Preparing a Successful College Application

So, you’ve decided to continue your education in Canada. BEST. DECISION. EVER.

In case you need a refresher on why enrolling in a second program makes sense, check out our blog on ‘Benefits of Continuing your Education in Canada.’

Remember, all plans are incomplete without complete information. To ensure a successful admission, you must be aware of the timelines and entry requirements for the program you wish to enroll in.

Let’s talk about the timeline first. Canada is a popular study destination for international students. As a result, both program availabilities and capacities are often limited, especially if you’re planning to pursue in-demand programs such as Project Management, Supply Chain Management, or speciality programs like Nursing.

RESEARCH AND PLANNING IS KEY

When you begin researching programs and institutions, you see yourself pursuing, the first thing you’ll have to consider is program availability. Is the program available in the term that you wish to start your studies? For example, health-related programs are often unavailable or not open to international students in the January semester.

Once you've determined that the program you are looking for is offered by your preferred institution(s), you should aim to get ahead of the application rush. While it's true that Canadian colleges often have rolling deadlines (which means there is no hard deadline for application submission), it's important to remember that enrollment capacities for all programs are limited. The best way to avoid the disappointment of rejection is by getting your application in as early as possible.

Last but not least, don’t set yourself up for failure. To ensure that you have a good chance of getting in, you must assess if your previous qualifications/academic standings match the admission requirements of your chosen program. There is no point in selecting a program and paying an application fee towards it if you don’t meet the entry requirements.

BEING ORGANIZED GOES A LONG WAY

Getting into college starts with preparing a complete application package. Often students don’t pay enough attention to understanding the entry and documentation requirements, which leads to assuming that they’ve submitted an application. In reality, their application just sits in limbo, subject to unnecessary delays, and often outright rejection.

Admission requirements naturally vary between institutions and programs, so make sure you are fully acquainted with the international student application section on the college/program website.

Here’s a checklist of general documents international students applying to a college program in Canada must organize before submission.

☑️ Completed Application Form (most colleges have online application systems)

☑️ Official Transcripts and Mark sheets from previous academic accomplishments

☑️ Program-specific admission requirements: portfolio, essay/s or writing sample, Statement of Purpose, resume for MBA Students

☑️ English Proficiency Score

☑️ Bank statement/letter from the bank in support of available funds

Once the application is completed, the final and most important step is to ensure payment of the application fee. Without the fee, the application will not move to the next stage.

Depending on your personal situation, preparing a successful college application can be a time-consuming and stressful exercise. This is where we can help. IDP counselors have the knowledge and expertise to help you find the program and institution that is the best fit for you. As an official recruitment partner of 90+ institutions in Canada, we have direct communication with colleges and universities, which allows us to secure a fast and stress-free admission for our students.

IDP is committed to helping international students in Canada achieve their learning and career aspirations. We do not charge students any fees for our services.

To connect with an IDP counsellor, please click the button below.