Thanks to a new student portal, applicants to U of T can feel at home at the university even before they are accepted to study here.
Join U of T is an online gateway to the U of T experience for both applicants and admitted students. The website went live in mid-January and has already attracted more than 20,000 unique visitors, with visits from U of T applicants in 112 countries.
The website is a tri-campus effort, said Professor Jill Matus, vice-provost (students), designed to make U of T more approachable and welcoming.
“We hatched the idea because we know students coming to U of T often feel like it’s a big place and they’re lost in the crowd,” she said. “We wanted to personalize the admissions process and invite students to become part of the community when they apply.”
Once students submit an application, they receive a welcome email containing a unique user ID that allows them to log onto the Join U of T website. After they’re accepted, their login gives them access to additional portal features relevant to incoming students.
The site offers a rich environment for potential students to explore. They can check their application status, take part in live chats with representatives from various programs, peruse a collection of U of T photos, watch videos from the university’s YouTube channel and offer their opinions on questions posted on the site. A Twitter feed, student blogs and a Facebook page are also key Join U of T features, allowing prospective students to interact with others who may someday be their classmates.
To view the join U of T portal, click here: http://join.utoronto.ca/