St.Augustine Catholic High School

1. St.Augustine Catholic High School University Information Session Brought to you by the Guidance and Career Education Department

2. Getting Ready For University Destiny is not a matter of chance… it is a matter of choice. Your Goal… MAKE INFORMED AND WELL THOUGHT OUT CHOICES FOR UNIVERSITY

3. Differences between High School and University Classes • Classes will be much bigger, so you won't receive as much individual attention from staff • You won't be given as much feedback; if you need something clarified, you will have to ask • The rate of learning is more intense with a great deal of work covered in short periods of time • You will spend less time in classes and more time studying independently • You will have to find your own resources and then decide yourself which ones are the most relevant • You will have to read a lot more • You will be learning with a more diverse group of people • Most importantly, at university you control your own learning - no one can or will make you go to classes, find the resources, hand in assignments or do assessments - it is up to you to find out what is required of you and then to do it • You won't know many people

4. Skills You Will Need to Enhance In A University Setting You will have to expand and/or enhance your present academic skills to include: • essay writing • presentation skills • group/team work skills • referencing and project writing • individualized work • time management • research skills

5. Adapting To A University Setting You will need to consider and prepare for the following: • lecture format • Monitoring own attendance • balancing work with school and social life • choosing a major • assessing your progress and your program of study

6. Changes You May Encounter ACADEMIC: Time Management: dealing with few hours in class and less interaction with professors than high school teachers Using free time wisely Goal Setting: Reviewing and adapting life, career, academic goals Accessing resources efficiently SOCIAL: Feeling isolated at first Balancing social activities with homework, part-time work Making new friends Life in residence or commuting

7. ST. AUGUSTINE CHS ONTARIO UNIVERSITY INFORMATION NIGHT 2 Important dates to Remember • October 8, 2008 (7-9:00pm) • York University • University of Guelph • University of Guelph Humber • Western University and affiliates • University of Ontario Institute of Technology • Carleton University • October 15, 2008 (7-9:00pm) • University of Toronto • Wilfrid Laurier • McMaster University • Brock University • Carleton University • University of Waterloo • Ottawa University

8. Choosing A University • ASK YOURSELF: • 1. What programs or courses interest me and where are they being offered? • 2. Which subjects am I good at? • What courses are required in order to be admitted into the programs that interest me? Do I have the pre-requisites? • Do I want to go to a local university and live at home or go into residence? What is the residence like? What is the difference in cost? • Do I want to go to a larger university like U of T or one that has a smaller student population with most classes on one site? • Does the university have the facilities necessary for my interests such as sports, music, etc.? • MAKE SURE YOU: • Attend university fairs • Visit campuses • Check out university web sites • Talk to others (parents, teachers, professionals, admissions ) • Do your homework!!

9. Choosing A University A university education is an investment in time, money, and energy. It is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Take time to visit and tour various university campuses. Below are a few things you may want to consider. • Places to see during a university tour/visit: • University Residences – How do they look? Will you be able to live in here for a whole year? • University Lecture Halls • University Labs • Campus Libraries • Local Neighbourhoods – Find out where people who live off campus live. • Local Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Coffee Shops • Shopping – Where’s the nearest grocery store, drug store, dry cleaner…? • University Student Centre • Campus Athletic Centre • University Book Store

10. Choosing A University… Going Away or Staying Local? Things to consider in each circumstance.

11. Choosing A University Program • Some Things To Remember: • Choose something you enjoy - Three, four or even five years is a long time to study something you have no interest in • Put your program choice first - There is no point in going to a university if the course is not right for you • Don't limit your options – be open to ideas during your research • Get relevant and up-to-date information about the program admission requirements • Think about alternatives if a degree is not for you • Use program guides to help you – usually availble online through the universities’ website • Use the Internet to research- it is the best place to start. • Don't rely on completely on what your friends say – use your own judgement …nobody knows YOU better than YOU!

12. General University Admission Requirements • OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) • six Grade 12 U/M courses that include: • English (ENG4U1) • 5 other U/M Courses • some universities require 4 to 5 “U” courses Example #1: Queen’s University (Arts) • A minimum of four Grade 12U courses (including English) and two additional U or M courses. Example #2: University of Western Ontario (Engineering) • ENG4U, MHF4U, SPH4U, SCH4U and one of : MCV4U, MDM4U, SBI4U, SES4U, CIA4U, CHI4U, CGW4U, CLN4U, HZT4U, or CHY4U. • 1 additional U or M course

13. Admissions …continued Non-Academic Criteria these are not your marks NAC may include: - sample of written work, drawings, reference letters, portfolios - interviews IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH YOUR SPECIFIC PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS – DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE Optional Profiles – send it in!!!

