Canada University Admit

Ontario University Fair in Toronto This Weekend

2012-09-26T02:21:00.000-07:00

The Ontario University Fair will be held this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention. I highly recommend attending if you’re in Grade 11 or 12.

It’s a great opportunity to communicate with and get information from a number of universities in one location. This will also help you to narrow your choices. I caution you, however, don’t make decisions based on the personality (or lack thereof) of the representative you speak to.

Here’s how to get the best out of the fair:

1. Know which universities will participate

2. Do your preliminary research of each university from their website

3. Make a list of each university and your questions that weren’t answered on the website or you need further clarification. Yes, you should bring a small note pad and pen with you.

4. Get a new email address that both student and parent will have access to. This allows the parents and kids to receive and read emails from the universities.

5. Dress comfortably, you may be there longer than you anticipate

6. Metro Toronto Centre is quite large, once you enter review the floor plan and start your trek around the room

7. If current students or alumni are available, do make a point to ask about their experience. But the reality is – their experience was positive that’s why they are there. So try to ask more specific questions, for example, “what other universities they applied to and why they chose this one?” or “if they could change one thing what would that be?” or “what’s their personal highlight?” Also, ask the university representatives if there is anyone there specifically from the program you wish to apply to.

8. Make a note of the answers to your questions (you’ll forget or get confused later on at home)

9. Get the business card of any university representative you meet. Send them a quick note to thank them for their help a day or two later. This contact can be invaluable in the coming months.

10. Use your new email address to sign up to get further information from your short list of universities.

Good luck!

Keeping Universities Honest

2012-01-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

Early January is always an interesting time of year. High schools students are returning to school and are either finishing their university applications or anxiously waiting for results of university applications already submitted.

As a mother of a first year university student, I had some precious days with my son. I was able to ask, once again, about some of the details we were advised of during our research. Two features impressed us and played in significant part in him ultimately choosing that university and program.

In our discussions with the program’s professors and administrators we learned that there are many on-campus volunteer opportunities that are very relevant to the courses he will be taking. Furthermore, many outside organizations frequently ask the program for volunteers to work in areas related to their studies.

Well it turns out that there are no specific on campus volunteer opportunities. The faculty members and administrators may have been referring to another program. Also, there were only three emails in three months from organizations requesting volunteers and all were 3-4 hours away from the university. This is a disappointing realization. But you can learn from our experience. Although we spoke to current students we didn’t ask about them about these ‘facts’.

I’m even more convinced now that the best way to keep universities honest is to verify ALL information with current students. I recently found a website where you can read reviews from current students. It’s a US site, but many Canadian universities are reviewed.

The site is called unigo and here’s the link: www.unigo.com. You also have the opportunity, for USD$50, to speak to students. It may seem expensive but it’s worth it as this is the best way to get the information that you need.

Good luck!

Canada's Top Universities

2011-12-22T12:08:00.000-08:00

As the school year ends, you should be finalizing and prioritizing your university applications. Here is a new, updated list of Canada’s top universities to help you make your final choices. You’ll be able to compare the November 2011 Maclean’s rankings (overall ranking, plus the best medical doctoral, comprehensive and primarily undergraduate universities), the October 2011 Globe and Mail report (letter grade of overall student satisfaction), Times Higher Education Global ranking and QS Global ranking.

University	Maclean's Best Overall Canadian University	Maclean's Medical Doctoral Canadian University	Maclean's Comprehensive Canadian University	Maclean's Primarily Undergraduate Canadian University	Globe & Mail Overall Student Satisfaction	Times Higher Education Global Top 200 Universities	QS Global Top 300 Universities
University of Waterloo	1		3		B+		160
McGill University	2	1			B	28	17
University of Toronto	3	2			B-	19	23
University of British Columbia	4	3			B+	22	51
University of Alberta	5	5			B	100	100
McMaster University	6	6			B+	65	159
Queen's University	7	4			A	173	144
Simon Fraser University	8		1		B		260
Universite de Sherbrooke	9	14			A-
University of Western Ontario	10	9			A-		157
University of Saskatchewan	11	10			B
University of Guelph	12		4		A-
University of Victoria	13		2		B+	177	292
Ryerson University	14		13		B
Memorial University of Newfoundland	15		5		B
Dalhousie University	16	6			B+		234
Universite de Montreal	17	12			NA	104	137
Universite Laval	18	12			NA
St. Francis Xavier	19			6	A-
University of Calgary	20	8			B-		218
Mount Allison University	21			1	A-
Acadia University	22			2	A
University of Winnipeg	23			10	B
Wilfrid Laurier University	24		11		B+
Concordia University	25		12		B
University of Ottawa	26	10			B-	185	256
University of Regina	27		10		B-
University of Manitoba	28	15			B-
University of Lethbridge	29			4	B+
York University	30		9		C+
University of New Brunswick	31	6			B
Saint Mary's University	32			9	B
University of Ontario Institute of Technology	33			11	B
Carleton University	34		7		B
University of Prince Edward Island	35			4	B+
Bishop's University	36			8	NA
University of Northern British Columbia	37			3	B+
Brock University	38		15		B
Universite du Quebec a Montreal	39		13		NA
Trent University	40			7	B+
St. Thomas University	41			14	A-
University of Windsor	42		8		B-
Universite de Moncton	43			15	NA
Brandon University	44			15	B+
Laurentian University	45			11	B-
Mount Saint Vincent University	46			17	B
Lakehead University	47			11	B-
Nipissing University	48			19	B+
Cape Breton University	49			18	B

Choosing a Small vs. Large University

2011-12-13T10:43:00.000-08:00

Are you ‘the bigger the better’ or ‘good things come in small packages’ person? What are the advantages of a small or a big university?

