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1. Accept your Offer of Admission online, then Pay the Tuition Deposit |
| WHEN | NEW ADMITS - Applicants with offer letters dated earlier than March 1, accept by April 1, 2025
- Applicants with offer letters dated later than March 1, accept by the deadline specified in the letter
RE-ADMITS DEFERRED FROM A PRIOR YEAR
- Respond to our emailed request for intent to enrol by January 15, 2025
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| HOW | New Admits who applied to the JD only- Log into your OLSAS account
- In the left side menu of Application Links, select Choices/Offers
- Select the link to the Offer for the program University of Toronto ‐ First Year JD
- Select your one Response to Offer, from among these options:
- Firm Accept
Is your acceptance of UofT, and you will not be considered further by all other Ontario law schools, regardless of where those law schools are in their admission selection process
- Provisional Accept
- is your acceptance of UofT, and you will still be considered by all other Ontario law schools where you have active offers, or where they have yet to make admission decisions.
- this option is available until July 1, after which either an earlier provisional accept becomes a firm accept automatically, see OLSAS Important Dates.
- If your Ontario application was to UofT only, then the provisional accept option will not appear since the other Ontario law schools were never considering you, i.e. only the firm accept option will appear.
- Finalize the transaction by completing the Review & Submit step, linked on the left hand menu on the OLSAS webpage.
New Admits who applied separately to both the JD, and a partner program for a JD Combined degreeRe-admits: Deferrals from a prior yearPlease await an email from the JD Admissions Office, indicating when you may log into your OLSAS account to FIRM ACCEPT the 2025 offer of admission online. |
| AFTER accepting the Offer of Admission, to confirm your acceptance at the university, a non-refundable tuition deposit is required. The deposit will be applied to the first session (term) tuition. A Tuition Deposit Form is enclosed in your Offer of Admission package, with the procedures described in Next Step #1. |
| WHEN | New Admits - For offer letters dated earlier than April 1, pay by May 1, 2025
- For offer letters dated later than April 1, pay by the deadline specified in the letter.
- The Offer of Admission may be cancelled if the deposit is not received by the deadline.
Re-Admits Deferred from a prior year |
| HOW |  Jan 29, 2025The amount varies by the federal immigration status in Canada on record at U of T at the time of payment. Domestic Students$500 in Canadian currency, payable online by credit card only via ACORN . International Students
$2,000 in Canadian currency, payable online by credit card. The deposit amount is mandated by the Province of Ontario for granting a provincial attestation letter (PAL) for use in applying to the federal government for a Study Permit.
CRITICAL- Regardless of how you (or a relative) may have made payments to UofT previously, for this acceptance deposit specifically, you must pay by credit card ONLY.
- Do NOT try to pay the deposit by any other method such as e-transfer, e-banking, certified cheque (bank draft) or a money order, otherwise the payment will not go toward the DEPOSIT, and the deposit will remain as un-paid.
PAYMENT IS BY CREDIT CARD ONLYBefore you pay please note: - VISA or MasterCard is accepted only
- Currently, a non-refundable convenience fee of 2.5% (CAD $12.50) will be added. This is subject to change.
- Payment is only via your ACORN account, accessed by using your JOINid or UTORid
- DATA SECURITY CAUTION
We do not advise sharing your ACORN access information with anyone in order for them to make the payment, since that will provide access to view and change significant data in your official student record. You will assume all responsibility and risk for doing so.
PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS - READ COMPLETELY BEFORE ACTING - EXTREME CAUTION
- Please follow these SPECIFIC instructions ONLY
Do not try to intuit how to pay. You must follow these specific instructions since they are for paying an acceptance deposit and differ from the instructions for paying the rest of your tuition.
- Current UofT students
Regardless of your familiarity with ACORN, DO NOT try to pay the deposit by e-banking as you would pay tuition customarily, follow the deposit payment instructions specified.
- If you have not already done so, enable your JOINId see Next Step #3; or use your existing UTORid.
- Log in to ACORN
- In the DASHBOARD main display area, look for the block titled FINANCES
- In that block, your ability to pay by credit card is enabled if it displays these specific lines of text:
- Outstanding Admission Deposit
- Juris Doctor (Faculty of Law)
- with a value of $500
- From that block select the button Make a Payment to proceed to the option to pay by credit card, then make the payment.
- After the completion of the payment, check for two emails
You should receive two separate emails, to your email address on file in ACORN, with receipt of payment information. One email will be from UofT Student Accounts using the sender name noreply.easi@utoronto.ca, the other from Moneris, the agency which handles the payment transaction.
