FAQ

How can I ensure that I am invited to interview?

There are no guarantees, as it will depend on the applicant pool. However, the Supplemental Application is your place to “shine” – tell us as much as you can regarding why you are best suited to this program and career, within the word count limits.

Do I need to move to Toronto if I get accepted into the Program?

No. The Program is a distance education program that promotes the PA role all across Ontario. Furthermore during the clinical year all students are required to complete rotations in southern, Northern and rural areas of Ontario so there is no advantage in moving to Toronto.

Can you provide more information to help me prepare for the interview?

The virtual Multiple Mini Interview is the final stage in the BScPA Program's admissions process and is used to assess the communication skills, cultural sensitivity, empathy and leadership qualities of applicants. This process includes a number of interview ‘stations’ and is delivered in a virtual platform. 

I am an international medical graduate (IMG), and my diploma has been validated by the Medical Council of Canada. Do I still need to have my diploma assessed by WES?

Yes. Undergraduate studies completed at a non-Canadian institution must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). We require the WES report including a course-by-course evaluation of your courses and grades with an overall GPA that will be used in your application.

The Medical Council assessment is not necessary, nor is it used as it does not include your grades.

I want to speak to someone in person. Where do I go? Do I need an appointment?

Please send all inquiries to admissions.pa@utoronto.ca. You may also make a virtual appointment with the admissions officer through this link https://paconsortium.ca/connect-us

COVID-19 and the Program

Please note that the curriculum has been adjusted in response to COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to be monitored, future curriculum changes may be necessary.

I have 15 years of experience as a health care professional, but did not attend university. Can my experience be counted as the 2 years university?

We do appreciate the health care experience – that is definitely something we are looking for. As a second-entry academic program, however, the university requires the previous 10 university level credits to add to the credits received in the program, in order to grant the undergraduate degree.

If I do more than two years of University, will you only take my best two?

All undergraduate University courses will be included – not just two years. Only undergraduate university courses will be included in the cumulative GPA.

I have completed a medical degree outside of Canada, do I have to take all courses in the program?

Yes. The structure of the program requires that ALL students complete the entire 24 month curriculum from the beginning. There is no provision for advanced standing or transfer into the program.

I am currently completing my undergraduate degree with a reduced course load, how will this affect my application?

Applications are evaluated based on meeting all the minimum requirements.  We first review an application for completeness, then review the application to determine if the minimum admission requirements,  including having the 10 full-year undergraduate courses or equivalent of 4 semesters, have been met. We do not review how long it takes for applicants to complete them e.g., full course load vs. reduced course load, part-time student vs. full-time student etc.

How will Winter 2020 grades impact my cGPA?

If the applicant’s institution has divided the full-year course and given a semester course mark for the first term, we will count that mark in the cGPA calculation. If the applicant’s institution has only provided a mark at the end of the Winter 2020 term, then the entire course will be treated as being credit/no credit and will not be used in the cGPA calculation. In both cases, all credit/no credit courses will count towards the number of credits required for application and may be used to fulfil prerequisites. This has been implemented due to COVID-19 disruptions.

Does volunteering count towards my hours?

Yes, we do accept volunteer hours, as long as they add up to the minimum requirement of 350 hours.

I’m a new graduate from an allied health program – I have less than one year experience since graduation. Can I include my student clinical experience?

Yes – as a student, although you are supervised, it is still expected that you meet responsibilities and accountabilities of the role for which you were training.

How do I know which application to use?

• If you have never been a student at the University of Toronto, use the OUAC Undergraduate Application. You will need to first create an account and then select the BScPA Program. - Click here to be re-directed to the OUAC website.

• If you have previously been registered as a student at the University of Toronto (degree or pre-university program, non-degree or visiting student), click here to use the Internal Application.

Where do I drop off my transcripts?

Instructions on submitting your transcripts should be available within the first part of the process, the Internal OUAC Application ("Step One"). 

Where electronic transfer of documents is not possible (e.g., out-of-province), please upload an unofficial copy of your transcripts directly to the JOIN U of T application site. For transcripts to be considered official, the issuing institution must send them directly to the University Admissions and Outreach Office, 172 St. George St., Toronto ON M5R 0A3.

How do I know if my documents have been received?

Approximately 1-2 weeks after completing Step one of the admissions process (OUAC Application) applicants receive an e-mail from the Admissions and Outreach Office with their JOINid number as well as instructions on how to activate it and access "Status Check". The online "Status Check" is updated every few days so applicants can monitor their application status throughout all steps of the admissions process (OUAC application, Supplemental Application, 3 Reference Forms, WES assessment - if applicable).

