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University Information

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NEWS

  • The application cycle for the 2024-2025 school year has begun! Apply Now! (more information below)

University Applications for September 2024 – APPLY NOW!

  • Please attend the Grade 12 Assembly on September 20th during Period 3. In case you missed it, a copy of the presentation is here.
  • Please also review our Guide to Researching Universities and University Application Checklist
  • Research and compare Common University Data here: https://cudo.ouac.on.ca/
  • Students no longer require a Personal Insurance Number (P.I.N.) from the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). Students now log in using their OEN (found on report cards, transcripts, and status sheets)
  • Please follow application instructions in the how-to-videos that are now embedded inside the application at www.ouac.on.ca/planning/how-to-apply
  • In-person tutorials to support the application process are happening in Lab 2021 on October 25, November 1, and November 8 at lunch. See you there!
  • Students are invited to make appointments with their guidance counsellor with questions about their application after they have made an account and saved at least one school – please bring your laptop and navigate to your application page
  • The deadline for Ancaster High students to complete their applications (including paying OUAC fees in full) is December 15, 2023. We need this much time to help our students fix errors and make sure universities receive your application
  • OUAC’s deadline for equal consideration is January 12, 2023
    • Some programs demand a supplemental application (standardized test, essay, interview, audition, etc.) and this information is due at different times – please check the universities’ websites carefully
    • Some universities advise earlier deadlines in order to qualify for an early offer or a scholarship (Queen’s University suggests November 20, 2023)
  • Applying for Financial Assistance (OSAP): student loans and grants

University Program Information

  • OUInfo
    • This is the official website of the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre
    • Please click the link and then navigate to the “UNIVERSITIES – Where are you going?” tab to see how each university is communicating with you this year
    • McMaster University’s “Mac Connections” is now open – click here to choose a liaison from whom you would like a presentation
    • The above link will help student create a Personalized Digital Viewbook  filled with information on Mac, programs, admission requirements and more
  • University of Toronto’s pre-recorded information sessions are here
  • Council of Ontario Universities – Compare data on Ontario Universities such as tuition costs, graduation rates, and employment rates after graduation.
  • Professional Programs : Degrees which require prior university education before entering
  • Some programs require postsecondary study for eligibility.  Some examples include: Social Worker, Music Therapy, Trilingual Studies – International BA, Medical Radiation Sciences, Ivey School of Business, and Creative Writing

University Visits & Visiting Universities

  • McMaster University will be hosting a FALL PREVIEW DAY – Saturday, October 26, 2019  and  Saturday, November 16, 2019.  You can also visit during March Break and during the May@Mac Day.
  • All Ontario Universities will also be hosting Spring and Fall Open Houses.  These are valuable opportunities to see if the university is a good fit for you.

Ontario Universities Fair

The Ontario Universities Fair will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre  in September 18-20, 2020 from 10:00am – 5:00pm each day.  Admission is FREE, but students are encouraged to PRE-REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT (opens July 2020)!

University Information Program

*Please check back soon for information on how university recruiters around Ontario and the world plan to reach our students virtually

University Information Program – All 21 Ontario universities will be represented in the Hamilton and surrounding area.

International Universities Fair

*Please check back soon for information on how university recruiters around Ontario and the world plan to reach our students virtually

To find out about university options outside of Canada (U.S. and other countries), plan to attend the International Universities Fair.  The International Universities Fair in Toronto is October 4th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Applying to Canadian Universities Outside of Ontario

Students who wish to apply to universities outside of Ontario must get application information from the websites of the schools they wish to apply to. The application fees must be paid separate for each university outside of Ontario. Students must also determine if they are required to send a transcript of their grades to the university or if the university will gather academic information from OUAC. (If they can access grades through OUAC – apply to Ontario universities before making other applications)

  • UBC has general admission criteria and specific admission criteria for some programs.   Students taking the IB Programme can also see which first-year courses can be granted based on performance in IB courses.
  • University of New Brunswick has a new degree in Leadership Studies through their Renaissance College program. A unique program that offers a select group of students the opportunity to use their first degree as an opportunity to learn, grow and develop.
  • Use the ApplyAlberta website to find institutions in Alberta.

U.S.  and U.K. Universitiesvisit our International Universities page regarding applications, SAT, ACT, PSAT,  Common Application and UCAS information.

University-College Transfer Agreements

Some students will wish to attend both a college and a university to complete their post-secondary education and training.  Use the following websites to find agreements that currently exist between colleges and universities (not all transfer possibilities are listed – contact the admissions office of the institution you wish to transfer to for information)

Financial Aid for University

Ontario/Canada Student Loans are available to students entering university and for students currently in university, who qualify. The process for assessment can be lengthy (10 weeks), so students are advised to apply for Ontario Student Loans as soon as they accept an offer of admission to university. Student Loan information is available on the OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) website. Students should be familiar with the process and with the information which will be required before they begin the application process formally.
Students can go to the OSAP Estimator to get a rough idea of how much (or little) student loans they would be eligible for.
Students can make an OSAP Application after they accept an offer of admission – applications for the next year are usually available in April.

Each university will have its own Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to assist students with their OSAP loans, scholarships and bursary applications.
The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at McMaster University can assist students once they have accepted offers of admission to McMaster.

The Canadian government has created a website to assist post-secondary students in saving for, planning for, and paying for a post-secondary education. Information on Canada Student Loans, Provincial Student Loans, and Study and Access Grants can be found on the Canlearn website.

The Transition to University

What if I graduate, but do not have the entrance average for universities?
Some universities have programs that allow students to attend the university for one year to work on their academic skills and take a few first year courses. Students who meet criteria after this one year can earn an offer of admission into first year (usually BA programs) with the possibility of receiving some advanced standing.

  • Carleton University – Enriched Support Program
  • Lakehead University – Gateway Program – Students who meet the basic admissions requirements for courses, but who have an admission average between 65 – 69.9% will receive information from Lakehead about their Gateway Program. This allows students to attend Lakehead for 1 year and work on improving academic skills and university credits that can transfer to their university degree.

English Language Requirements for Universities

Students who have NOT attended English speaking high schools for 3 or more years may have to take English Language Tests to gain admission to Canadian/English speaking universities.  Students may choose from the following tests – please check the university admissions requirements to ensure you are taking an appropriate test:

  • TOEFL
  • IELTS – For more information on Canadian university and college English language requirements and the IELTS, visit the degrees.ca website
  • CAEL
  • MELAB

International students may be eligible to study English  (ESL Programs) while at a university such as Queen’s University.  Check university websites for available programs.

For students who are unable to meet these English Language Requirements, consider a CultureWorks program at one of the following partner institutions: University of Western Ontario,  Brescia University College (at University of Western Ontario), Kings University College (at University of Western Ontario), the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and now Carleton University.  CultureWorks is an ESL program that prepares international students for university or college study.

Updated on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
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