14. Application Process Step 1: Your COMPASS Access Codes Your guidance counsellor will give you a confidential letter containing your access codes: Your PIN is confidential! Don’t share it with anyone else! • PIN (Personal Id #) • School Number • Student Number • These numbers allow you to access your COMPASS.101 application.

15. Application Process Step 2: Research Your University Options • Navigate e-Info and the COMPASS.101 Companion Booklet. • Check out university publications, websites and tours. • Talk to counsellors, family, teachers and friends. • Write down your program choices and codes and keep them handy.

16. Application Process Step 3: Mark Your Calendar October/November 2008: Schools distribute COMPASS.101 access codes. January 14, 2009: Latest date to submit completed on-line applications to the OUAC. February 6, 2009: Recommended last day to make changes to your application. May 25, 2009: The latest date by which applicants shall expect a response from an Ontario University. (offer of admission, refusal, or defferal) May 28, 2009: Date by which the universities require a response to an offer of admission and a financial commitment.

17. Application Process Paying For Your Application You have the following three options: Visa/MasterCard: You will need the card number, expiry date and the cardholder’s name. 2. Internet / Telephone Banking: You will receive an account number from the OUAC as soon as you submit your application. 3. Cheque / Money Order: You must send the cheque or money order by mail within two weeks of submitting your application electronically.

18. Cost of Applying Base Application Fee $105 (first 3 program choices) maximum of 3 program selections at one university Additional Choice Fee $35 (for each choice beyond your first 3 university program choices)

19. Paying For University Education Awards • award given for achievement • financial awards are scholarships or bursaries (awards may be other than financial) • do not have to be paid back Scholarships • financial assistance awarded on the basis of academic and/or other aptitude merit • awarded by universities, private companies, etc. • not based on financial need • do not have to be paid back Bursary/Grant • financial award given on basis of need • criteria may also include academic achievement • documentation for financial need may need to be provided • do not have to be paid back

20. Paying For University Education ….continued OSAP(Ontario Student Assistance Plan) • students apply for a government loan • loan has to be repaid Need Help? • Personal Resources • family funds • FT/PT work • RESP • Web Resources • Scholarship Canada http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/ • Student Awards http://www.studentawards.com • OSAP http://osap.gov.on.ca/

21. e-Info online guide to Ontario universities for students, parents and counsellors. The website provides details about… university program admission requirements the application process and important date information English requirements, residence, scholarships and contacts Online University Information

22. COMPASS. 101 Companion Booklet guide for Ontario Secondary School Applicants using the On-line application to an Ontario University WEBSITE

23. What SACHS will do…. • 1. Distribute PIN numbers • 2. Transmit information to OUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre • 3. Organize and announce university information sessions • 4. Announce and display information in the guidance office • 5. Provide university program calendars in the guidance office

24. What Students need to do…. • research (online, hard copy, one-on-one conferencing with counsellor) • inform yourself about university programs: • University Fair (Metro Convention Centre) • Campus Visits • University Information Night at SACHS • complete application accurately and by the due date • pay all your fees • keep their PIN number confidential • Make sure you understand and complete all program admission requirements

25. OUAC Transmissions Mid-November 2008 • demographics and academic history, plus semester 1 and 2 current courses(no marks) March 2009 • semester 1 final marks April 2009 • semester 2 mid-term marks July 2009 • semester 2 final marks

26. Ontario University Application Centrewww.ouac.on.caOntario University Website Linkshttp://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/list/univers.htmlOUAC E-Info Websitehttp://www.electronicinfo.ca/en/index.php?j=1Ontario Universitieswww.myfuture.caSchool Finderwww.schoolfinder.comCareer Cruisinghttp://www.careercruising.comStudent Counsellorhttp://www.studentcounsellor.com/Career Searchhttp://careermatters.tvo.org/index.phtmlAssociation of Universities and Colleges of Canadahttp://www.aucc.ca/ Web Resources Web Resources