Is your child about to finish high school in Ontario and plans to enter a local university? We can help. Here at USCA Academy, we personally assist our students in navigating the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), the centralized platform for all undergraduate applications to local universities. We provide the information required to simplify their OUAC application and oversee their admission status efficiently.
In this blog, we will share all the essential information you and your child should know about OUAC and why they should use this centralized application platform. Be sure to share the details with your child so they don’t miss out on important dates and ensure smooth university admissions.
Why use OUAC?
The Ontario Universities’ Application Centre simplifies your child’s application for schools where they can begin their higher education journey. It’s a single interface where users can explore available programs, submit applications, and manage their admission status at a glance. This centralized platform makes it easier for students to apply to Ontario universities. It provides applicants with a much-needed organized, user-friendly interface for their OUAC application and finding the right educational opportunities.
What happens in OUAC?
The OUAC serves as a centralized application processing hub for undergraduate admissions to all universities in Ontario. Once your child is registered, they can use the platform to apply to several local universities and programs at a time. The best thing is they only need one application form, simplifying the process and eliminating any guesswork.
Is your child ready for university admissions?
At USCA Academy, we have an OSSD program to help your child acquire their high school diploma if they need to finish their secondary education in Ontario. Our academic guidance counsellors will work closely with your child to create a personalized study plan for completing the prerequisites for graduation. Our objective is to help students meet the criteria for admission via the OUAC.
To qualify and improve their chances of success with their OUAC application, your child must follow specific prerequisites for undergraduate enrollment in Ontario universities. They must:
- Be actively enrolled and pursue their high school diploma at an Ontario secondary school.
- Demonstrate consistent academic progress without pausing for over 7 months.
- Not have attended any post-secondary institution after high school.
- Have anticipated or completed their OSSD program, with acceptable specified grades in 6 4U/M courses.
- Be under 21 years of age at the time of their OUAC application.
Your child can use the OUAC and proceed with their university application if they fulfill these conditions. These benchmarks help universities know if the student is ready and suitable for admission to their school and respective programs.
Important dates to know
OUAC applications, offers, and responses are subject to specific dates and deadlines, and it’s a student’s responsibility to know what they are.
For 2023-2024 applications, the deadline for submitting completed applications was January 14, 2024. Although the OUAC has continued to process applications and send them to Ontario universities after this date, specific university deadlines still apply.
By May 29, 2024, all high school students who used the OUAC can expect a response from a prospective Ontario university. This response may be an offer of admission, a deferral, or a refusal.
June 3, 2024, was the earliest date students respond to an offer of admission. They can accept the offer and potentially secure their spot in the program by submitting a deposit (residence or registration).
How to apply via the OUAC website
In the next section, we will share a comprehensive guide for navigating the OUAC application in the following steps:
Step 1: Look up various universities and available programs
Students must do in-depth research on Ontario universities and their respective programs by browsing official websites. Additionally, they must note the OUAC codes for the programs they want and take the time to understand the admission requirements, application deadlines, and eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Create an account
Once your child is ready for their OUAC application, they must go to OUAC.on.ca to make an account. Make sure they provide their accurate personal details. Once they have their account, they should note their login credentials and securely store them so they can log back in later.
Step 3: Complete all the necessary sections
The OUAC application has several sections that need to be completed carefully. At this point, your child must enter their personal information, program selections, and academic background, and ensure all information is correct. Plus, they must ensure every section is thoroughly completed to avoid discrepancies.
Step 4: Review and confirm the details
It’s always good practice to thoroughly review the whole application before submission. Likewise, it’s recommended to know the different submission deadlines of every program. Students must verify their selected programs and ensure their academic information and personal details are correct. Once they are confident that everything is good, they can agree to apply.
Step 5: Submit and pay
When submitting the OUAC application, a student must be ready to pay the required processing fee, preferably before specific program deadlines. The system will provide a unique reference number after your child submits their application. Make sure they keep this number for future reference.
Step 6: Verify the 105 Application
After submitting the application through OUAC, users can log back into their account to check their 105 applications. This time, they must review its status and ensure completeness and accuracy. They can also modify and update it when necessary.
Step 6: Stay alert for OUAC and university emails
OUAC will relay all communication about the application’s progress via email. The universities where your child wants to apply will also do the same.
Offers and additional requirements will also be emailed to students, so make sure to enable notifications to avoid missing any correspondence.
Step 8: Getting additional assistance
Students may contact the Ontario Universities Application Centre if they have further queries or need guidance about their OUAC application. Its representatives can provide clarifications and support for any related concerns regarding the application’s status.
Following these steps and staying vigilant about correspondence and deadlines can help applicants navigate OUAC and improve their chances of getting accepted to their dream Ontario university and program. All universities will provide an acknowledgment email via OUAC once they receive the application.
Do you have other questions?
Get in touch with us here at USCA Academy for more information about the OUAC application. Call (905) 232-0411 or connect with us through WhatsApp. You may also chat with us here if you catch us online.