Ontario University Fair in Toronto This Weekend

The Ontario University Fair will be held this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention. I highly recommend attending if you’re in Grade 11 or 12.

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.

Here’s how to get the best out of the fair:

1.   Know which universities will participate

2. Do your preliminary research of each university from their website

3. Make a list of each university and your questions that weren’t answered on the website or you need further clarification. Yes, you should bring a small note pad and pen with you.

4. Get a new email address that both student and parent will have access to. This allows the parents and kids to receive and read emails from the universities.

5. Dress comfortably, you may be there longer than you anticipate

6. Metro Toronto Centre is quite large, once you enter review the floor plan and start your trek around the room

7. If current students or alumni are available, do make a point to ask about their experience. But the reality is – their experience was positive that’s why they are there. So try to ask more specific questions, for example, “what other universities they applied to and why they chose this one?” or “if they could change one thing what would that be?” or “what’s their personal highlight?” Also, ask the university representatives if there is anyone there specifically from the program you wish to apply to.

8. Make a note of the answers to your questions (you’ll forget or get confused later on at home)

9. Get the business card of any university representative you meet. Send them a quick note to thank them for their help a day or two later. This contact can be invaluable in the coming months.

10. Use your new email address to sign up to get further information from your short list of universities.

Good luck!

Keeping Universities Honest

Early January is always an interesting time of year. High schools students are returning to school and are either finishing their university applications or anxiously waiting for results of university applications already submitted.

As a mother of a first year university student, I had some precious days with my son. I was able to ask, once again, about some of the details we were advised of during our research. Two features impressed us and played in significant part in him ultimately choosing that university and program. 

In our discussions with the program’s professors and administrators we learned that there are many on-campus volunteer opportunities that are very relevant to the courses he will be taking. Furthermore, many outside organizations frequently ask the program for volunteers to work in areas related to their studies.

Well it turns out that there are no specific on campus volunteer opportunities. The faculty members and administrators may have been referring to another program. Also, there were only three emails in three months from organizations requesting volunteers and all were 3-4 hours away from the university. This is a disappointing realization. But you can learn from our experience. Although we spoke to current students we didn’t ask about them about these ‘facts’.

I’m even more convinced now that the best way to keep universities honest is to verify ALL information with current students. I recently found a website where you can read reviews from current students. It’s a US site, but many Canadian universities are reviewed.

The site is called unigo and here’s the link: www.unigo.com. You also have the opportunity, for USD$50, to speak to students. It may seem expensive but it’s worth it as this is the best way to get the information that you need.

Good luck!