Program Search

Many factors contribute to the university/college program a student chooses to attend. The most challenging aspect of it is not knowing what to look for. As a student, you should consider your interests, post-graduate life, the environment in which you want to learn, your secondary school grades, and the type of degree you would like to graduate with. Once you have considered these aspects, you are closer to making your decision.

Individual Interests

When considering a university or college program, your interests greatly contribute to your decision. Studying something you find interesting will make your university experience much easier and overall more enjoyable. Being aware of your interests will help you make a decision while selecting courses, allowing you to be able to pinpoint what it is you would like to study.

Post-Graduate Life

One of the questions a student should ask themselves is whether they would like to graduate with work-experience in their field. Co-op programs and internships are big factors students should consider when making the decision to select a program of study. Co-op programs will work for some students while not for others. Oftentimes, work experience will help students gain an idea of the possible careers they can pursue. It should be noted that co-op programs and internships generally extend the university or college experience by one year. Some students seek programs without integrated work experience as they may aim to finish their degree faster. As such, deciding whether you would like to complete a co-op/internship program will help you to narrow down your choices. Another aspect students should consider is that different institutions will conduct their co-op/internship programs in various ways: 12 month internships, semester-long co-op placements, etc. Each student’s preference will help them to make their respective decisions.

The Learning Environment

As a student, discovering the way you learn is imperative in deciding the program of your choice. Many institutions will offer hands-on learning which many students prefer because it allows them to better understand concepts; essentially, students will learn better if they can practise the concept in real-life. Examples of hands-on learning are: labs, field trips, team projects, studying abroad, internships and co-op opportunities, and studio courses. When researching university/college programs, you should consider which learning opportunities you could potentially benefit from. This will help you filter your list of programs when deciding where to attend.

Secondary School Grades

As a student applying to university/college your grades as well as the courses you have taken will impact the opportunities available to you. Each program has a different threshold applicants must meet for admission. Based on your present and predicted grades, you can apply to programs. Ensure that you research the requirements of each program you want to attend in advance and then work towards achieving the grades necessary for admittance.

Type of Degree You Want to Graduate With

Programs can differ significantly from institution to institution. The academic focus of each type of degree will also shift from institution to institution. For example, the geomatic program at the University of Waterloo focuses on the analysis of data and automation while the geomatics program at York University focuses on the concepts of engineering and surveys. You can narrow your program search based on your interests and research on the focus of the degree you wish to pursue. After considering the above aspects, students should be better prepared to choose their program of study.