Unofficial email from POI

TTPB who contacted the program: could you please post a screenshot of Prof. Hirst's e-mail about converting MSc applications to PhD? Just for the sake of validity. Thanks!

Has anyone heard back from the ECE program? The website states that excellent domestic applicants would be invited to the campus on the 20th-22nd. I'm an international applicant but since I haven't seen anyone even post about interview offers on the forum, I wanted to reach out and see if there have been any updates?

Anyone has got news about msc program at UTIAS?

TTPB, I do not know. After seeing Grad Cafe, I got to know. I was getting a little worried because I had not gotten an interview from these folks. I thought it was a good match. I have good research experience (2 years worth total) and 1.5 years in applied ML and 0.5 in ML theory. I just dint have papers and that was my only reason for not applying to PhD programs in many places except doing a random crap shoot at the top 5 programs. Should the situation persist, I would like to contact the Graduate Admissions Office and demand a refund.

TTPB: Why was this not mentioned on the website or conveyed before or during application process?

TTPB, thanks a lot. Is there any way to ask them for refund? It reflects very badly on their side for not even letting the applicants know of such a situation. Applicants do not apply for Masters instead of PhD for fun. They do it because they know most likely they won't make the cut for the PhD program. It is so sad, this situation from an institution of high esteem and prestige like Toronto.

I mailed them to ask if international applicants were not being considered for Masters. Prof. Graeme Hirst (Associate Chair, Graduate Studies) confirmed it and said that they are automatically converting all international MSc applicants into PhD-direct applicants. And yes, this was not conveyed to the applicants in any manner. They are confirming this now only when questioned about it.

TTPB: How do you know they're converting MSc applicants to PhD applicants. Their website says nothing

TTPB: Not just masters, international PhD students also have very limited positions. It's not fair.

TTPB: same feeling:(...very disappointed after seeing all these posts here...but I only applied U OF T....

I emailed them. GPA is grad.

BIG WTF. Is there any way to get refunds as an international student? I spent a lot of time and money on this... Seriously UofT, not a good move.

I don't see any post in mechanical engineering this year, so I post one......Applied both MSc. & M.Eng in Nov, both applications are under review It's been quite a few months.....give up on the MSc. program, hope I can get into M.Eng. BTW, I'm an international student holding a Canadian bachelor's degree with some work experience in Canada.

TTPB: Couldn't agree more!

UofT is not accepting international students for Masters. They are automatically converting all international MSc applicants into PhD-direct applicants. Confirmed by Graeme Hirst, Professor and Associate Chair, Graduate Studies. If this was informed earlier, many would not have even applied. Obviously the number of PhD seats are far lesser than that of Masters and many would be rejected anyway. I used 2 months of my stipend for this application, and now it has gone down the drain. Way to make money by scamming students, UofT

TTPB, I am the poster who applied to ML as first choice. It says "Complete. Under Review"