Steps to Apply

2 years before

• Research graduate schools and programs.
• Speak with your professors and a career counsellor at the Career Center about graduate school plans and alternatives.
• Consider who among your professors and contacts can provide you with a letter of recommendation and build those relationships.
• Prepare for any testing required for admission (e.g. GRE, MCAT, GMAT exams) and take note of upcoming testing dates.
• Research topics that are of interest to you down to a specific area of focus.
• If you are currently in an undergraduate degree and will be applying to a Master's program:
  • transfer into a honours program if possible or alter your program of study to enable you to complete an honours degree (or equivalent). Most graduate programs require a minimum of a honours degree for admission (see York's entry requirements -- could be similar to other universities);
  • meet with a professor or academic adviser in your current Faculty for additional information and advice;
  • take part in internships, field study courses, summer research programs, exchanges or even a study abroad semester to expand your worldview and to help determine what topics you'd like to study further.
• If you are currently in a Master's degree and will be applying to a PhD program:
  • write articles about your current subject for submission to scholarly journals;
  • get relevant lab or research experience on your topic;
  • prepare a file with your best written and research work for your application.

1 year before

• Hone your field of interest.
• Find out what school best fits your needs and the professors who have similar interests to you.
• Visit schools if you can and contact the programs for more information. Attend Graduate Studies Information Fairs.
• Make note of application deadlines as they vary by program.
• Research funding opportunities (e.g. external scholarships) and make note of their deadlines.
• Take any testing required for admission (e.g. GRE, MCAT, GMAT exams) and arrange to have your test results sent directly to York.
• Continue to build strong relationships with contacts for your letters of recommendation.
• If you are currently in an undergraduate degree and will be applying to a Master's program:
  • choose your required and elective courses carefully, keeping in mind the topic you'd like to pursue during your graduate studies and the requirements for that program;
  • prepare a file with your best written and research work for your application.
• If you are currently in a Master's degree and will be applying to a PhD program:
  • attend conferences and events where you can network with students and professors from the schools you are interested in attending;
  • perfect your resumé with both academic, volunteer and employment-related information.

6 months before

• Prepare your Statement of Interest for the programs to which you'll be applying.
• Contact your references for appropriate recommendation letters. Be sure to supply references with information about the forms they need to fill out and a copy of your Statement of Interest. Remind references of the deadline for letters if needed.
• Begin to contact potential supervisors if required.
• Apply for funding opportunities.
• If you are currently in an undergraduate degree and will be applying to a Master's program:
  • ask a current professor to review your Statement of Interest and provide feedback.
• If you are currently in a Master's degree and will be applying to a PhD program:
  • contact professors you are interested in working with - provide them with information about your topic of study and your resumé;
  • inquire about internal financial aid/scholarship opportunities.

4 weeks before

• Perfect your Statement of Interest.
• Have transcripts from your current or former institutions sent directly to York and any other universities to which you're applying. (In some instances, the issuing institution(s) may mail the transcripts to you in unopened, sealed envelopes to submit with your application package.)
• Submit your application early or on time. Do not miss the deadline.

Apply now

1. Review all admission and application requirements for your chosen program of study before beginning the process. Application deadlines vary by program.
   
   
2. Follow the Application Checklist.
   • Admissions process
   • Entry requirements
   • Visit the campus
     
     
3. Complete the online graduate admission application and follow the instructions.
   
   
   Notes:
   
   • The application will time out after 30 minutes. Ensure you have all necessary documentation at hand when you begin the application.
   • Use your full legal name (found on your birth certificate or passport) on all application forms and, if applicable, include any hyphens.
   • Provide all previous names used as a York student to ensure we have one comprehensive student file for your documents.
   
   To apply to the Schulich School of Business, please visit the Schulich School of Business Web site.
   
   
4. Pay the $90 application fee by Visa or MasterCard. If you do not wish to submit your credit card online, or if you do not have a Visa or MasterCard, please contact the Office of Admissions at 416-736-5000. We will process your application when we have received the fee payment in full. Application fee is non-refundable.
   Note: The application fee for Osgoode Professional Development is $100 CDN.
   
   
5. Submit all required documentation by the program deadline. Refer to the specific program details page for requirements and deadlines. All documentation submitted becomes the property of York University and cannot be returned.
   
   
6. Make sure you meet our language requirements:
   • YELT
   • TOEFL
   • YUELI
   • IELTS
   International applicants: study permit & visa information.

After you apply

Have you applied by the deadline? If so, here's what happens to your application after you have applied:

• You will receive an e-mail containing your York reference number to track the progress of your application on MyFile (York University only -- other universities may have their own application status tool).
• Once your application is complete (all documentation such as transcripts, supplementary application information, language proficiency scores (if applicable) and references are submitted), your file is sent to the program for review.
• The program's admission committee reviews your application material and makes an admission decision.
• The program forwards decisions to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• The Office of Graduate Admissions informs students of the admission decision via MyFile and with mailed confirmation. If you're offered admission, you will receive a package outlining your next steps. You may also receive information from your program directly.
• Once you've been admitted, information about any financial support will come from your program directly.
• The processing time of your application depends on when you apply, when your file is complete and when the program admission committee meets.

The Office of Admission, York University, sends official communication about application and admission via e-mail. You will receive acknowledgement of your application as well as information about financial aid, on-campus events, offers of admission and your next steps after acceptance. It is important that you open, read and take action (if required) upon receipt of an e-mail.