APPLYING TO COLLEGE
www.ontariocolleges.ca
EXPLORING YOUR OPTIONS
1. Read through the “Ontario College Handbook” and visit My Blueprint. Find the schools that have your
program. Visit the website www.ontariocolleges.ca and browse through the information. The
Guidance Office does not get enough course calendar books for everyone, just reference copies.
 Choose “Apply” at the top and then press “Applicant Info” on the left side of the screen
 Read through the applicant information
2. Attend the College Fair in October in Toronto (The Direct Energy Building at the Exhibition). You should
have an idea of what schools you are interested in before the Fair. You will be able to ask the reps
questions and pick up course calendar books as well.
3. Read over the course calendars carefully paying attention to prerequisites and portfolio requirements.
4. Take campus tours/attend open houses. Check the bulletin board in Guidance or college websites for
open house dates. Visiting the colleges allows you to ask questions about the program and to look at
the facilities. (Questions you may want to ask: How many people get in, averages, what they may be
looking for in portfolios, etc…)
5. Sign up for visits from college representatives in the back of Guidance.
6. Select 5 programs/schools
 You can select up to 5 programs (with no more than 3 program choices at any one college)
 List your choices in order of preference
 Write down the course code and the campus (eg. Humber College has 3 campuses –
Orangeville, North and Lakeshore campuses.)
 Fill in the chart provided with this handout.
SEPTEMBER TO JANUARY – APPLYING TO COLLEGE
You can start applying to college in the middle of October.
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Have your choices of schools and programs chosen.
Log onto www.ontariocolleges.ca and click on “How to Apply”.
You will need your OEN (Ontario Education Number)
A $95 fee must be paid before the application is forwarded to the colleges.
At www.ontariocolleges.ca select “Apply” at the top then select “Sign Up” under to Create an account.
You will create your own username and password. Write these down and keep them in a safe place as
you will need them to sign back in.)
You will be assigned an application number after you apply. Write this number down.
Print a copy of your application.
The Guidance Office sends all potential graduates’ marks to the Ontario College Application Centre.
You do not need to ask us to do so.
You may have to attend an audition, an information session, or hand in a portfolio; be aware of those
dates.
The Deadline for applying is February 1st for programs starting in September 2016.
After February 1st, applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
FEBRUARY TO JUNE – AFTER APPLYING
 Start looking at scholarships/bursaries
 studentawards.com
 scholarshipscanada.com
 ugdsb.on.ca/cddhs (Student Services Link)
 Guidance Office
 Individual College websites
 Email is the primary mode of communication between the colleges, the OCAS and applicants.
 Ensure SPAM filters on your email are set to accept email from the OCAS and the college to which you
have applied.
 The colleges will acknowledge receipt of your application through an email.
 After you receive your report cards, login to your application to confirm your grades information.
 Notify the guidance office of any concerns.
 If you are taking a night school course or an Alt. Ed. Course please advise your counsellor to put the
course on your application.
 Complete and submit to Guidance your 40 Hours of Community Involvement.
 Residence and tuition deposits will be due.
OFFERS OF ADMISSION
 You must accept your offer at www.ontariocolleges.ca by the deadline. You will lose an offer if you are
late confirming.
 Some colleges may ask you to accept by a different date, make sure you read the offer carefully.
 If you accept any offer, but change your mind, your last chosen acceptance is the school you have
enrolled in.
 Once you accept an offer you will get information on residence, course fees, etc.
 Make sure you read the information and pay by the deadlines (usually in June)
 If you accept an offer but receive a subsequent offer you prefer, you can change your
acceptance. Wait one full business day and accept the new offer.
NO OFFERS OF ADMISSION?
 Go back to www.ontariocolleges.ca for a list of available programs
 If a program says waitlisted or full don’t apply; if it says open you can change your application
and apply (also, call the college and let them know you have applied).
APPLYING FOR OSAP (ONTARIO STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)
 See website https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal
 You must have accepted a school before applying.
 Usually can apply by end of May or the beginning of June.
HELPFUL SITES
 ontariocolleges.ca
 schoolsincanada.com
 ocutg.on.ca
 canadian-universities.net
 aucc.ca
 myblueprint
Courtesy of Robert F. Hall
COLLEGE PLANNING SHEET
Criteria
School #1
School #2
School #3
School #4
School #5
Name of School
Program Name
Campus Location
Prerequisite
Course Average
Other Admission
Requirements
eg. Entrance test,
Portfolio, interviews,
volunteer work, etc
Tuition Costs
Residence Costs
Additional Costs
Eg. Food Plan
Open House Dates
Scholarships?
Questions to ask at the College Fair
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________________