UNIVERSITY

What is University?• an institution of higher

education and research

• grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects

• provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education

Some Important Terms1. Major

-the main field of specialization during a student’s undergraduate studies

-a certain number of required courses must be taken in the major area

Example: Sally is doing an undergraduate degree in General Science and she majors in Biology

Some Important Terms2. Undergraduate Degree

-an academic degree achieved by a person who has completed the required undergraduate University courses

Some Important TermsTwo Types of Undergraduate Degrees:

A) General Bachelors Degree

-usually three years

B) Honours Bachelors Degree

-usually four years

Some Important Terms3. Master’s Degree

-one to two-year university program that is taken after completing an undergraduate degree

-achieved by taking courses and exams or by conducting research and presenting a thesis

Some Important Terms4. Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)-an advanced academic degree awarded by

universities -usually requiring three to five years of original

research in a specialized field of study -the candidate submits a thesis that is an original

contribution to the field of study-in order to complete the PhD, one must submit a

thesis consisting of original academic research, which is in principle worthy of publication

-once a candidate receives a PhD, they are eligible to apply to teach at the university level (professor)

Some Important Terms5. Thesis

-a written document submitted in pursuit of a degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings

-can range in length from 20 pages to hundreds depending on the degree sought and the length of research

Some Important Terms6. Professional School-program of advanced learning that leads to an

occupation governed by a mandatory regulatory body

-practicing members of the profession must complete a licensing exam before they can actively practice and must keep their credentials current

-professional programs include medicine, law, teacher education, rehabilitation sciences, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing, etc.

Some Important Terms7. Ontario Student Assistance Plan

(OSAP)

-a government financial loan program that helps students pay for their education

For more information about OSAP visit: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal

Some Important Terms8. Scholarship

-non-repayable monetary grant provided to a student on the basis of academic merit or extracurricular involvement

9. Bursary

-non-repayable monetary grant on the basis of financial need

What do you need?• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

• 6 - grade 12 U or M credits• Usually Grade 12 University English is required

• There may be other required courses (maths, sciences, etc.)

Check specific program requirements.

Early conditional offers will be based upon Grade 11 marks.

Things to Consider• Prerequisites• Program requirements• Cut-off averages• Home or away?• Size and location of city• Size of university• Extra-curricular activities• Atmosphere on campus• Scholarships• Cost of program

Universities in Ontario

Lakehead

Nipissing

Algoma

Laurentian

TrentUOIT

Guelph

Waterloo

Laurier

WesternWindsor

Carleton

Ottawa

Queen’s

RMC

OCAD

UofTRyerson YorkMcMaster

Brock

Programs Offered• Visit the Ontario University Guide (eINFO)

website

• Visit the individual universities’ websites to view University Calendars

How to Apply• Application is made through the Ontario

Universities’ Application Centre

• 3 choices $120

• Additional choices +$40 per selection

Timelines• Nov/Dec – OUAC access codes sent to SJAM• Mid-January – deadline to submit the on-line

application and fees to OUAC• Beginning February – recommended last date

(not a deadline) to submit all information to OUAC

• End of May – the latest date to receive an offer of admission, a refusal, or a deferral pending additional information

Other Important Info

• University info sessions at SJAM (UW, WLU, McMaster, Guelph, Western) & Lunch-time Fair (other Ontario universities) (November)

• UIP – centrally located at a secondary school with numerous university reps (October)