University of Toronto

Beautiful university where my husband’s cousin got married. We also stayed at a hotel nearby so we were able to explore the area a bit. It’s immaculate and a rather large university with lots of old buildings looking like cathedrals.

Great place if you’re okay with feeling inadequate 90% of the time.

U of T has a lot to be criticized for. For one thing, they are notorious for «treating students like a number».
Despite all its faults, we still have to stand by U of T. We stand by U of T because it is a fine academic institution in Canada. We stand by U of T because it strives for integrity in research. We stand by U of T because it walks a tight rope trying to please all.
It is also our duty to offer ways for U of T to improve its practices. But that does not have to come at the cost of supporting her.

Great campus, amazing clubs, excellent gym, good food and surrounding area, amazing profs, interesting courses, amazing people and good reputation. I would highly recommend this school to others.

Pay for the reputation-​if that’s your way of doing business-​go for it.
If not, you can go to Ryerson or something where you can learn pretty much the same thing at half the price.
U of T is great for international students who love to study but not life, which is why I am here. Cheers!

For a school with such high tuitions and a claim to be within the top ten universities in the world… the experience can at times be like a joke. Other times, it’s as if the school is designed to have the most ineffective and stressful beyond belief system of daily operations in order to try your patience.
Buying material for your courses might be one of the worst. The mistakes the professors make, costing a lot of money from students (who often can’t afford these mistakes) are barely apologized for. Why, I wonder, were the textbooks not chosen properly in allllll the time that the professors had before September started? Why were some also required at literally the day before school started? It resulted in chaos and a mass of frustration. However, the poor people who work for the school are also not to blame, since they really are totally powerless. They can’t fix the ineffective POS’s, or the return policies, or the stock levels, etc etc etc.
Bottom line: University of Toronto is trying very hard to put its students into the lunatic asylum. The fun has just begun. Welcome back to school!

University of Toronto, Innis College, St. George Campus — gave me a well rounded education comparable to any Ivy League. I studied authors ranging from Chaucer to Gogol, and the Life Sciences. Activities and Societies: Wrote for the Varsity as a sports writer while representing the Blues as lightweight oarsman in both eight oar boats and in four man shells. Victorious at the OUAA, Royal Canadian Henley, The Reading Regatta (UK), Rochester Invitational, Head of the Charles, Dad Vail Regatta, and San Diego Crew Classic. Finalist: Royal Henley on Thames — Varsity Hvwt 4 Visitor’s Cup. Awarded the prestigious Silver T for participating in 4 years of back to back international competition next to the Olympic games.

Dropped out of this school faster than a lead balloon. Terrible experience… some will find it different though. I feel scarred for life because of it. Yes it’s a great school, but not for me.

U of T will give you the true university experience. with lots of history, lots of hard work, and lots and lots of ways to have fun when you aren’t studying. If you say you don’t feel connected to the campus you haven’t looked around because the range of student activities offered is actually astounding, whether it’s through the colleges, through the Office of Student Life, or through student-​led clubs all over campus. Never have I had more fun than when I was here, and never will I learn more about what it means to be a thinking human being in the 21^st century than I did when I was here.

It’s a factory: get in, get out, or get out of the way — and they don’t care which one you pick. Poor funding, poor support. Note: This is my experience being there for graduate school.

My alma mater pride is clearly showing, nevertheless U of T* deserves some praise, and I’m pleased to stand on my Unilocaly burst-​box and give it some love.
U Toronto is historic buildings and acres of lush green space smack in the middle of Canada’s biggest city. That sentence alone makes U Toronto worthy of 5 stars, but now let’s delve into the goods behind the stone and maple trees.
This university doesn’t have good sports teams, it doesn’t have fraternities, but it still has a lot spirit. Straight up spirit with a side of snobbery. World class professors (Atwood, Egoyan, Stein, the list is endless, really) and facilities and extra curriculars for years. On top of the education one gets in the classroom (and at the bar), doing your undergrad in the middle of a big city will teach you a lot. Street smarts aren’t always easy to come by in Chimichoocha, New Brunswick.
My undergrad was rad. Please don’t take any of my typos out on my school, they did their best with me.
PEPPER’S PISSED: OK. I concede that Robarts Library is probably the ugliest building in the world. Gobble.
*Yep! You can Unilocal your Uni! Go on.