Here are some factors to consider, but note it’s not always black and white, there will always be exceptions:

Larger class sizes at bigger schools
Less of a selection of course and program offerings at small universities
More diversity and international students at large schools
Student quality may be lower at small institutions
Faculty at large schools may be more research focused
Less well-known faculty at small universities
More student-focused at small schools
Less variety of support services at small institutions
Less extra-curricular activities, clubs, student groups, etc. at small schools
More distractions at large universities
Smaller alumni network at small schools

The bottom line is that there are excellent large universities and excellent small cuniversities. There are many choices for you to consider, but first start with what might be best for you!

Pick a University Program that Offers Internship or Co-op

2011-12-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

Internships and co-ops are especially important in this economy. The first benefit is that you are able to get work experience in the program you’re studying and you’ll be building your resume with relevant experience. More opportunities and doors will be open to you since wages and benefits will not limit potential employers.

Secondly and probably most importantly, you;ll begin to increase your network in that industry. Your internship can lead to paid summer employment and a full-time job once you graduate. So work hard and make an impact on the organization. Also, it’s important to stay in touch with the individuals you work with and meet during your internship. Hopefully, they’ll think of you when a paid position is available.

You’ll also have an opportunity to see what a particular job, company and industry is like before you get to the point of applying for full-time jobs. This is a huge benefit that you may not appreciate when you’re still in school.

Programs that include internship and co-op opportunities and have relationships with employers in the industry you’re interested in will hopefully help you to secure a full-time job eventually.

Get Answers to These Questions When Picking University

2011-12-08T15:34:00.000-08:00

One of the best sources of information when picking a university is from current students. However, it’s not always easy to find students. Here’s a tip for you. Very soon university students will be returning home and you can take advantage of their exodus. Why not contact the universities you’re interested in and ask if you can be connected to one of these students? If the university is not able to give you any contacts, try your high school guidance office and teachers. They may be in touch with former students who are attending your choice university.

The best student is someone who is enrolled in the program you are considering. But if you can’t meet with someone in the same program, don’t insist on this since it will still be an invaluable conversation to have. Also, avoid first year students. Although they have some stories to tell, they have only been at the university for just over 3 months.

You may have met students on a campus tour or other recruitment activities, but an in-person, one-on-one meeting will give you richer, more in-depth information. It is a great opportunity to speak to someone, face-to-face, who is probably similar to you in many ways. This is especially true if you were not able to visit that campus. Chances are they had similar concerns as you, especially when they were considering leaving their home city and moving to the university city. Invite them out for coffee and get their opinions on everything about the campus, faculty, residence, city, etc.

Remember this student can be one of your connections on campus next September so make a good first impression. A senior student can help to make your transition much smoother next year. It’s always great to get advice from the veterans to avoid pitfalls.

Be prepared for the conversation with good questions. You requested the meeting so be sure to get the information you want.

Here are a few questions to get you started:

· What other universities were you considering?

· Why did you choose this university?

· Has it lived up to your expectations?

· What has been the highlight so far?

· If you can change anything what will it be?

· How would you describe the culture of the school?

· What is residence like?

· What do you like and don’t like about residence?

· What do you think of the social life on campus and in the city?

· What’s the food like on campus?

· How would you rate the faculty?

· What do you think of the administration and support services?

· What advice do you have for me to make the best of my experience at this university?

· In your research of the university, you may have come across some issues that you’ll like a student’s perspective on so don’t forget to include those questions on your list.

· Also, ask if there is anyone else that they can recommend you speak with to get more information or answers to questions that he/she was not able to answer.

Don’t forget to follow up with a thank email. If you eventually chose this university, I recommend that you advise the student and mention that you hope to see him/her in residence and on campus. Hopefully, this meeting will be the first of many great interactions with students from this university!

Canadian Universities Minimum Grades Needed & Application Deadlines

2011-12-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

This is the season to work on submitting your university applications. Here’s a list of Canadian universities and their application deadlines for current high school students. This is just a general guide. Note that application deadlines may vary by program and type of applicant you are (e.g., out of province, not currently in high school, transfer student, international applicants, etc.). Some deadlines may be earlier or later than listed. Finally, there may be different deadlines for scholarship applications. It’s important to double check deadlines with the individual university.

