1. COLLEGE INFORMATION 2009 - 2010 Choosing a College Shouldnt be a Scary Experience Choosing a College Shouldnt be a Scary Experience

2. What You Need to Know Choosing Your College and College Program Choosing Your College and College Program The Application Process The Application Process

4. Interesting Fact 88 % of College Graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation. 88 % of College Graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation. Discuss employment rates with the college reps. Discuss employment rates with the college reps.

5. What is OCAS? O ntario C ollege A pplication S ervices O ntario C ollege A pplication S ervices Processes applications and transcripts Processes applications and transcripts Informs counsellors and students of missing or incomplete grades. Informs counsellors and students of missing or incomplete grades. Informs colleges when you have accepted an offer of admission. Informs colleges when you have accepted an offer of admission.

6. What Do High Schools Do? Provide you with your Ontario Education Number (OEN) and the OCAS booklets. Provide you with your Ontario Education Number (OEN) and the OCAS booklets. Provide OCAS with your personal and academic information. Provide OCAS with your personal and academic information. Provide OCAS with your updated grades information in November, February, April and July. Provide OCAS with your updated grades information in November, February, April and July. Notify OCAS if you transfer to another school. Notify OCAS if you transfer to another school. Assist you with the application. Assist you with the application.

7. Before you get started Checklist Explore your college options. Explore your college options. Check out college websites, publications and tours. Check out college websites, publications and tours. Research program admission requirements. Research program admission requirements. Take a look at the online Find Program (at ontariocolleges.ca) or the Ontario College Guide. Take a look at the online Find Program (at ontariocolleges.ca) or the Ontario College Guide. Have a valid email account. Have a valid email account. Think of a unique username and password. Think of a unique username and password. Know your Ontario Education Number (OEN). Know your Ontario Education Number (OEN). Know your correct address and postal code. Know your correct address and postal code. Have a credit card number, including expiry date, (VISA, MasterCard or American Express), if you plan to pay online. Have a credit card number, including expiry date, (VISA, MasterCard or American Express), if you plan to pay online.

8. Types of Programs Diploma Diploma Advanced Diploma Advanced Diploma Applied Degree Applied Degree Joint College/University Joint College/University Co-op Co-op Apprenticeships Apprenticeships BE SURE THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR PROGRAM CHOICES

9. Important Dates Online Applications will begin this October. Online Applications will begin this October. First set of marks go to colleges December 2009 First set of marks go to colleges December 2009 Application deadline is February 1, 2010 Application deadline is February 1, 2010 Early offers February 1, 2010 Early offers February 1, 2010 Confirmation date May 03, 2010 Confirmation date May 03, 2010 Down payments June 15, 2010 Down payments June 15, 2010

10. Finding Your Program College information can be found in the Program Finder A list of all programs and what colleges offer these programs. It also includes an outline of the application process and a map of Ontario and where the colleges are located. College information can be found in the Program Finder A list of all programs and what colleges offer these programs. It also includes an outline of the application process and a map of Ontario and where the colleges are located.

11. Researching On-Line www.ontariocolleges.ca

12. You Can Choose Five Programs with a Maximum of 3 per college. Check admission requirements for each program. Check admission requirements for each program. Check the type of program and whether you qualify to apply. Check the type of program and whether you qualify to apply. Is the program considered highly competitive? If so, do you have a back up plan? Is the program considered highly competitive? If so, do you have a back up plan?

13. THE APPLICATION PROCESS OCAS Ontario College Application Services

14. All Applications will be Done Online at www.ontariocolleges.ca You must have an email account to apply

15. OCAS APPLICATION NUMBER This is assigned to you when you are applying online. WRITE IT DOWN (There is a space for this in the Checklist section of the Program Finder)

16. Ontario Education Number OCAS requires that all applicants have an OEN (Ontario Education number) This can be obtained from the Guidance Office before you apply. OCAS requires that all applicants have an OEN (Ontario Education number) This can be obtained from the Guidance Office before you apply. You will not be able to apply without one. You will not be able to apply without one.

