Month: January 2019

If you’re like many students, you’re wondering how much college will cost. And not just a ballpark number – you already know it’s in the thousands – but an actual estimate, based on the program(s) you’re interested in. Swooping in to save the day is Algonquin’s Tuition and Fee Estimator! Go ahead, give it a try.

We know what you’re thinking – “Wow, that’s a lot of money!”. Yes, it is – there’s no denying it. BUT, it’s an investment in yourself… your career… your future… your life. What you spend now will repay you over and over and over again when you graduate and land your dream job.

And don’t worry, there could be $$$ to help you along the way, too.

Last year, Algonquin gave out more than $6 million in bursaries to ease the financial stress of going to college. You’ll also be paired up with a Financial Aid Officer once you register at Algonquin – they’re full of information and tips to maximize your money. And don’t forget to apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) – you could qualify for grants and loans to help you pay for school.

So go ahead, find out how much college could cost. Knowledge is power – and your future is waiting!

So you’re looking into post-secondary education but can’t decide between Ottawa or Toronto? You’ve come to the right place. Both of these options have qualities that make them great places to study and live in. We think Ottawa might suit you a little better, though. Here’s why:

Ottawa has much more affordable housing costs than Toronto. The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto, according to PadMapper, is $2,230 whereas Ottawa can offer you the same thing for $1,270. That’s almost half the price!

Moving away from home can be scary and feeling safe is important. Ottawa has a lower crime rate than Toronto. The Most Dangerous Places in Canada list states that Toronto is in 124^thplace while Ottawa is less dangerous and sitting pretty in 144^th place. Your parents will probably find this information very comforting.

If you’re worried about finding a job after you move or once you graduate, Ottawa has one of the most attractive job markets in Canada right now. We ranked first on the list thanks to our strong employment growth, low jobless rate, impressive median income, and more. Basically, we’ve got jobs to spare! You can check these stats out here.

Ottawa was voted Top Student City back in 2017. The leading factor? Friendliness. That’s right! The people here are as nice as the city itself. Ottawans are kind, diverse, and tolerant. People are nice in Toronto too, but we actually got on the list.

What about when you’re not studying? We’ve all heard that Ottawa is the city that fun forgot, but you can forget you ever heard that. Not only is there more green space to chill in in Ottawa, the nightlife is great here too. Ottawa’s got great bars and clubs like Pub 101, The Lookout, El Furniture Warehouse, Blue Cactus, The Liquor Store, and more. The best part? They’re all within walking distance of each other. Take that, Toronto!

Maybe clubbing and bar-hopping isn’t your thing. We respect that. If you’re still not convinced that Ottawa is the place to be, think again. With great year-round activities like festivals, museums, skiing, hiking, skating, Ottawa has something for every scene. So whether you’re sporty or artsy, we’ve got you covered.

In all seriousness, both Ottawa and Toronto are fabulous places to live, and you can’t go wrong either way. You’re bound to learn a lot and have a ton of fun wherever you end up. We’re just putting our (slightly biased) opinion out there to help guide you. Whatever you choose, we know you’ll make the best of it.

Chelsie McHugh is a third-year Advertising and Marketing Communications student. She’s a funny, fiery redhead with a passion for writing.

Choosing a program can be a daunting task. It’s completely understandable that you’re feeling hesitant. If you’re as scared and indecisive as I was, you’ll probably end up picking one of the first programs on the list. Thankfully, the risk I took paid off and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re more responsible than I am, and want to make an informed decision, here’s what you should consider:

What do you like doing?

Think about your favourite subjects, look at your grades, and consider what you want to do in the future. There are hundreds of excellent programs to choose from which means there are hundreds of opportunities for you to find a good fit. Set aside some time to read anything and everything you can so you can make an informed decision. It might take a while, and it’s not always very fun, but it is necessary. Your education should be seen as an investment.

What’s your learning style?

Think about how you learn. Think about what you enjoy learning. Think about what makes you happy. Would you be happiest learning one subject over another? Choose that one. It’s all about weighing the pros and cons. Putting it on paper by making a list really helps with the decision-making process.

Deal or no deal?

You might have to make some compromises, and that’s ok. For example, I chose Advertising and Marketing Communications Management because I’m a creative person with a passion for writing. I’m terrible at anything with numbers and public speaking, however, so this was something I had to mull over. Was I willing to compromise? Yes. Did I gain new skills and improve on old ones? Yup. Did I thoroughly enjoy the three years I spent studying? Absolutely. It’s all about your perspective. If you’re willing to further your education, that’s what you should focus on.

It’s ok to be indecisive. College is a great place to experiment. Use your first year to your advantage. It’s like a playground, you can try all the different structures, meet great people, and figure out if the program/career path is right for you. Whether you end up choosing something you know you’ll love, or something you’ve never tried before, your first year is a time for self-reflection and decision making. Nothing is set in stone, so don’t be afraid to try something different.

All in all, it’s about what you want. All that matters is that you’re happy and passionate about the path you’ve chosen to pursue. It’s not going to be easy, but you know that already. You’re going to rock whatever you put your mind to, and have loads of fun doing it. Good luck, friend!

Chelsie McHugh is a third-year Advertising and Marketing Communications student. She’s a funny, fiery redhead with a passion for writing.

So you’re trying to decide which school to go to – it’s a big decision! Your first question might be “College or University?” — which should you choose? Students come to college for practical, hands-on experience – and to get a degree. Yep, you read it right – colleges offer degrees, too.

Algonquin College offers over a dozen Honours degree programs, ranging from commerce to robotics, building science to interior design – so there’s something for everyone!

There are a lot of advantages to taking a degree at college, too. One of the biggest issues about university is the class sizes. Often times, students feel like they’re just another number. At Algonquin College, degree classes have an average of 32 students so you won’t feel like you’re lost in the crowd. It’s also easier for students to ask questions and work closely with their profs. You’ll definitely feel like you’ve gotten your money’s worth.

University and college both cater to different learning styles. If you feel like you learn better from a more hands-on and practical approach, college is the place for you. In college, you get the chance to learn in a practical environment and with a professor who has worked in the industry. You gain real industry experience from real industry professionals, plus hands-on experience alongside theory.

University tends to take a more theoretical approach – there can be a lot of reading and lectures, which may be a good fit for you. Either way, university and college teach you how to perfect your time management, decision making, and organizational skills. You can’t go wrong either way!

Another benefit to Algonquin is that most of our degrees have paid co-op terms, where students can earn upwards of $10,000 per work-term. And our grads get jobs, too. In 2016, 84.1% of Algonquin College grads were working in their field within six months of graduation.

All in all, college degrees are equal to (and sometimes even better than) university degrees. While they’ll both get you a job in the field you’re passionate about, the hands-on nature of college degrees could make you look even more desirable to potential employers. Whatever you end up choosing, we know you’ll rock it! We believe in you.