• Review your courses for the year, and plan for your grade 12 year and/or possible 5th year. Be sure you select the high school courses required for college/university or apprenticeship admission.
• Prepare a list of colleges/universities you’re considering. Check with your guidance counselor and/or websites for books and computer materials on the colleges/universities you’re interested in attending.
• Browse the OUAC and/or OCAS sites for more in-depth information www.ouac.on.ca www.ontariocolleges.ca
• Attend liaison visits at the school for post secondary schools you are interested in. Prepare questions for those which you are considering.  Sign up in the Guidance office for these visits.
• Attend any assemblies for grade 12 students on general information about post secondary institutions/graduation and the application process.
• When available pick up OCAS/OUAC numbers in the guidance office
• Only for students who are applying to the United States, sign up and prepare for the SAT, ACT, or both, depending on which test is accepted at the colleges you want to attend. NOTE: It’s important to take this test now. If you don’t score as high as you’d like, you can retake the test again.
• By December students should have applied on-line to their respective schools and paid the necessary non-refundable application fee.
• ESL students need to inquire about necessary documentation and the TOEFL test
• Make your counselor aware of any on-line courses you may be registered in.
• Make an appointment with your counselor to complete an EXIT PLAN to double check graduation requirements.
• See a counselor if you want some assistance on your college or university application on-line

January – February

• If you haven’t applied narrow your college/university list, and contact the remaining schools for literature and apply before the deadline date.
• READ all material sent by your particular school
• Attend liaison visits for schools you are interested in. Prepare questions for those schools you think you may attend.  Sign up in the Guidance office for these visits.
• Complete an option sheet for 2011-2012 if you are returning
• Research grants, bursaries, loans and scholarships at your potential schools, and see if you can increase activities or volunteering to qualify or enhance your chances.
• Start a binder to hold all of your documentation. Include the following sections: calendar of deadlines, applications and contact details, high school transcript, recommendation letters, test scores, budget, and miscellaneous.
• Check out financial aid/scholarship information on the OSAP website https://osap.gov.on.ca
• Browse the OUAC and/or OCAS sites for more in-depth information on school preparation timelines, student loans, and
• financial aid. Check them out, and be sure to consult with a guidance counsellor if you have any questions.
• Decide whom you will ask to write recommendation letters if necessary.
• Listen for announcements on scholarships with applications in your Guidance office.
• Check the Guidance office to declare your attendance at the Grad ceremony and other information needed
• Fill out FINANCIAL FORM in Guidance for scholarship purposes

March – May

• Attend mandatory Board wide Grad mass and school mass for graduates
• You may need to take admission tests and/or provide additional admission requirements such as portfolios for selected programs. Prepare early on!
• Check your grades on-line and report to your counselor and discrepancies.
• Plan for college/university visits/tours so you can speak with students and observe classes.
• Grades aren’t the only thing schools evaluate; how’s your community service involvement, make sure all community service is completed and more!
• When the on-line OSAP application is ready apply on-line with relevant parental income tax information. Attend the OSAP assembly at the school by signing up in the Guidance office.
• Read up on your potential Valedictorian candidates and vote.
• Verify your Grad destination ceremony purposes
• Go on-line to verify your acceptance.
• Keep your grades up!

June – July

• If taking a summer school course that will be needed for admission purposes YOU are required to submit that grade on your own to both OUAC/OCAS and the respective school.
• Add money from your summer job to your savings account.
• Please note these dates are meant to be general guidelines. They vary from year to year and from school to school. For specific information, contact your high school guidance office or college/university financial aid office.

Post-Secondary

There are many options available to students after high school.

The On My Way website created by Niagara Catholic allows students to explore their interests and obtain information as they consider the pathways available to them - Apprenticeships, Colleges, Universities and the Workplace.