Attention all grade twelves! If you are applying for post-secondary in Ontario this year, these are a few things you need to know. It can be nerve-wracking to think about the future and what you want to do for the rest of your life but taking the step of applying to either college or university is already a great start. As someone who has already applied to university this year, I learned a lot throughout the entire process.
Firstly, do as much research as you can as far as your interests go. Find what you enjoy doing, not just what degree you think will get you the most money. Recognize what brings you happiness. It could be mathematics, physics, business, psychology, political science, etc. The amazing thing about Ontario Universities is that there are so many degrees you can choose from at your university of choice. Ensure that you are researching specific programs that align with your passions. Make sure to keep in mind prerequisites, supplementary applications and co-op experiences offered by different programs. Remember that you will spend the next four or more years of your life studying to attain one of these degrees. Do not choose programs spontaneously without doing research first. I promise it will benefit you in the future.
Moreover, make sure you consider location as a deciding factor into which university you will attend. The same idea goes for finding your happiness. Do you thrive in a big city environment or a small university town? It all depends on where you see yourself. If you are unsure of where exactly that may be, that is okay! My advice would be to visit some campuses, which I did this summer. I visited Queens, Western, and the University of Toronto, St. George Campus. After I took the time to visit the campus in person, I was able to picture myself at one of these places. The universities I visited are now some of my top choices, which I never would have considered until I saw the campus. If you are unable to visit the campus, most of the Ontario Universities offer virtual campus tours that are also very informative and helpful.
A general tip is if you have siblings, cousins, or friends who are already pursuing post-secondary education to talk to them! Ask them how the application process was for them, ask them for advice, and ask them how they are finding the campus, workload, and overall experience. Another tip for everyone is to not be discouraged by others from pursuing your chosen degree path. For example, if someone tells you that you may not be as intelligent or hard-working enough to pursue engineering, who cares. Prove them wrong. Allow yourself to make those decisions on your own. It is your university experience, not theirs, and it will be what you make it!
When it comes to setting up your OUAC account, it is a very simple process. The Grade 12 Guidance classroom has posted some videos taking you step by step on how to input all your information using the pin you received from guidance. If you are stuck or confused, speak to the guidance department or use the OUAC website.
Not everyone’s path will take them to university. Some may choose to apply to college, which is also an excellent choice for post-secondary education. If you are looking for employment sooner than university would grant you, then consider applying to college! If you want to gain practical and real-world experience and build a foundation in any subject area, college may be a better fit for you. Ontario colleges offer over 5,000 different programs across over 200 areas of study. Setting up an account is also very simple. Set up your personal information, request your transcripts, browse programs, pay a small fee, and submit! All information on both college and university applications is available on their websites. A friendly reminder that all OUAC applications are due January 13th, 2022. All Ontario Colleges Applications are due February 1st, 2022.
I know this time can bring forth nerves and stress about the future, grades, and life in general but, remind yourself that all this hard work will be worth it. Everything works out the way it is supposed to. If you feel that you are not happy with your program, you can always change your mind. That is the great thing about post-secondary! You choose your path, and you find success! Wherever you go next year, whether it is college, university or maybe even a gap year, make sure to choose your path wisely.
Sources
“The Application Service for Ontario’s Public Colleges.” Ontariocolleges.Ca, http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en. Accessed 13 Nov. 2021.
“Current Ontario High School Students (101) – Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.” Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, 12 Oct. 2021, http://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101.
Virtual High School. “Do Your Homework Before Applying to University or College.” The P.A. – News, Stories, and More from Virtual High School, 24 Oct. 2018, http://www.virtualhighschool.com/blog/do-your-homework-before-applying-to-university-or-college.
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