Post Secondary Planning

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Backwards Planning for Post-Secondary Entry Requirements

Financial Planning, Scholarships, Bursaries

Applying to College or University

  

RESOURCES FOR ‘BACKWARDS PLANNING’

As Sean Covey says in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, you should ‘begin with the end in mind’ when making plans.  This enables you to make informed choices as you determine course selections each year.

 

ALL STUDENTS are encouraged to visit www.careercruising.com and explore its many excellent resources. (See your Guidance Counsellor or Careers teacher for login information.)

Students on ALL PATHWAYS may be considering an APPRENTICESHIP and will find the following websites helpful:



Consider Cooperative Education as a key part of your secondary school plan.  Speak to a Coop Teacher about potential placements related to your area of interest.  Additional information regarding the Cooperative Education Program, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), and Specialist High Skills Majors in Construction and Transportation are included in the Specialized Programs section of the Course Calendar and on the Weldon website

 

  • Students on the COLLEGE PATHWAY should explore www.ontariocolleges.ca.  Use the ‘FIND’ section to search up programs of interest and follow the links to the individual college websites.  Check admission requirements carefully in order to ensure that appropriate course selections are made during your grade 11 and 12 years.  Pay particular attention to any Math, English and Science requirements that are mentioned by the colleges.  Many College Pathway students find that a Cooperative Education experience in secondary school helps them in making informed choices for college plans.

 

  • Students on the UNIVERSITY PATHWAY are reminded that six 4U/4M courses (including ENG4U) are required for university programs. More specific information regarding prerequisite courses and other entry requirements for particular programs at Ontario universities is available through www.electronicinfo.ca.  Use the Program Wizard or Area of Study Chart to begin your research.  Each Program Details page also provides a link to the university’s site.  Choose your grade 11 and 12 courses carefully based on the admission requirements for programs of interest.  Watch for other courses that, though not required, are ‘recommended’ or that are related to your post-secondary goals. Because the grade 12 year can be quite full meeting the 4U/M requirements, students on this pathway who wish to take Cooperative Education at secondary school should consider it in grade 11.

 

  • Students on the WORKPLACE PATHWAY may explore both college and apprenticeship opportunities for which they have the required courses – check English and Math prerequisites carefully.  Students moving directly to the workplace will gain valuable experience through the grade 12 Cooperative Education placement.  Workplace course curriculum is designed to prepare students for the workplace and active citizenship.  See your Guidance Counsellor and/or the Head of Special Education for additional resources suited to your individual needs.

 

  

Financial Planning, Scholarships & Bursaries

 

There is a significant amount of financial aid available to students pursuing studies at college or university - but it won’t come looking for you!  It is your responsibility to research these opportunities and submit your applications.  If letters of recommendation are required from teachers, ask those who are most familiar with your attributes as a student and allow time for reference letters to be written.  Familiarizing them with the specifics of the award for which you are applying allows them to compose a letter that highlights the most relevant points. START EARLY!  The deadlines for applications vary greatly.  Start researching early to ensure that you do not miss an opportunity.  Read all scholarship application forms carefully – no two are the same!

 

Note:  If you wish to apply for a scholarship/award with a limited number of candidates allowed per school, you must submit your name and completed application to Mr. Stringer no later than two weeks prior to the deadline for equal consideration.  If no applications are received by this deadline, those submitted later will be considered on a first come, first served basis. 

 

Resources:

 

  1. The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides financial aid to students in need.  Visit the website at osap.gov.on.ca to learn more.  Queen Elizabeth II scholarship information is also available here.  Please note that high achieving students not in financial need may be eligible for a basic award of $100. 

 

  1. Visit www.canlearn.ca for information about financial planning.  This government site has information related to all stages of education and includes other valuable search option beyond finances.

 

  1. The majority of scholarship/bursaries/awards available to Ontario students beginning their post-secondary education are included in the databases of www.studentawards.com and www.scholarshipscanada.com.  These websites will also allow you to quickly identify some of the awards for which you are eligible to apply.

 

  1. Explore scholarships and bursaries particular to specific universities and colleges by visiting their individual websites and through www.electronicinfo.ca and www.ontariocolleges.ca. 

 

  1. Any other awards of which we are aware that may not be listed on the sites mentioned above will be posted on the Scholarship Information Bulletin Board in the Guidance Office.  This includes local awards. 

 

  1. In the spring, you will receive a Graduation Package which will include a list of I.E.Weldon Community Awards (with specific eligibility criteria) and an application for the Elizabeth Weldon Bursary. 