Province	University	Arts Minimum Entering Grade	Science Minimum Entering Grade	Business Minimum Entering Grade	Engineering Minimum Entering Grade	High School Application Deadline
Nova Scotia	Acadia University	70%	70%	70%	70%	NA
Alberta	Alberta College of Art & Design	60%				Apr-01
Ontario	Algoma University	65%	65%	70%		Jan-11
Alberta	Athabasca University					NA
Quebec	Bishop's University	75%	75%	75%		Mar-01
Alberta	Brandon University	60%	60%			Sep-05
Ontario	Brock University	70%	70%	77%		Jan-11
Nova Scotia	Cape Breton University	60%	60%	60%	60%	Mar-01
Ontario	Carleton University	75%	75%	80%	76%	Jan-11
Quebec	Concordia University	65%	65%	73%	70%	Mar-01
Nova Scotia	Dalhousie University	75%	75%	82%	75%	Mar-01
British Columbia	Emily Carr University of Art & Design	75%				Jan-15
British Columbia	Kwantlen Polytechnic University		60%			Mar-31
Ontario	Lakehead University	70%	70%	70%	70%	Jan-11
Ontario	Laurentian University	70%	70%	70%	70%	Jan-11
Quebec	McGill University	87%	87%	91%	79%	Feb-01
Ontario	McMaster University	75%	78%	82%	82%	Jan-11
Newfoundland	Memorial University of Newfoundland	70%	70%	70%	70%	Mar-01
New Brunswick	Mount Allison University	70%	70%	72%		Mar-15
Alberta	Mount Royal University	65%	66%	70%		Mar-01
Nova Scotia	Mount Saint Vincent University	70%	74%	74%		Aug-10
Ontario	Nipissing University	75%	75%	75%		Jan-11
Nova Scotia	Nova Scotia Agricultural College		70%		70%	Aug-01
Nova Scotia	NSCAD	70%				Mar-01
Ontario	OCAD University	70%				Jan-11
Ontario	Queen's University	83%	85%	87%	83%	Jan-11
Ontario	Royal Military College of Canada	83%	92%		86%	Jan-11
British Columbia	Royal Roads University					NA
Ontario	Ryerson University	73%	72%	72%	74%	Jan-11
Nova Scotia	Saint Mary's University	78%	82%	80%	80%	Jul-01
British Columbia	Simon Fraser University	80%	78%	90%	75%	Apr-30
Nova Scotia	St. Francis Xavier University	80%	80%	80%	80%	NA
New Brunswick	St. Thomas University	70%				Mar-31
British Columbia	Thompson Rivers University					Mar-01
Ontario	Trent University	70%	70%	70%		Jan-11
New Brunswick	Universite de Moncton	65%	65%	65%	65%	Jun-01
Quebec	Universite de Montreal					Feb-01
Quebec	Universite de Sherbrooke					Mar-01
Quebec	Universite du Quebec					Feb-15
Quebec	Universite Laval					Mar-01
Nova Scotia	Universite Sainte-Anne	60%	60%	60%		Feb-28
Alberta	University of Alberta	70%	71%		80%	May-01
British Columbia	University of British Columbia	84%	88%	84%	81%	Jan-31
Alberta	University of Calgary	72%	72%	81%	77%	Apr-01
Ontario	University of Guelph	85%	85%	82%	80%	Jan-11
Nova Scotia	University of King's College	70%	75%			Jun-01
Alberta	University of Lethbridge	65%	65%			Mar-01
Manitoba	University of Manitoba				85%	varies
New Brunswick	University of New Brunswick	65%	75%	75%	75%	Mar-31
British Columbia	University of Northern British Columbia	65%	65%	65%	75%	Mar-01
Ontario	University of Ontario Institute of Technology	72%	74%	72%	72%	Jan-11
Ontario	University of Ottawa	72%	70%	74%	70%	Jan-11
Prince Edward Island	University of Prince Edward Island	70%	70%	70%	70%	Aug-01
Saskatchewan	University of Regina	65%	65%	85%	70%	varies
Saskatchewan	University of Saskatchewan	70%	70%	78%	78%	May-01
British Columbia	University of the Fraser Valley	75%	68%	68%		Jan-31
Ontario	University of Toronto	72%	75%	83%	80%	Jan-11
British Columbia	University of Victoria	73%	73%	80%	73%	Feb-28
Ontario	University of Waterloo	77%	77%	77%	80%	Jan-11
Ontario	University of Western Ontario	88%	88%	88%	88%	Jan-11
Ontario	University of Windsor	70%	70%	70%	74%	Jan-11
Manitoba	University of Winnipeg	60%	60%	60%		Mar-01
British Columbia	Vancouver Island University	60% in English				Mar-31
Ontario	Wilfrid Laurier University	72%	74%	85%		Jan-11
Ontario	York University	74%	75%	90%	80%	Jan-11

Proof There's Grade 12 Marks Inflation

2011-11-28T12:20:00.000-08:00

According to a study released by the University of Saskatchewan, high school students from the province of Alberta did better in first year at that university than their peers from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The study followed 12,000 incoming students over three years and found that Alberta students’ grades dropped 6.4 percentage points while students from the four other provinces saw a decrease of 19.6 percentage points. Read why Maclean's think Alberta students are better.

