Frequently Asked Questions

1. I've applied to UVic. What happens next?
   
   
2. How long will it take for my application to be processed?
   
   
3. Where can I send my transcripts/documents?
   
   
4. How can I make a change to my application?
   
   
5. I've applied before. Do you still have my transcript?
   
   
6. I've been attending college/university. Why do you still need my secondary school transcript?
   
   
7. My application is pending. What does that mean?
   
   
8. My application is on hold. What does that mean?
   
   
9. How will I know what courses transfer from my previous study?
   
   
10. Can I appeal an admissions decision?
    
    
11. Where do I go for program/course-planning advice?
    
    
12. Can someone inquire about my application on my behalf?
    
    
13. I have been accepted for studies in September, but I've decided to take a year off to work and travel. Can I defer my acceptance until next September?
    
    
14. How do I find out if I have been accepted into student housing?
    
    
15. Where can I get a UVic calendar?

1. I've applied to UVic. What's happens next?
   
   Thank you for your application. If you applied online, you will receive your UVic student number via email in a few days. If you applied by submitting a paper application, you will also receive your UVic student number via email shortly.
   
   You will receive a second email once your admission assistant has had time to take an initial look at your application. This email will provide you with their contact information, additional instructions about the application process and required documentation. You will also be able to check MyStatus to track the progress of your file.
   
   You will be notified as soon as your application is complete and an admission decision is made.
   
2. How long will it take for my application to be processed?
   
   Processing time depends greatly on the time of year, whether the program you have requested has additional selection criteria and the volume of applications received at any given time. Undergraduate Admissions is busiest between February and July.
   
3. Where can I send my transcripts/documents?
   
   All transcripts/documents should be sent to:
   
   Undergraduate Admissions
   University of Victoria
   PO Box 3025 STN CSC
   Victoria BC V8W 3P2
   Canada
   
   
4. How can I make a change to my application?
   
   Please email your assigned admission assistant or call Undergraduate Admissions at 250-721-8121. Note that you will only be permitted to change your program choice up until the application deadline.
   
   
5. I've applied before. Do you still have my transcripts?
   
   If you apply and do not attend, we will keep the documents you submitted for one year. However, we will require an official transcript for any education undertaken since that time. If it has been more than a year since you applied, then we will no longer have your documents and you will need to re-submit them. When you reapply, you will receive information from us
   
   
6. I've been attending college/university. Why do you still need my secondary school transcript?
   
   Some evaluations may be possible with only your postsecondary transcripts, but your secondary school transcript may be required to check for additional admission requirements. It is also important information for determining if you have certain course prerequisites during registration.
   
   
7. My application has been "forwarded for review". What does that mean?
   
   When all of your documents have been submitted and your admission assistant determines that it is ready to evaluate, your file is forwarded to an admission officer for review. It is placed with other applications that are ready for review and they are evaluated in order according to the date when it was forwarded.
   
   
8. My application is on hold. What does that mean?
   
   UVic has minimum admission averages that are published in the UVic calendar. However, the actual average required for admission may be higher than the minimum published average due to limits on enrolment. If your application is on hold, this means that your average is above the minimum average, but it may not be above the early admission average ("cutoff"). Your application will be on hold until the official admission cutoff is determined.
   
   The University does not guarantee that students who meet the minimum requirements will be admitted. In cases where the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number that can be accommodated, the University reserves the right to set enrollment limits and to establish admission criteria beyond the minimum requirements.
   
   
9. How will I know what courses transfer from my previous study?
   
   Once you've been admitted, you will receive an emailed list of your transfer credit including all in-progress courses anything that is currently under evaluation. If you have attended a BC post-secondary institution, you may also consult the BC Transfer Guide online at www.bccat.bc.ca for further information.
   
   
10. Can I appeal a decision?
    
    Applicants who are denied admission to the University and who can prove extenuating circumstances or provide information that was not presented initially should forward a written request for a review of their application to:
    
    New Students need to submit their appeal to:
    
    The Senate Committee on Admission, Reregistration and Transfer
    c/o Admissions Officer
    Office of the Registrar
    University Centre Bldg.
    University of Victoria
    PO Box 3025 STN CSC
    Victoria BC V8W 3P2
    Canada
    
    Fax: (250) 721-6225
    
    Returning Students need to submit their appeal to:
    
    The Senate Committee on Admission, Reregistration and Transfer
    c/o Records Officer
    Office of the Registrar
    University Centre Bldg.
    University of Victoria
    PO Box 3025 STN CSC
    Victoria BC V8W 3P2
    Canada
    
    Fax: (250) 721-6225
    
    Note that there are no personal appearances before the Committee. The request should include any additional information together with any supporting documents from persons familiar with the applicant's abilities and circumstances.
    
    Normally, grounds for appeal are limited to:
    
    
    • significant physical affliction or psychological distress documented by a physician or other health care professional
      
      
    • evidence of incorrect advice or errors of administration by authorized University personnel, with evidence that the applicant's studies were adversely affected
      
      
    • documented significant distress, or documented significant responsibility as a caregiver, as a result of an immediate member of the family suffering from a serious trauma or illness

    
    Dissatisfaction with University regulations, or disagreements concerning the evaluation of admissibility (for example, calculation of grade point average, evaluation of English proficiency) or failure to meet published deadlines will not be considered grounds for appeal.
    
    The Senate Committee on Admission, Re-registration and Transfer will consider all the documentation presented and will make a final decision on the application, subject to review by the Senate Committee on Appeals on the grounds of specific procedural error.
    
    

11. Where do I go for program/course-planning advice?
    
    For course planning advice, please contact the Academic Advising Center for your faculty/program area.
    
    
12. Can someone inquire about my application on my behalf?
    
    If you anticipate that a family member or representative will be inquiring about your application on your behalf, and you wish that person to have access to that information, we require your written permission for them to by your proxy before any personal information is released. You can give this permission when completing your application form, or you may email your written permission to your assistant in Undergraduate Admissions. You must specify the person’s name and their relationship to you.
    
    
13. I have been accepted for studies in September, but I've decided to take a year off to work and travel. Can I defer my acceptance until next September?
    
    Except under extenuating circumstances, deferrals requests can be made by currently high school students only. They are usually submitted only after an official offer of admission is received. Please contact your admission assistant for an information sheet with all the details.
    
14. How do I find out if I have been accepted into student housing?
    
    Contact Housing at:
    
    Web: housing.uvic.ca
    Email: yriddell@uvic.ca
    Tel: 250-721-8395
    Fax: 250-721-8930
    
    
15. Where can I get a UVic calendar?
    
    The calendar is available online at www.uvic.ca/calendar.