Choosing a School - Tips from Algonquin College

How do you choose a post-secondary school? The most obvious answers include:
- Where you want to live
- Where your friends plan to attend
- Financial considerations

Then, the questions might become more refined. For instance:
- What’s the graduation rate? This speaks to the quality of the program, school and staff.
- Job-related success rates for graduates. For example, over the past ten years, 100% of the graduates of our paramedic program passed the provincial certification program; 90% of employers are happy they hired Algonquin alumni.
- First-year student retention rates. That is, how many first-year students stick with a program throughout their initial school year?
- Student to Faculty Ratio. This could reflect on your ability to obtain more personal attention
- School Size. A large school may be overwhelming for some students, but a small school may be underwhelming for others. A larger school may offer more course selections and facilities.
- Are the school and faculty closely integrated with business? This could influence your ability to gain real-world experience. Ask about the background of the professors. Many remain closely connected to their business backgrounds.
- Consider the percentage of students who receive a job right after graduation. This indicator will vary from program to program.
- Curriculum. Some schools specialize in specific programs. What are your core interests?
- Course Availability. Popular courses fill up quickly. Be sure to check the status of your selections
- Are the facilities new? This could influence the applicability of your education. For instance, the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence, opened in 2011, brings the next generation of carpenters, plumbers, civil engineering technologists, interior designers, and many other trades under one roof.

You have questions. Algonquin College has answers. Contact us: AskUs@algonquincollege.com
Ottawa Campus
Tel.: 613-727-4723 Ext. 5482
Perth Campus
Tel.: 613-267-2859 Ext. 5601
Pembroke
Tel.: 613-735-4700 Ext.2735 or Ext. 270