Applying to College

Sept. 2012/Jan. 2013

Overview

5 choices for $95 (non-refundable)(Crown wards may be reimbursed)

no more than 3 programs at any one college

application will not be processed until payment is received –credit card fastest

apply at www.ontariocolleges.ca

Steps

Research your options to determine which college program is right for you:

Hopefully you attended a College Information Program (CIP) in Toronto on Oct. 25 or at Mohawk College on Oct. 27 or 28

Attend info. sessions when college representatives visit Westmount (check First Class for schedule)

Steps cont’d

Regularly check the guidance folder of First Class for college program updates, open houses, special events, etc.

Become highly familiar with www.ontariocolleges.ca which is the ultimate online resource for everything you ever wanted to know about applying to college in Ontario

Steps cont’d

The web site is separated into categories:

– Plan (costs of college, financial aid info., and list of colleges and locations)

– Find (search for college programs, add programs to your wish list, and be linked to college web sites)

– Apply (apply to college online and pay the application fee)

– Confirm (accept an offer of admission)

Steps cont’d

– Limited quantities of booklets available from guidance.

– Narrow down options and tour the campuses.

– Be sure to determine residence availability, criteria, costs, and fee deadlines (if you do not plan to live at home).

Preparing to Apply

Be sure to have a valid email address – you cannot apply to college online without one!

Have your Ontario Education Number (OEN) handy – it is located at the top (centre) of your mid-semester and final report cards and on your student card.

View the College Application Tutorial - the tutorial takes you through the online application step-by-step (note: 22 minutes in length)

Now that you’re ready to apply, go to www.ontariocolleges.ca and click “apply”, then “create new account” , then “sign up”

– Fill in the required fields, including username and password (which you will create)

– You will be sent an email from ontariocolleges.ca with your login information and will have to click the link to log back in

– Simply follow all the prompts – skip over the “experience” section unless you have job or volunteer experience RELATED to the program for which you are applying

– Do NOT make a transcript request – Westmount will forward your grades electronically

– If you have fewer than five college programs in mind so far, go ahead and apply now – you can always add additional programs later (but before Feb. 1 for equal consideration)

Apply Online

Accepting an Offer

Accept offers online by the deadline(s) stated in the offer(s) – in most cases, the deadline to accept an offer will be May 1:

– Go to www.ontariocolleges.ca, and click “confirm”, then “confirm now”

– Sign into your account and click the “View Offers” tab

– You may accept only one offer in one 24 hour period

– You will receive an email from ontariocolleges.ca, confirming your acceptance (contact OCAS if you do not receive an email confirmation)

Accepting an Offer cont’d

Can accept only one offer at a time– OCAS will inform the college that you have

accepted its offer, and your current acceptance will automatically cancel your previous acceptance.

*Remember* to pay tuition fees by the deadline set by the college, which is usually around June 15. (Residence fees are different – follow the college’s policy, if applicable.)

If you become “stuck” during any stage of the application process, do the tutorial again. If you are still stuck, click the “help” tab on any page of the application, or contact OCAS directly. If you are still stuck, see your guidance counsellor.

Applicant Checklist (print for your use)

PLAN Explore your college options• visit ontariocolleges.ca• attend a CIP event• take a campus tour• review college websites <ontariocolleges.ca/plan/ontario-colleges>and publications• research program admission requirements and residence information/deadlines

FIND Search for programs using the Find A Program feature at ontariocolleges.ca Before you apply, know your fulladdress and have a valid emailaccount.

APPLYClick on APPLY NOW Create an account by selecting a username and password (Note: Password is cAse SensiTive.) Write down your username: _________________________________ (Keep your password in a safe place.) Write down your account number: ____________________________________ Write down your application number: 0 - ____________ - _______ Complete the application including program choices Pay for your application fees online by VISA, Master Card or American Express or by mailing in your payment. Youmay also call the ontariocolleges.ca Customer Contact Centre to make your payment by phone. Check your email inbox for a message from ontariocolleges.ca with your account information. (If you did notreceive an email, check your junk mail/ spam folder to make sure you receive all of your mail)Return to your account and verify that your grades, forwarded by your high school, are correct

CONFIRMThe colleges will let you know directly of their admission decision.Click on CONFIRM Accept your offer of admission online by returning to your account at ontariocolleges.ca(If after accepting an offer you do not receive an email, contact ontariocolleges.ca immediately.)

