OUAC and OCAS Application Guidance Programs Canada
What is OUAC?
The Ontario University Applications Center (OUAC) is a centralised platform for undergraduate application in any of the Ontario Universities. Students will need to open an account on www.ouac.on.ca. They must ensure fulfilling all the requirements set by the OUAC authority for creating an account successfully and enrolling for the OUAC Programs.
The deadline of the OUAC application depends on the undergraduate program you are interested in and whether you are currently pursuing a high school education!
For More OUAC Guidance Contact us at (905) 232-0411
Requirements for OUAC Canada
- You must be pursuing any of the high school courses in an Ontario school during the day. This category includes graduates returning for another course(s) and students who are about to pursue the 2nd
- There should be no discontinuation of more than 7 months at any point during your high school education.
- You will receive or have received your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U/M courses by the end of the current year.
- You have not enrolled or attended any post-secondary institution (career college/university/college).
- You should be below 21 years.
- You have decided to apply for any undergraduate diploma or degree program at any of the Ontario Universities.
Please note that OUAC does not have the right to make any decisions related to admission to the universities. It totally depends on the university authorities.
How to apply using the OUAC Website:
Step 1: Do your research and select a university
Visit the official websites of the universities you are interested in and check the following:
- Search and check university publications and notices
- Browse the programs conducted in different universities
- Use the OUAC codes to record the respective programs you are interested in
- Note down the eligibility criteria, admission requirements, and specific deadlines for all the programs of your choice
Check the 105 Application guide formatted and available on the OUAC website!
Step 2: OUAC Login and Application
- First create an OUAC account. If you have one already, make sure you record the username and password safely. The username and password will be required to check the status of your applications and other information in the future.
- Proceed to the application section. Read properly and complete every section on the application page.
- Make sure you review and check the programs you want to apply before clicking the option ‘I Verify and Agree’ to submit.
- Once verified, submit the application along with the fee before the application deadline of the programs you have applied for.
- An OUAC Reference Number will be generated. Note it down and keep it safe. It will be required when you contact OUAC regarding your university choices.
Step 3: Post Application
- Once the application is submitted, OUAC Login to your account to verify the 105 Application. You can make necessary changes if required.
- Ensure spam filters are on so that you do not miss to accept the emails from OUAC and the respective universities mentioned in the application. Remember the application progress will be intimated by the authorities of OUAC and universities via emails only.
All the universities will send an acknowledgment email after receiving your application.
What is OCAS?
The Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) is a centralized domain to apply for courses in different colleges. It is a one-stop platform where you can apply for college services in English and French via the website, giving you access to a consolidated data warehouse. You will find centralized information related to the colleges, high schools, and universities. You will also find centralized information related to the applicants for easy application.
The admission process depends on the colleges and the programs conducted by them. Generally, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is the prime criterion for the application to such programs. Any equivalent degree is also accepted by many colleges.
The OUAC application in graduate programs will need a certificate, degree, or a diploma from a previous college or recognized university. Apart from this basic criterion, college authorities can set other program-oriented criteria as for admission parameters. Make sure you have gone through the specific program requirements before choosing a program and applying for it.
For the mature applicants, a proper evaluation of the knowledge acquired and skills developed will be done by means of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. In this aspect, one can include acquisition of knowledge in the classroom or outside from employment, life experiences, volunteering, and other domains. This assessment result can be included as academic credit for those who are pursuing or retraining and upgrading their academic profile in the colleges of Ontario after an employment phase.
How to apply
- Use your username and password (OCAS Login details) to log in to the website.
- Open your account and start filling the sections related to your personal information and academic profile.
- Find and add the program(s) of your choices.
- Request to get the transcripts of your credits. If you are a current student in an Ontario high school, the authority will automatically send your grades/credits to the authority of OCAS. If not, you can rest the high school authority for the same.
- Pay the specific application processing and transcript (if any) fees.