The results of the study have led to the University of Saskatchewan adjusting their admission requirements for Alberta students. A few other universities are also looking at Alberta high school students more favourably, namely Carleton University, St. Francis Xavier, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of British Columbia.

The study also confirms what many of us in admissions suspected or knew anecdotally – grade inflation is common and the best students come from Alberta high schools.

The best outcome from this study is that Alberta students may no longer be disadvantaged in university admissions and entrance scholarships across Canada not just at the five universities mentioned above.

However, I worry that the issue of grade inflation in the other provinces is tougher to tackle. If there is as much as a 20 percentage point decrease in marks, this suggest that students from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan need a 90% high school average to have at least 70% or B average in first year!

More analysis of the data or further study is required. The study suggests that grade inflation is province-wide in the provinces tracked, but are there variations between cities or school boards? Also what about the individual applicants? How would you feel if universities lower your high school average by a few percentage points causing you to not be offered admission or a scholarship? Is this not a vicious cycle, universities adjust grades which lead to higher cut-off averages which causes more grade inflation?

Perhaps universities are already taking grade inflation into consideration and this may explain why the admission averages in most universities are quite high. Also, since the vast majority of admission decisions in Canada (unlike in the US or UK) are determined solely on high school grades, the students with the highest marks will be offered admission and with supporting data grades should be adjusted for disadvantaged groups.

In an ideal world, universities will make data-based admission decisions not just for Alberta students but for everyone.

Have Tweet will Follow

2011-11-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

Here is an excellent list of university twitter accounts from canadian-universities.net. There are 119 schools listed with the number of followers, number of tweets, percentage of change in followers from the previous week and the ratio of followers to tweets. You can also rank the list on each of these factors. Canadian-universities.net ranked the schools’ according to their twitter presence and they found that, “the main focus is on recruiting future students, servicing current students and providing news updates and event information for the university in general.”

You’ll see that McGill University (downtown campus) is the twitter king with 12,607 followers and 3,605 tweets followed by the University of Calgary (10,611 followers and 3,362 tweets) and York University (9,134 followers and 1,718 tweets). At the other end of the spectrum is Saint Mary`s University who have 10 followers and have tweeted only 8 times. Or the University of Alberta with 254 tweets but only 42 followers.

It`s hard to avoid judging universities when you look at the list, but remember this is just twitter and each university may have a different strategy of connecting and staying in touch with future students.

As a potential student perhaps you`ll have a greater appreciation for the personal touch. There are other ways to communicate with future students, for instance snail mail, email and telephones. In fact, I found some of these to be more effective.

Here`s one letter that my son received where the admissions officer not only took the time to write a personal note and but also included a cute reference to one of his extra-curricular activities. It really made me feel that he was not just an applicant and hopefully will not be just a number if he were to choose this university.

I follow practically all of the universities on twitter and I find it informative and highly recommend that you follow the schools that interest you. You’ll get a feel for what’s going on campus and will have a good sense of the university’s personality. Remember that this is the “official” twitter account so it usually positive news and university sponsored events. It does not include the weekend beer bong parties or keggers. But in my old-fashioned opinion, the personal touch will always trump twitter and other social networks.

High School Grades Predict University Marks

2011-11-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

If you’re a Grade 12 student, it’s probably about two weeks since you received your mid-term report and hopefully you’re on track to where you’ll like to be. In case you don’t already know this intuitively, your high school average is the best indicator of how well you’ll do in your undergraduate degree! Well this statement is not shocking to the average person. Why are all universities requesting your high school grades? But data from a study at the University of British Columbia, School of Nursing now provides the proof that there is a correlation between your high schools grades and university marks. The study focussed on nursing students who have to meet other admission requirements in addition to their high school average.

The study, published in a journal called Nurse Education Today, followed about 250 University of British Columbia nursing students from admission to graduation and found that previous academic achievement was the best, most reliable predictor of nursing course grades and graduation from the program.

The results of this study may not only lead to admission changes in the nursing program at the University of British Columbia, but also programs in other universities that require supplemental information from applicants or, at the very least, change the weight that your average is given or how much the other criteria are considered.

Salary & Unemployment Rates for University Majors

2011-11-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Today the Wall Street Journal released “From College to Career". It’s a database where you can search the unemployment rate, earnings (median, 25^th percentile and 75^th percentile) and popularity by major. Its American data, but the Canadian figures may be similar.

But there are 3 important issues to bear in mind when you look at this database:

1. It’s interesting but this is not the best way to choose a major. Remember that most of these majors are not a direct path to a career in that field. Likewise many students do not work in an industry directly related to their field of study. Also, a major can lead to many different careers with varying income levels and unemployment rates.

