While you may remember the university application process from your youth, things have changed. Not just in terms of how you apply, but also how schools weigh merit and assign acceptance offers. This is due to the reshaping of cultural norms, which sees students as more than just a GPA, integrating non-quantitative metrics in the process. While this may seem overwhelming at first, we have been doing this for over two decades and have experienced guiding students navigate through the bureaucracy and getting the offers that they truly want.
Which University To Apply To?
First of all, the terms “college” and “university” are not used in the same sense as they are in the United States. For example, in Canada, colleges usually refer to community college where an emphasis is placed on job-ready skills, with students being awarded a college diploma. This is not to say that some do not offer university degrees but they are more technical in focus. Further complicating the matter, some college programs are more competitive than university, with the admissions threshold tied to both the aptitude and the waitlist. That means that if a certain program is in high demand, like aviation, the standards are much higher than taking a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. That is why it is important to start early and work with students to understand their skill level, goals and chances of achieving their objectives.
Universities are where academic degrees are acquired, from bachelors, masters and all the way to the doctorate level. Even if two different schools offer the same program, they may not be equally demanding and may not be equally received by a prospective employer. In the Toronto context, the University of Toronto is generally considered to be much more prestigious than Toronto Metropolitan University, which used to be called Ryerson. As such, students may look at this school if either their program is offered or they are unsuccessful in gaining admission to their first choice. Taking this to an international focus, Ivy League schools are much more competitive than state schools, which tend to be publicly funded. This can also mean higher tuition costs but they can be mitigated through scholarship, either academic or athletic.
What Do Universities Look For?
Strong academic success is paramount of course, but it is not the entire story. Schools expect well-rounded applicants, people who are aware of social issues and see themselves as active citizens. That means that they can acknowledge problems in the world and seek to make it a better place. High school is a great time to do some self exploration, seeing how they relate to society and what kind of skills they have. Not everyone is extraverted and not everything works well under pressure. Working with an Inspiration career coach, your child can understand who they really are and what makes them unique. Based on their skills and interest, he or she will recommend projects, groups, jobs and other related opportunities. These will not only help with enrichment but will make an excellent addition to any resume or application. With something as serious as this, it is best not to go blindly into the dark but to get help where needed.
The good news is that we offer a complimentary session, giving your family the information that you need to make the right choices. We are proud of our accompaniments and we are confident that you will feel secure knowing that you are in good care.
