It’s September and you know what that means? That’s right! It’s the beginning of a new school year. There’s a whole lot of changes happening in your life right now, which is pretty typical for this time of year. New classes, new teachers, maybe a new locker space and of course a new grade. All of these changes also means you’re one year closer to one of the biggest and most exciting changes so far, the change from being a secondary student to post-secondary student. Your move to college is possibly just one year away!
With that being said, your final ten months as a high school student will involve applying for colleges. However, before that, you will have some decisions to make including WHAT you would like to study and WHERE you would like to study. Big decisions? Yes. But don’t worry, that’s what college fairs are for (and the Study North Initiative of course).
Some of you will have the opportunity to attend a college fair hosted at your high school or maybe you will visit the Ontario College Information Fair at Exhibition Place in Toronto on October 24 or October 25 2017, or both! Ps. We will be there! Either option will give you the opportunity to speak with a number Ontario’s college representatives. Aside from where are you located.
In no particular order, here are some questions to help to make the most out of your conversations at college fairs:
- What are the most popular programs at your school? What makes the program I am interested in stand out?
- When is your open house/how do I book a tour?
- Is there financial aid awards (scholarships/bursaries) available? How do I apply?
- Where do most students live? Are there residences available?
- What is city/town like that your college is located in?
- What are the prerequisites to apply to (insert program of interest)? Such as classes, grades, other additional requirements?
- What can I do with (insert program of interest)/What are the job prospects like?
- What are the costs involved in attending your college for a year?
- What activities are available to get involved in on/off campus?
- What other services are available to students on campus and included in auxiliary fees (i.e. health care, counselling, bus passes tutors…etc.)
Did we miss anything? Can you think of anymore questions you think are important to ask at a college fair? Tweet us @studynorth and use the hashtag #whystudynorth and tell us what you want to know about college and any or all of the six Northern Ontario colleges; Confederation College, Sault College, Northern College, Collège Boréal, Cambrian College and Canadore College.
