May 15 is almost NEXT WEEK!(!!!). Whether you are looking forward to that date with joyous anticipation, anxious dread, or a mix of both, it’s definitely a big day on the calendar. Our plan on May 15 is to send regrets first, then move on to the waitlist, and end with the offers. Traditionally, keeping the offers last has allowed us to focus on monitoring offer responses and answering questions without also needing to send another big batch or two of notifications just as offer responses start to come in. Please be aware that it does take us some time to send each group – we have to make sure the right notifications are going to the right people.
This is how the offers work: when we send the notifications, you will receive an email from the online application system. People who get an offer should log into OAS. There, they will see a new tab called Offer, which is where they can access the Response to Offer form, pay a non-refundable $1,000 deposit, and read important information about deadlines, other requirements, etc. People who receive regrets can log into OAS and see some of their academic and non-academic scores. Waitlisted people can’t really do much, sorry – there is no new tab and their scores will still be hidden. Offered applicants will not be able to see their scores either.
There isn’t a lot you need to do to get ready for the offers, but here are a few things to take care of:
- Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in OAS. You can do this by clicking on your Profile tab. More instructions are in the Help Guide if you need them.
- Decide if you can pay the deposit online or if you will need to get a certified cheque. Credit cards are not accepted for this payment. If you have access to an account with online banking privileges at BMO, Scotiabank, RBC, or TD Canada Trust you should be able to pay online with Interac Online. However, due to Canadian banking regulations, Visa Debit card holders at these institutions will not be able to use Interac Online and must pay by certified cheque. Interac Online should work as usual for accounts without Visa Debit.
- Traveling shouldn’t pose a big problem as long as you have internet access since you can accept the offer and pay the deposit online. The deadline for the first round is May 22 at 12:00 p.m. PDT. Deadlines for future rounds will probably be shorter. There are other forms to print out and complete by late June.
- Keep the final transcript requirement in mind if you’ve taken any courses since June of last year. We require a final transcript from applicants who receive an offer or are on the waitlist and who have completed coursework between June 2013 and April 2014. The final transcript deadline is June 30 (grad students have until July 30 to submit their final transcripts).
If you have any general questions about the offers process feel free to comment below. Specific questions that pertain to only you are probably better addressed through an email or phone call to us. We’ll be in touch soon!