Student Smarts

Every year high school students from around the world apply to college or university. It can be an exciting and stressful time for students. Here we will explain how to apply for college and the steps you will need to follow to ensure your college application will be considered. Applying to college takes research but we hope the applying for college tips outlined below will assist you as you embark on your post secondary education.

Applying to College | What You Need To Do

1. Colleges start attending high schools in the fall to begin recruiting students. Attend a college information seminar. Here you will get to speak to college admission staff and learn about college requirements and determine if the particular school is the right fit for you.

Tip: ensure you are taking prerequisites and required courses to be considered for enrollment.

Do you need to pass an English Language test to qualify for admission?

Most institutions in Canada/US require demonstration of proficiency in their language of instruction (either English or French), usually through the achievement of a certain minimum score in a standardized language test. You should confirm the details of the language requirement with the Office of Admissions of the university or college to which you are applying.

If you are looking for an assessment of your English language proficiency, consider the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment. This test effectively measures your ability to read, listen, write and speak proficiency for academic purposes. For detailed information and test dates, check out http://www.cael.ca.

2.Once you have decided to which universities or colleges you wish to apply to for admission, you should write directly to the institution's Office of Admissions (for undergraduate and college programs) or Office of Graduate Admissions (for graduate programs) and ask for detailed application information and forms or go online to the school websites and download them yourself. The Office of Admissions will inform you about the documentation, translation, and visa requirements. Please note that the admission application process can take considerable time, and that you should start at least one year in advance to compile the necessary information and documentation.

3.When to Apply Colleges usually start accepting applications in October. Apply to college as soon as the application is available in October. While there are no deadlines its smart to apply early. College applications are usually considered equally before an Equal Consideration Date. After this day college applications are usually considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applying early is a smart and important step. It allows time to ensure your application is complete and to get all your documentation in to the Registrar's Office.

Tip: for competitive programs and courses ensure you apply early.

4. Find out when applications start dates begin and end.

Tip: know the dates and apply before the deadlines

5. In some jurisdictions, you can apply for colleges and universities electronically using an application service organization. You can also apply to several or many colleges at the same time

For example in Ontario, Canada, there are application service organization called Ontarion College Application Service - OCAS where students will have to apply to be considered for the 24 public colleges in Ontario. They operate a website called OntarioColleges.ca where students can apply online for college.

In the US, there is a organziation called "The Common Application". The Common Application membership association was established in 1975 by 15 private colleges that wished to provide a common, standardized first-year application form for use at any member institution. Now this association represents over 400 post secondary institutions across the US.

Here are websites in Canada where you can submit college applications electronically:

Alberta
Alberta Learning Information Service - Electronic Application Service
http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/learning/ao/postsecondary.asp

British Columbia
Post-Secondary Application Service of British Columbia (PASBC)
https://portal.bccampus.ca/render.userLayoutRootNode.uP?uP_tname=Login_and_Apply_for_Admission
Ontario
Ontario Universities Application Centre
http://www.ouac.on.ca/
Ontario College Application Service
http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/

Quebec (Cegeps)
Montreal region: http://www.sram.qc.ca/
Quebec City region: http://www.sraq.qc.ca/
Saguenay/Lac St-Jean region: http://www.srasl.qc.ca/