and achievements that demonstrate leadership, dedication, and excellence. Name the project, the result, your exact role.

02Genuine fit with the program. Because each form belongs to one program, generic enthusiasm is wasted. Rotman wants commercial curiosity; Engineering wants problem-solving and technical interest; Computer Science wants evidence you have programmed and think like a builder. Tailor every answer to that discipline.

03Clear thinking under time pressure. Most written responses are typed in a fixed window (often 10 minutes for a 250-300 word answer), and videos give you only a minute or two to prepare. Toronto is testing whether you can organize a focused, relevant answer quickly, not whether you can write beautifully over many drafts.

04Reflection, not just a resume. The strongest answers explain why something mattered and what you learned, not just that it happened. A solved math problem becomes compelling when you show how you knew what to do and why you chose that approach.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

3 prompts for Toronto, each broken down with annotated examples.

Engineering: written responseTyped, about 300 words, 10 minutes to prepare and write (timed in the portal)

Tell us about yourself and the engineering concept or idea that interests you the most, and why.

Rotman Commerce: written responseTyped, timed (about 20 minutes per written question); a representative prompt, drawn from a question bank

Describe a time you took initiative or showed leadership, and what the experience taught you about working with others.

Computer Science / supplemental short answerShort written response in the program supplemental application (length varies by program; keep it tight and specific)

Tell us about your experience with programming or computer science and what draws you to the field.

See all 3 prompts and get a read

Your chance

See your chance

Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at Toronto and build a balanced list.

See your chance →

Deadlines

OUAC application (Engineering, Kinesiology, Music, Nursing)January 15

OUAC application (Arts & Science, St. George; some areas)Extended to February 2

Architecture, Landscape and DesignExtended to February 2

Early consideration (apply / documents)Apply by November 7; documents by December 2

Engineering Online Student Profile (regular)January 15 (early consideration December 2)

Rotman Commerce supplemental (final)February 2, 11:59 PM EST

Cost

Sticker price$61,500

Avg net after aid$61,500

Read my essay for Toronto

Explore Toronto

How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Toronto weighs most Supplemental essays3 prompts, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $61,500/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Toronto interview? Format, tips, and practice The Toronto Reader ProScore your draft against Toronto's exact prompts

Similar schools

UBC

York U (Canada)

Toronto appears in

Colleges that no longer consider legacy The most selective colleges

Compare Toronto

Toronto vs Queen's Toronto vs McGill Toronto vs UBC Toronto vs Waterloo Toronto vs Concordia Toronto vs York U (Canada)

Toronto FAQ

What is Toronto's acceptance rate?

Toronto does not publish a single official undergraduate acceptance rate. Reputable estimates put the overall rate near 43%, with record applications of over 115,000 for the 2025-26 cycle. The competitive programs that require supplemental writing, Rotman Commerce, Computer Science, and Engineering Science, are far more selective, with estimated admit rates around 15-20%. Treat all program-level rates as approximate. At Toronto, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Toronto require?

Toronto requires 3 supplemental essays on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does Toronto cost?

Toronto's published sticker price is about $61,500 per year, but the average family pays $61,500 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

When are Toronto's application deadlines?

Toronto's application deadlines are OUAC application (Engineering, Kinesiology, Music, Nursing) January 15; OUAC application (Arts & Science, St. George; some areas) Extended to February 2; Architecture, Landscape and Design Extended to February 2; Rotman Commerce supplemental (final) February 2, 11:59 PM EST. Add Toronto to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

Ready to write? Start with your Toronto essays.

Toronto essay guides →