POST-SECONDARY INFORMATION ASSEMBLY PREPARING FOR YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION

HOW DO I KNOW IF COLLEGE IS RIGHT FOR ME? WHAT ARE MY OTHER CHOICES?

GAP YEAR • • Volunteer; internships Travel Start a job Apply to an apprenticeship / university / college in the future after you have saved money

APPRENTICESHIP • look for an employer who is willing to hire and train you • 2 − 5 year process, depending on the trade • accumulation of necessary hours • earn wages while you learn • up to 20% in−class component at a college • at the end of your training, write a standard provincial exam

UNIVERSITY • Need 6 4 U or 4 M credits, including minimum average and prerequisite courses. • 3 and 4 year degrees • E. g. Bachelor of Science, Commerce, Arts. • lecture style, large classes, academic learning • potential for Co-op

UNIVERSITY Destinations after university: • job • Masters degree • Ph. D. • college diplomas • undergraduate and post-graduate • trades

COLLEGE Diploma Programs • two years or four semesters • E. g Police Foundations, Hospitality Management, Early Childhood Education at Durham College

COLLEGE Advanced Diploma Programs • six semesters or three years • E. g. Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, Child & Youth Worker at Durham College

COLLEGE Certificate Programs • two semesters or one year • E. g. Veterinary Assistant, Dental Assistant, Personal Support Worker at Durham College

COLLEGE Post-Graduate Certificate Programs • must have a university degree or college diploma to apply • 1 or 2 years; 2 or 4 semesters • E. g. Paralegal, Addictions & Mental Health, International Business Management at Durham College

COLLEGE Degree Programs • four years • combines hands-on learning of college with theoretical approach of university • earn one or two credentials from the college and/or university (i. e. diploma & degree) • some colleges grant Applied Degrees (follows University requirements) • E. g. Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Durham College/UOIT

COLLEGE Collaborative Degree Programs • many college graduates can bridge into university degree programs • E. g. a graduate of Protection, Security & Investigation at Durham College could pursue the following:

Step 1: Durham College Home Page Step 2: Programs & Courses Step 3: Full-time programs Step 4: Diploma to degree options (menu on left) Step 5:

HOW DO I CHOOSE A COLLEGE? • programs choice • co-op program • job placement record • extra-curricular • social life • institution size • class sizes • size of community/city • living at home • living away from home

HOW NOT TO CHOOSE A SCHOOL • Lemming Phenomenon • stores/restaurants on campus • media influence/exterior beauty • supposed reputation

HOW DO I CHOOSE A PROGRAM? • What are your skills and interests? What do you love to do? • most colleges have a course calendar published every year (fewer each year) • calendars contain a list of programs offered along with entrance requirements • College websites are also excellent. • requirements may vary from college to college • Highly Competitive Programs – check cutoff average & course requirements

HOW DO I CHOOSE A PROGRAM?

Durham College Tuesday, October 4 th Bus leaves OCVI at 9: 15 – meet in Girl’s Foyer at 9: 00. Return bus leaves Durham College at 11: 00. • FREE trip! • First 42 students to submit their permission form to the Guidance office, get to go.

HOW TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO A COLLEGE? • OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) (30 credits, 40 hours of community service & Literacy Test) • prerequisites for specific programs vary • E. g. specific courses, grades, essays, medical forms, or testing • These requirements are listed as admission requirements in the individual college course calendars (online too).

APPLYING TO AN ONTARIO COLLEGE 1) Research programs and colleges. 2) Create an account with ontariocolleges. ca 3) Fill in your personal information and educational history. 4) Add your program choices. 5) Pay the application processing fee and any transcript fees. 6) Log back in to verify your transcript information, or to make changes or updates to your application. 7) Log back in after February 1 to view and confirm offers of admission.

APPLYING TO AN ONTARIO COLLEGE • There is a non-refundable fee of $95. 00 CDN to apply to college through ontariocolleges. ca. Up to 5 program choices (no more than 3 at any one college)

DATES TO REMEMBER • October: Applications become available for programs starting the following fall. • February 1: Equal Consideration Date - apply to highly competitive programs on or before this date. • February 1: Colleges may begin sending offers of admission. • May 1: Deadline to confirm offers (colleges may extend offers after this date). • Mid-June: Tuition deposit payment due. • See the Important Dates page for more information.

EQUAL CONSIDERATION DATE • Highly competitive programs include: • Practical Nursing, Paramedic, Child and Youth Worker, Animal Care, Trades Fundamentals, etc. • To be considered on an equal basis with other applicants, your application and application processing fee must be received at our office by February 1 st. • After February 1 st, applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, providing there are still vacancies in the program(s) of your choice.

SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES: GRADES FORWARDING PROCESS • Mid−November − Durham Board sends a transcript of student’s mark history and current courses to ontariocolleges. ca • Mid−February − final marks for the 1 st semester are forwarded • April 22 nd − 27 th mid-term marks • early July − final marks forwarded • late August − final data transmission

APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES üconduct the necessary research ücomplete the online application and pay the application processing fee üverify that all information provided on the Online application is correct and complete ümeet with college specific admission deadlines (i. e. for the submission of portfolios, interviews, auditions, etc. )

EXAMPLE COSTS OF COLLEGE Tuition Fees Books & Supplies Stay at Home, or at School Transportation Miscellaneous cost lab supplies & consumable fees Total Range: $2500 − $9500 $1500 $0 − $7500 $990 $25 − $5000 $6, 000 – $25, 000

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE • Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) www. osap. gov. on. ca • there will be an OSAP presentation in May • Awards & Scholarships • O’Neill website Guidance Scholarships • www. scholarshipscanada. com • www. studentawards. com • www. canlearn. ca • after acceptance enquire at the college

WHAT DO I DO NEXT? • Research • Attend college information sessions • sheets will be posted in Guidance for sign-up to the college workshops • sign up for an Online Application Workshop • Discuss your future with your family!

RESOURCES • ontariocolleges. ca (find a program) • college calendars • career cruising www. careercruising. com • College Information Progam • individual college tours (PD days, March Break) • guidance appointment