- Once received, forward the appropriate Receipt of Payment email to JD Admissions
Without delay, of the two emails:
VERIFICATION OF RECEIPT OF TUITION DEPOSIT AT THE UNIVERSITY
From 3-5 business days after payment, to verify that Student Accounts has received and processed the credit card deposit: - Log into ACORN
- From the Finances menu, select Financial Account, then go to Payment History or Account Details to view.
- The payment is listed as Credit Card Admission Deposit with a value of $500
The law school is not the recipient of the payment, the funds go to the central university. If you ask us to verify a payment, we have to perform the same task as you i.e. check in ACORN. Thus, we will not know any sooner than you, or by any other means whether your payment was received. Therefore, to verify, please do as instructed and check in ACORN. |
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2. Financial Aid: Get an immediate estimate, prepare for your aid applications
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Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are seeking financial aid are expected to apply to their provincial government student financial aid programs and also the UofT JD Student Financial Aid program. International students on an immigration Study Permit are not eligible for Canadian government student financial aid programs or the UofT JD Student Financial Aid program, and are encouraged to seek aid from other sources, such as their local governments. |
| WHEN | Get an immediate Aid Estimate At any time. Apply for JD Student Financial Aid - Apply only after the May 1 deadline to pay the acceptance tuition deposit
- For offer letters dated earlier than July 1
the JD aid application is due at the JD Financial Aid Office no later than July 7, 2025
- For offer letters dated later than July 1
the JD aid application is due at the JD Financial Aid Office no later than two weeks from the date of the offer letter
Apply for student aid funding from your Canadian province
- You must also apply separately for student aid funding from your Canadian province as soon as its application becomes available in the spring/summer.
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| HOW | Get an immediate Aid Estimate Use the UofT Law Financial Aid Estimator
Apply for JD Student Financial Aid
The 2025-2026 online aid application is expected to become available in May. In the interim, for a comprehensive understanding of how the aid is determined, please read the current 2024-2025 Financial Aid Program Policies and Procedures Booklet for JD Students, Financial Aid & Awards
Visit the UofT Law fees & financial aid webpage |
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3. Enable your JOINid & Log in to ACORN |
| WHEN | JOINid
Without delay, to gain e-access to key student services, including student housing listings on and off-campus. |
| HOW | New students to UofT The JD Admissions Office will email your UofT Student Number, the JOINid username and activation instructions. Continuing/Returning UofT students
If you have a UTORid then use it instead of the JOINid. With a UTORid there is no need to obtain and activate a JOINid. CAUTION
If you try to log into UofT online services that do not pertain to new law admits, you will receive login error messages. Therefore, do not assume that your JOINID has malfunctioned. After you have enabled your JOINid, please test that it works by accessing ACORN only. Do not try to test it with any other e-service. |
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| WHEN | ACORN
This is the Student Web Services (SWS) portal for the student record system that allows you to update your contact information, view your grades, see the details of program fees and payments etc. Within 5 to 7 business days after submitting your acceptance of the Offer of Admission log in to ACORN: - To verify that your credit card tuition deposit has been received by Student Accounts
- To verify your mailing and contact information.
- To add to your personal information, one or more Emergency Contacts, who the university should contact on your behalf, in the event of an emergency.
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| HOW | Go to acorn.utoronto.ca
Your JOINid must be enabled in order to use ACORN. - To verify that your tuition deposit has been received by Student Accounts
From the Finances menu, select Financial Account, then go to Payment History or Account Details to view.
- To verify your mailing and contact information
From the Profile & Settings menu, select the relevant options
- To add to your personal information Emergency Contacts
From the Profile & Settings menu, select Emergency Contact
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4. Join us for WELCOME EVENTS |
| WHEN | This is your initial introduction to the student perspective of UofT Law, featuring comprehensive programming with the law school community including current JD students, alumni and your student services team. Best of all, you may attend as long as you have not declined our offer of admission. Accepting the offer is not a prerequisite for participating in the events.
- WELCOME DAY
Friday February 21 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Toronto time, in-person at the law school, many sessions online.
First round admits please register by January 31
- WELCOME SHOWCASE
Monday February 24 to Wednesday February 26, various Toronto times, online only.
Please register by end of calendar day February 17th
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| HOW | Events concluded. |
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5. If desired, seek Housing |
| WHEN | As soon as possible, due to the variety of options and availability of units which may suit your preferences. |
| HOW | Review the housing options on-campus and off-campus online at UofT Housing at housing.utoronto.ca
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING: UofT Residences & Guarantee - Incoming first year JD students admitted by May 15, can access guaranteed spaces at two on-campus University residences at Graduate House (Grad House) and at University Family Housing (UFH).