2. You’ll also have to consider that there is a correlation between the reputation of the university and employability. It’s very likely that the average Harvard graduate in any of these majors have better career prospects than graduates from a university with a reputation that is not as high.

3. There is also the individual graduate’s skills, experience and network that will strongly influence who gets hired and their salary levels.

I know it’s tempting to find a major which has a low unemployment rate and high earnings. But would you seriously choose to study petroleum engineering simply because it has the highest median salary ($127,000)? With my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, you can check out the Canadian petroleum engineering programs at University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Memorial University and University of Regina.

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Higher University Tution and More Financial Aid?

2011-11-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

I read an interesting article in Maclean's, “Why Canadian students graduate with more debt, not less.” The article states that although US tuition fees are higher than Canadian tuition fees. Surprisingly, Canadian students graduate with more debt. Why is that? More financial aid is available from American universities.

“In the U.S., average debt at graduation rose to $25,250 in 2010, according to a Nov. 3 report by the Project on Student Debt. Here in Canada, students were graduating with an average debt of $26,680 according to a 2009 report released by the Millennium Scholarship Foundation. If anything, the Canadian average is higher now.”

The US financial aid is from the federal government and the universities themselves. The writer further states that, “by charging students from wealthy backgrounds high rates, universities are able to provide significant aid for students from low-income backgrounds.”

Essentially the rich are supplementing the tuition of the poor. If you like this system, the powers-that-be will have to determine what is considered rich and low-income. In fact, parents’ income will be used to decide the students’ income level. Then a ‘fair’ means test will have to be devised and recipients will have to complete this test. And so, some will be judged ‘low-income’ and benefit and others will be deemed ‘rich’ and will be required to pay the full, published tuition. Of course, they will be a percentage of students and parents who will feel that they were unfairly labeled as rich.

Do you prefer to pay a lower tuition with less financial aid? Or a higher sticker price with the possibility of getting a reduction as a result of financial aid?

Canada's Top 50 Research Universities

2011-11-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Canada's Top 50 Research Universities

This list is just an FYI for those interested in being an undergraduate student at a 'prestigious' research institution. However, there are similarities between this list and other Canadian and global university rankings. Take a look at Canada's best and worst universities here.

Just remember that there is always more to choosing the best university for you. Click here for a list of other factors to consider.

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Choices with Canadian Universities

2011-10-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

You're spoiled for choice with Canadian Universities - Globe & Mail

Finally we see a more positive headline about Canadian universities. But obviously you still can’t make an important decision as which university is right for you based on a few adjectives. Also, bear in mind that these descriptions are subjective. For example, what the newspaper considers “Urban and Hip” may not be your definition of urban and hip.

There are so many factors to consider that I recommend you make a list of what’s important to you and rank the items on the list. Here are a few factors to consider (in no particular order):

· Admissibility (admission averages, minimum grades, pre-requisites, etc.)

· Location

· Size of university

· Class size

· Student/Faculty ratio

· Ranking of university

· Reputation of university

· Reputation of faculty

· Faculty awards

· University research dollars

· Reputation of program

· Quality of students

· Campus life

· Facilities

· Career services

· Alumni network

· Support services

· Cost

· Scholarships and other financial aid

· Residence options

· Athletic and recreational facilities

· Varsity sports

· Intramural sports

· Graduation rates

· Retention rates

· Male/female ratio

Of course, there are other factors that you can add to this list. It will take some time to construct your list, but you will benefit from making a well-informed decision. Good luck!

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Nothing Beats a Campus Visit!

2011-10-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

This week the Globe and Mail published its University report and a day later Maclean’s 2012 Guide to Canadian Universities was available. Both provide invaluable information on choosing a university that’s right for you. However, nothing beats a campus visit.

Many of you have attended or plan to attend a university’s Open House, which in my opinion is not the best time to visit a campus. You see the glossy view, the best of the best that the university has to offer. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you want to get a more ‘real’ perspective. I have a similar view of the virtual tours you’ll see online. Nice, but not as objective as you may want it to be. You may also have an opportunity to speak to a university representative who is visiting your area, but again this cannot replace your personal view of a campus.

Practically all universities offer individual tours but try to get more information on what’s included in the tours. I have participated in tours that were very comprehensive and showed practically all areas of the campus while others turned out to be just a tour of the various residences.

You can’t do much about the official tour, but my recommendation is to try to customize your visit as best you can (especially if you’re not likely to be able to visit again during your research or selection phase). Campuses are normally open to the general public and you can also visit the faculty, department or program office you’re interested in before or after the official tour (campus maps are often available online).

Some of the best information about your intended program may come from a faculty member or program administrator so try to book an appointment to meet with someone during your visit. Furthermore, ask to be connected to a current student or recent alumni to get their view on the program, university, faculty, etc.

If possible, have lunch on campus. Not only to get a sense of campus food services, but it’s a great opportunity to speak to real students and ask about their experience and other things that are important to you. It's a good time to assess the campus vibe and see how comfortable you might be there. Can you fit in?

