Parent Tips on Navigating The Post-Secondary Process

• Review the Post-Secondary content that our amazing YMCI Guidance team offers.

• Visit Fairs Early – Attend the Ontario University Fair or Ontario College Fair in October, ideally before Grade 12, to familiarize yourself with the process and refine your options. Events are less crowded later in the day. Go to fairs with a specific question in mind, so you don’t feel so overwhelmed. Consider focussing on if the school feels like a good fit or interests your student, rather than just on the major. 

• Plan Campus Visits – Most campuses hold open houses throughout the year. Schedule visits in advance to avoid conflicts and to pace yourself and your student.

• Explore Online Resources – Research Ontario’s universities at OUInfo and colleges at OntarioColleges. Find program details, financing options, and application info all in one place.

• Consider applying to a number of different majors or a double major in vastly different areas. There will be clarity as the student progresses. Remember there is flexibility to change majors after first year (50-70% switch at least once in their university studies). And some programs don’t require a declaration until after first year. 

• Consider how much freedom/flexibility the program offers in terms of course selection. Some students find too much choice overwhelming; some programs have a set curriculum. 

• Consider the size of the program and how that fits your student’s learning style and social/support needs. Consider (and explore) the area around different schools (transit, services, stores, density, neighboring schools, etc.) Does it suit your student and their lifestyle?

• Ask friends or other parents for referrals to paid educational consultants and coaches who help get with self assessment and guide students through their options and transition to university.