It's never too early to start planning!
Questions to ask yourself before you start looking at universities.
1. How far away from home do I want to be?
- different city, province, country
- big city vs. small town
2. What kind of learning environment will I thrive in?
- small class sizes vs. large class sizes
- small fish in a big pond vs. large fish in a small pond
- ideal student to faculty ratio
3. What programs am I interested in?
- areas of study you're currently interested in
- do some research to see what other programs might spark your interest
4. What "extras" does my university of choice need to have?
- experiential learning
- residence living
- student services
- athletic opportunities
- opportunities to get involved
Other questions to consider:
- Do I want to live on campus or off campus?
- Will I need financial assistance?
- Will I need accessibility services?
Tips from our admission counsellors
Here are some tips on what to do to prepare for university applications from the Mount Allison admissions team:
1. Start researching now to relieve stress later
The more you understand about universities and what they have to offer now, the easier your decision will be when it comes time to apply.
2. Be flexible!
Try not to think about what job you want to have when you are applying to university — study what you are interested in, and the jobs will follow.
3. Plan with your guidance counsellors
Meet with your guidance counsellor to plan your high school classes and schedule accordingly. Understand entry requirements to ensure that you are eligible for the program in which you wish to apply.
4. Work hard on your Grade 11 marks
Your Grade 11 marks and first semester Grade 12 marks are very important. If you're applying to go to university right out of high school, these are the marks that we will base our initial admission decision. Work hard in Grade 11 so you can apply early with those marks and be eligible for entrance scholarships right away.
5. Get involved
Try to get involved as much as you can. Extracurriculars like clubs, volunteering, and work may boost your entrance scholarships — but remember school comes first. While we look at your extracurriculars as well as your marks for scholarship considerations, you should focus on school first then your activities. Extracurriculars won’t matter if your grades start to slip.
6. Ask questions
If there’s anything you aren’t sure of, contact admissions counsellors. We are always here to help you along the application process.