 

  1. Ask parents and grandparents about bursary and scholarship opportunities at their places of employment, unions, professional groups or clubs with which they are affiliated.

 

  1. Research possibilities at your place of summer or part-time employment as well as any clubs or community groups to which you belong.

 

 

 

Applying to Ontario Universities and Colleges

 

Deadline for UNIVERSITY Applications is JANUARY 11, 2012

Deadline for COLLEGE Applications for Equal Consideration is FEBRUARY 1, 2012

 

Where to Apply:

 

UNIVERSITY Applications are done through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC) at www.ouac.on.ca online.

  1. You may make 3 choices for a cost of $125.  Each additional choice is $42.

 

COLLEGE Applications are done through the Ontario College Applications System (OCAS) at www.ontariocolleges.ca online. 

  1. You may make 5 choices for a cost of $95.  A maximum of 5 choices is allowed.

 

Important Note: Applying to 2 different programs at one school counts as 2 choices. 

 

How to Apply:

 

Be sure you have completed or are in the process of earning all secondary school prerequisite courses for entry to the program(s) to which you are applying. 

 

ü  Check to see if the program has any additional requirements for admission that you must have.  Remember, there’s a difference between something that is ‘required’ and something that is ‘recommended.’ 

 

ü  Check to be certain that your marks will meet (or preferably exceed) the admission averages requiredfor the program(s) you are considering. 

 

For university programs – access www.electronicinfo.ca , school calendars, and for the most up to date information check the individual university websites.  For questions regarding how universities treat failed or repeated courses, or credits earned through private schools, contact the Admissions Office of the particular university.

 

For college programs – access www.ontariocolleges.ca , school calendars, and for the most up to date information check the individual college websites.

 

Proceed to the appropriate application site where you will be expected to create a login using your personalized OEN (college) or PIN (university).  Follow the steps outlined on the website to submit your application.  Remember, early applicants can make changes until the application deadline.  If you have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to contact the application center.  Note:  OUAC and OCAS will not process your application until the fee has been paid.

 

May 29, 2012 is the latest date by which Ontario universities will respond to applicants and June 1, 2012 is the earliest date by which an Ontario university may require a response to an offer of admission or a financial commitment of any kind. 

 

February 1 is the date on which Ontario colleges begin sending offers of admission.  May 1, 2012 is the date by which acceptance must be confirmed and June 15, 2012 is the earliest date colleges may require payment of tuition fees.                                                                                                                             à

 

Final Reminders About Applying…

 

All applications received before the deadlines will be treated equally. Do not wait until the last day to apply.  You risk not getting your application processed on time since the website may be too busy.  If you apply early, you may still change your choices at any time prior to the deadline.

 

All applications are completed online by the student.  Marks will be transmitted electronically by Weldon.

  1. If you are enrolled this year in any course(s) outside of Weldon, you must notify your Guidance Counsellor to provide records of mid-term and final marks so your electronic records are accurate.  Failure to do so may result in being denied admission to a college or university program. 

 

College applicants will need their Ontario Education Number (O.E.N.) to apply.  Guidance Counsellors will provide these at your graduation interview.

  1. Be sure to indicate on the application that I.E. Weldon S.S. is your home school.  OCAS cannot connect you to your marks unless you do so. 

 

University applicants will need a Personal Identification Number (P.I.N.).  Guidance Counsellors will provide these as soon as they become available (late Oct./early Nov.).

  1. The school number is also included with your P.I.N. – you may have to add up to 6 zeroes at the start of it to have the 12 digits required.
  2. Pay careful attention to the ‘Submit’ steps on the OUAC site.  When you reach the stage of accepting an offer of admission, you must click ‘I Agree’ after reading the ‘Applicant’s Declaration’ to receive a confirmation number.  On the next business day, log in to ensure your response was properly submitted.  This is your responsibility. 

 

Program specific codes are required to complete your application.  For university codes, check www.electronicinfo.ca and for college codes check details on www.ontariocolleges.ca. 

 

Be sure to select a backup/fallback choice.  Make at least one of your choices a university or college program to which, based on your research, you are virtually certain you will be accepted.  

 

Colleges and Universities will see your second semester interim marks when making final decisions – not your semester 2 final marks.  Make every effort to have your interim marks reflect your true abilities by submitting assignments on time. 

 

Any course dropped after the Full Disclosure Date for the semester (5 business days following interim reports) will appear on your transcript. 

 

Some schools send out form letters requesting information that has actually been sent electronically from the high school.  If you receive a letter requesting further information (transcript, etc), check the status of your application online and contact the college or university to see if they already have the necessary information before requesting it from the Guidance Office.