Applying to University: A Guide for OUTCAN Students

Spring of grade 11/fall of grade 12

Ontario universities:

• The best place to start is the Ontario Universities’ Information website, where all the information to Ontario’s universities can be found in one place. This website allows you to browse by university or by program. It has a feature that allows you to compare different programs, and save your programs of interest.
• You may like to watch this video that shows you how to navigate the site.

Alberta universities:

• For universities in Alberta, you can start your research with the government of Alberta’s post- secondary program search website.

British Columbia universities:

• For universities in British Columbia, you can start your research with EducationPlannerBC.

Other Canadian universities:

• For other Canadian universities, visit individual university websites.
• These websites may get you started in learning about universities across Canada: Univcan and Universitystudy.

Other notes:

• Make note of all admission requirements (pre-requisite courses, supplemental requirements such as portfolios).
• Make note of all deadlines. Note that each university may have its own deadline for Canadian students who are applying from outside of Canada. Note also that you are not “international” students, for whom different deadlines and requirements might apply. You may need to call the admissions office of the university to determine what deadlines apply to you.
• Make note of all program costs. These costs may include tuition, student fees, and books, for example. Note again that as a Canadian citizen, you will pay domestic tuition and fees.
• See if you can get on mailing lists. Because you are residing outside of Canada, you may not be able to visit university campuses. The recruiting departments of Canadian universities often send promotional and informational emails to interested high school students. This will help you “visit” the campus.
• Narrow down your university program selections by talking to your parents, teachers and guidance counsellor about your interests and options. 

Fall of grade 12

Ontario universities:

• Students must apply via the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). This organization receives all applications and forwards them to the universities. OUTCAN students apply using the Undergrad Application.
• Familiarize yourself with the application. Watch the video tutorials and read the Undergrad Application guide. 

Alberta universities:

• Students apply via ApplyAlberta. This organization receives all applications and forwards them to the universities. Learn how to plan for your application.

British Columbia universities:

• Students apply via EducationPlannerBC. This organization receives all applications and forwards them to the universities. Learn how to plan for your application.

Other Canadian universities:

• Double check the application dates and deadlines. You can apply directly to these universities.

Other notes:

• Ask the admissions office how they would like you to indicate that you are an OUTCAN student rather than an international student.
• It might be helpful to use your “Station Forces” military mailing address to demonstrate that you are a CAF dependent.
• For students graduating with a US diploma: determine the deadlines for forwarding SAT/ACT/AP scores to the universities, if they are required. Here are links to the SAT/AP and ACT sites.
• For students graduating with an International Baccalaureate diploma: determine the deadlines for forwarding any IB documentation to the university. Here is a link to the IB site.
• Some universities may require that your high school transcript be evaluated by an equivalency agency; this is a way of “interpreting” transcripts from outside of Canada. Some universities may request that you use a specific equivalency agency. Here are some commonly-used organizations: World Education Services, UofT, ICAS.

Ontario universities:

• Complete the Undergrad Application. Be sure to review your program choices before submitting the application. Once you have submitted the application, you will be assigned an OUAC reference number. Keep it in a safe place. You will need this number to access your OUAC account in the future and to accept an offer of admission.
• Take note of the costs. If you are applying to an Ontario university, you may have to pay two fees: the OUAC fee and a supplemental documentation evaluation fee that will vary by university. Certain programs, such as Waterloo’s Engineering program, also require a supplemental program fee. These various fees are listed. The OUAC charges a base fee of $156 and this allows you to apply to three programs. They could all be at one university or they could be at different universities. You can apply for additional programs at a charge of $50 per program. Please note, however, that you can only to a maximum of three programs at any one Ontario university.

Alberta universities:

• Apply via ApplyAlberta. Application fees will vary according to university. Learn how to apply.

British Columbia universities:

• Apply via EducationPlannerBC. Application fees will vary according to university. Learn how to apply.

Other Canadian universities:

• Apply directly. The application fees and number of accepted program applications will vary by university.

Other notes:

• Complete your application well before the deadline. This will give you time to respond if there are problems with your application. It is important to avoid applying at the last minute, because if there are computer-related problems when you are trying to apply, you could miss a crucial deadline.
• As an OUTCAN student, you may incur some extra application-related costs, like the cost of the SAT/ACT exam and the cost of having your transcript assessed by a credential evaluation service. Keep your receipts, as these costs are reimbursable.

Ontario universities:

• If possible, record your OUAC reference number on the envelope of any hard copy material (or in the subject line of any email) that is forwarded to a university. This will help the admissions office match the documentation to your file as quickly as possible.
• Note that you can change your OUAC program choices after you have submitted the application. If you withdraw an application for a program and apply to another program at the same university, you will not be charged. If you withdraw an application to a program and apply to a new program at a different institution, you will be charged an additional $50.

Other notes:

• Once you have applied, you will need to make sure your transcripts are delivered to your universities of choice. The method of delivery and deadlines will differ according to university, so be sure to take good notes. Please note that a transcript only lists the marks for courses that you have completed.

Be sure to ask the university if your school can send mid-term report cards to demonstrate how you are progressing in your final year of school. If you are in a semester high school system, you should forward a transcript with final marks at the end of the first and second semesters.

• Be sure to observe deadlines for other supplemental documentation (SAT/ACT scores, portfolio packages, International Baccalaureate results, for example).
• Note that during busy periods, such as January and February, it can take several weeks for universities to process an application.
• Ensure spam filters are set to accept email from the OUAC and individual universities. Check your email often because this is how these organizations will communicate with you. The universities should email you to acknowledge that they have received your application.
• Take note of additional spring and summer deadlines. Determine when you can expect an offer of admission, the deadline for accepting an offer of admission, and when you must provide a financial commitment to your institution of choice.