The Transition Year Program at the University of Toronto allows mature students to pursue higher education and here's how to apply

“Making Excellence Accessible”

Applications are now open for TYP, a private, 8-month, full-time program that provides an equal space and educational pathway for adults who do not have formal university entrance qualifications due to personal or societal barriers.

This includes individuals who may or may not have completed high school and who have experienced difficulties that have affected continuing their education due to circumstances beyond their control.

Social barriers include systemic barriers, discriminatory practices, mental health problems, living in communities with little or no access to higher education, or lack of adequate career guidance and mentoring, among others.

TYP actively welcomes students from all backgrounds and walks of life to its program, including members of the Indigenous, Black/African-Canadian, and LGBTQIA+ communities, single parents, and people with disabilities.

“The Transition Year program is unique – we provide each student with access to an academic advisor, advising and funding options, a space to work, socialize and be with other students in their program,” TYP notes in its program description.

At last year's Transition Year Program Gala, TYP Director Dr. Lance T. McCready confirmed that the program is one of the largest and most successful access programs in the country.

Over the past 50 years, the program has enrolled more than 2,000 students and more than 600 graduates have earned bachelor's degrees. Many TYP students have gone on to earn Masters and PHD degrees.

The long-standing program has roots dating back to September 1970 when it all first began at Innis College. The program originated in Toronto's Black community and enrolled 25 students in its first year.

This program is the product of two summer fellowship programs that began in 1969 and 1970, originally designed to prepare a few students for York University. The first program was run in the Home Service Association and the second was at Innis College, which was undoubtedly the home base for TYP from 1970-76.

Since 1977, the program has been in full force and has continued to shape the lives of marginalized people across the country.

“One of the most remarkable aspects of TYP is the deep sense of community and co-ownership that staff, students, faculty and alumni feel through the program…TYP is at a critical juncture in its development by redefining what access to education looks like. looks like mature students”

Helen Tewolde, director of the Office of Access Strategy & Partnerships, said in a statement.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE LEAP YEAR PROGRAM

TYP provides adult students with full, eight-month access to all university resources through UofT Student Hubs on each campus. Just like any other part-time or full-time university student, mature students have access to academic advisors, learning strategists, counseling, student life programs, and more. can access such resources.

The approximate cost of tuition per year is $6,700 for a full-time program. The program offers several financial aids such as OSAP, scholarships and TYP grants to help with payments.

For those interested in the program, there are several minimum application requirements to meet:

1. Must be 18 years old by September 30 of the year of enrollment
2. Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (settled immigrant) or protected person (refugee).
3. If you're a high school graduate, you shouldn't have the grades you need to get into a degree program on your own
4. If you did not finish high school, you must have left school early due to social or economic difficulties, illness, or other personal difficulties beyond your control.
5. At least two high school courses in academic subjects at grade 11 or higher are recommended, but not required (in the current Ontario system, these are 3U or M or 4U or M subjects) or the equivalent in another school system, and/or suitable life and/or work experience. Warning: TYP should be the only possible route to university education for applicants

In addition to the above eligibility criteria, each applicant must submit the following documents with their application:

1. Two references
2. Transcripts
3. Personal statement
4. Proof of status in Canada
5. A supervised writing sample (a short reflective piece on a variety of topics given within a time limit).

Once these requirements are met, you can fill out the application form here. When you apply, please allow 30 to 60 minutes to complete the application. If accepted, the university will notify you by email with a welcome letter, offer of admission or registration letter.

Upon successful completion of the program requirements, you will earn 2.5 university credits and be admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (Life Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities) at the University of Toronto, where you can study programs of study.