Helpful Tips for College and University Applications
The days are long, but the years are short. It’s hard to imagine that your tiny child is preparing to head to college or university in the near future. It’s emotional and exciting at the same time. How can you make sure that they are prepared, and making the right decisions? What are some helpful tips for college and university applications? Post-secondary planning can be stressful. Start well in advance, keep track of all options, and ask important questions. You can assist your teen to have a smooth application process.
Tips for College and University Applications: Start Planning in Advance
When I was in grade 10 I can remember excitedly getting university brochures from the guidance office. I wanted to get a head start on planning my future. I had a good idea of where I wanted to go and what to study. Not every teen is this decisive or organized. They may need some nudging and prompting to get started on the process. It makes sense to start thinking about interests in grade 10, and before selecting grade 11 courses. This way your teen will be sure to take the correct prerequisites. The summer after grade 10 is also not too early to be visiting campuses. You can start to compare information from different programs. This will give them lots of time to make their decision and lower their stress level.
Make sure you spend time with your teen looking at the course calendar on their school website. This will give you an understanding of the prerequisites needed for the courses they may want to take. My BluePrint is a great tool that most Ontario school boards have access to. This website allows students to plan all four of their years. They can look at what courses they will have room to take each year. You can also make an appointment with your school’s guidance counselor to get assistance with this process. It is not likely that they will have it all figured out in grade 10. Yet it’s definitely the time to get started and come up with a few ideas and possibilities.
Develop a System to Keep Track of All Options
Start a spreadsheet where you and your child can compare the different schools that you are applying to. Check grade requirements carefully. Be sure to include some realistic options, knowing that you’ll be likely to achieve the necessary marks. Rank your choices in order of preference. Focus on the choices that are best for YOU. Kayla McLean writes, “Just because most of your friends want to attend a certain school and think it’s a good choice does not mean that the school is the right choice for you. It’s about whether the school meets your requirements and suits your learning needs. Take the time to do thorough research on the different institutions and programs because each will offer different things.” (https://faze.ca/tips-for-applying-to-post-secondary/).
Help your teen do the research by visiting the college or university’s website. These are all linked at ontariocolleges.ca for college, and ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca for university. Check their social media pages as well to gather information. Compare tuition costs and length of the programs. This impacts things like your potential salary and opportunity for advancement in the field. Determine what scholarships the school offers. Talk to people who work in the field, when possible. Get an idea of what they would recommend looking for in a program. Record admission requirements carefully. Look at other activities and benefits the school has to offer; co-op programs and other certifications might give you an edge. Colleges now offer degree programs in addition to diplomas. If you have university prerequisites but would prefer to go to college this might be a great option.
Tips for College and University Applications: Identified Students
Does your child have an Individual Education Plan and a formal identification? Here is an up-to-date guide about the process of identification for every college/university. The requirements are NOT the same from school to school. Often, you will need to update your psycho-educational assessment. This guide answers any questions identified students have related to post-secondary. http://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/
Ask Important Questions by Contacting or Visiting the Schools Directly
You should read as much as possible. However, this should only form the basis for the questions that you will have. It is very important to actually visit the school campuses that you are considering attending. Attend information sessions that allow you to speak to representatives from the schools directly. There are college and university fairs that are held in the Greater Toronto Area. These are great opportunities to speak to staff directly to ask your questions. Many schools also travel around to the high schools and host information nights. Families can attend to ask their questions.
The best way to really get the feel for a school is to book a campus tour. This will help to decide if it will be a good fit. Usually, the best time is in the spring or summer of the year before you apply. With students gone, your family can get around the campus easily. You can see the different buildings, residences, and overall size of the campus. Your tour guide will usually be an upper-level student who is well-equipped to answer your questions. They will give you the inside scoop about campus life.
You may also be able to speak to the professors or instructors in certain departments and ask your questions. You can also visit in the fall, but this is leaving it rather late. Your child should have their top five choices narrowed down to apply in the late fall when applications open. This is when university PIN numbers needed to apply will become available. The deadline is later in January but it’s best not to leave it so late.
Make the Choice that is Right for You
So many factors go into the decision about applying to postsecondary education. How far are you and your child willing to travel? What does the program cost? How many years will need to be invested? It’s a time of huge change for your teen. They may be anxious about living on their own or having roommates. There is the responsibility of doing their own cooking, cleaning, and laundry and getting around a new city. They need your love and support more than ever in this bittersweet launching phase. It’s important to prepare them for the transition ahead. It is also critical to continue to make them feel like a part of the family unit. See the post Taking Care of Our Teens for valuable advice to support them.
