Choosing a university
There are many excellent universities and programs available. It is important to find a university that will provide a solid education in the field(s) that best align with your son or daughter’s interests. This is often where students start their search - by program, i.e. “Can I study what I want here?” There are a few other staple considerations, including admission requirements and finances. Students should be well-informed of institution and program-specific requirements as they approach their final few years of high school. This way, they can take the appropriate high school courses and work hard to achieve the required admission averages. It is important to find out about tuition fees, supplementary fees, residence, and any other fees associated with each university, and the scholarships, bursaries, and other sources of available funding.

Beyond the search for an excellent, realistic, affordable education, encourage your child to look for the place where they think they will have the most enjoyable overall university experience. For this, students need to broaden their search criteria. You can help by encouraging your child to make a full list of all the factors of importance to them. Here are some criteria which can help to find the best fit.

• size of the campus – total number of students and physical size. Some students are much happier in a smaller, intimate environment than a large community, and vice versa.
  
  
• location of the campus – is your son or daughter best suited to a quiet, inspiring campus or an exciting, bustling one? Are they happy in an open, green space or in an urban environment?
  
  
• size of classes – students should understand in advance that the university classroom is often very different than their high school class. Is your child happiest in a small, interactive class setting or are they looking for a new, larger experience?
  
  
• extracurricular activities – students should look for places where they can continue the sports, music, arts, or other activities that have become important to them, and/or a place which encourages them to try new activities.
  
  
• support services and resources – what sorts of services are available to help first-year students feel part of the community and get the academic and personal help they may need to deal with the transition?
  
  
• other “extras” – what else could your child benefit from? The opportunity to study in both of Canada’s official languages, an international exchange, a unique campus project?
  

Work with your child to brainstorm some other key questions based on his/her priorities, and encourage your child to ask them to university representatives. (eg. Does your university have many jobs on campus? How far will I be from the subway/transportation system, etc.).

Choosing a program
Your child’s interests and natural talents are usually a good indication of what area he/she should focus on at university. Encourage him/her to consider areas of interest, favourite subjects, strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations of teachers, mentors, and friends. Be realistic, but foster your child’s aspirations and ambitions. Don’t worry if your son/daughter is unsure of what program to choose. In many programs, first year is the best time to explore options, take a variety of courses, and then decide which interests to pursue. Be aware of pre-requisite courses/requirements for university programs to ensure that your child is on track to graduate with all the courses needed for the program of his/her choice.

Considering careers
Encourage your son or daughter to start thinking about the future. Talk over possible career options with your child, and make sure that he/she has an accurate idea of what is required for those careers. Ask questions such as “What program(s) will I need to take in university to enter this profession? What classes should I take at high school to prepare and make me eligible for that program?” Encourage research, and remind your son/daughter about the resources available to them (eg. High school guidance office, university counselling and career centres).

Some students have specific career goals in mind by the end of high school. Others will be looking for a broad base in university, and will define their career path as they are exposed to more subject areas and experiences. Encourage your child to remain open to the new fields he/she encounters at university, and reassure him/her if he/she does not have a clear career plan beforehand.

Researching your university options
There are numerous resources available to help evaluate your university options. Request print information from the universities, visit university web sites, and consult your high school guidance office to gather as much information as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the university. Call, email, or visit in person with your questions. Take advantage of online tools, and, of course, visit the campus.

Visiting the campus
Whenever possible, visit the university campus to get a true sense of the place. Book a guided tour and/or attend an open house event. Encourage your child to ask questions and evaluate the different campuses. Ask your son/daughter which factors are important to him/her about the atmosphere and physical appearance of their university (eg. Does he/she prefer fewer buildings on a small campus or many building spread out over a large space? Is it important to be surrounded by nature? How far do students have to travel between classes? Are the staff and faculty friendly?)

Assessing your financial situation
Help your child create a budget for first year, and a long-term plan for his/her entire degree. Gather as much information as possible on scholarships, bursaries, grants, and loans. Make a list of costs (eg. Residence, meal plan, tuition, transportation, entertainment) and a list of sources of income (eg. Scholarships, grants/loans, work-study), and help your child create a plan to balance the two.

Getting ahead financially
Encourage your child to apply for as many scholarships as possible! Provide assistance with applications on an “as-needed” basis. Keep a file with information needed for most applications: current and past courses, extra-curricular activities, honours and awards, career goals, etc. Find out if your company/place of employment has any scholarships or grants for which your child might be eligible. Be aware of deadlines and encourage your son or daughter to get a head start and submit applications early.

Choosing accommodations
Discuss the options available to your son/daughter. Make a list of the pros and cons of living at home, in residence, or off-campus, and explore these different choices together. Visit the residences for potential universities, and ask questions! Find out what facilities are available for cooking, laundry, recreation, and study. Weigh the financial considerations, and remember that this decision can be a difficult one to make. Encourage your son/daughter to make the choice that best suits his/her needs.

Handling the stress
Remember that this is a time of change for both you and your child. Your son or daughter may feel anxious about the decisions that need to be made regarding the future, and the number of choices can at times be overwhelming. Keep your lines of communication open, and take advantage of the support systems that are available (including your child’s high school guidance office) to talk over any difficulties or concerns you may have. Encourage your son/daughter to do the same.

Staying on top of deadlines
In the process of preparing for university it is very important to be aware of and respect deadlines for all applications. Encourage your son/daughter to take responsibility in this area and keep track of important dates by using a planner or calendar devoted to the university or college application process. Note that admission deadlines, scholarship deadlines, and residence deadlines are often not the same.

Becoming independent
You are a valuable resource and centre of support for your child, and an important part of this exciting process. It is important to foster your child’s independence and encourage a pro-active attitude in researching and choosing a university, planning, prioritizing, and decision-making. Suggest rather than request – respect your son/daughter’s growing independence and need to make his/her own decisions. Provide help and support, but encourage your son/daughter to ask his/her own questions, set his/her own goals, and put a plan in place to achieve them. This will make the final selection of a university, and the transition into it, that much more rewarding for you, and especially for your child.


Continue to Making the Transition: The First Year Experience