It's probably one of the biggest decisions you will ever have to make, but with so many things to consider, how do you go about choosing where you will study in Canada? Here are five questions to ask as you look for the right Canadian college or university for you.
1. WHAT DO I WANT TO STUDY?
Do you want to study medicine, veterinary sciences or law? If either of the above, then studying at a university is the best choice for you. These programmes typically require a four-year university degree. Are you looking to work in a hands-on profession such as culinary arts, graphic design or occupational therapy? If so, then going to college will be the best choice for you.
College programmes are great for those studying to be chefs, graphic designers or physical therapy assistants. Colleges such as New Brunswick Community College, Loyalist College and George Brown College all offer career-ready programmes that can be completed within two or three years.
If you're not yet sure what you want to do, choose a liberal arts university. Liberal arts universities include Brock University, University of Windsor, Simon Fraser University and York University. A liberal arts university has a wide school curriculum that will give you more options if you decide to switch majors.
2. How much can I afford?
Tuition fees in Canada can range from as low as CDN$ 4,OOO to CDN$ 50,OOO per year. It is important to remember that a more expensive school is not necessarily a better school. Tuition costs vary by programme, school, and even location. For example, if you are looking to study in Ontario, tuition fees may be higher than those in New Brunswick or Newfoundland and Labrador. When you do your research, ensure that you are looking at the base tuition and other incidentals, including healthcare and student union fees. These extra costs, along with the base tuition, will make up the entire tuition fee.
3. DO THEY OFFER CO-OP? If you want work experience while you go to school, consider choosing a programme with a co-op option. A co-op option allows you to gain work experience as part of your course work. Co-ops are typically paid positions that last anywhere from three to 12 months. This option is a great opportunity to network with potential employers and gain hands-on experience in the field. Programmes such as engineering, culinary arts and businesstend to offer co-op options.
4. DO THEY HAVE SMALL OR LARGE CLASS SIZES?
Each university or college in Canada offers programmes with a Variety of class sizes. Large school such as university of Toronto has over 90,000 undergraduate students in three campuses. This school may have class sizesas large as 600 students. Smaller universities such asBrandon University have class sizes as small as 15 students. It is important to know that the larger the school, the more choices you will have in terms of majors. However, the smaller the class size, the better the graduation rate may be. Be sure to ask about the average class size for the courses you will be taking.
5. WHAT IS THE GRADUATION RATE?
This may not be the first thing on your mind; however, some schools have higher graduation rates than others. The best schools in Canada have a graduation rate of 70 per cent and higher. Before you apply to a school in Canada, be certain to ask about the graduation rate. This will give you an idea of what your chances of graduating are.
Overall, choosing a school in Canada can be a daunting process, but with a bit of research you can find the right school for you.
Kari Davis is a regulated Canadian immigration consultant and is also a recruiter for select universities and colleges in Canada. Email:kdavis@bisonimmigration.com