Don’t forget to take photographs (yes, you’ll look like a tourist) but I found that reviewing pictures after the visit to be helpful. Also, months later when you’re comparing universities and perhaps ready to accept one offer over another, the photographs will be invaluable. They jogged my memory and showed details that I forgot.

I know you’ll be less inclined to visit campuses that are some distance from your home, but the time and cost invested in a campus visit far outweighs the information you’ll receive. The visit will be a crucial deciding factor when selecting a university that’s right for you.

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Globe & Mail University Report

2011-10-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

Today the Globe and Mail released a very comprehensive report on all Canadian universities. Use the report to help you narrow your choices. You can also compare universities as well as refine the results for your intended area of study (i.e., Arts & Humanities, Business & Commerce, Education, Engineering & Technology, Health & Medical, Sciences & Math and Fine & Performing Arts).

Here are a few highlights:

Most Satisfied Students:
Large Universities (enrollment of 22,000+)
A-			University of Western Ontario

Medium (enrolment 10,000- 22,000)
A			Queen's University

Quality of Teaching:
Large Universities (enrollment 22,000+)
A-			University of Western Ontario

Medium (enrolment 10,000- 22,000)
A			Mount Royal University

Class Size
Large Universities (enrollment of 22,000+)
B+			Carleton University and Concordia University (tie)

Medium (enrolment 10,000- 22,000)
A+			Mount Royal University

Career Preparation:
Large Universities (enrollment of 22,000+)
A-			University of Waterloo

Medium (enrolment 10,000- 22,000)
A-			Queen's University and Université de Sherbrooke (tie)

Reputation with Employers:
Large Universities (enrollment of 22,000+)
A+			McGill University and University of Waterloo (tie)

Medium (enrolment 10,000- 22,000)
A+			Queen's University

Click here to get the following on each university:

· Admission and scholarship deadlines

· Focus

· Famous graduates

· What the students say

· Overall student satisfaction

· Quality of teaching

· Academic resources

· Campus atmosphere

· Class size

· Technology

· Physical infrastructure

· Libraries

· Campus activity

· Employment

· Off campus

· Athletics

· Student services

· Costs

· Student enrolment

· Research performance

As you can see from the above list, there are a lot of factors to consider. But remember not all of them may be important to you or have equal weight to you. What’s great is that you can customize your university ranking based on the features that are essential to you. After all, it’s your degree. Good luck!

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Scholarship vs. Reputation

2011-10-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

Here’s an interesting question for you: Would you select a university solely because you received a large scholarship or free tuition?

I bet your first reaction is yes. But this assumes that you applied to that university because they met many of your other criteria. However, would you apply to a university simply because you believe you will be awarded a large scholarship or free tuition? Take a look at this article about Lakehead University offering a full tuition scholarship for high school students with a 95% average of higher. There are other universities that offer similar scholarships, the minimum average may differ but not likely to be lower than 90%. Of course, if you have such a high average, you have many options, including other universities offering you a full ride scholarship.

Generally speaking university scholarships are like signing bonuses. The university finds your profile attractive and they want you to be an alum of their institution. They are banking of you going on to do bigger and better things. If you are fortunate enough to be in this situation, you’ll notice that there are different scholarship values being offered to you. This is largely due to the difference in the quality of each university’s applicant pool. Obviously, if the institution have a number of applicants like you, the lower the scholarship amount. Conversely, if you represent a small percentage of their applicants, the higher the award value.

However, if you’re that fantastic, shouldn’t you go to the university with the best reputation? Or the university that you gives you the best career prospects or opportunities to further your studies? Some would also say that the institution where you received your first degree is less important than the universities which granted your advanced or professional degrees. But the reputation of your university can affect what doors are more readily available to you. The alumni network is another variable for you to seriously consider. Which university will give you the best connections in your future?

Essentially the decision is between financing and reputation. But you have to realize that reputation is also correlated with highly important variables like the quality of faculty, classmates, facilities, experience, services, alumni network, as well as employability. Everyone’s situation is different so you’ll have to decide what’s best for you.

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Universities Get an F for Failing Undergrads

2011-10-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

Here is yet another article from the Globe and Mail that gives a failing grade to Canada’s universities.

It’s interesting to read and sadly leaves me, as a parent of a university student, ready to investigate university homeschooling. But I do want to point out that this report is principally referring to large, research focused universities. And if you agree with this assessment you do have options since there are Canadian universities that are primarily focused on undergraduate education.

These include the following (listed as per Maclean’s ranking):

1. Mount Allison University
2. Acadia University
3. University of Northern British Columbia
4. University of Lethbridge
5. Wilfrid Laurier University
6. Trent University
7. St. Francis Xavier University
8. Bishop’s University
8. University of Prince Edward Island
10. University of Winnipeg
11. Saint Mary’s University
12. Lakehead University
13. University of Ontario Institute of Technology
14. Brock University
14. Laurentian University
16. St. Thomas University
17. Brandon University
17. Ryerson University
19. Mount Saint Vincent University
20. Universite de Moncton
21. Cape Breton University
22. Nipissing University

As you can imagine, there are thousands who have received undergraduate degrees from large, research focused institutions who are happy and satisfied with their degrees. And that’s because ‘fit’ is so important. Some like big, while others like small universities. Also, unless you have attended two or more universities to receive your undergraduate degree it’s impossible to compare university experiences.