NEED HELP?

• Use the “help” feature on the application• Use the “Ask Us” feature on the web site

Application Tips

*IMPORTANT*

The deadline for equal consideration is Feb. 1 – apply early, as internet traffic at the last minute will lead to frustrating crashes and delays (and under no circumstances will exceptions be made to this firm deadline)

If you apply & pay by Jan. 15, your name will be automatically entered into a draw to win up to $2000 toward your education expenses – so why delay?

If you are interested in starting a program in Jan. 2013, you still are advised to apply by Feb. 1 for equal consideration (although actual deadlines may vary by college)

Application Tips cont’d

Check the grades data on your account regularly and report any errors or omissions to your guidance counsellor ASAP.

Starting Feb. 1, check for offers on your online account – usually later (end of March) for highly competitive programs.

Be sure to pay tuition fees by the deadline (usually around mid-June) as well as residence fees, if applicable (deadline varies by college).

Points to Ponder

Be advised that colleges across the province do not have consistent admission practices and policies, so do not hesitate to contact college admission offices directly to ask questions or to clarify policies. Also consult their dialogue booklet. Be sure to do thorough research!

Early offers of admission are based on FIRST semester MID-SEMESTER grades for UNDERSUBSCRIBED programs – aim to be on track!– For competitive programs, the colleges usually

wait for your first semester final marks

Points to Ponder cont’d

Prerequisites – gr. 11 marks may be used

Disadvantaged for highly competitive science/health programs

Grade differentials – check policies

admission requirements vary by program – check

Remember that MCF3M1 is the prerequisite for MCT4C1 (see Mohawk – Engineering for ex.)

if English is not your first language, you may be required to take the TOEFL – check the colleges’ policies

College Options Beyond the Typical

College to University - stepping stone(See the Ontario College University Transfer Guide as

well as Mohawk Degree Opportunities)

Applied Degrees – conferred by college

Collaborative Degrees – conferred by universityEg. “MoMac” Nursing

- Can search by type on the ontariocolleges web site

Financial Assistance – Show Me the Money!

There are three types of financial assistance (not including your personal and family contributions): loans, scholarships, and bursaries.

Loan

You are encouraged to apply for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program), which is a government-sponsored loan. If approved,

you don’t have to start repaying the loan until six months after you complete college

you can apply to be considered for the Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Tuition Scholarship, which you don’t have to repay (and it is renewable!)

Financial Assistance cont’d

Scholarships

Register with: - Student Awards

- Scholarships Canada- The National Aboriginal Achievement Centre (if aboriginal)

The Garfield Weston Merit Scholarship for Colleges (GWMSC) is available only to students planning to enter a two- or three-year college program. For information and an application, go to their web site.

Financial Assistance cont’d

Bursaries (free money!)

based on financial need, although academic achievement is sometimes considered as well

Many (not all) bursaries cannot be accessed until you become a student of the college (such as the First Generation Bursary)

once enrolled, go to the Financial Aid/Student Awards office to request bursary applications

note that you may be ineligible to apply for some bursaries if you have not also applied for OSAP

Financial Assistance cont’d

• Be sure to check regularly the Guidance folder of Westmount’s First Class web site for updated scholarship opportunities

Check with the colleges of your choice to see if they offer admission scholarships or bursaries (note deadlines!) – also go to their Financial Aid/Awards web sites to browse through scholarships and bursaries that will be available once you register at the college.

Check your parents’ place of employment (and/or your place of employment) to see if scholarship opportunities are available.

There is an excellent money matters link on the Ontario Colleges web site.

Congratulations, college applicants!

You are on your way to starting the next exciting

phase of your life!