How to Apply to College

Agenda

Overview of the Ontario Colleges Website

Program Type

How to Apply

Key Dates to Remember

​

​

Get to know the Ontario Colleges Website

Website

Homepage:

• Easily search for programs and colleges
• 4 Steps from Exploring to Applying
• Announcements, blogs, and events

Website

Programs & Colleges:

• Learn more about what makes each college unique!
• View all college campuses with an interactive map
• View programs offered at each college or each campus

Website

Programs & Colleges:

• Search for any program keyword
• Explore programs by career or field of interest
• Learn more about each career and the programs that lead to them.

Program Types

Program Variety

Skilled Trades Programs

• By 2030, there will be 700,000 vacant trades jobs across Canada
• Learn a trade in a classroom environment
• Safe simulations
• Help students find apprenticeships

Program Types

• Certificate Programs�(1 year) 
• Graduate Certificate Programs (1 year) 

• Diploma Programs�(2 years) 
• Advanced Diploma Programs (3 years)

• Degree Programs�(3 years) 
• Degree Programs (Honours) (4 years)
• Collaborative Degree Programs (4 - 5 years)

Certificates

Diplomas

Degrees

Certificate Program Types

• Certificate Programs �(1 year)
• Graduate Certificate Programs �(1 year) 

• Quick
• Get equipped with essential skills
• Perfect to efficiently enter the workforce

Key Takeaways

Diploma Program Types

• Diploma Programs �(2 years) 
• Advanced Diploma Programs �(3 years)

• Helps you stand out
• Often includes a�co-op or work placement
• Positions you as industry-ready

Key Takeaways

Degree Program Types

• Blends theory and practical skills
• Prepares you for real-world challenges
• Graduate with a deep understanding of your subject

• Degree Programs (3 years) 
• Degree Programs (Honours) (4 years)
• Allows you to apply for Masters programs
• Collaborative Degree Programs (4-5 years)
• A 4-year collaborative program typically costs less than a 4-year university program.

Key Takeaways

Ready to Apply?

Now is the best time to Apply!

• Want to start college in September or January? Now is a great time to apply!
• Application for September and January Intakes opens around October 1^st
• Includes up to 5 program choices (no more than 3 at any one college). No extra cost to make changes!

Summary of Important Dates

How to Apply Video

Link to YouTube Video

Application starts here!

Sign up Options: Google or Email

Start Application – Important! Select the correct cycle

Start Application – Important! Select the correct cycle

Choose Programs

Explore Programs 🡪 Filters

View Received Documents

Application & Fees 🡪 Transcripts

Application & Fees 🡪 Supporting Documents

When will I receive an offer?

Important Dates: Offers of Admission

• First date that colleges can release offers is November 1st
• Offers continue to be released on an ongoing basis
• Many offers for highly competitive programs are not released until February 1 or later
• Check your application status in your College Portal accounts, or contact the college for clarification
• Offers are posted in your Ontario Colleges account

Offers

Important Dates: Equal Consideration Date

• Equal consideration date for highly competitive programs is February 1st
• Plan to apply before Feb 1, to have the best chance of receiving an offer!
• Some programs close on Feb 1, as they are already full
• Many programs are available to apply to after February 1st
• List of highly competitive programs accessed from this page. https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/highly-competitive-programs

How can you reach us?

Phone

Chat

Email

Canadian Applicants

+1-519-763-4725

General Inquiries

ask-us@ontariocolleges.ca

Talk with live agents

Accessible from our website

Application Myth vs. Fact

• You have to write entrance essays when you apply to school
• There is a fee to apply to school
• If you apply early you can be rejected based on poor grade 11 grades
• You need to have your major decided before you apply
• You must apply by the deadline for equal consideration
• Applying to a large number of schools/programs increases your chances of getting accepted
• Prestigious schools are always a better fit and guarantee a better experience and job prospects
• You must meet all the prerequisites to apply for a program
• Once you have submitted your application you are done

​

Post-Secondary Myth vs Fact

• If you begin a program and you don’t like it, you are stuck there
• Academic support counsellors will seek me out if I am struggling in my classes
• Your IEP will automatically get sent to my post-secondary institution
• You are still able to receive accommodations in post secondary courses
• You can bridge between schools and even from college to university
• Dates and deadlines are strictly followed

Marks and Offers

• It is YOUR responsibility to check that all of your marks are posted and correct
• Offers can come at any time after applying; oversubscribed programs (pre-health, fire, etc) will likely come after March break
• It is YOUR responsibility to check your offer and ensure you meet ALL the requirements- if you are unsure, check with your counsellor- we DO NOT see your offer and CANNOT check this for you
• Grades- note they do NOT round up, e.g. if you have 78.8, they DO NOT round up to 79%. Watch your own grades to ensure you meet the post secondary requirements for your offer
• 80%=480; 78.8%=472.8= difference of 7.2% overall

​

WHAT’S NEXT?!

• Watch your email for confirmation of application to Colleges
• Create your student account for each college
• Check out scholarships and bursaries
• Check for additional information forms, certifications, tests and upload requirements
• Residence applications/deadlines
• Tuition deposits- June

36

Scholarships and Awards

Scholarships and Awards~where to look?

​

• Google Classroom- scholarships
• Scholar Tree
• Seeking Scholarships
• SHSM Scholarships
• College and University Scholarships~ check deadlines
• Parent/Guardian work
• Community Groups
• Legion
• Scholarships Canada

​

Scholarship Tips

​

• Each scholarship has different criteria for both the award and for the documentation they need for the award. All TVDSB awards require a 200 word ‘blurb’ indicating why you are an appropriate candidate for the award. Others will require something similar and/or answers to additional questions or short essay responses.
• Don’t have a specific scholarship/award that you want to apply for, but you want to get started on this?!
• Write a general blurb that focuses on your citizenship, good character, contributions to school and community life

​

Do’s and Don’t for Specific Awards

Resources

Scholarship Booklet

Reference Letter Request

Tips for writing scholarship applications

Scholarship Library

• see google classroom for login instructions

College Open Houses

How to Apply video