by Neil Zacharjewicz
M'CHIGEENG - Parents are concerned whether their children will be accepted to a post-secondary institution in light of an increased number of students flooding into the system as a result of the elimination of the Ontario Academic Credit.
"I think the double cohort situation is a concern for all of us," suggested Carolyn Lane-Rock, principal of Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS), at a meeting held at the school on Thursday, October 10, to provide parents with the answers to their questions.
Jill Patterson, guidance counsellor with the school, explained to the parents that, in all likelihood, students are not faced with a true double cohort situation. Last year, post-secondary institutions experienced a 15 percent rise in the number of applications received, and that number is expected to rise by another 15 percent this year. She noted this is not expected to be an one-year event, as post-secondary institutions are anticipating a rise in applications over the next three to five years.
"The government is assuring there will be a place for every willing and qualified applicant," Ms. Patterson said. However, she indicated while most institutions are taking more students, certain limited enrollment programs, such as Cambrian College's Dental Hygiene program, are not increasing their enrollment.
"Most institutions are expanding their residences," she explained. She said most of the institutions she has spoken with have indicated they are puting forward their best effort to ensure first year students are admitted to residences on campus, with students from later years being entered into a lottery system for any remaining spaces. However, she did warn parents there is still the possibility students may find themselves in a situation where they might have to commute.
Ms. Patterson explained some institutions have indicated that their cut-off marks for certain programs are likely to increase, but she noted marks are not the only factor these institutions look at when considering a student. Other factors include a student's portfolio and community involvement. Students have been working on portfolios within the school setting, she said, and emphasis has been put on ensuring they are as professional looking as possible.
"This is a competition, there is no doubt about that," she said.
For university admission, students are expected to have a minimum average of 60 percent. They also must have four 'U' level courses, and in the case of some institutions, five U courses. Universities generally take the top six marks to determine the average, but English is always included among those six marks. As well, pre-requisites for a given course might also be included among those six marks.
Universities will be considering OACs, U and M level courses equally, however some institutions do recommend all of the marks be either all old or all new curriculum. College, on the other hand, do appear to be weighting the marks, giving students in the new curriculum leeway of approximately 10 percent.
"Students have to be realistic about their marks," Ms. Patterson stated.
In the past, students who made a last minute decision to enter into their post-secondary education generally were accepted to the institutions and programs they were interested in. Ms. Patterson said this is not likely to occur this year. In fact, Cambrian College actually capped its Millwright apprentice program last year, the first time the college has ever capped an apprenticeship program in its history. If students make wise choices, and look into the demands and requirements of a program, the should get into the program of their choice.
This will be the first year that students will apply for their post-secondary education online, Ms. Patterson noted. Students can apply from either school or at home.
"It is a fairly easy application process," she explained. She noted all of the students biographical information is also sent out to the post-secondary institutions electronically. There will also be the opportunity for students who apply early to win money. This may particularly be key, since Ms. Patterson explained there will be not be an increase in the number of scholarships available to students.
Once students have received their blue cards or papers informing them of which institutions they have been accepted to, they must be returned by June 9 with an indication of which program and institution the student has accepted.
"There will be a second round of offers in June," Ms. Patterson pointed out.
She did emphasize if a student does not receive a response from all of the institutions they have applied to, whether positive or negative, they should contact the institution to ask questions about their application. She indicated last year, blue cards for five students were lost in the mail. The only reason this was discovered was because a student received a call from a professor at a university she had been accepted to, yet she did not know she had been accepted as she had not received any confirmation. All of the students were eventually able to submit their choices before the deadline.
Ms. Patterson stated that on October 24 at 1:30 pm, representatives from Ontario universities will make presentations at Espanola High School. These presentations will also be open to parents. Also that evening, a similar presentation will be held at Lo Ellen Secondary School at 7 pm.