Applying for Study in Canada
Canada has a very good reputation for high quality education system and Canadian institutions conduct state of the art research
in sciences and engineering areas. More and more International students select Canada as a destination of choice to pursue higher
education.
Students seeking admissions with Toronto Montessori Institute should review:
www.wes.org/ca/tmi.asp
Students seeking admissions with Ontario Law Schools should review:
www.wes.org/ca/olsas.asp
Students seeking admissions with Ontario Medical Schools should review:
www.wes.org/ca/omsas.asp
Students seeking admissions with Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs should review:
www.wes.org/ca/orpas.asp
How do I find out about Canadian universities and colleges?
The best source of information today is the Internet. Most institutions have websites that
contain a wealth of information and instructions on how to submit an application for admission,
including special instructions for international students. If you are not sure which institution(s)
you want to apply to, there are a number of useful and user-friendly websites that can
help you obtain this information free of charge. Visit following Websites:
Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
www.aucc.ca
www.accc.ca
www.schoolsincanada.com/
www.studycanada.ca
www.studyincanada.com
www.canadianstudy.ca
www.studyincanada.ca
If you do not have access to the Internet, you can contact institutions directly by phone or mail, directing your
inquiry to the Admissions Office or the International Students Office. Alternatively, you can find information on
Canadian higher education by visiting the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.
How do I know which colleges and universities are right for me?
First, you must have a clear idea of what you wish to study and where in Canada you would like to be located. There are also
financial considerations to take into account, as study, for international students, in Canada is costly and the amount can
vary enormously from institution to institution. Field of study, geography and cost will help you narrow your selection.
The next step is to contact the universities that appeal to you and obtain information from them. As it can take some time to
complete the application process, the earlier you begin the better it is for you. Start your search at least 12 months in advance;
if you are planning to begin your studies in the Fall of 2008 you should start contacting universities in the Fall of 2007.
Canadian universities admit new students twice a year. Although the largest intake is usually in the Fall, students are also
admitted in the spring semester which starts in January, therefore if you want to start in January of the year 2009, begin your
search in January 2008 .
What is the application process?
Once you have gathered all the information and application forms from the universities that interest you, read them carefully and
follow their instructions. Most will require that you fill out an application form and submit it, together with your educational
qualifications, test results and one or more letters of recommendation from former teachers. They will also require that you pay
an application fee.
What tests?
All universities in Canada require applicants to take what are known as ‘standardized tests’ designed to measure students’ aptitude
for further study. Students whose native language is not English must also demonstrate their proficiency by taking the TOEFL
(Test of English as a Foreign Language) test or another designate English test. . Graduate schools of business and MBA programs
usually require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); post-graduate programs in other disciplines require the Graduate
Record Examination (GRE). Information about all the tests is included in the application package, or can be obtained from the
Educational Testing Service (ETS Canada): www.etscanada.ca.
The Application Review
The admissions office is responsible for receiving applications, credentials, test results, letters of recommendations and application
fees. When a file is complete, it is reviewed and a decision taken on admission. For post-graduate admission, the file is referred to
the department to be reviewed by professors who make the final decision.
The review has several steps. In the first stage, credentials are compared to Canadian credentials to determine whether the
candidate meets minimum requirements and deserves further consideration. In the second stage grades, test results and letters of
recommendations are closely examined to determine the quality of the application and how it compares with the rest of the applicant
pool. It is more difficult to gain admission at a university of very high standing because of the intense competition for places.
Even if you are not admitted to one university, do not despair, because there may be others that would be willing to admit you. It
is common and best to apply to more than one institution and in different locations. Many Canadian students apply to at least three
schools to ensure admission without forfeiting the chance to study at the best school possible.
Your Educational Qualifications
The most important element in your application package is your educational qualifications, including degrees, diplomas, certificates
and the corresponding statement of marks or examination results. The requirements of Canadian institutions are very specific in this
regard: normally final degree and diploma certificates alone are not sufficient, as detailed records of the subjects studied and
annual examination results are essential and must be submitted. Take great care in gathering those documents, and do not overlook
anything because it will only delay your application. If your documents are not in English, you must have them translated and submit
both the translation and the original language documents. World Education Services (WES) and COSTI Languages Bureau have launched a
joint online application for both the translation and evaluation of international academic credentials
(https://www.wes.org/ca/apply/wescosti.asp).
How are foreign qualifications reviewed?
Some universities employ specialists in international education systems and credentials to review documents submitted by international
students. Others will instruct applicants to have their credentials evaluated by an independent organization that specializes in
international credential evaluation, and will provide them with a list of organizations whose evaluations they accept. You can find
the right evaluation services by asking the university for instructions. If they offer no special information and you are on your own,
you can go ahead and apply to World Education Services (WES). The WES evaluation report is a written report that contains both a
description and an interpretation of international educational qualifications in Canadian terms. At WES, there are two types of
evaluation: the basic document-by-document evaluation and the comprehensive course-by-course evaluation. The document-by-document
report describes each credential and gives it a Canadian equivalent. A course-by-course report also includes a list of all
post-secondary coursework converted in equivalent Canadian semester credits and grades. The cost for document-by-document
report is $115 per person or application (regardless of the number of international credentials submitted), and the fee for
course-by-course report is $200 per person or application.
What else can an evaluation report do for you?
If you obtain an independent evaluation of your educational qualifications early on, it will give you some idea of what your educational background is worth in Canada, and what programs you are qualified for and should apply to and which ones not. That information can be very helpful when you make preparations for study in Canada, especially in using your time and energy most effectively, and in finding the college or university that is just right for you. The report is yours to keep, and can be used later on if you want to apply for a professional licensing, for an employer or to enter university.
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