The Post Secondary Process

1. The Post Secondary Process Welcome!

2. This Evening’sSessionPurpose/Goals • To Inform - provide information, timelines, • sources and resources • - validate/review information • To allow time - to adequately research • - to align courses to plan for any/all • post secondary options

3. POST SECONDARY DESTINATIONS Apprenticeship College University Workplace ? Which Pathway will you choose? Do your research to be sure you’re taking the proper courses for your chosen Pathway!

4. How to Choose? • Introspection– What’s the best fit for the student’s interests and skills? • Research – internet and print sources; contact people who are already doing what you want to do • Discussion – parents, teachers, counsellors, friends, graduates, employees, employers and employment services, assemblies and post sec. rep visits, faculty advisors • Visitation – open houses, tours, fairs, campuses, departments, residences, cities • Trial – join friends already there; job shadow; Co-op; March Break, Day and Summer Programs

5. Additional Research • If post secondary study is involved, know prerequisite courses for programs (& cut-off averages, if appropriate) • www.ontariocolleges.cawww.electronicinfo.ca • www.myblueprint.cawww.apprenticesearch.ca • Understand the structure of the programs year by year • - look in college and university calendars, either online or in print • (a few are available in Student Services) • As mentioned before, visit the campus/institution

6. College/Uni. Process Timelines • Sept. – Jan. - Research, Info. Sessions, Fairs, (see Newsletter for dates) • October - Students complete F.O.I. Forms • November -1st data transmission - marks to Colleges/no marks to Universities • Nov./Dec. - Online Applications for College (OCAS) & University (OUAC) • Jan. 16th - University App’s. Due* • Feb. 1st - College App’s Due* *check individual programs for supplemental application due dates • Mid Feb. - Sem. 1 final marks sent to OUAC and OCAS

7. Process Timelines(cont’d) • February 1st - Earliest date for College admission offer • Mid April - Sem. 2 Mid-term marks sent to OCAS and OUAC • May 1st - Confirmation of College choice • May 29th - Deadline for Universities to make conditional offers • June 3rd - Student confirms University choice with a financial commitment • Early July - Sem. 2 Final marks sent • Summer - registration and course selection

8. Common Admission Criteria Workplace • Earn Credits Toward High School Diploma • Check Out Career Options; there are limited options without a diploma • Some specific High School Course Prerequisites, Workplace or College Level Apprenticeships • Most Require High School Diploma • 40 hrs. Community Involvement • Passing of the Gr.10 Literacy Test • Specific High School Course Prerequisites, Workplace or College Level

9. College High School Diploma 40 hrs. Community Service Passing of the Gr.10 Literacy Test College level courses – specific prerequisites are based on program University High School Diploma 40 hrs. Community Service Passing of the Gr.10 Literacy Test 6 Gr. 12 U or M level courses – specific prerequisites are based on program Common Admission Criteria

10. College Admission • Applications are submitted online to OCAS • most diploma programs (2-3 years) require senior level credit prerequisites • Applied/Collaborative degree programs (4 years) require University admission prerequisites • Some programs require other information, e.g. supplemental application, audition, portfolio, CPR, First Aid, etc. • Grades are used in admission consideration for most programs, and all senior credits are considered • Supplemental information is submitted to each College not to OCAS

11. College Admission(cont’d) • Admission process varies among Colleges (so research those of interest) • Offers of admission start at the beginning of Feb. • Some colleges will use Gr. 11 final marks (and often in cases where a Gr. 12 mark is not yet available) • Colleges may require some Gr. 11 or 12 prerequisites for certain programs; some variation from school to school for similar programs • Colleges make conditional offers and assume successful completion of senior courses until final grades are received in July

12. University Admission • Applications are submitted online to OUAC • Degree programs require six 4U or 4M level courses • Prerequisites can be very specific, depending on the program (generally ENG4U plus others) • Prerequisites can vary from school to school • Admission cut-offs vary for programs and for schools • Some programs require additional information, e.g. supplemental applications, auditions, portfolios, math contest results • Supplemental information is submitted to each University not to OUAC

13. University Admission(cont’d) • Credits earned through Night School, Summer School, Adult Education, ILC, Online and Private School are equal to credits earned in regular High School (until we hear otherwise) • Process for upgrades (courses taken more than once) varies between universities, though most simply consider the highest mark. Some take an average or use a formula to calculate the mark to be considered • Early offers tend to only be given to students with very high Gr. 11, and previously completed Gr. 12, marks

14. The Post Secondary Landscape • The lines between College and University have been majorly blurred since “we” were in school • Many Colleges now grant Applied degrees and offer Collaborative programs with Universities • Many ‘transfer agreements’ exist allowing movement between College and University (e.g. complete one, get advanced standing in the other) • Apprenticeships have College components

15. Resources

16. Sources of Information • Student Services staff; bookcases marked A, C, U and W; Newsletters • N.H.S. info sessions and assemblies • College and University Reps • University and College Fairs • Pathways Assembly and Information Evenings • Campus Visits (Fall and March Break) • Job Shadowing to help fine-tune your preferences • Internet Sites – school information, scholarships, assessments, financial planning and more

17. Recommended Internet Resources • www.osca.ca School Counsellors site with excellent links and articles • www.schooltocareer.ca Search for programs such as SHSM, and OYAP • www.apprenticesearch.com • www.careercruising.com User ID: Nelson Password: high • www.myBlueprint.ca Activation Code: nelson4181 • www.learnoverseas.com Search schools & programs overseas

18. Recommended Internet Resources (cont’d) • www.electronicinfo.ca - Ontario University (only) info. • www.ontariocolleges.ca - Ontario College information • www.campusstarter.com • Search for colleges & universities across North America, compare & contrast schools, scholarship search, aptitude test, career search

19. Scholarships, Bursaries Awards & OSAP

20. Internet Sites • www.osca.ca • www.aucc.ca/programs/index_e.html • Association of Universities and College of Canada • www.scholarshipscanada.com/ • www.studentawards.com/ • www.campusstarter.com • www.myblueprint.ca

21. O.S.A.P. • There is funding available for post-secondary education in the form of a loan from the government • It is an interest free loan until 6 months after graduation. • It is an individualized assessment, based on the financial situation within a family • There is an expected financial contribution from the family for post-secondary education. • We bring in a speaker in April for a workshop

22. O.S.A.P. (cont’d) • The new Ontario Tuition Grantapplication is found on the O.S.A.P. application site. • Students cannot apply for O.S.A.P. until they have accepted an offer at a post-secondary institution since their application will be processed through the financial aid office at that institution. • an excellent resource for all O.S.A.P. questions: • http://osap.gov.on.ca/

23. Out of Province

24. Out of Province Universities • Excellent opportunity to maximize post-secondary experience • Apply individually to each school • Rolling admission dates at most schools, but apply early • Often lower cut-off marks than Ontario schools • Links to school web sites can be found at • www.myBlueprint.ca • www.campusstarter.com

25. Thank You! N.H.S. Student Services Staff P. Bird Head of Student Services T. George Co-operative Education I. Hall Guidance Counsellor L. Moore Student Success Co-ordinator S. Lowery Social Worker N. Pemberton Secretary, Student Services T. Raithby Guidance Counsellor I. Soans Co-operative Education J. Victorino Guidance Counsellor H. Wettlaufer Co-operative Education

26. POST SECONDARY DESTINATIONS Apprenticeship College University Workplace ? Which Pathway will you choose?