Consider Canada

Canada, eh? Canada is becoming an increasingly popular destination for students around the world, including for Americans. The country offers a multicultural environment with vibrant cities, beautiful spaces and friendly people. Known for its exceptional standard of living, safety record and healthcare system, Canada is also recognized for its premier education system. Canadian universities are primarily public and offer exceptional quality in teaching, research and campus facilities. What’s more, tuition is affordable! Canadian degrees are widely recognized and considered equivalent to those from American or Commonwealth universities.

Canada’s universities offer a tremendous range of choice for both the undergraduate and graduate level of study. There are large, comprehensive universities that offer a broad range of programs, small liberal arts universities and institutions that specialize in areas such as business, professional studies, the fine and performing arts or applied science and engineering. All universities offer three- or four-year bachelor’s degrees and may also offer graduate programs at the master’s or Ph.D. level.

Professional programs, such as medicine or law, usually require that you study at least two years at the undergraduate level for admission. As these programs are extremely competitive, choose an undergraduate university based on your needs for the first few years. It’s important to excel in your studies and in extracurricular activities before applying to a professional school.

The admission process
Admission to a Canadian university is usually considered upon successful graduation from high school. A U.S. high school diploma, the general certificate of education and the International Baccalaureate diploma are highly regarded, and transfer credit is usually considered for AP courses. There is no standard admission test like the SAT, as each university individually assesses applicant qualifications. However, a strong emphasis is always placed on academic standing.

Canadian universities generally teach in English, though some teach in French and a few also offer a bilingual option.

Application deadlines vary between universities but traditionally range from January 15 to June. Applying earlier than the stated deadline is strongly recommended for international students to ensure that all documents are received and to ensure that there is adequate time to apply for a study permit once an offer of admission is made.

For specific admission requirements and applications, students should contact each university directly. Some provinces also offer a common application for universities in that province. You will find online common applications on the following provincial Web sites: www.ouac.on.ca (Ontario); www.pas.bc.ca (British Columbia); www.alis.gov.ab.ca (Alberta).

Budgeting for university
You’ll find that Canadian tuition is an excellent value when compared to other countries in the world. A recommended annual budget for an international student can range from U.S. $10,700 to $17,857, which includes tuition, accommodation, books, supplies, health care and personal expenses.

Scholarships, financial aid and jobs on campus
Scholarships are generally based on academic merit and are often awarded automatically at the time of admission. Some universities may also offer scholarships specifically for international students and require a separate application outlining your extracurricular activities.

Athletic scholarships are not usually available through Canadian universities at the time of admission. All students should consider funding opportunities within their home country through government, charities, businesses or private scholarships and may also check the Canadian Bureau of International Education. American citizens can also use FAFSA loans at some Canadian universities.

Full-time international students are eligible to work on campus during the year and summer. Some universities in Canada may also offer the opportunity to work off campus through a limited-term pilot program coordinated with the Canadian government.

Immigration considerations
International students studying for more than six months must receive a study permit before arriving in Canada. In some cases, a temporary resident visa may also be required. Details regarding applications and requirements can be obtained from the Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission (www.cicnet.ci.gc.ca).

Students planning to study in the province of Quebec must also obtain a certificate of acceptance (CAQ) from the Quebec government before applying for the study permit.

Researching university options can be a bit overwhelming. But the most important thing is finding the best place for your own specific interests. Best wishes in your search!

Georgina Galloway is manager of international recruitment and marketing at York University in Toronto, Canada.

Resources
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC): A directory of all Canadian universities, program listings, tuition and associated costs.

Phone: (613) 563-1236

Web: www.aucc.ca

Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE): General information on studying in Canada and scholarships for international students.

Phone: (613) 237-4820

Web: www.cbie.ca

Canadian Embassy in Washington: Has information for international and U.S. students, student profiles and study permit details.
Web: www.canadianembassy.org

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