An application for college in Ontario includes up to five different program or college choices. An application for Ontario universities includes three choices, and you can pay for as many additional applications as you wish.
If you submitted your college and/or university applications by the “equal consideration” date, the post-secondary institutions are required to send you an acceptance decision for each of your application choices by either May 1st (colleges) or May 29th (universities) at the latest. These could include offers of admission, denials, or offers of admission to an alternate program. Some students might have a multitude of admission offers to sift through before making a final decision!
For some students, choosing which offer of admission to accept is easy – they’ve already picked their favourite. For others, however, making that final decision is nerve-wracking. Even after months of research and “comparison-shopping,” their best option is still not clear. If that’s the case for you, here are five things to consider before you make your final decision.
1. The program
Carefully research the details of each program to which you’ve been offered admission. If you’ve already done that, go back and review your notes. How well do they match up with what really interests you and whatever it is you want from a career? Is one program more likely than the others to lead you in a direction that you want to go? What are the pros and cons of each? Are there opportunities to specialize within the program, or combine programs, or take a minor?
Programs at different schools may appear quite similar, but are not exactly the same. Compare the courses you’d be taking at each school, and read the actual course
descriptions. Do the courses themselves include some specific things you might enjoy learning about?
Will there be hundreds of students in your classes so you will be somewhat anonymous, or will there be only dozens of students so you will get to know everyone? Which atmosphere suits you better?
Are there opportunities for experiential learning, which could include field trips, learning exchange experiences, co-ops or internships, etc.? These extra benefits not only enhance your learning, but also tend to make your education more engaging and enjoyable.
2. Cost
Different schools charge different tuition fees, which can be related to their size, location, level of technology, program structure, etc. What will your tuition costs be,
and what other fees will be required? Will you need to purchase a laptop, tools or other equipment? How much can you afford?
Being awarded a scholarship can make one offer much more affordable than another. Any scholarships, financial incentives or other funding assistance from the school will be included in your offer of admission.
3. Location
Related to the cost of your post-secondary education is the location that you choose for your schooling. Will you accept an offer of admission that allows you to live in your family home and save some money, or do you like the idea of living far enough
away that you’ll be independent and on your own?
If you plan to leave home, do you prefer to move to a big city or a small one? Will you be able to travel there and back easily? Does the school’s location provide amenities that appeal to you, such as sports facilities, a busy city centre, or natural surroundings?
4. Housing
If you’re considering a school that’s not in your hometown, it’s very important to judge the housing options available there.
Was a residence room included in your offer of admission? If so, will the residence have the type of room, meal plan and facilities (laundry, kitchen, parking, etc.) that will meet your needs? Will you share a room? Is it located right on campus, or does it
require transportation? What deposit is required? What is the total fee, and what payment plans are offered?
If you will be living off-campus, is housing affordable and easy to find? Will you need
roommates? What is the availability and cost of transportation to campus, and to grocery stores and other amenities? Will you be able to travel there to look for and secure your housing in person?
5. Atmosphere
Choose a school that you can envision yourself attending and enjoying. Which school has an overall feel that appeals to you? It could be that you like the idea of large, leafy grounds with charming old buildings; or maybe the vibe of a lively downtown campus sounds alluring; or perhaps you’re attracted to a more remote school that has trails, water and active outdoor activities.
In addition, think about your own personality and consider the size of the student population when deciding on your post-secondary institution.
School is about much more than just hitting the books. Search through the schools’ websites to get a good idea of the opportunities for social engagement you’ll find there. Look for student groups related to your program choice, and use search terms such as “campus life,” “recreation” and “student affairs” to find out about student clubs, societies, sports, events, and other extracurricular activities. What will you do at school besides just academics? How you spend your time will determine your level of satisfaction in your post-secondary experience.
Considering these five qualities for each offer of admission will clarify the benefits and drawbacks of each of them. Being able to clearly see their differences will help you make the best choice for your post-secondary education.