1. POST-SECONDARY INFORMATION ASSEMBLY
Preparing For Your College Application

2. How do I know if college is right for me? What are my other choices?

3. GAP YEAR Volunteer; internships Travel Start a job
Apply to an apprenticeship / university / college in the future after you have saved money

4. Apprenticeship
look for an employer who is willing to hire and train you
2 − 5 year process, depending on the trade
accumulation of necessary hours
earn wages while you learn
up to 20% in−class component at a college
at the end of your training, write a standard provincial exam

5. University
Need 6 4U or 4M credits, including minimum average and prerequisite courses.
3 and 4 year degrees
E.g. Bachelor of Science, Commerce, Arts.
lecture style, large classes, academic learning
potential for Co-op

6. University Destinations after university: job Masters degree Ph.D.
college diplomas
undergraduate and post-graduate
trades

7. College Diploma Programs two years or four semesters
E.g Police Foundations, Hospitality Management, Early Childhood Education at Durham College

8. College Advanced Diploma Programs six semesters or three years
E.g. Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, Child & Youth Worker at Durham College

9. College Certificate Programs two semesters or one year
E.g. Veterinary Assistant, Dental Assistant, Personal Support Worker at Durham College

10. College Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
must have a university degree or college diploma to apply
1 or 2 years; 2 or 4 semesters
E.g. Paralegal, Addictions & Mental Health, International Business Management at Durham College

11. College Degree Programs four years
combines hands-on learning of college with theoretical approach of university
earn one or two credentials from the college and/or university (i.e. diploma & degree)
some colleges grant Applied Degrees (follows University requirements)
E.g. Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Durham College/UOIT

12. College Collaborative Degree Programs
many college graduates can bridge into university degree programs
E.g. a graduate of Protection, Security & Investigation at Durham College could pursue the following:

13. Step 1: Durham College Home Page Step 2: Programs & Courses Step 3: Full-time programs Step 4: Diploma to degree options (menu on left) Step 5:

14. How do I choose a college?
programs choice
co-op program
job placement record
extra-curricular
social life
institution size
class sizes
size of community/city
living at home
living away from home

15. How NOT to choose a school
Lemming Phenomenon
stores/restaurants on campus
media influence/exterior beauty
supposed reputation

16. HOW DO I CHOOSE A PROGRAM?
What are your skills and interests? What do you love to do?
most colleges have a course calendar published every year (fewer each year)
calendars contain a list of programs offered along with entrance requirements
College websites are also excellent.
requirements may vary from college to college
Highly Competitive Programs – check cutoff average & course requirements

17. HOW DO I CHOOSE A PROGRAM?

18. Durham College Tuesday, October 4th FREE trip!
Bus leaves OCVI at 9:15 – meet in Girl’s Foyer at 9:00. Return bus leaves Durham College at 11:00.
FREE trip!
First 42 students to submit their permission form to the Guidance office, get to go.

19. How to gain entrance to a college?
OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma)
(30 credits, 40 hours of community service & Literacy Test)
prerequisites for specific programs vary
E.g. specific courses, grades, essays, medical forms, or testing
These requirements are listed as admission requirements in the individual college course calendars (online too).

20. APPLYING TO AN ONTARIO COLLEGE
Research programs and colleges.
Create an account with ontariocolleges.ca
Fill in your personal information and educational history.
Add your program choices.
Pay the application processing fee and any transcript fees.
Log back in to verify your transcript information, or to make changes or updates to your application.
Log back in after February 1 to view and confirm offers of admission.

21. APPLYING TO AN ONTARIO COLLEGE
There is a non-refundable fee of $95.00 CDN to apply to college through ontariocolleges.ca. Up to 5 program choices (no more than 3 at any one college)

22. Dates To Remember
October: Applications become available for programs starting the following fall.
February 1: Equal Consideration Date - apply to highly competitive programs on or before this date.
February 1: Colleges may begin sending offers of admission.
May 1: Deadline to confirm offers (colleges may extend offers after this date).
Mid-June: Tuition deposit payment due.
See the Important Dates page for more information.

23. EQUAL CONSIDERATION DATE
Highly competitive programs include:
Practical Nursing, Paramedic, Child and Youth Worker, Animal Care, Trades Fundamentals, etc.
To be considered on an equal basis with other applicants, your application and application processing fee must be received at our office by  February 1st.
After February 1st, applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, providing there are still vacancies in the program(s) of your choice.

24. SCHOOL Responsibilities: GRADES FORWARDING PROCESS
Mid−November − Durham Board sends a transcript of student’s mark history and current courses to ontariocolleges.ca
Mid−February − final marks for the 1st semester are forwarded
April 22nd − 27th mid-term marks
early July − final marks forwarded
late August − final data transmission

25. APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES
conduct the necessary research
complete the online application and pay the application processing fee
verify that all information provided on the Online application is correct and complete
meet with college specific admission deadlines (i.e. for the submission of portfolios, interviews, auditions, etc.)

26. Example COSTS of college
Tuition Fees
$2500 − $9500
Books & Supplies
$1500
Stay at Home, or at School
$0 − $7500
Transportation
$900
Miscellaneous cost
$990
lab supplies & consumable fees
$25 − $5000
Total Range:
$6,000 – $25,000

27. Financial Assistance
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
there will be an OSAP presentation in May
Awards & Scholarships
O’Neill website Guidance  Scholarships
after acceptance enquire at the college

28. WHAT DO I DO NEXT? Research Attend college information sessions
sheets will be posted in Guidance for sign-up to the college workshops
sign up for an Online Application Workshop
Discuss your future with your family!

29. RESOURCES ontariocolleges.ca (find a program) college calendars
career cruising
College Information Progam
individual college tours (PD days, March Break)
guidance appointment