Step: 3 I How to Study in Canada I Canada Student Visa Process I Admissions Process
Updated: Mar 3, 2021
Welcome back to the third blog of the series - How to Study in Canada. This series is a step-by-step guide on how to become an International Student in Canada, which universities and colleges in Canada to apply for, how to apply for Canada Study Permit and how to get your Canada Student Visa.
Here is some news: On a report which ranks some of the top universities and colleges on the likeliness of their students getting a job after graduation, there were eight universities and colleges from Canada that made it to the top 20 of the list, which is amazing! So if you're planning to apply as an international student to come to Canada, you're making the right decision!
Let's get into today's blog. In this blog, you'll get a very detailed, step-by-step guide on how to apply for the universities or colleges in Canada that you want to go to, hoping that you read the last blog (Step 2), now you can make more mature decisions on selecting the right institution for you.
This blog is grouped into nine steps, starting with:
1. Decide and Shortlist which Universities or Colleges in Canada you want to Apply for:
Shortlist three institutions that you want to go to because you don't want to be spending a lot of money by applying to 10 institutions. Also it's a good range because in case one university doesn't accept you, you still have two others to choose from.
Would you like to speak directly to the admissions team of Algonquin College? Register below for a free virtual information session where you can have all your questions answered and get information on their application process, programs and support services. Click the image below to register.
2. Decide on a Program of Study:
In my first blog, if you remember, I asked you to look at your skill sets, and try to connect that to where you want to be. So, based on your ambitions, you probably have chosen your program by now. Also, to make it more visual, below is a video which shows how you can actually navigate through the programs that an institution offers so you can select a program of your choice.
Watch Video: Canada Student Visa 2020 I International Students in Canada Student Admissions
The video shows how you can find all the study abroad programs that an institution offers.
You can go to their website, and first thing you look for is Future Students.
Then, look for Programs of Study. It's usually pretty simple to find that. Usually, they also have a quick access menu to look at all the Programs of Study.
And, that's how you browse through all the study abroad programs. Sometimes you will find that there are certain tabs that actually describe what your career looks like after you graduate from those programs.
3. Check Application Deadlines, and make sure you meet the Admission Requirements.
One of the most important things you want to be doing is - always be prepared! So, you want to check when is the last date to apply for this program, and what are the admission requirements for this program?
Because you could be taking up so much time deciding on the right institution, you could probably miss that deadline on that institution, and not be able to apply. Note that application deadlines actually vary by program, and it can be as early as seven months even before your program starts. So, make sure to submit your application as early as possible as an international student because it's common sense. If you apply after the deadline, you won't get in.
4. How to Check Universities or Colleges Admission Requirements:
Refer to the video again. Start with Future Students tab. Because you're an international student, admission requirements are different for you. So, you have to find the International Students tab, and usually you'll be able to tell if you're in the right place. Start browsing through the tabs, and you can either go through the requirements, or just look for the program, and check the requirement for the specific program. Carefully go through this, and learn about the grades you need for your program. Some programs might have additional requirements. It could be higher grades or more documentation, so check with your program, and make sure you meet all those criteria.
Note that some programs tend to be more competitive, and just having high grades doesn't really guarantee you an admission.
5. Get your Universities or Colleges Admission Documents ready:
In terms of documents, you need your school transcripts, your grades, your IELTS results, and letters of recommendations. Again, that can vary depending on the program, and depending on the institution. So, make sure you check with your institution what documents you would exactly need. If your transcript isn't in English or French, you need to make sure that it is translated by a certified translator to English. In my experience, most English speaking students provide their students with an English transcript.
6. Gather your Letters of Recommendation:
So, most programs actually require you to provide a letter of recommendation. It's an important piece of your application, so you wanna make sure the person you're getting your letter of recommendation from actually has a significant role in your school. It could be your teacher, it could be your principal, or it could be your school coordinator. For you application, you will need at least two letters of recommendation, and make sure that you request these letters of recommendation from your teachers early enough so you don't have to cramp things in last minute.
In the letters of recommendation you need to make sure that they state their current job title, what institution and provide their email addresses. The letter of recommendation has to be in English, and has to be on the letterhead of your school. Your letter of recommendation cannot be from a family member, cannot be from your friends or any students in your class. So, make sure to get a good letter of recommendation from your teachers 'cause it does really help with your application.