- Approximately 30 guaranteed spaces are usually available at the Graduate House residence.
- Students with families seeking housing for the family should consider the UofT University Family Housing high rise units, located a 15 min walk east of the law school. There are two guaranteed units for new JD admits.
New students to UofT Your enabled JOINid is required for applying to university residence housing.
Continuing/Returning UofT students Use your UTORid for residence housing applications.
- Requesting a Guaranteed Residence Space
Please await our email invitation for requests which will sent in early May. Do not request in advance of that email.
In the interim, for Grad House and for UFH, please review their March 10, 2025, respective accommodation specifications, eligibility and the instructions for requesting a guaranteed space.
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING: Non UofT Options For off-campus housing, in addition to private landlord listings provided via UofT Housing, take a look at the online classifieds for apartments at viewit.ca and PadMapper. In your searches on PadMapper, please filter out any short-term/Air BnB listings. |
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6. Get your UTmail+ & T-Card |
| WHEN | UTmail+ Access begins May 1
CRUCIAL: Get your UTMail+ activated no later than June 1 |
| HOW | UTMail+ is the only email used by the university to communicate officially with students. You must perform this step before you can obtain your UofT TCard (student card), so act promptly. The process is conducted remotely and can sometimes take 2-4 weeks since it must be done by the thousands of new students, from every program at UofT. Once more, act promptly to avoid lengthy delays. - FIRST - Convert your JOINid to your UTORid
- Conversion for New students to UofT
- Returning/Re-registering UofT Students and UofT alumni should continue to use their UTORids. If you forgot your UTORid or it is inactive, please see the TCard web site for the section INSTRUCTIONS TO GET YOUR UTORID & TCARD FOR OTHER AUDIENCES for Upper Year/Returning students.
- The UTMail+ activation instructions will be given to you at the end of the conversion
- Once activated, to log in to your account go to http://mail.utoronto.ca
- SECOND - Everyone, using your UTMail+ email JD Admissions to update that you've got it
- Unless you used your UTMail+ for your OLSAS application, EVERYONE, including current/former UofT students please email us at JD Admissions from your UTMail+ to let us know its email address.
- Please remember to do so as soon as it's obtained.
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| WHEN | TCard
This is your official UofT student card. It is issued only after you have obtained your UTORid, so act promptly. Get your card no later than August 13. May 2, 2025 |
| HOW | TCard is your official UofT identification for access to athletic & student services, to sit exams and obtain select retail & transit discounts. Note that transit discounts are effective from the start of the fall session in September.
Get a new card if you have not been a UofT student for two or more years. You'll need to provide a new photo and verify legal immigration status.
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7. SUMMER READY preparation |
| WHEN | Begins in early June |
| HOW | In preparation for your well-being throughout the forthcoming academic year, your very first JD course Legal Methods in August, and the Indigenous Peoples & the Canadian Legal System course in your first semester, and as part of the University’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, all 1L students are required to participate in a series of summer workshops and information sessions prior to the start of classes. More information will be shared in May 2025, including any summer reading to complete, and how to register for the workshops and sessions. |
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8. Enrol in courses |
WHEN | Anticipated to be in mid-late August, typically during the week prior to the start of classes |
HOW | First year classes begin on August 18, 2025 The first year of the JD program consists of mandatory courses, please adjust your plans in order to attend. For your convenience the Records Office at the Faculty of Law will enrol you in your courses automatically and will email enrolment information in August, usually no sooner than the week before the start of classes. Please await the email notification of your assigned classes and schedule. |
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9. Become a Registered Student: Pay the Minimum Payment to be Registered |
WHEN | This is the step that sets your student status from 'Invited' to 'Registered'. MINIMUM PAYMENT TO ATTAIN STATUS OF 'REGISTERED' - In order to be officially registered, a Minimum Payment is due by July 31.
- By request only, a deferral (delay) of this Minimum Payment may be permitted for eligible students who are receiving external student aid (e.g. government student aid)
REMAINDER OF TUITION PAYMENT DEADLINES
- Official tuition fees and fee invoices for 2025-2026 are anticipated to be posted online no earlier than July 14.
- Fees will be billed by academic session (term), and not by individual course or by credits.
- For the deadline dates by which payments are to be RECEIVED or may be deferred (if eligible) at the university, refer to our Student Fees website.
