The University of Toronto MD Program Academies are fully committed to supporting the growth and development of MD students. If an MD Program student feels the need to transfer from one Academy to another Academy, the first step in the process is for the student to contact the Office of Learner Affairs (OLA). OLA will review the student’s situation and rationale for requesting the transfer. OLA will work with the student and their Academy Director to explore strategies for success at the student's current Academy. After this initial stage, if the student still desires an Academy Transfer OLA will present the student’s request to the Academy Director group for review. The Academy Directors will have an in camera discussion regarding the request, assessing the estimated risk to the learner’s success as well as current capacity limits. 

High Priority Academy Transfer Requests

• Potential examples of high priority situations include:
  • concern for personal physical or psychological safety
  • learners who face discrimination based on a protected ground, as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code

Moderate Priority Academy Transfer Requests

• Potential examples of moderate priority situations include:
  • Conflict of Interest/Privacy issues
  • Proximity to specialized health care for the learner

Low Priority Academy Transfer Requests

• Potential examples of low priority situations include:
  • Proximity to research institute or university campus for learners engaged in ongoing academic pursuit outside of the MD program
  • Proximity to part time employment
  • Duration/cost of commuting
  • Proximity to social network/supports/home

Note the above list is not exhaustive, but rather is intended to provide a framework for decision-making. It is understood that there may be instances where a situation listed above in one priority category may be deemed a different priority category, at the discretion of the group reviewing the Academy transfer request and in consultation with OLA. 

Timeline 

In general, applications for transfer will be reviewed once per year in March (applications should be submitted prior to March 1). However, the Academy Director group will consider requests for expedited review on a case-by-case basis, depending on urgency.

Outcome

If the transfer request is granted, the student's new Academy Director will inform the student of this decision. If the request is denied, the student’s current Academy Director will inform the student of this decision. The Academy Directors will copy UME Enrolment Services in these same notification emails to ensure timely updates to the student's registration and enrolment records.

Recommendations for learners

• If you are considering an academy transfer, please reach out to your local Academy Director to explore all available supports/solutions within your current Academy
• To ensure the committee can best evaluate your circumstance and rationale for transfer request, please disclose all relevant at the time of submitting your transfer request. Insufficient information and/or documentation may result in denial of a transfer request. If there is relevant information that you are not comfortable to disclose to the committee, you may wish to discuss this with OLA for their guidance.
• When submitting a transfer request, you should list in order of preference all Academies that you would be willing to transfer to.

Date of original adoption: 7 August 2024
Date of last review: 7 August 2024