As the school year gradually comes into its full swing, many Grade 12 students find themselves busy making sure that they have the right selection of courses in their timetable. The majority of Ontario Colleges and Universities expect Grade 12 students to complete a combination of 6 U (University Level), C (College Level) or M (Mixed Level) courses. The combination varies depending on what program you wish to study and where you wish to study that particular program. While having the right course selection is important, it is not sufficient. Most Colleges and Universities expect a certain average for your top 6 U, C and M courses. Lastly, studio based programs such as Fashion, Photography, and Architecture are likely to ask you to submit a Portfolio (a collection of your art work) in addition to submitting your academic record.
In this blog, we explore some simple but important steps you can take to make sure you are on the right path for earning the admission of your choice.
What Do I Want to Study?
The first step is knowing what you wish to study and where you want to study. If you haven’t made a decision yet, take the time to visit Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) at Metro Toronto Convention Center. This year the Fair will be held from September 28 to 30 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
OUF is a great opportunity for you to search for your ideal program and to collect the information you need to apply. If you are more interested in College programs, you can attend the Ontario College Information Fair (OCIF), which takes place on October 23 and 24 at the Exhibition Place.
The Application Process
Knowing what you want to study and where helps you in selecting the right combination of Grade 12 courses. If you wish to apply for a university program, you can do so through the Ontario Universities’ Application Center, known as OUAC. If you wish to apply for a college program, you can do so through OCAS (Ontario College Application Service). The online application for OUAC and OCAS usually opens mid-October.
Meeting the Deadlines
The online application is a step-by-step process in which you will be asked to fill out and submit your personal as well as your academic information in a timely manner. There is a non-refundable fee associated with the processing of your application, which you will pay, online.
The most important part of the application process is meeting the various deadlines and providing accurate information.
Achieve and Maintain Your Average
As mentioned earlier, most programs require you to achieve a certain average. Achieving and maintaining this average during your last year of high school is very important. If your average does not meet the cut off line, you might be offered a conditional offer or you might not even be offered an admission. Those with conditional offer are often asked to re-take a course to bring their average up or to do an additional course.
Complete the Additional Requirements
Depending on what program you are applying for, you might be asked to submit non-academic requirements such as a Portfolio or a Personal Essay. Additional requirements play an important role in earning the admission you want. Take the time to complete these requirements. Ask for professional help if needed and once more, be sure to meet the deadline.
Earning your ideal admission can be a straightforward journey if you do the work beforehand and plan your steps and actions accordingly. Offer of admissions are often granted to students who meet the requirements in a timely manner. While some programs are very competitive and have limited space available, most students who do what is asked of them face little difficulty in landing their ideal offer.
Are you looking for help with your college or university application? BrightMinds offers many online university prep courses for Grade 12 students, such as:
- ENG4U: English Grade 12 University Preparation
- BOH4M: Business Leadership, Management Fundamentals Grade 12, University/College Preparation
- BBB4M: International Business Fundamentals Grade 12, University/College Preparation
- OLC4O: Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, Grade 12
- SBI4U: Biology Grade 12 University Preparation
- And much more!
It’s not too late to enroll for the Fall 2018 semester! Register online before September 28 to enroll in university and college preparation courses.