The article stated that, “students who arrive at university are powerless. They’re not organized. They’re busy with studies and extracurricular activities. They take what they’re given, and try to work within it. Challenging, let alone changing, the teaching status quo seems impossible.”

However, I argue that students can vote with their feet. If the quality of the education is as poor as the experts say, students can easily transfer to another institution that they feel is better. And now they are in an even better position, than when they were in high school, to judge what is best for them. I guarantee you that universities will pay attention to their retention rates and those marching feet will be heard loud and clear.

Students can also express their opinions in rankings like Maclean’s. If a university has dropped in the ranking and/or is performing lower than their expectations or when compared to their peer institutions; there will be changes.

In both scenarios, change will not be immediate but will eventually occur. Therefore, I believe that it’s not as grim as the headlines would make you feel.

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Top 20 Degree Programs in Ontario

2011-10-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

Last weekend 118,000 people attended the Ontario Universities Fair at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. When I attended last year, it was very obvious to me what the popular universities are just by assessing the number of individuals at each booth. However, I was curious to know what the popular programs were.

So here are the top 20 degree programs for high schools students, by application volume, in Ontario for 2011 (the application numbers are in brackets):

1. Arts (131,551)

2. Science (80,559)

3. Business Administration (58,664)

4. Engineering (32,641)

5. Physical and Health Education (16,484)

6. Fine and Applied Arts (12,807)

7. Nursing (12,129)

8. Other Degrees (8,595)

9. Education (8,096)

10. Mathematics (5,538)

11. Other Administration (4,233)

12. Social Work (4,220)

13. Family and Consumer Study (3,743)

14. Environmental Studies (3,655)

15. Journalism (3,383)

16. Architecture (2,343)

17. Music (2,163)

18. Landscape Architecture (369)

19. Agriculture (326)

20. Forestry (96)

Note the application numbers are not individual applicants. For instance, one high school student can submit multiple applications to several programs.

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Western vs. Eastern Canadian Universities

2011-10-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Today I read an article with the headline Western Canadian universities outshining Eastern counterparts. Here's an excerpt:

A recent study by the Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA) reports that Western Canada is the new epicentre for post-secondary education. The past two decades have seen the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, the University of Alberta, and the University of Saskatchewan out-compete prestigious Ontario schools such as Queen's, McMaster, and the Universities of Waterloo and Western Ontario for academic talent, as well as funding.

This was shown when the Canadian government created 19 Excellence Research Chair awards, new $10-million prizes to go to leading researchers who had established programs at their home universities.

Two researchers at both the Universities of Waterloo and Toronto received recognition, while other Ontario schools struggled, with the University of Ottawa gaining one and Queen’s failing to qualify for any. Meanwhile, the University of Alberta won four and UBC won a total of $24 million.

As a high school student or parent of a soon-to-be a first year student, you shouldn’t assume that this means these universities are better because they received these awards. The reality is that typically knowledge from these prestigious chairs and research grants do not filter down to the undergraduates. Quite frankly, these recipients probably have never and will never teach an undergraduate class. Notice they have been referred to as researchers, so if you hope to do research with these academics then these awards should be very important to you. Otherwise, choose a university that meets all of your individual criteria.

The bottom line is that your needs as an undergrad will be different from your criteria as a masters student or PhD candidate. I believe undergraduate students need great teachers; great researchers who have ‘won’ prestigious chairs and research grants are more or most important to graduate students. This, of course, is not to say that these universities in western Canada don’t have great faculty teaching in their Bachelor degrees.

This report also highlights how difficult it is to evaluate universities. There are many variables that should be assessed when rating a university as better than another. Receiving prestigious chairs and research grants is just one of them. In summary, you really do have to do your own research with your list of what’s important to you. Go west young man/woman or use your own best judgement!

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Affordability of Post-Secondary Education in Canada

2011-10-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

Last month, children across Canada headed back to grade school. This month, Canadian parents can turn their attention to how they are going to afford to send them off to colleges and universities. According to a BMO Financial Group study released today, more than two-thirds of Canadians (69 per cent) are concerned about the affordability of post-secondary education in Canada.

A four-year university degree can currently cost upwards of $60,000, and various sources estimate that a child born in 2011 could encounter education costs of approximately $140,000 when they are ready to enter university.

Read full story here

Here's a table I prepared of tuition at Canadian universities to help you budget.

The Best Universities in the World

2011-10-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Here’s another article with a poor review of Canada’s educational system, including our post-secondary institutions. This one is from the National Post.

If you look at the any global university ranking, if you want the best, you’ll have to go the United States or the United Kingdom.

