START APPLYING EARLY
A little planning and preparation will help you get into the school you want
Whether you’re a newly minted high school graduate or a mature student looking into higher education, navigating the postsecondary admissions process can be intimidating.
Calgary offers several choices when it comes to post-secondary schools, and each institution has its own guidelines and timelines when it comes to admitting students. Thankfully, all of our colleges and universities want to see students succeed and are willing to help them through the process.
All students wishing to enter an undergraduate program need to apply using the universal Apply-Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (applyalberta.ca), a hub that connects them to major university, college and technology institutes in the province.
But before students even start filling out those forms, they need to decide exactly what they want to apply for, which can be the most complicated part of the process.
“The thing I always like to tell prospective students is to focus on what they like in school,” says Scott Robinson, associate registrar of admissions and recruitment at the University of Calgary. “If they liked English or math in high school, they should follow that success and then explore some of the options that may be related to that.”
While many institutions within the city offer courses that will lead students to similar careers or graduate programs, or can even be transferred between institutions, it’s important to not just think about what subjects they want to take, but where they want to take them. Schools such as the University of Calgary, St. Mary’s University and Mount Royal University all offer degree programs, but in vastly different learning environments. Physically spending time on a campus via tours, open houses or “student for a day” programs can give students an idea if it’s the right place for them.
“The fit for the student is really one of the most important things,” says Alice MacKichan, director of admissions and recruitment at Mount Royal. “We really want them to come on campus, walk through the corridors and get a feel for what it’s like and whether they can see themselves here.”
Students need to keep in mind that this process should start well before the application windows draw near. Most post-secondary institutions start accepting applications almost a full year ahead of the start of classes, but students should have an idea of where they want to apply even further ahead. High school students who don’t have at least a basic idea of what kind of program they want to pursue by the time they’re in Grade 10 or 11 may find themselves missing critical requirements. Planning early lets them ensure that they’ve taken prerequisite high school classes and that they’ve had time to get their grades up to snuff.
“If you know you’re planning on a biology degree, that will help you pick your courses in Grade 12,” says Darcy Smereka, director of admissions and recruitment at St. Mary’s University. “You’re going to need Grade 12 biology. If you start investigating too late, you’re going to find that you may need to do some upgrading to get that course.”
Once the ApplyAlberta forms are filled out and students wait for acceptance or wait-list letters, they may start to feel some stress over whether they’ve chosen the right school or program. There is a certain amount of pressure to choose the right path, but Michael Sondermann, associate registrar at SAIT, says that while making that post-secondary decision is important, students can relieve some anxiety by reminding themselves that there are always opportunities to switch gears and move to a different program.
“Your life doesn’t turn on a dime right here,” Sondermann says. “You’re not headed for poverty and despair if you do one thing and wealth and happiness if you do another. You can always change your path later on.”