Choosing The Right University (For You)
If the perfect university existed, we’d all be applying to get into it, and of course, there wouldn’t be room for us all, even if we did meet the admission requirements. There is, though, a university out there that might be perfect for you – but how can you go about finding it? After all, we’re fortunate in the province of Ontario alone to have 21 excellent universities, each with its own unique programs, facilities, and atmosphere.
The first and most important factor in choosing a university is, I think, the academic factor. Simply put, does university x offer you a degree or a program that will interest you, challenge you, teach you something about yourself and the world we all inhabit? There may be a number of places that can offer you that, so what next? You’ve browsed a few websites, picked up a few brochures at a Fair, or perhaps sat through a university presentation or two at your high school. How do you envision your first year – is it one which allows you a great deal of flexibility in course selection, or does the program you’re interested in have a fairly rigid structure, with few opportunities for options outside of core courses?
You need also to consider not just what you’d like to study, but where and how you’d like to live. Choosing to attend a university in (or close to) your home town will likely be radically different from experiencing the undergrad life further away. Living away from home throws up a wide variety of social and cultural opportunities, as well as new challenges: a greater sense of freedom and a feeling of fewer restrictions, combined with a need to be more self-reliant and mature.
It will also most likely be more expensive to attend a university out of town – are you ready to meet the financial consequences of that decision, and are you aware of all the ways you may be able to help fund your decision? (Scholarships, OSAP, Loans, Internships, Bursaries etc)?
I would suggest a campus visit or two (or five, if you need them). There is really no better way to get the “feel” of a campus than by having a look around, preferably accompanied by a student tour guide. You can search all the websites you want, read numerous brochures, listen to friends or family members who may have attended one university or another –their advice is all well-meaning, and aimed at helping you, but why rely on everyone else’s opinion? – it’s going to be your life for the next three or four years in that town at that university. You’re making a huge academic effort to get the grades you need to have a choice about where you attend, so you owe it to yourself to see whether each university on your list matches not only your high academic goals, but will help you express your social and cultural needs as well. Do you have a preference for a large campus or a smaller one? Will you feel comfortable living in a much larger (or much smaller) city than you do right now? What are your priorities?
Do your homework – find out as much as you possibly can about as many of your top university destinations – talk to university reps, call or email if you have questions, and try to visit. The more preparation you do, the easier your decision will be.
Book a visit and learn more about Western at:
http://welcome.uwo.ca/connect_with_western/visit_western/index.html
Good luck!
