Many high school students use the Christmas break to finalize their post-secondary applications. If you have not submitted your applications for college or university yet, remember that the deadline dates for many programs are coming up quickly.
If you’re applying to register for a university program in Ontario with a start date of September, 2024, the equal consideration date for submitting your application is January 15, 2024. The equal consideration date for fall programs at Ontario colleges is February 1, 2024.
What does “equal consideration” mean? Every new student who applies for a program by the equal consideration date will have an equal opportunity to have their application reviewed and considered for acceptance into the program. After the equal consideration date, applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full. Depending on the program, those who apply later might also gain admission, but even an exceptional application might be too late to get into a very competitive program that fills up quickly.
Applying earlier than the equal consideration date may result in a smoother application process, avoiding the heavy traffic on the application portal that typically occurs as the deadline looms. At a minimum, it’s best to submit your application at least a few days before the deadline, if possible, to ensure that your application fee payment goes through on time. Some payment methods take longer to transfer than others, and there may be restrictions on the payment method (for example, which banks are accepted for payment). Allowing sufficient time will reduce the likelihood of any last-minute complications and anxiety.
Although delaying your application to a competitive program past the equal consideration date may significantly reduce your likelihood of being offered a spot, there are many other programs that will not fill up immediately. In fact, the program listings on OntarioColleges.ca will show the status of each college program: closed (no longer accepting applications), waitlisted (openings might still become available), or open (still accepting applications). Unfortunately, OntarioUniversitiesInfo.ca does not provide this kind of information; whether or not applications are still being accepted into specific Ontario university programs can be determined by contacting the university’s admissions department, or often by contacting the faculty office itself.
All that said, you are able to make changes to your post-secondary application after having submitted it, simply by logging back into your online application portal. In most cases, you are probably better off to submit your application as accurately as you can by the equal consideration date and then make a change to it later on, if necessary.
Additionally, some programs may have “intake” dates other than September (for example, some programs may start in May or January), and some of these may have specific application deadlines, but many do not. Take careful note of any application instructions and deadlines described in the program information, or contact the college or university if you’re not sure. Again, Ontariocolleges.ca will provide information on the status of these programs at Ontario colleges.
Being aware of deadlines and timely in submitting your applications will help to make your transition to post-secondary start off smoothly. More information and tips on choosing a program, applying and registering for college or university can be found in Ready to Launch: Navigating the Transition from High School to Post-Secondary Life – A Guide for Ontario Students and Parents.