Please note: with the large volume of documents that arrives in the final weeks of the admission process, there is a backlog of documents to be updated.  It may take a couple of weeks for your Status Check to accurately reflect your documents. 

My health care experience is from outside of Canada, can my reference form be completed by my supervisor of this experience?

Yes. Please make sure the letter is either in English, or has been translated into English. The referee should be in a position to make reasonable statements concerning the applicant's character, personal qualities and academic capabilities. Referees may not be members of the applicant's family, nor have received healthcare from the applicant. There is no requirement that says the referee must comment on clinical experience in Canada.

How will I know if my supplemental application has been received?

Once you submit your supplemental application, it will take up to ten business days for your JOINid portal to reflect your submission. Please allow this time to pass before contacting the admissions office.

How do I pay for my supplemental application and how much is the fee?

After you submit your Supplemental Application, you will be sent a link to pay the $142.50 Supplemental Application fee ($130 supplemental + $12.50 processing fee). Please note that these fees are not refundable. If someone pays these fees for you, please email us at admissions.pa@utoronto.ca with your name and U of T applicant number, as well as the person who has paid for you.

Do I have to finish my supplemental application in one sitting?

Your supplemental application will save automatically as you go along. You can leave and return at any time. To return, use the link provided in the email sent to you. Please note: once you submit the application, the link will no longer be active.

Any tips for completing my supplemental application?

• Ensure you use your legal name throughout all documents e.g. supplemental application, OUAC etc.

• Do not use any quotes in your responses.

• Ensure you have all necessary information readily available e.g. OUAC number, U of T Applicant number, contact names, email addresses etc.

Will I be able to work during the program?

Although this is essentially an on-line program, it is a full-time program (30+ hours per week). It is highly recommended that you not work during the program.

Can I be exempt from courses based on my previous education and experiences?

No advanced standing will be granted. It is expected that all students will complete the full program.

What if I am living in another province in Canada?

Students must reside in Canada for the duration of the program, as there are experiential requirements throughout the program that must happen in Canada. However, as the first year of the program is an online distance education program, you can live anywhere in Canada during the first year of the program, but you must attend the Campus Blocks in Toronto. Also, please note that the synchronous meetings will be based on Eastern Standard Time (EST). For the second year of the program, you may need to move to Ontario for the year for your clinical rotations.

Can I use this program to get into medical school? Or Residency?

We are unable to comment on what Medical School admissions would consider for their candidates.

Do I have to travel to Toronto for group sessions other than the Campus Blocks?

Although students are required to attend face-to-face sessions for the Campus Blocks, the rest of the term is spent completely on-line, without any face-to-face requirements (other than the local Clinical Experiences- see below). In between the Campus Blocks, study groups and interactions with faculty and with other students will be done completely in a "virtual" environment, be it online all at the same time ("synchronous") or at unscheduled times ("asynchronous"), like in a discussion board. Microsoft Teams and Webinars are also used for synchronous meetings. The University of Toronto uses Quercus as the Learning Management System to support the online courses.

Do I have to go to a SWAP site for ½ my clinical placements?

Yes. All students participate in the SWAP to gain a variety of experiences. One of our guiding strategies is “The commitment to educate PA students and to encourage and support clinical experiences in rural, remote and underserved areas, in order to increase access to healthcare throughout Ontario".

Can I complete my clinical training outside of Ontario?

No. The second year of the program is clinically focused with approximately 44 weeks of supervised direct clinical contact in rural and urban settings in Ontario. Half of the clinical practicum will be assigned in Southern Ontario, half in Northern Ontario.  For Year 2 of the program, we require that students live in Ontario.

There seems to be a lot of travel involved. Is there funding support available?

There is funding support for travel and accommodations for clinical placements in the SWAP locations.

Are there any resources and supports available for prospective students?

Please see below a list of helpful resources and supports for prospective students. If you have any additional questions, please contact admissions.pa@utoronto.ca. 

• UofT Equity, Outreach, and Support
• Future Indigenous Undergraduate Students
• UofT Indigenous Tuition Initiative
• Future Black Undergraduate Students
• Office of Access and Outreach
• Summer Mentorship Program

Can I speak with a member of the PA Admissions Team?

If you have questions about the PA Program, our admission requirements, or the admissions process, you are welcome to book a private 15-minute online appointment (hosted on Microsoft Teams) with a member of our admissions team. Please see below for available dates and click the provided link for availability and booking details.

Mondays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM > Click to book your appointment

Thursdays, 1:00 PM - 3:15 PM > Click to book your appointment

IMPORTANT: If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, please provide a minimum of 24-hours notice to admissions.pa@utoronto.ca to cancel your appointment.