University Applications and Preparation: What Parents and Students Need To Know
*Article from the perspective of a student writer.
Eventful, fast, and hectic.
These three words typically describe Grade 12, the final year of high school before students head to post-secondary. As high school students approach post-secondary education, more preparation is required, particularly by students and parents rushing to select, apply for, and get into their desired programs. Finding the right university or college and preparing for post-secondary can be arduous tasks. For students and parents who have only started thinking about university applications in Grade 12, the process can seem especially confusing, especially with so many different options and requirements.
University applications can be especially tough to get your head around. With an increasing number of applicants and applications, it’s a competitive process, even for top students. In 2023, the OUAC (Ontario Universities Application Centre) reported 530,856 applications from 91,843 applicants in February, compared to 446,969 applications from 89,404 applicants in 2018. Beyond the increased competition, with so many options to consider, the fear of making the wrong choice can be nerve-wracking. Clouded and panicked judgment can scare many students out of pursuing more suitable or desirable career paths.
From a student’s perspective, especially at the early stages of the university preparation journey, there are many questions to consider. What is the university application process all about? What do we need to know about academic requirements, extra-curricular activities, preparing for applications, and post-secondary life itself? What would help other students the most?
Understanding the university application process is crucial for making well-informed decisions and ensuring a smoother transition to higher education. This empowers students to select the right institutions, tailor their academic and extracurricular pursuits, and apply confidently.
Academic Requirements and the “Top Six” System
To start, while many students understand intuitively that good grades matter, many are unaware of how grades factor into applications. In Ontario admissions, there’s the “Top Six” system, where six of your high school senior university or mixed-level courses (12U and sometimes 12M) are averaged to determine your “university admission average” by Ontario universities. While some universities factor specific prerequisites into their average calculations, others exclude them, so your average can vary from institution to institution and even program to program. Students can then maximize their “Top Six” and put their best foot forward by putting more effort into earning high marks in a desired program’s prerequisites. Now, this doesn’t mean that other classes can be forgotten, as these are crucial parts of the overall learning experience. With that said, when applying for university, especially top schools and programs, it’s critical to make informed and responsible choices, with your short-term and long-term goals in mind.
Extracurricular Activities and Programs
Beyond academic requirements, there’s more that students aren’t fully aware of. In the realm of extra-curricular activities, many students might believe that having a wide range will automatically improve their chances of acceptance.
There’s some truth to this, but there are nuances to consider as well. Researchers at Ohio State University found that “students who participated in one school sport and one other non-sport extracurricular activity were indeed more likely than those who did not have these pursuits to go to college – and to go to more selective colleges, as well.” However, “participating in two or more extracurricular activities of either type gave no advantage over taking part in just one.” Juggling too many extracurriculars may cause undue stress and pull the focus away from academics, especially if you aren’t enjoying every activity you do.
Aside from the number of extracurricular activities, students may be unaware of the variety of programs they can take inside and outside of school, besides the typical clubs and teams. Many of these programs, whether they’re offered by schools or externally, can help students build valuable life skills while also being noteworthy additions to a university application. One example is the DECA program. DECA is an international business leadership program that brings students together from all over the world, teaching leadership, teamwork, and business skills. The DECA website features a list of majors that they recommend for their program. They also show statistics confirming their impact on their students, with a reported 91% of participants indicating that they felt better prepared for their post-secondary education and careers.
For students who are more interested in STEM, there are a wide variety of options as well. SRI, the Sunnybrook Research Institute, offers a program that allows students to work in a hospital setting and scientific research environment, allowing them to gain knowledge of specialized industries and invaluable skills that may not be possible in a traditional classroom setting. This provides an enriching experience for students who are passionate about math and sciences.
University Preparation According to University Students
To gain more insight into the realities of university preparation and life at university, I interviewed two Queen’s University students about their high school and university experiences. I asked what they wish they had known in high school, and some tips and things they learned as post-secondary students.
One thing that became clear while interviewing Marlee Abrams, a fourth-year Concurrent Education and Sociology student, and Felicity Worth, a first-year Health Sciences student, was a similar sentiment that they did not expect the workload at university. Both expressed that their workloads in high school, even in their senior year, were significantly lower than their current university workloads, and that they did not feel adequately prepared for how much they would have to self-manage their time. Felicity states, “It doesn’t matter if you feel like you’ve finished all of your stuff. You will always have something to do for one of your classes – always. It’s a never-ending cycle.”
As for university preparation, Felicity recommends keeping your options open and having a big-picture understanding of all the programs available before settling on one. She stresses the importance of not only looking at the program itself, but also the school environment. This includes aspects like the social life and the residences, all of which affect your university experience. Felicity also recommends checking out school Instagram pages, which can help connect you with the larger community of your school.
Marlee recommends getting to know your professors and teaching assistants prior to starting the class to begin to develop a genuine rapport with them. Establishing yourself as a hardworking, respectful student helps when interacting with professors and supervisors, making it easier to seek assistance and guidance in the future. When it comes to applying for university, Marlee suggests, “Pick something you’re most interested in and excited for. You tend to do better when doing something you’re most interested in.”
This suggestion is backed by evidence, as studies from Research Schools International show a statistically significant relationship between the happiness of the students and academic performance.
Final Takeaways
One thing that’s critical when applying for university and college is that no matter what, take your individual goals and situation into consideration. Post-secondary institutions get plenty of applications from across the country, and even worldwide, so setting yourself apart as an individual with a unique story, skill set, and reason for attending can drastically affect your acceptance rate. Having an unusual skill or experience in your application can show the school that you are not just another student trying to squeeze through. It’s key to consider why you’re a great fit for a program, and why a program is a great fit for you based on your academic and career goals.
University and college preparation can be tough, but it’s important to remember that you are your own greatest tool to success. Growing your transferable skills and taking the initiative to prepare yourself will help you go farther in life, both in terms of ability and satisfaction.
Written by: Mason Helman (Article Researcher and Writer) and Francesca Cadhit
Edited by: Francesca Cadhit and Top Class Edge Learning
References
“No Need to Load up on Extracurricular Activities, Study Finds.” No Need to Load up on Extracurricular Activities, The Ohio State University, 24 Apr. 2023, news.osu.edu/no-need-to-load-up-on-extracurricular-activities-study-finds/.
Shemmassian, Dr. “Ivy League Acceptance Rates 2023: What You’re up Against.” Shemmassian Academic Consulting, Shemmassian Academic Consulting, 1 Sept. 2023, www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/ivy-league-acceptance-rates.
Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, www.ouac.on.ca/docs/stats/uapp/prelim_jan/undergraduate_summary_applications_January-14-2023.pdf. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
Rainsberger, Sarah, and March 10. “Main Navigation Menumenu University Admissions in Canada How to Get into University Canadian University Info Information for Homeschoolers Standardised Tests Ontario University Admissions for Homeschoolers Open and Distance Universities in Canada Alberta Universities That Were Members of ECAMPUSALBERTA Blog about Us.” University Admissions in Canada, 10 Mar. 2011, universityadmissions.ca/the-top-six-average-in-ontario/.
“Happiness.” Research Schools International, www.researchschoolsinternational.org/happiness. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.