The educational system in Canada is controlled by each province, so requirements to apply to college do differ. In all cases, you do require either a high school degree or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, though there are exceptions for mature students. (Mature students must still complete any necessary program requirements.)
The process of applying to college can be stressful for students as they anxiously await to be accepted into the school of their dream. But while it can be emotionally charged, it is very straightforward.
Step One: Decide on the program that interests you. Do some soul-searching, talk to friends, family members and teachers, and consider possible lifestyles and careers that would make them possible. Need inspiration? Programs available in Ontario can be found on ontariocolleges.ca. It allows you to search for programs by name or by category. You can then filter by start date, program length, instruction language, and more. If you have a college in mind, say Algonquin College, you can search by its name to ensure they offer the program you want. If you are an international student, you should contact the college directly to make sure they can accept you.
Step Two: Once you have picked a program and a college, look to see if it will fit your desired lifestyle and educational preferences. For example, if you enjoy nature and small-town living, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus, and Perth campus are ideal. The college offers top-notch programs where you can be certain to get the quality education you desire, all while in a rural and picturesque location.
Step Three: Once you have chosen, you will have to create an account to apply and complete your profile. It should take about 15 minutes. Now that your profile is complete, you can apply to the college of your dreams.
Step Four: Ontario Colleges will ask for your ideal start date. Select the semester you would like to ideally attend. Some programs have restrictions on when classes begin, so pay close attention. You then choose the program. Say you want to study practical nursing. Write it in the program box. Below it will appear a list of colleges. Choose the one you desire. In some cases, you will have the choice of campus. Pay close attention to the one you select. As an example, Practical Nursing at Algonquin College is offered at the Ottawa Campus, the Perth Campus and at the Pembroke Campus. All three are wonderful places to study but offer a different experience. You can apply to many different programs at once for the same cost. In fact, it is recommended that you apply to multiple programs and/or colleges in case you receive a rejection letter. Answer any questions the website may ask, and then click save and continue to the next part.
Step Five: Now, you will have to request your transcripts. A transcript is the official record of your grades. It helps the college deem your eligibility for their program and is an important step in the process. If your high school transcript is already posted in your account’s Supporting Documents (Docs) section and no updates are required, you do not need to create a new transcript request. If it is not, you may have to pay about $14 (in 2024) to add it to your docs section. Continue the process and review your information. Ensure that all your information is accurate. Once you pay the application fee of $141.25 (in 2024), it is non-refundable. If you are confident that all your information is correct, simply pay the fee.
Step Six: Then comes the hard part. You must wait for your acceptance letter. Some colleges are quicker with their acceptance or rejection of candidates. Algonquin College takes about 30 working days once an application is received. Have you received your acceptance letter? Congratulations. You are going to college! Now follow the instructions in the letter and prepare yourself for this next chapter.
