Thinking about pursuing a college experience with our friendly neighbors to the north? Canadian universities are an excellent choice for students who thrive in cold climates, appreciate expansive campuses, and are confident in their chosen major. However, Canadian universities offer a different campus experience compared to their U.S. counterparts. Most Canadian students, for instance, don't rely on clubs or school sporting events for their social lives; instead, they turn to the surrounding city for opportunities to connect with classmates.
Canada has some of the top-rated programs in the world, so it can be a great option for students who want a high-quality education but aren’t concerned with the traditional US college experience. Let’s dive into what you need to know before applying to schools in Canada.
University vs. College
“Universities” are public four-year institutions with large student bodies varying in size from 20,000-63,000.
“Colleges” are like U.S. community colleges and are two-year schools. Students can gain a skill set and/or choose to transfer to a university.
NOTE: There are some private universities in Canada, but most have a religious affiliation, smaller student populations, and are liberal arts-based.
Co-Op Experience
Nearly all universities in Canada offer a co-op experience, where students work full-time in their chosen field to gain real-world experience before graduating. Co-ops can account for up to 50% of a student's studies, making them an excellent option for those who learn best through hands-on experience. Additionally, students are paid for their co-op work and can build strong connections in their field, which can aid them in seeking employment after graduation. Students decide if they would like to participate in a co-op during their initial application, and the school supports them in finding opportunities that meet their graduation requirements.
Admissions
Application requirements for US students typically include high school transcripts, test scores, and sometimes an interview and/or letters of recommendation. Many Canadian Universities do not require an essay, and extracurriculars are not a key component of the applications. Students typically apply to individual schools, and they apply to fewer schools than they would in the U.S. It's important for students to check that they have taken the appropriate high school courses for their intended majors, but overall, the application process is generally less intense than in the U.S.
NOTE: The Canadian Universities mentioned in this article are not on the Common or Coalition Application, so their applications must be submitted on the respective school’s website.
The average cost of attendance at a Canadian university for a US student is $36,100 but varies from institution to institution and depends on which program a student is entering. Students can typically take out loans, but not Pell Grants, through the FAFSA.
Here is some general information on four of the most popular Canadian universities: the University of British Columbia, Toronto, McGill, and Waterloo.
University of British Columbia
Admissions: Accepts both SAT and ACT scores: average SAT is 1270-1450; ACT is 28-31.
According to their website, to be eligible for admission from a U.S. high school, applicants should have graduated from an academic or college preparatory program at a regionally accredited school. Key requirements include completing English (composition/literature) to the senior level (excluding ESL courses) and at least three years of mathematics to the junior level. A minimum grade of B- in junior-level English is required. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores, though it is optional and will not disadvantage those who choose not to submit them. AP courses taken in high school can also be used to meet admission criteria.
Regular decision deadline: January 15th. No early decision, early action, or rolling admissions.
Cost for Foreign Students: $33,026 - $44,821
Strongest Programs: Forestry, transportation science & technology, sport sciences, telecommunications, international relations, evolutionary biology, computer science
Campus Life: Very diverse student body, as students come from all over the world to attend. Since it’s in Vancouver, there is easy access to the city and its offerings from great restaurants, museums, concerts, and other nightlife. If students choose to stay on or near campus, there is plenty to do, as there are hiking trails, a museum, and a (nude) beach on campus.
Admissions: Accepts both SAT and ACT scores: average SAT is 1430-1540; ACT is 32-35.
Most successful applicants present a grade point average of B+ or higher. Students may be required to take a specific science class in their senior year, depending on the program.
Regular decision deadline: January 15th. No early decision, early action, or rolling admissions.
Cost for Foreign Students: $32,250 - $46,268
Strongest Programs: Nursing, anatomy & physiology, geography, computer science, education, medicine, anthropology, and religious studies. Known for strong research.
Campus life: Students have very diverse backgrounds in race, religion, sexual orientation, academic focus, postgraduate aspirations, socioeconomic background, disability, nationality, athleticism, and community involvement. There's always something happening in Toronto: the Toronto International Film Festival, skating in Nathan Phillips Square, etc. Students benefit from the fact that the Royal Ontario Museum is on campus, a ton of pubs and art galleries are within walking distance, and nightlife to suit just about any type of person can be found in Toronto.
Admissions: Accepts both SAT and ACT scores: average SAT is 1350-1500; ACT is 30-33.
Academic achievement in grades 10, 11, and 12 will be considered, particularly prerequisites for the program to which you applied. All results are taken into consideration, including those for failed or repeated courses.
Regular deadline: January 15th. No early decision, early action, or rolling admissions.
Cost for Foreign Students: $20,292 - $46,310
Strongest Programs: Medicine, engineering, English, international development studies, political science, economics.
Campus Life: First-year students often hang out in their residences or go to local bars, while upperclassmen more often go to clubs. Montreal has plenty of options for students to explore restaurants, cutting-edge art galleries, and world-class culture. This city has something for everyone, no matter your interests. Students here are very serious and spend a lot of time studying.
Admissions: Depending on what program you are applying to, the requirements can vary, but know that the STEM programs are the most competitive.
41% of all students at the University of Waterloo achieved an average equal to or greater than 90% (A-) in secondary school. We asked an admissions officer what the average test scores are, and they replied, “We do not have an average or minimum score for the ACT/SAT. They are only required for American students who are applying to the Faculty of Engineering. Our decisions are based on the competitiveness of the applicant pool each year. While many students in other programs submit them, they are added to their file as supplemental information only. Decisions are based mainly on school grades/AP scores.”
Engineering application is due January 31st, while all other applicants are due March 27th. No early decision, early action, or rolling admissions.
Cost for Foreign Students: $31,052 - $46,578
Strongest Programs: Civil and environmental engineering, software engineering, English language and literature, biomedical engineering, economics. It’s worth noting that Waterloo’s Engineering school is Canada’s largest and is ranked in the world’s Top 50. Also, Waterloo has the world’s largest co-op program: 7,000+ employers from around the world actively recruit UWaterloo co-op students.
Campus Life: Located about an hour west of Toronto in the burgeoning Canadian tech hub of Kitchener-Waterloo, it has established itself as one of Canada’s reigning STEM schools. As one student says, “I won’t deny it, we are a studious bunch. And we’re ambitious, too.” Nightlife in Waterloo operates on a calendar, with a student deal at a different club or bar almost every night of the week. Everything is centered around uptown Waterloo, which is within easy walking distance from most student neighborhoods. Waterloo puts on great events like Winterloo and Open Streets. Kitchener—which is right next door—hosts the biggest Oktoberfest celebration in Canada, as well as music festivals such as the Kitchener Blues Fest, KOI Music Festival, and Ever After EDM festival.
These are just a few of the Canadian universities that students can apply to. While the process differs somewhat from American institutions, they are a great option for the right student, and if you need help with your applications, we have specialists on staff who can guide you through the process!
