Undergraduate Admission
Wait Lists
Your application is important to us. While we are currently unable to offer you a position, we do hope to make additional offers. Your Wait List position guarantees that you will be considered as space becomes available.
Being offered a Wait List position is one of the most difficult and perhaps frustrating situations to find yourself in. After all the anticipation of making an application, you have essentially been put “on hold”. We realize that receiving a Wait List letter may present a real challenge for you in terms of making some choices in the next few weeks and months. |
- What does it really mean to be on a Wait List?
- How quickly will the Wait List move? What happened last year?
- Where am I on the Wait List?
- Should I keep planning for university?
- How will I be notified if a place becomes available?
- Should I accept an offer from another university?
- What will accepting a Wait List position mean for my other applications or offers?
- What happens if I don’t get a letter or phone call?
- Is there anything I can do to increase my chances?
- I’m going away for the summer…what do I do?
- What do I do if I'm not admitted?
What Does it Really Mean to be on a Wait List?
It means that, from a competitive point of view, other applications were selected for admission to the program for which you are being considered. Depending on the program, selection is made with academic criteria or a combination of academic and non-academic criteria. At the time of the decision, it appeared that you were either qualified for admission or in the process of becoming qualified for admission. If you are presenting interim results and/or planning to take courses prior to September, it is important that final results be submitted when available. In many cases, you are a highly-qualified applicant and we would very much like to have you in our program. Unfortunately, we do not have space to admit all qualified and interested applicants. All Ryerson programs are “limited enrolment” programs, which means we can only admit specific numbers of students.
How Quickly Will the Wait List Move? What Happened Last Year?
Unfortunately, there is no way to predict what will happen. Each year the applicant/competition pool is different and the demand for various programs can vary as well. Previous years are no indication of what might happen this year. A Wait List that was depleted last year may not move at all this year, and vice versa.
Where am I on the Wait List?
In most cases, accurate Wait List “ranking” does not occur until late summer as many students cancel positions and others are added. We anticipate any significant “movement” of all Wait Lists will occur mid to late June. There are often numerous factors which result in applicants being placed on a Wait List. Unfortunately we are unable to disclose the ranking of these applicants.
Should I Keep Planning for University?
Absolutely. We suggest you plan your budget so that you are prepared for fees and other costs. This may involve applying for government assistance, which should be done before July.
What Will Accepting a Wait List Position Mean for My Other Applications or Offers?
Accepting a position on a wait list will not affect your admission consideration for another program at Ryerson University or at any other University. You may hold a confirmed offer of admission for one program and a confirmed Wait List position for another program simultaneously without one impacting the other.
How Will I be Notified if a Place Becomes Available?
By phone or email, depending on the time frame. If a position becomes available, an Offer of Admission will be issued and placed in your Choose>Ryerson portal. As soon as places become available, we routinely review our Wait Lists and offer a place to the next best-qualified student.
Should I Accept an Offer from Another University?
Yes. You should hope for the best, but plan for the worst. The Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) records only the most recent confirmation of acceptance, which means you may only hold one accepted Offer of Admission. Before you can accept a subsequent offer, you must first cancel the previously accepted offer via the OUAC. However, accepting an Offer of Admission to Ryerson, or any other Ontario University via the OUAC's online process, does not have an impact on any admission decisions pending for applications still under review.
What Happens if I am Not Notified That a Place Has Become Available?
Your Wait List position is valid only for this term and will not be deferred/transferred to another term. Wait List ranking varies from year to year, so please make no assumptions about any future admission decisions. While we hope to accommodate many, we won’t be able to accommodate all Wait List candidates. All Wait Lists are automatically dissolved at the beginning of the school year (end of the first week of classes). So, if you have not heard from us by then, and are still interested in attending Ryerson, you will have to re-apply for admission for the following year. We regret we can’t get back in touch with all Wait List candidates.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Increase My Chances?
Please ensure that you submit any final grades for night school or summer school courses that may affect your overall average, or marks for subject prerequisites as soon as possible so we always have the most up-to-date information. You should also ensure that OUAC (if you applied to Ryerson via the OUAC) receives final grades for all night school and summer school courses.
Most Importantly, confirm your position on the Wait List offer by visiting your Choose>Ryerson portal page. Make sure we have up-to-date telephone numbers for you, preferably with an answering machine/service so we can leave messages. Don’t forget to keep the OUAC (if applicable) informed of any changes to your mailing address, telephone numbers, e-mail, or other contact information as soon as they occur.
I'm Going Away for the Summer…What do I do?
In order for us to release any information about your application or admission file, we require your authorization. Send us a “Permission to Release Information” letter with your original signature, authorizing a close relative or friend whom you trust to check your mail and respond to our call/correspondence quickly. Make sure you give us their full name and phone number, and let us know their relationship to you.
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