I am currently a graduate student in the middle of a 2-​year program at the University of Toronto. I graduated from a top-​4 research university in the United States, immigrated here, and have had the opportunity to access many facets of academic and social life at U of T, so I feel qualified to address some of the things others have mentioned, as well as provide my own review.
First of all, U of T is no joke, academically speaking. If you get in, you are expected to deliver near-​perfect work. The application is one of the more rigorous I completed, and the coursework is very demanding. With that said, if you make the effort, prioritize your time, and know yourself and your study habits, you will do well. An «A» is very achievable.
Secondly, the campus is beautiful and centrally located. Even the more modern (read: 1970s) additions are well-​built and well-​maintained and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the campus. Yes, it is in downtown Toronto, just N of what the locals call the «downtown core,» but the area is wonderful. There are beautiful green courtyards, ivy-​draped buildings, every kind of food imaginable within walking distance, and city transportation everywhere. The University is accessible from 4 subway stations (depending on which part of campus you’re in) and multiple bus stations, and it’s near museums, public parks, and quaint residential neighbourhoods.
Thirdly, the professors are outstanding, both as teachers and as researchers /​publishers in their respective fields. I have found that my professors are all approachable and are genuinely invested in the academic and emotional well-​being of their students. This doesn’t mean they will sugarcoat your academic performance, and you must have or quickly acquire thick skin so as not to take their criticisms personally, for they are not meant to personally harm you, they are meant to strip your work bare so that you can improve. Profs are strict about deadlines and requirements, but they will help you along the way if you simply ask. They are absolutele sticklers about professionalism and decorum, but I would expect no less from people I’m paying to make me the best I can be. As a grad student, I am dealing directly with the «big names» in Canada in my field, and there is nothing more glorious than befriending your profs, running into them in a pub, and meeting everyone else in your course reader that just happens to be in town to shmooze with your prof. So delightful.
Fourthly, the registration process and billing /​payment process is very smooth. I have occasionally had difficulties with course registration, and I am always able to reach someone on the phone in a timely manner who has resolved the issue immediately. I opted out of the University healthcare services charges because I’m on my husband’s insurance, and I had zero difficulties with doing so.
Fifthly, the financial aid offices are all incredibly wonderful, provided you set up an appointment and get all your information straight. I am not eligible for OSAP because of my husband’s income, but I was able to get around $ 6k to help with my expenses just because I went in, spoke with a FinAid staffer, and found out about some grants for which I was eligible.
Sixthly, to directly respond to the reviewer who struggled with emotional /​mental issues after studying at U of T, I am incredibly sorry that was your experience. I, too, struggled with the academic rigor in my first few weeks at U of T (in addition to commuting 3 hours each day, working part-​time on the weekends, and living for a brief period in a very sketchy and emotionally-​damaging living situation), and I reached out to the health services on campus, who responded succinctly, professionally, and warmly to my needs. I highly recommend seeking help the moment you feel overburdened, which is a very likely thing you’ll feel at any program with intense expectations. U of T has that help, and they will not only «treat» your existing dilemmas, they will help you learn how to cope with things yourself. My experience at U of T became 100% more amazing after learning more about myself and what I needed to do for me to function in this fast-​pace, insanely competitive academic environment.
Seventhly (-:, the campus is a happening place with something going on every night of the week. I have attended plays, lectures, conferences, soccer games, themed fairs, and popped into more parties than I can count, and they were all a lot of fun /​informational. I disagree with the comments about how there is no social aspect to life here, and I cite the jammed pubs on Thursday nights as my proof! Time management will quickly become your friend, even if it means scheduling your day down to the minute.
So why only 4 stars?
*The tuition is higher than anywhere else in Canada.
*Some of those wonderful profs will just as wonderfully berate you for taking a POV different than their published POV.
Overall, work hard, play hard, succeed.

For an out of town work experience, the University of Toronto couldn’t have been more user friendly. This in town college, one of at least 7, was so easy to get to I kept checking the address and the staff was more than accomodating, even with college related security issues. It has a semi private feel to it even though it’s massive.
I thought the buildings were charming; just the architecture alone keeps you looking up while you’re walking for blocks. Our big time hosts arranged for us to «see the sites». Their Faith Cultural Building was beautiful and the varsity stadium was state of the art.
All the students we worked with were great and quite a wonderfully diverse group. Bottom line: I’m sure as visitors we stuck out like sore thumbs, but we were made to feel quite welcome and from a teaching perspective this place seems to have it all.

A soul-​crushing school full of either cut-​throat, dog-​eat-​dog students, or slightly more mild students who study ²⁴⁄₇ and basically sleep in the library. Despite all this effort on the part of the student body to nab those rare and coveted A’s, the class averages are in general around a C– to C+. The courses are designed in such a way that, even if you know your material well, the assignments and exams are sure to destroy any hopes of getting a good grade. This is especially true in the Liberals Arts programs, where, since the grading is relatively subjective, professors will take random marks off essays without sufficient explanation. Lots of the professors are arrogant and rude as well, and unless you manage to conjure brilliant ideas during office hours, you are treated like a number.
Yes, the rumors are true: U of T is perhaps the most difficult university in Canada. Do not come here if you have plans for grad/​law/​medical school, because in the end you will work your butt off for a dismal GPA. (I would know — I transferred here from University of Ottawa, where it was significantly easier to get higher grades for less work.)
Perhaps the only good thing to be said about U of T (St. George campus) is that it offers a huge variety of courses — IF you manage to get into them.

