All the answers to your college application questions!

Recently, we sat down with representatives from Ontario’s colleges to answer 20 frequently asked questions from applicants like you. Read on to find answers to questions you never knew you had!

1) What's the deadline for applying to college?
For highly competitive programs (such as practical nursing), the deadline to apply is also called the "Equal Consideration Date” and occurs on February 1. Non-competitive programs (such as early childhood education) fill up on a first-come, first-served basis.

2) How long does it take to apply?
If you need to create an account, find your program, order transcripts, and determine your method of payment, you should set aside a couple of hours to complete the application process. The college will receive your application the following business day.

3) What are pathways?
Pathways are different education options that lead to a specific goal, they often take advantage of Ontario's credit transfer program. This allows students to start at one institution and transfer into a different program, college, or even university program at a later date. There are many different pathways to get to your destination of choice.

4) What are the important dates I should know about?
Early October, 2023: Online Application Opens

November 1, 2023: Earliest Offer Date – The date that colleges begin to send offers of admission.

February 1, 2024: Equal Consideration Date – Apply by February 1 to be considered for competitive programs starting the following fall.

May 1, 2024: Deadline to Confirm Offers of Admission – The deadline to accept offers you received from the colleges.

June 2024: Tuition Deposit Due at the Colleges

5) How much does it cost to apply? 
It costs $125 per application cycle to apply to up to five programs.

6) How many programs can I apply to?
As noted, you can select up to five programs on your application, with a maximum of three at any single college. However, you can make changes to the programs you've chosen at any time by logging into your account and going to your application on the ‘Dashboard Home’ screen and clicking Resume Application. This takes you to the Review screen where you can make changes to your program choices by clicking Edit Programs.

7) Why is the college saying they haven't received my transcript?
The most common reason for this is processing time. During peak application times, the colleges receive a high volume of documents (like transcripts) that take time to process. The delay could also be due to missing requirements, so double-check everything in your application to ensure you haven’t missed submitting something.

8) After I hit submit, do I need to do anything else?
You should always review admission requirements to make sure you’ve provided all the required supporting documents. After you apply, colleges often grant you access to a student portal where you can look at the status of your application. You can also follow up with your college’s admissions team if you’re unsure what else you might need to provide.

9) Why can’t I find the program I'm looking for?
Be sure to check any filters you have on the program list and double-check the application cycle or start date. If you’re looking at the wrong application cycle, the program won’t appear. It could also be that the program you’re looking for is not available to apply to through ontariocolleges.ca (e.g., apprenticeships).

10) When will I hear back from the college?
It can take anywhere from two or three business days to a few weeks to hear back from the college after they receive your application. The amount of time largely depends on the type of program you’ve applied to (especially if it’s considered highly competitive) and the time of year during which you applied (with longer processing times at peak application periods, like February and March).

11) What’s the difference between diplomas and advanced diplomas?
Regular diploma programs require the completion of at least four semesters (or two years) of study, as approved by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. An advanced diploma is granted after six semesters (or three years) of study. But it’s not just diplomas at Ontario colleges – there are many different types of programs, including those that award certificates, degrees, collaborative degrees, co-ops, and apprenticeships. Each of these can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete.

12) How do I transfer my credits to another college or program? 
To simplify the credit transfer process, the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) has created ONTransfer.ca, an online resource for current and prospective post-secondary students looking for credit transfer opportunities (also known as pathways). There are currently over 1,900 credit transfer pathways available in Ontario, and more than 800,000 distinct transfer opportunities.

13) Can I transfer to a university?
Yes! There are two types of credit transfers between college and university: course transfers and program transfers. Every university has slightly different requirements (such as grade requirements or percentage of program completion), so it’s best to speak with their admissions team directly. In addition, ONTransfer.ca has a great tool to help you find all the possible transfer pathways between college and university. 

14) What is a 2 2 program?
A 2 2 program is a collaborative program where the student spends two years at a college and two years at a university. The main advantage is that you will gain a college diploma and a degree at a lower cost than pursuing a degree on its own!

15) What can I do if I don’t meet the grade requirements for a program?
Preparation programs are a great pathway into competitive programs that may have high admission criteria. These programs provide more opportunities for students to enter a career pathway they are passionate about. 

For example, if a college’s dental hygiene program has demanding acceptance criteria – meaning applicants should have a high-grade average to be considered – a pre-health preparation program at the same college can provide a way for applicants with lower grades to access the dental hygiene program.

16) Should I apply for a scholarship and what scholarships are available? 
Yes, you should definitely apply for, bursaries and grants. Every year hundreds of thousands of dollars are left unclaimed due to the lack of scholarship applications. For a list of websites that make applying for scholarships easy, visit our Paying for College page on ontariocolleges.ca or reach out to your chosen college’s recruitment or admissions teams.

17) Does my campus selection matter?
Yes, many colleges offer the same program across different campuses – which can be many kilometers apart – so make sure you’re selecting the correct program at the right campus for you. 

18) Do I need to do anything differently if I have an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?
What’s an IEP? An IEP is a plan for special education programs, accommodations, and services that a school will provide for a student. 

Every college handles IEPs differently so yes, it’s crucial to disclose relevant information about you and your needs to your college. Be sure to check out your preferred college’s accessibility or student success offices for guidance. You can also set up an appointment to work with the colleges one-on-one.

19) What are the admission grade requirements for a specific program?
Since program admission grade requirements change every academic cycle, typically schools don't publish them. That said, you can reach out to your chosen college’s admissions team to learn about those requirements and what you can do to ensure your application is successful.

20) What is a post-grad degree/diploma/certificate?
Simply put, a post-grad (or post-graduate) program offers further credentials to help students specialize after they’ve completed an undergraduate degree or diploma. Through a post-grad program, you can complete a master’s degree, doctorate, and post-graduate certificate.