- You can use OCAS login again to verify and check the progress of your transcript information and to make any necessary changes/updates in your application.
(Since February 1st, the changes in your choices of program might affect the offers you will receive. Since this date, applications are considered on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you remove a college option, the college authority will get notified and assume that you are not interested anymore.)
Q. I am student with out of province and/or international courses. How do I indicate these equivalencies to OUAC?
Answer: If a student was has taken out of province and/or international courses, a equivalency credit would be granted to the student after careful assessment. If you believe that these out of province marks may affect the universities decision, it is advised to send a hard copy transcript from the out of province school to the university’s admission office.
Q. My school follows the quadmester system. As a result, not all midterm grades for the required courses will be processed by the April deadline. Does this affect the universities decision?
A. The university will make you a conditional offer of admission by considering your grade 11 and grade 12 marks. If you have not completed a required course by the April deadline, the university will notice this and mention it in their offer of admission.
Q. What can students do if they are refused admission to all of their choices?
- If a student is denied admission to all of their choices, the student can search for openings at Ontario universities in June. This is done using the OUAC website. Another option that the student can consider will be contacting Ontario universities directly through their admissions office.
Q. How are midterm and final grades reported for courses taken at a school other than a student’s home school?
Answer: If a student is taking courses at more than one school, the part time school will send the students marks to their home school. The home school will then add these marks to the students official transcript.
Q. My student can’t log in with their PIN. What should I do?
Answer: If you are unable to log in, ensure that you are typing in the correct PIN. It is also recommended to try logging in on a different browser. If the problem persists please contact the school.
Q. Can I withdraw from a program or add a new program choice after I’ve already submitted my application
Answer: Yes, you can change your program choices om OUAC as long as it is within the deadline.
Q. I noticed that OUAC asks me to number my university or program choices. Does this matter?
Answer: No, this does not affect a universities decision.
Q. How can I check the status of my application?
Answer: You can check the status of your application by contacting universities directing through their admissions office.
Q. I noticed that I made a mistake on my transcript. I am afraid this might affect my application. Is it possible to change it?
Answer: Once an application is submitted you are not able to change it however if you contact OUAC they will be able to help you.
Q. I didn’t pass my English language proficiency test. If I do not pass it by the April deadline what can I do?
Answer: Universities are willing to assist students who have been unable to take the test due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please contact the university directly.
Q. I accepted a universities offer but I changed my mind. Is there any way I can change the program choice?
Answer: Yes, please contact the universities admissions office directly.
What does OCAS stand for in Ontario?
In Ontario, OCAS stands for Ontario College Application Service. It is a centralized application service that processes applications for admission to colleges in Ontario, Canada.
What is an OCAS account?
An OCAS account is an online account that students can create on the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) website. It allows students to apply to multiple colleges in Ontario, track the status of their applications, and receive important information about the application process.
To create an OCAS account, students need to provide personal information such as their name, date of birth, and contact information. Once the account is created, students can start filling out their application form, selecting the colleges and programs they wish to apply to, and uploading any required documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Having an OCAS account is a convenient way for students to manage their college applications in Ontario, as it allows them to apply to multiple colleges with just one application form and track the progress of their applications in real-time.
How many colleges can I apply to through OCAS?
Through the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS), you can apply to up to 5 colleges per application cycle. This means that you can select up to 5 colleges that you want to apply to, and submit your application form and supporting documents to all of them through your OCAS account.
It’s important to note that some programs may have additional application requirements, such as portfolios, auditions, or interviews, which may need to be submitted directly to the colleges. Therefore, it’s important to check the application requirements of each college and program you’re interested in before submitting your application through OCAS.
Additionally, if you decide to apply to more than 5 colleges, you can submit an additional application form and pay an additional application fee for each additional set of up to 5 colleges. However, it’s recommended to only apply to colleges and programs that you’re genuinely interested in, to ensure that you have enough time and resources to complete each application to the best of your ability.