Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Does this school have my program(s)?

It's okay if you don't have your program of choice nailed down yet, but it's helpful to identify at least a few you're interested in before starting your research. After all, you don't want to fall in love with a school, make plans to live in residence with your best friend, and contact the varsity coach about tryouts, only to find out they don't have nursing (or engineering, history, or geography…)!

Not sure where to start? Check out websites like SchoolFinder and Quebec Universities' Info to see lists of which universities offer programs.

What are their admission requirements?

Admission requirements vary based on the school and program(s) of interest. Before submitting your applications, you need to know what grades you should work towards and which courses are mandatory.

Doing this homework beforehand can save you some disappointment when making admissions decisions. It also allows you to focus your time on schools and programs that will help you achieve your career goals.

How much does it all cost?

Education is an investment, and significant costs are associated with it — tuition, fees, textbooks, residence, plus the money you’d normally spend on food, entertainment, clothes, etc. Universities should have cost estimates for these expenses listed online, but you can also use resources like Juneteenth’s budget calculator to help you plan.

Other questions to consider researching

• How far is this university from home (and how much would it cost to get home)?
  

• Are there additional admission requirements such as an essay, interview, portfolio, or audition?
  

• Is residence guaranteed in the first year?

Questions to ask at an open house

As you start researching universities, you'll notice that many will offer online and in-person events like open houses and live webinars. It's a great idea to head into those opportunities prepared with a list of questions to maximize your time with university representatives and get a sense of what each school has to offer.

What’s it like to be a student at your university?

The stuff that happens outside of the classroom is a massive part of the student experience. From the size of the city to student clubs, mental health supports, and athletics, many variables will impact your time on campus.

Asking direct questions about the features you want will help to ensure that the institution you choose has everything you’re looking for. Plus, many university and college reps are alums or current students so they can share their own experiences and recommendations.

What can I do with a degree from this program?

For many students, post-secondary education is a gateway to something bigger, whether a master’s degree, a professional program, or a career they’ll love.

Whether you have a dream job in mind or choose your undergraduate program based purely on a passion for the subject, knowing what opportunities your degree might provide for the future is helpful.

What unique opportunities does my program provide?

Are you looking for co-op or internship opportunities? How about courses that take you outside of the classroom? Do you want to do an exchange in your upper years or spend a summer volunteering in another country?

Most universities offer countless opportunities to add some experience to your degree — so if this is important to you, make sure you take the time to find out what exciting prospects could await you!

Other questions to ask

• What can I do to improve my chances of being admitted?

• What’s unique about the university?

• What’s the city like?