Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC): How to Apply to Ontario Universities

What is OUAC?

The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) is a non-profit organization that streamlines the application process for all public universities in Ontario. It aims to make applying fair and accessible for everyone, from high school students to international and mature students.

OUAC handles applications for various programs including undergraduate, law, medical, rehabilitation sciences, and teacher education. Whether you're applying to one university or multiple, OUAC organizes and submits your application to the schools of your choice with just one submission.

OUAC Application Fees

• Base Fee: $156 CAD for up to three program choices.
• Additional Choices: $50 CAD per extra program choice.
• International Applicant Fee: $10 CAD service fee.

Some universities may also charge additional application fees on top of the OUAC fees.

OUAC also provides a comprehensive guide on what you'll need for your application, based on your chosen program. While it doesn’t offer academic advising, it gives valuable insights into the application process and specific requirements for each university.

How to Apply Through OUAC

To apply through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC), students must first select the appropriate application type and provide their personal and contact information. Applications also require details about the student's high school information and grades, academic background, program choices, and any necessary documents for the chosen schools.

Students can submit one application per school year, for any Ontario university program, but they cannot apply to more than three programs at any one school. Deadlines vary by program.

Application Categories: Which OUAC Category Should You Select?

When Do I Start Applying to Ontario Universities?

Start early! For Grade 12 students in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada, begin your OUAC application in October or November of your senior year. This includes homeschooled and online learners.

For international students or those applying through Undergrad 105, early preparation is crucial. Despite having one unified application, make it as strong as possible.

OUAC Application Steps:

1. Create an Account: Register on the OUAC website.
2. Upload Documents: Submit necessary transcripts, documents, and personal information.
3. Research: Explore schools, programs, and application requirements.
4. Check Deadlines: Manage your time effectively by noting application deadlines.

After submission, universities will directly communicate admissions decisions, typically between March and June. Waitlisted students may receive updates as late as June. OUAC maintains a list of programs with open spots, available in June.

OUAC also provides information on student residence, financial aid, and scholarships, with some scholarships considered automatically during the application process. For others, research and apply separately.

Components of an OUAC Application

After researching the programs you want to apply to, start by creating an OUAC account. Here’s a quick overview of the process:

1. Select Programs and Universities: Choose where you want to apply.
2. Fill Out Application: Complete the application with the following components:

• Personal and Contact Information
• Academic History: Include high school transcripts.
• Program-Specific Documents: Depending on the programs, you may need personal statements, supplemental essays, or an activities section.
• College Essays and Personal Statements: Showcase your writing skills and share personal insights.

Once submitted, review your application carefully. Some documents may not be mandatory for OUAC but could be required by specific programs.

How Hard is it To Get Into Ontario Universities?

Ontario is home to some of the most well-regarded schools in Canada and can have very competitive acceptance rates, depending on the program you’re applying for. According to OUAC data, acceptance rates can range:

University of Toronto

Queen's University

Lakehead University

While the level of difficulty in getting into a specific program or school in Ontario varies, it can definitely be a challenge to gain admittance, especially in some of the more competitive programs like engineering or computer science.

Ontario university application process can vary depending on your situation, though domestic, including Canadian permanent residents and citizens who live outside of Ontario, and international students are welcome to apply.

If you are interested in applying to a university in Ontario, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) and its process.

How to Strengthen Your OUAC Application

Since the OUAC system only allows one application per year per student, it’s more important than ever to make your application stand out. You’re certainly saving yourself time in not having to complete and submit multiple applications tailored for a specific program, but you want to avoid making your OUAC application too general, too. You want your application to appeal to all the schools or programs you’re applying for, but you want to make an impression, which is a difficult balance to strike.

To make the most of your unified OUAC application, we’ve highlighted some tips to help guide you as you prepare your application.

Want to see a summary of the points covered below? Take a look at this infographic:

#1 Research Your Chosen Programs

Researching your preferred universities is crucial. Knowing their admission requirements and preferences helps you tailor your OUAC application. Universities often share this information on their websites or through OUAC. For example, you can find out if the University of Waterloo emphasizes transcripts or college essays, or what the average grades are for accepted students at the University of Toronto.

Having these insights allows you to improve your GPA or craft a standout personal statement. A strong overall application is important, but customizing it to align with your chosen school's expectations can give you an edge.

#2 Ask for Guidance

If you’re a current high school student, your guidance counselor can be an important resource. For any part of the application package, they can be a second set of eyes to provide feedback or proofread your work to help you avoid common pitfalls. They might also be a good sounding board if you need to brainstorm what extracurriculars to highlight or what topic to write your personal statement on.

Or you may want to consider college admissions counseling for international students, as this kind of expertise can provide you with support and advice in your unique application situation. Either way, using some extra help in putting together your application can mean submitting a more polished and stronger candidacy for admission.

“Apart from being a genuine fun person to be around, every piece of information that [Dr. Amanda Thompson] gave was useful. She used the background information that she knew about me to craft advice that I will be using in my personal statement for college. She made sure that the session was not boring, and made the hour go by incredibly quickly.” – Kamalu Dlott, Former BeMo Student

#3 Include the Extras

Some universities may state that certain parts of the application are optional but highly recommended. Admissions boards often look favorably on students who include extracurriculars, work, and volunteer experience. Whatever instructions are given, follow them!

Include extra elements that make you a more attractive candidate. Even if they aren’t directly related to your major, add work experience, volunteerism, and extracurriculars to your OUAC application. For instance, if you’re applying for a science program, include your interest in the arts. If you’re looking at political science, mention your time as a volunteer coach. These experiences demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, making you a well-rounded candidate.

#4 Ace the Language Requirements

If you’re an international student, or English isn’t your first language, there is a likelihood you’ll need to submit a passing grade for an English test to prove strong English language proficiency. The OUAC lists the IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, CAEL, Cambridge Assessment English and Duolingo English Test as acceptable documents, though the specific requirements may vary depending on the school.

If you’ve chosen to apply to a French-language university, you may be asked to submit a French language proficiency test or placement test as well.

As with the other sections of your application, it’s best to take the required test early on and prepare your results for submission after confirming which test is accepted by your chosen school.

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

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