COLLEGE INFORMATION 2009 - 2010

Choosing a College Shouldn’t be a Scary Experience

What You Need to Know

Choosing Your College and College Program

The Application Process

Interesting Fact

88 % of College Graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation.

Discuss employment rates with the college reps.

What is OCAS?

Ontario College Application Services Processes applications and transcripts Informs counsellors and students of missing or

incomplete grades. Informs colleges when you have accepted an

offer of admission.

What Do High Schools Do?

Provide you with your Ontario Education Number (OEN) and the OCAS booklets.

Provide OCAS with your personal and academic information.

Provide OCAS with your updated grades information in November, February, April and July.

Notify OCAS if you transfer to another school.

Assist you with the application.

Before you get startedChecklist

Explore your college options.

Check out college websites, publications and tours.

Research program admission requirements.

Take a look at the online Find Program (at ontariocolleges.ca) or the Ontario College Guide.

Have a valid email account.

Think of a unique username and password.

Know your Ontario Education Number (OEN).

Know your correct address and postal code.

Have a credit card number, including expiry date, (VISA, MasterCard or American Express), if you plan to pay online.

Types of Programs

Diploma Advanced Diploma Applied Degree Joint College/University Co-op Apprenticeships

BE SURE THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR PROGRAM CHOICES

Important Dates Online Applications will begin this October.

First set of marks go to colleges December 2009

Application deadline is February 1, 2010Early offers February 1, 2010Confirmation date May 03, 2010Down payments June 15, 2010

Finding Your Program

College information can be found in the Program Finder A list of all programs and what colleges offer these programs. It also includes an outline of the application process and a map of Ontario and where the colleges are located.

Researching On-Line

www.ontariocolleges.ca

You Can Choose Five Programs with a Maximum of 3 per college.

Check admission requirements for each program.

Check the type of program and whether you qualify to apply.

Is the program considered highly competitive? If so, do you have a back up plan?

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

OCASOntario College Application

Services

All Applications will be Done Online

atwww.ontariocolleges.c

a

You must have an email account to apply

OCAS APPLICATION NUMBER

This is assigned to you when you are applying online.

WRITE IT DOWN(There is a space for this in the

Checklist section of the Program Finder)

Ontario Education Number

OCAS requires that all applicants have an OEN (Ontario Education number) This can be obtained from the Guidance Office before you apply.

You will not be able to apply without one.

Application Payment

The OCAS fee for processing your application is $95.

You can pay OCAS online or with a money order. A payment form is available from Guidance and it

must accompany your money order. Applications are not processed until payment is

received and filed. The payment must be received and processed before the February 1st deadline. Paying by mail may take 3 to 4 weeks.

Transcripts All mark information is sent electronically to OCAS by the school.

This information is sent 4 times (November, end of semester one, and at the midterm and end of semester 2 .

STUDENTS MUST CHECK ON-LINE THAT THE ACADEMIC INFORMATION SENT IS CORRECT. (This includes any on-line courses.) ANY mistakes should be reported to Guidance!!!!!!

Academic information is sent for students who have signed up on the college list (in Guidance).

Some Colleges require further information (i.e. a portfolio). General information is located in the College Reference Guide. Specific requests will be sent directly to you from the college. These are your responsibility.

Aptitude Testing is set up by the college and may be required for your application to be considered.

Changing Your Application

Changes to your application can be made online with your

application number.

Common Application Problems Forget your username

and/or password Accidentally change your

program choices No e-mail address Miss deadlines for testing,

portfolios etc.. Incorrect program name Applying during “busy

times” (last 2 weeks of January)

Did not have the prerequisites for the college program

OCAS did not receive payment on time

Write it down before you type it in

Get an email address before you apply

Check email for OCAS messages

Read all letters from colleges

Apply before Christmas

Research programs

Money orders take time to process . If paying this way, apply early.

Offer of Admission

You can check and accept all offers on-line after February 1st 2010.

You can only accept one offer of admission.

You do not have to accept an offer until May 3rd.

You must inform OCAS of any changes so that the right college receives your academic information.

Financial Assistance

OSAP

Scholarships

Bursaries

COLLEGE INFORMATION FAIR

What: An information session which includes a number of colleges

When: November 2nd, 2009 Where: Fleming College in Peterborough How?: We will provide a bus. Permission

forms available. Return completed forms to Guidance ASAP. Seats are based on first come first served basis.

The Guidance Department is Your

Friend.In other words, visit the

guidance office and we will help you any way we can.