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HOW | Please AWAIT the display in ACORN of your fees invoice in mid-July, before making (or requesting a fee deferral for) this Minimum Payment. We do not advise to pay the Minimum Payment or the subsequent remainder of tuition by credit card, as was required for the tuition deposit, due to the 2.5% service charge that will be incurred. Instead, you may opt to use e-banking and alternate methods of payment. Refer to the Student Fees website for fee payment and fee deferral procedures.
In general, for paying tuition and incidental/ancillary fees from:
- Inside Canada
E-banking may be used.
Pay through a Canadian financial institution (e.g. your bank, credit union etc.) in-person at the bank, by online or telephone banking if offered by your bank or by credit card (with a service fee).
- Outside of Canada
In collaboration with your local bank:
- pay electronically through Convera (formerly Western Union GlobalPay for Students) or Flywire
- Not acceptable: bank draft or money order, in Canadian currency
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10. Obtain a Peer Mentor, Sign-up for Orientation & Submit a Headshot Photo |
WHEN | Obtaining a Peer Mentor begins in June |
HOW | To be fully supported throughout your first year of law school, obtain an upper-year student mentor who will help to ease your transition. In order to match you with a mentor with similar interests, you will be invited to provide basic information about yourself and your preferences on an online questionnaire. The JD Admissions Office will email the link to the questionnaire on behalf of the Peer Mentorship Program. |
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WHEN | Orientation begins in August, sign-up in June |
HOW | Upper year students will plan a series of fun, social and practical events to familiarize you to the workings of the law school, the UofT and the city of Toronto. Orientation activities will be interspersed with classes for your first course (Legal Methods intensive) which spans the last two weeks of August. The JD Admissions Office will email the sign-up and event details in July on behalf of the Orientation Committee. |
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WHEN | Submit your Headshot Photo by July 1 |
HOW | Your professors and support staff like to familiarize themselves with incoming students. A well-lit headshot photo taken with a smart phone will suffice.
We will email the detailed specifications on photo dimensions, file format and how to submit the photo. |
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11. Final Transcripts, Facebook Group and Additional Arrangements |
| WHEN | After we have offered admission get connected on our new admits group page. |
| WHAT | Engage your classmates in Facebook
The JD Admissions Office will send an invitation by email. Depending on your mail spam settings, the email may go your inbox and spam/junk folder. In the email select the web link to join the group. |
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WHEN | As soon as possible, no later than June 30, 2025 |
WHAT | Official Final Transcripts
This is a standard OLSAS requirement, see Final Transcripts.
If you enrolled in post-secondary studies during the 2024-2025 academic year then arrange for your official final transcript to be sent to OLSAS directly from the issuing source. This includes exchange transcripts.
If a degree will be completed, order a transcript that will show both the notation and date of degree awarded/conferral/completion. This is also indicated at the OLSAS website |
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12. International Students only - Provincial Attestation Letter for a Study Permit |
| WHEN | January 29, 2025JD admits who require a Study Permit, are responsible for checking with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), for whether they also need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) in their permit application. This includes students who are seeking a study permit extension, and those who are changing the educational study level, e.g. Master's (graduate) to JD (undergraduate). The sooner you can obtain the PAL, the sooner you can apply for the Study Permit, therefore take action as early as possible once you are certain that you wish to enrol in our JD. Do not wait for our listed deadlines to act since the processing time for a properly submitted permit application is at least 12 weeks (3 months). |
| HOW | The process for our JD admits is described below. Instructions listed elsewhere at UofT websites are not intended for JD admits. FIRST: Check whether you need a PAL Not every international student may need a PAL. The rules have changed since 2024, therefore review the IRCC website very carefully to determine whether you need a PAL. If you need a PAL, all of the following MUST be attained: - Receive in your JD Offer of Admission package, the Letter of Admission (LOA)
- Receive in your JD Offer of Admission package, a notice of admission that accompanies the LOA, with the estimated cost of required education fees and the UofT designated learning institution (DLI) number
- Accept the Offer of Admission at OLSAS, as instructed in Next Step #1 on this webpage
- Pay the acceptance tuition deposit via ACORN, and inform JD Admissions of that payment, as instructed in Next Step #1 on this webpage. The amount was revised in January 2025.
- Email JD Admissions to request the PAL
Once all of those are attained, starting from January 22nd 2025: - The university will be able to request automatically, the 2025 entry PAL from the Ontario government.
- It can take as many as three business days for the university to receive an approved PAL. Please be patient.
- Once the PAL is received at the university, the JD Admissions Office will email the PAL to our JD admits.
Please note the the Canadian JD is an undergraduate Bachelor degree, regardless of its title "Juris Doctor". |
YOUR NEXT STEPS 2025