17. Application Payment The OCAS fee for processing your application is $95. The OCAS fee for processing your application is $95. You can pay OCAS online or with a money order. You can pay OCAS online or with a money order. A payment form is available from Guidance and it must accompany your money order. A payment form is available from Guidance and it must accompany your money order. Applications are not processed until payment is received and filed. The payment must be received and processed before the February 1st deadline. Paying by mail may take 3 to 4 weeks. Applications are not processed until payment is received and filed. The payment must be received and processed before the February 1st deadline. Paying by mail may take 3 to 4 weeks.

18. Transcripts All mark information is sent electronically to OCAS by the school. This information is sent 4 times (November, end of semester one, and at the midterm and end of semester 2. All mark information is sent electronically to OCAS by the school. This information is sent 4 times (November, end of semester one, and at the midterm and end of semester 2. STUDENTS MUST CHECK ON-LINE THAT THE ACADEMIC INFORMATION SENT IS CORRECT. (This includes any on-line courses.) ANY mistakes should be reported to Guidance!!!!!! STUDENTS MUST CHECK ON-LINE THAT THE ACADEMIC INFORMATION SENT IS CORRECT. (This includes any on-line courses.) ANY mistakes should be reported to Guidance!!!!!! Academic information is sent for students who have signed up on the college list (in Guidance). Academic information is sent for students who have signed up on the college list (in Guidance). Some Colleges require further information (i.e. a portfolio). General information is located in the College Reference Guide. Specific requests will be sent directly to you from the college. These are your responsibility. Some Colleges require further information (i.e. a portfolio). General information is located in the College Reference Guide. Specific requests will be sent directly to you from the college. These are your responsibility. Aptitude Testing is set up by the college and may be required for your application to be considered. Aptitude Testing is set up by the college and may be required for your application to be considered.

19. Changing Your Application Changes to your application can be made online with your application number.

20. Common Application Problems Forget your username and/or password Forget your username and/or password Accidentally change your program choices Accidentally change your program choices No e-mail address No e-mail address Miss deadlines for testing, portfolios etc.. Miss deadlines for testing, portfolios etc.. Incorrect program name Incorrect program name Applying during busy times (last 2 weeks of January) Applying during busy times (last 2 weeks of January) Did not have the prerequisites for the college program Did not have the prerequisites for the college program OCAS did not receive payment on time OCAS did not receive payment on time Write it down before you type it in Write it down before you type it in Get an email address before you apply Get an email address before you apply Check email for OCAS messages Check email for OCAS messages Read all letters from colleges Read all letters from colleges Apply before Christmas Apply before Christmas Research programs Research programs Money orders take time to process. If paying this way, apply early. Money orders take time to process. If paying this way, apply early.

21. Offer of Admission You can check and accept all offers on- line after February 1 st 2010. You can check and accept all offers on- line after February 1 st 2010. You can only accept one offer of admission. You can only accept one offer of admission. You do not have to accept an offer until May 3rd. You do not have to accept an offer until May 3rd. You must inform OCAS of any changes so that the right college receives your academic information. You must inform OCAS of any changes so that the right college receives your academic information.

22. Financial Assistance OSAP OSAP Scholarships Scholarships Bursaries Bursaries

23. COLLEGE INFORMATION FAIR What: An information session which includes a number of colleges What: An information session which includes a number of colleges When: November 2nd, 2009 When: November 2nd, 2009 Where: Fleming College in Peterborough Where: Fleming College in Peterborough How?: We will provide a bus. Permission forms available. Return completed forms to Guidance ASAP. Seats are based on first come first served basis. How?: We will provide a bus. Permission forms available. Return completed forms to Guidance ASAP. Seats are based on first come first served basis.

24. The Guidance Department is Your Friend. In other words, visit the guidance office and we will help you any way we can.