THE
RESOURCE
FOR
ACADEMIC
DEVELOPMENT
&
SCHOOLING
High School
PICKING THE RIGHT UNIVERSITY FOR YOU
(Part 3)
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STEP 4:
Visit the university web sites;
look for signs of their specialties. Not all universities are alike as some
specialize in particular fields such as engineering while others take a more
general arts approach. You should also check to see if the university has a
co-op program and its requirements (upon entrance and on-going).
Read books on Canadian universities such as:
Complete Guide to Canadian Universities
The real guide to Canadian universities: An insider's survey for undergraduates
If you like what you see,
e-mail the university's Registrar's or
Admissions Office to request information concerning the programs you may be
interested in.
Don't be afraid of requesting information
from several universities. After all, they're businesses and want your money
so they're very willing to entice you.
STEP 5:
Now that you have received information from the universities, browse through their literature. Pay close attention to the Programs offered, Admission Requirements & Prerequisites, and Residence.
As you will quickly realize, not all universities have the same standards or expectations from its prospective students.
Admission Requirements
This is the most important thing you have to worry about as a prospective student. Each university sets their own criteria for grades required to be admitted into their program. Competitive programs will have higher average requirements so it is best to check if you are in the 'zone.'
Not all programs have the same prerequisites. This means that in order to be accepted into a particular program you must have successfully completed a specific set of high school courses.
In some engineering programs, for example,
a prospective student must have passed their final year courses in Physics,
Calculus, Algebra & Geometry, Chemistry, and English. To make it even
tougher, these courses are used in most cases, as 5 of the 6 courses
required to determine your average.
STEP 6:
Now that you have an idea of which universities you would like to attend, it is best to contact the University Liaison Officer to determine if there are any upcoming special events for prospective students. These events would include Open Houses, campus tours, and program information nights.
Although universities try to convey their atmosphere and spirit through
their brochures and web sites, it is always best to visit the campus before
applying. This way you can see with your very own eyes the 'real' campus and
students.
Now that you like what you've seen and heard, it's time to apply!
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