Country	University	Times Higher Education Global Ranking	Top University Global Ranking	International Undergraduate Fees (USD$)
US	California Institute of Technology	1	12	36,000-38,000
US	Harvard University	2	2	38,000-40,000
US	Stanford University	3	11	40,000-42,000
UK	University of Oxford	4	5	20,000-22,000
US	Princeton University	5	13	36,000-38,000
UK	University of Cambridge	6	1	18,000-20,000
US	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	7	3	38,000-40,000
UK	Imperial College London	8	6	30,000-32,000
US	University of Chicago	9	8	42,000-44,000
US	University of California, Berkeley	10	21	32,000-34,000
US	Yale University	11	4	38,000-40,000
US	Columbia University	12	10	42,000-44,000
US	University of Pennsylvania	16	9	40,000-42,000
UK	University College London	17	7	24,000-26,000

The top 2 reasons why students and parents don’t consider the top universities in the world are:

1. Admissibility – Most think that their grades are not high enough. But the admission requirements may not be as high as you think. For example, Oxford claims that you need at least an 85% average in your high school diploma from Canada. Harvard says that you should be in the top 10-15% of your class. But do pay attention to the additional tests such as the SAT that you will need to write for US institutions or specific course requirements in the UK.

2. Cost – While the cost seems high compared to a Canadian university, you should note that there these universities tend to have large endowments and have a number of scholarships and financial assistance for applicants they consider desirable. You are also able to apply for private Canadian scholarships to study abroad. Also, you are eligible for a provincial and Canadian student loan. Finally, you can consider a student loan with one of the Canadian banks.

If you seriously want to go to one of the best universities in the world, it would be worth your time to investigate further. Remember, you can’t be admitted if you don’t apply. Good luck!

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Why Aren't Young Men Going to University?

2011-10-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

One of the issues I lived with for 11 years as the admissions director for University of Toronto’s MBA program was where are the women? Like most MBA programs, we struggled to achieve more of a gender balance in the incoming class.

Conversely, when I was researching undergraduate programs with my son, I was surprised to see most universities reported having more female students than male.

What is not known is if there are fewer applications from young men or are the women applying with higher averages.
Read the full story here Canadian Universities Net

After I wrote the Canadian Universities Net story, I saw an article on ESPN wondering if the increase in boys playing football and possible hits to the heads leads to lower grades and lower percentage of young men in post-secondary education.

Read ESPN article here

Canada's Best Business Schools

2011-10-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

University	The Economist Global Top 101	Financial Times Global Top 100	Bloomberg BusinessWeek Non-US Schools	Beyond Grey Pinstripes Global Top 100
York University, Schulich	9	49	9	2
McGill University, Desautels	64	57	11
Concordia University, Molson	80		Not Considered	42
University of Calgary, Haskayne	81		Not Considered	35
University of British Columbia, Sauder	82	80	Not Ranked	24
HEC Montreal	96		15
University of Toronto, Rotman		46	8
University of Western Ontario, Ivey		46	6
Queen's University			1

Yesterday the Economist released its MBA rankings and this is the perfect time to not just look at how Canadian business schools did in that ranking but to compare that list to the Financial Times, BusinessWeek and Beyond Grey Pinstripes rankings.

Rankings are tricky and as you can see the results vary and that’s due to the different methodology used to evaluate the best programs. So before you make a decision based on a school’s ranking, take the time to learn more about the various rankings.

You should also note that not all business schools participated in all of the rankings. So don’t assume if a program is not on the list that they were not good enough to make the list. And of course, the list does not include the schools that didn’t participate. Bloomberg BusinessWeek does include schools that were not ranked and not considered.

Another consideration is that you not only want to do a good MBA but you want that program to be part of a good university. Therefore, you may want to review Canada’s best and worst universities.

Finally, at the end of the day, it’s your MBA and you should choose the program that’s best for you.

The Economist MBA Ranking

Financial Times Ranking

Bloomberg BusinessWeel Ranking

Beyond Grey Pinstripes

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New Admission Policy for the University of Saskatchewan

2011-10-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

The University of Saskatchewan has changed its admission policy for out-of-province applicants from Alberta, British Columbia and the territories to "level the playing field" when it comes to their high school marks.

Grade 12 students in British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut all take standardized final exams. In B.C. and the Yukon, the provincial exams count for 40 per cent of a student’s final mark. In Alberta, they count for 50 per cent of the final mark.

The change, effective next fall, will make the University of Saskatchewan more attractive to western and northern grads whose marks are high enough to be considered for scholarships. It will also make the University of Saskatchewan an attractive option for weaker students or those who with lower grades.

"All the admissions requirements are the same, just the way that we calculate the average for them puts them on a level playing field with every other student across the board. So that’s kind of what we’ve done ... we’ll take the best mark that works to their advantage, just like we would any other province."

However, there is no mention precisely how the grades will be calculated. If you are from one of these provinces or territories and feel your application might be considered under this new policy, you should confirm how your average will be calculated. Only relax after you get a clear picture.

I believe other universities will follow but only after their data show that the University of Saskatchewan is getting a bigger piece of the pie.

Read full story here