1. Decide if you want to go to university
University is a great option for some but not for all. If you prefer to go to a community college or enter the workforce right after high school, that’s fine if you understand the lifelong consequences of that decision.
Ninety-three percent of university graduates are employed within six months of graduation. Also, these graduates earn 53% more than high school graduates. So think about this decision very carefully.
2. Get the necessary grades
Aren’t you happy this is not number one? Well it probably should be number one. To be competitive, you should aim to get at least an 80% average. But there are some programs and universities where you’ll need a higher average. Likewise, you can get into some universities and programs with as low as a 70% average.
Aren’t you happy this is not number one? Well it probably should be number one. To be competitive, you should aim to get at least an 80% average. But there are some programs and universities where you’ll need a higher average. Likewise, you can get into some universities and programs with as low as a 70% average.
Check the universities’ website for admission minimums. If it’s not there, just ask an admission representative. But be careful, the pool of the current year’s applicants determines the admission cut-off, so aim to be comfortably above the average.
There is a correlation between the reputation of the university and program and the minimum Grade 12 averages. The higher the reputation, the higher the average.
3. Choose your program to study in university
You may already know what you want to be when you grow up. But if you have no idea what job you'll like to have, think about what you want to study rather than job options. Two out of every three entry level jobs require a university degree and this includes degrees in non-professional programs.
You may already know what you want to be when you grow up. But if you have no idea what job you'll like to have, think about what you want to study rather than job options. Two out of every three entry level jobs require a university degree and this includes degrees in non-professional programs.
Research, research, research. It’s important to note there are a number of disciplines in university that you may not have been exposed to or heard of. Furthermore, remember a career or job does not always correspond with your academic strength.
Don’t be turned off if you discover you need a further degree to achieve your goals. For now, it’s best to take this one step or rather one degree at a time.
4. Attend a university fair
It’s a great opportunity to communicate with and get information from a number of universities in one location. This will also help you to narrow your choices. I caution you, however, don’t make decisions based on the personality (or lack thereof) of the representative you speak to.
It’s a great opportunity to communicate with and get information from a number of universities in one location. This will also help you to narrow your choices. I caution you, however, don’t make decisions based on the personality (or lack thereof) of the representative you speak to.
5. Take the right high school courses
Once you figure out what you want to take in university, then be sure you are enrolled in the prerequisite high school courses. Also, while there may be some consistency in prerequisites, not all universities require the same high school courses. Keep notes to be sure you have the correct information.
Once you figure out what you want to take in university, then be sure you are enrolled in the prerequisite high school courses. Also, while there may be some consistency in prerequisites, not all universities require the same high school courses. Keep notes to be sure you have the correct information.
If you go to a semester high school, you’re in luck because you can still change courses in the second term. If not, you need to super charge your research.
6. Decide home or away?
Do you want to live at home or away? How close to home do you want to be? How easy and convenient is it to visit home during the school year? Big decisions. Another consideration is that you can also experience residence living even if your university is close to your home. Living on campus, however, increases your cost. Do you want to experience residence and can you afford it?
Do you want to live at home or away? How close to home do you want to be? How easy and convenient is it to visit home during the school year? Big decisions. Another consideration is that you can also experience residence living even if your university is close to your home. Living on campus, however, increases your cost. Do you want to experience residence and can you afford it?
As you can see this is an overwhelming task, but it’s best for parents and students to work together as a team to make this process less daunting.
Tomorrow I’ll cover number 7 -12. Why don’t you follow the blog by email to get it delivered to your inbox? Simply complete the box on your right. Hope to see you here tomorrow!
