COLLEGE INFORMATION 2009 - 2010

1. COLLEGE INFORMATION 2009 - 2010 • Choosing a College Shouldn’t be a Scary Experience

2. Choosing Your College and College Program The Application Process What You Need to Know

4. Interesting Fact • 88 % of College Graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation. • Discuss employment rates with the college reps.

5. What is OCAS? • Ontario College Application Services • Processes applications and transcripts • Informs counsellors and students of missing or incomplete grades. • Informs colleges when you have accepted an offer of admission.

6. What Do High Schools Do? • Provide you with your Ontario Education Number (OEN) and the OCAS booklets. • Provide OCAS with your personal and academic information. • Provide OCAS with your updated grades information in November, February, April and July. • Notify OCAS if you transfer to another school. • Assist you with the application.

7. Before you get started Checklist • Explore your college options. • Check out college websites, publications and tours. • Research program admission requirements. • Take a look at the online Find Program (at ontariocolleges.ca) or the Ontario College Guide. • Have a valid email account. • Think of a unique username and password. • Know your Ontario Education Number (OEN). • Know your correct address and postal code. • Have a credit card number, including expiry date, (VISA, MasterCard or American Express), if you plan to pay online.

8. Types of Programs • Diploma • Advanced Diploma • Applied Degree • Joint College/University • Co-op • Apprenticeships BE SURE THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR PROGRAM CHOICES

9. Important Dates Online Applications will begin this October. First set of marks go to colleges December 2009 Application deadline is February 1, 2010 Early offers February 1, 2010 Confirmation date May 03, 2010 Down payments June 15, 2010

10. Finding Your Program • College information can be found inthe Program Finder A list of all programs and what colleges offer these programs. It also includes an outline of the application process and a map of Ontario and where the colleges are located.

11. Researching On-Line www.ontariocolleges.ca

12. You Can Choose Five Programs with a Maximum of 3 per college. • Check admission requirements for each program. • Check the type of program and whether you qualify to apply. • Is the program considered highly competitive? If so, do you have a back up plan?

13. THE APPLICATION PROCESS OCAS Ontario College Application Services

14. All Applications will be Done Onlineatwww.ontariocolleges.ca You must have an email account to apply

15. OCAS APPLICATION NUMBER This is assigned to you when you are applying online. WRITE IT DOWN (There is a space for this in the Checklist section of the Program Finder)

16. Ontario Education Number • OCAS requires that all applicants have an OEN (Ontario Education number) This can be obtained from the Guidance Office before you apply. • You will not be able to apply without one.

17. Application Payment • The OCAS fee for processing your application is $95. • You can pay OCAS online or with a money order. • A payment form is available from Guidance and it must accompany your money order. • Applications are not processed until payment is received and filed. The payment must be received and processed before the February 1st deadline. Paying by mail may take 3 to 4 weeks.

18. Transcripts • All mark information is sent electronically to OCAS by the school. This information is sent 4 times (November, end of semester one, and at the midterm and end of semester 2 . • STUDENTS MUST CHECK ON-LINE THAT THE ACADEMIC INFORMATION SENT IS CORRECT. (This includes any on-line courses.) ANY mistakes should be reported to Guidance!!!!!! • Academic information is sent for students who have signed up on the college list (in Guidance). • Some Colleges require further information (i.e. a portfolio). General information is located in the College Reference Guide. Specific requests will be sent directly to you from the college. These are your responsibility. • Aptitude Testing is set up by the college and may be required for your application to be considered.

19. Changing Your Application Changes to your application can be made online with your application number.

20. Forget your username and/or password Accidentally change your program choices No e-mail address Miss deadlines for testing, portfolios etc.. Incorrect program name Applying during “busy times” (last 2 weeks of January) Did not have the prerequisites for the college program OCAS did not receive payment on time Write it down before you type it in Get an email address before you apply Check email for OCAS messages Read all letters from colleges Apply before Christmas Research programs Money orders take time to process . If paying this way, apply early. Common Application Problems

21. Offer of Admission • You can check and accept all offers on-line after February 1st 2010. • You can only accept one offer of admission. • You do not have to accept an offer until May 3rd. • You must inform OCAS of any changes so that the right college receives your academic information.

22. Financial Assistance • OSAP • Scholarships • Bursaries

23. COLLEGE INFORMATION FAIR • What: An information session which includes a number of colleges • When: November 2nd, 2009 • Where: Fleming College in Peterborough • How?: We will provide a bus. Permission forms available. Return completed forms to Guidance ASAP. Seats are based on first come first served basis.

24. The Guidance Department is Your Friend. In other words, visit the guidance office and we will help you any way we can.