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 likely is just right 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 gift of self-awareness is one of the greatest assets you can possess. This is a time for you to focus on your strengths, your interests and your passions, not just academically, but socially and culturally as well. The first and most important factor in choosing a university is, and I think should be, the academic factor. Simply put, does university x offer you degrees or programs that will interest you, challenge you, teach you something about yourself and the world we live in? 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 fewer opportunities for options outside of core courses? Are you interested in participating in co-op or internship programs? How important to you are your sports, clubs and hobbies ? Are there international exchanges available? Can you become involved in service learning opportunities which will help you gain real-world experience while attending university?

uwo.ca/academics

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 and responsibilities: a greater sense of freedom and a feeling of fewer restrictions, combined with a need to be more self-reliant and mature.

uwo.ca/campus_life

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)?

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. 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 – all their advice is 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!

Good luck!