I really hate taking Continuing Education courses in this building. For some strange reason, they decide to hold a night class for ~36 registered people in a small basement room that sits 40 people. This is further exacerbated by the tiny school desks that seem to have come out of some grade 1 session of the 1950s. Your binder does not fit, you have no room for taking notes, your elbow is grazing your neighbour and I have no desire to socialize, and pls don’t even think of bringing in a laptop. There is no space in that lilliputian desk.
Our professor asked us to bring laptops and guess how many outlets there are? Roughly 6 in total. Absolutely no thought put into bringing in extension cords.
Its location is also inconvenient because there is no Second Cup across the street. The nearest food station is in the other campus building. This is inconvenient because it takes more than 10 minutes to get your order and walk back, that my 10 minute break for class is over before I even make my way back.
I really dislike this building for a night time Continuing Education course.

2.5 stars or 3 stars — depending on how my exams go.
I’ve been attending University of Toronto for 2 semesters now. For one semester I was living off campus and for one, in Residence. I have taken courses at over 6 universities in Canada. And have completed 2 years of my Bachelors degree at Acadia University. So now that you have an idea of what I am comparing U of T to.
The academics are hard. Don’t kid yourself. This is a tough school. You are going up against the best of the best. And if you were first in your high school, you will most likely be average here. I don’t think this is the best school to attend if you need to get good marks to get accepted in to Grad School. It is no secret that marks are bell curved down.
Students often remark that they have no time for extra-​curriculars or a social life or personal hygiene because they are too busy studying. There isn’t a lot of school spirit and involvement in co-​curricular activities is minimal.
I love this school because of the Profs though. You are learning under some of the most brilliant minds in their field. The Professors are friends with the people you are studying OR they are the ones you are studying. And number of courses and programs available is insane! There is a class here for everything imaginable.
If you don’t enjoy partying but do have a passion for learning, come here. If you need amazing grades, do not come here, unless you are a prodigy. If interested in making friends or a friendly university atmosphere — reconsider attending U of T.

I love the fact that this university is located in the heart of a major city, It gives life to the campus and to student life in general!
The Environment (Physical):
Like many people have commented on it is a beautiful campus that gives Toronto and the students a taste of history and beauty. Many of the buildings are updated for the tech age as well so its a wonderful fusion of the two! Nearly all of the buildings are within a 10 minute walking distance of one another, though in the winter that does become a long 10 minutes. Tons of Study spaces are available at peak hours though even then it can be difficult to find a spot (huge student body). Being downtown also has a huge advantage for food options of course, so hungry stomachs rarely stay empty for long.
The Environment (Academic)
This is a very demanding university, though that is not a bad thing. UofT is correct to ask for the best from its students and its time that we recognize that the majority of faculty is trying its best to promote active learning. Students need to put in the time and effort that is required by any program if they want to get the most (GPA and Knowledge) out of UofT. That said some of the bureaucracy that is embedded into the UofT policies are a pain the the butt and I have definitely sworn at them on many occasions.
Love this place, though like everyone else I’m counting down to my date with Convocation Hall!

A word on the architecture:
Undercover Hogwarts?
I love walking around the campus in all my touristlike ways.

I’m in a castle!
This is probably my favourite building/​complex at U of T. Its super European bourgeois old– something I NEVER got to see at UBC. I come here infrequently for lectures and I always love walking down the old corridors.
Be random and take a tour of the place and add the following to your scavenger hunt list:
1) The old two faucet taps (how the heck are you supposed to get luke warm water on these???)
2) Creeky upper floors (don’t, I repeat DON’T wear high heels or heels that click)
3) The bookstore– it’s somewhere in there– cramped and filled with beatiful fire hazards
4) The circular room with a huge oblong table and high-​backed chairs that will make you say, «I’m in a frickin’ castle!»
and last, but NOT least,
5) The circular room is lined with oil paintings of dead-​white-​men (aka the only men who are allowed to exist in scholarly history) Try to spot the picture of Hugh Heffner. Extra points if you can take a photo of him and post him on Unilocal

It’s hard to write a review for a college at the University of Toronto since not many people can experience more than one college here in university years (I do not consider myself amongst that group by the way).
«It’s just like Hogwarts» is something a lot of students state when touring the building for the first time (I used to give tours here) and it really does give one the sense of being in the fictional school for Harry Potter.
Every undergraduate Arts and Science student is to rank the 7 colleges when applying, and the building of UC is one of the big reasons I chose UC as #1, and I know that I am not a minority with this reasoning. It really is a beautiful building with the «most photographed door in Canada» as it’s front entrance. The fact that it sits atop the field of Front Campus certainly adds to it effect when looking at it.
It’s the oldest building on campus with an extremely interesting past, one which can still be seen with a keen eye (or a tour guide handy). Most of the building was famously burnt down in 1890, it has a very entertaining ghost story (of love and betrayal) behind it involving 2 of it’s masons, it houses the oldest chemistry lab in Canada (the round portion seen on the left) and it’s got a history of secularism as well which can be seen in the architecture. Before the fire, it was also the predecessor for the ROM and also housed the UofT library.
There is a «dragon» staircase with a gryphon at the bottom which also has a mini history behind it and a very popular photo spot as well. The courtyard at UC (some say the prettiest on campus) is very popular for a sunny afternoon reading.
It is a very confusing building to navigate through the first or first few times around for new students, but with ample time on ones hand the building does provide a very nice stroll down hallways.