Tag Archives | admission

Image by Komsomolec, pixabay.com

Image by Komsomolec, pixabay.com

The college application process can be stressful and frustrating – especially when hard-working students fail to be admitted into their dream school. Future college students should be extra vigilant when submitting complete applications, and work to ensure their letter of admission will get them ahead of the competition. When it comes to writing and drafting your own, keep these tips in mind.

Be Personable, yet Professional
A letter of admission must find the right balance between being personable and engaging, but also intelligent and professional. In other words, a letter of recommendation is a one-sided interview that allows you to formally present yourself to a panel. Like a job interview, pleasant agreeableness must equally match your academic competency. Students should take advantage of this opportunity to include relevant and meaningful information about themselves. For example, they can share previous experiences that shaped their background, and transition into how they hope that the college program will positively benefit them. This can briefly include real-world problems, such as a family member with a health problem, and how the student hopes that their education will improve this problem, such as being able to help others receive medical care.

Be Organized
Like a resume or job application, a letter of admission is a snapshot of the candidate’s professional competency. That being said, a letter that is awkwardly designed and poorly written indicates a candidate that is neither organized nor clear-minded. A succinctly written letter creates a positive impression of a sensible and logical person. In order to maximize efficiency, students should consider creating an outline and carefully branching out to main points. The letter should also be visually appealing with a proper balance between content and white space. Be sure to ask a few friends with critical thinking skills to review and provide feedback.

Be Unique and Specific
Admissions coordinators must frequently sift through hundreds of generically written letters of admissions at a time. As a result, predictable content usually gets passed over. Students should consider presenting distinct content with a personal story that ends with future hopes and goals. Students can use factual information to support their claims and aspirations, and should cite their high GPA levels throughout high school to illustrate their academic consistency. Include relevant personal information, such as important volunteer work or extracurricular activities, which specifically points out their skills and demonstrates their candidacy for the target college program.

As a final note, students should clearly demonstrate how their degree will improve themselves and others as well. For example, students getting a degree in library science can share how their education will allow them to inspire young students. Make sure that overall, your letter shows who you are, and what you hope to become. Colleges will be more likely to choose you if your letter is written well.

This article was contributed by guest author Brooke Chaplan.

Image by uniinnsbruck, Flickr

Image by uniinnsbruck, Flickr

Studying at university can be an incredibly rewarding and interesting experience. First things first, though – you have to apply! Don’t worry. Applying for admission to an Ontario university can be a very straightforward and relatively painless process.

First of all, start by researching different universities. The world (well, in this case, Ontario) is your oyster! Consider the reputation, location, tuition cost, residence fees, and program selection of each institution. Even if you are unsure of what you want to study, comparing schools will help narrow your options and refine your search.

The application process might seem intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone. Make an appointment with your guidance counsellor to discuss any questions and concerns you have about the future. He or she might be able to give you information about events such as the Ontario Universities’ Fair and University Information Program Sessions, both of which will have a wealth of resources available for prospective students. While you browse and research university programs, it’s a good idea to discuss your interests and options with your teachers and your family as well. Also, remember to keep track of any program-specific admission requirements and deadlines – this will be important when the time comes for you to submit your application.

Speaking of submitting your application, the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) is the processing centre for undergraduate applications for admission to the universities of Ontario. The OUAC is not in charge of admission decisions – they simply process and forward the details of your application to the universities of your choice.Depending on your academic history and place of residence, different types of undergraduate application procedures exist. If you go to secondary school in Ontario, you will receive an “Access Code” letter in the fall. This letter contains the three important codes you will need to apply to OUAC online: your school number, your student number, and your PIN.

Important resources to help you navigate OUAC can be found below:

Good luck!