Highly Competitive Programs

What is a highly competitive program?

A highly competitive program is a program where the competition is fierce.
A program is highly competitive when there are more qualified applicants than can be accommodated at the February 1 equal consideration date.

For these programs, it is especially important to get your application in by Feb 1, this applies to Fall, Winter, and Spring. Once all the Feb 1st applications are in, we rank all the applicants using a variety of criteria: assessment scores, admission requirements, or subject grades. Once ranked, we accept our highest-scoring applicants and waitlist our remaining qualified applicants.

To be included in the ranking you must:

Apply by February 1
Provide transcripts (secondary and post-secondary) or proof you are registered in the admission requirements at the time of your application (or before Feb 1)
Complete additional requirements within the specific timeframe (example: HPAT assessment)

Offers Come Out Later – In late February

We need time to rank all the applicants for these programs after Feb 1, so offers go out later, which gives us time to put everything in order.
If you applied for a non-competitive program, you can hear back as early as November 1. Don’t worry, you won’t have to confirm your offer until May 1 (for Fall applications). Make sure to read your offer email carefully so you know exactly when the deadline is.

If you applied to a few programs at Algonquin, there are a few situations that you can find yourself in while waiting for admission, and we know you have questions. Read more about waiting on offers.

If you receive an offer in your preferred program, it is essential to confirm by the deadline provided, or you risk losing your space in the program.

Make sure you understand what type of offer you have received and follow the instructions we’ll provide by email.

How will I know if my program is highly competitive?

All highly competitive programs have an indicator on the program page, next to the Availability.

Visual of the Program Availability chart.

Conditional Offers

Also known as “Conditional Acceptance”. We are happy to save you a seat, however, we still require some things from you, these can be a transcript, proof of graduation from secondary or post-secondary education, etc. Read the program page carefully as well as the admissions emails you receive and make sure to submit your final documents when they are available.

Important Dates

If your chosen program is highly competitive it is especially important that you keep track of the Important Dates. If you miss a deadline we may release your seat to another applicant.

Fall 2025

October: Applications Open on ontariocolleges.ca
Ontariocolleges.ca opens for applications into the next academic year. This means that if you would like to start college in September 2025, you can start your application in October 2024. Starting the application process early allows you more time to gather required materials such as transcripts and to complete any other admissions requirements. It also means more time to complete any required assessments.

November 1: Early Acceptance
The college will be issuing non-competitive program offers starting November 1. Make sure that you’ve submitted all the necessary documents related to your application so you can be accepted as soon as possible. That way you will have lots of time to decide on your program of choice.

February 1: Equal Consideration Date
Deadline for applications to qualify for Equal Consideration to a program. Applications received after this date will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as space is available in the program. The Residence portal is open on Feb 1 for applications for the Fall term.

February 13: AC-HPAT Deadline
If you are applying to a health program that requires applicants to complete the Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT), please complete your assessment by February 13 to be included in the ranking. Keep an eye on your email as we’ll send you an invitation to book your test. In the meantime, you can take this practice test.

Late February: Highly Competitive Offers Begin
Acceptance offers to highly competitive programs are sent out. Accepted applicants will receive an email. Keep your contact details up to date on ACSIS to ensure you receive your offer in a timely manner.

May 1: Confirmation Deadline
Applicants to Fall Term must confirm their offer of admission on ontariocolleges.ca.

June 15: Tuition Deposit Due Date
Tuition fee deposit (non-refundable) is due in order to hold your seat in your chosen program. Find out how to pay.

August 1: Document Submission Deadline
All outstanding admission requirements must be submitted. Check your program page to see what’s required.

August: Timetables!
Fall course timetables become available and can be viewed on ACSIS. If students wish to add/drop or change course sections, they may request these changes on ACSIS up until September 3.

September 3: AC Day 1 – Orientation

September 4: Start of Fall Term!

September: Refund Date
This is the last day to withdraw from a program for the Fall term and receive a partial refund of your fees. If you withdraw by or before this date, you are eligible to receive a tuition refund, less the non-refundable tuition deposit If you withdraw after the refund date, no refund is available, and you are liable for payment of any outstanding fees owing to the College. Requests to withdraw must be made in writing to the Registrar’s Office. Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal.

September: Balance Due Date. Pay all remaining tuition fees due in full to avoid $150 late payment fee. You can find this date on your ACSIS account.

Winter 2026

October: Applications Open on ontariocolleges.ca
Ontariocolleges.ca opens for applications into the next academic year. This means that if you would like to start college in January of 2026, you can start your application in October of 2024. Starting the application process early allows you more time to gather required materials such as transcripts and to complete any other admissions requirements. It also means more time to complete any required assessments.

November 1, 2024: Early Acceptance
The college will be issuing non-competitive program offers starting November 1. Make sure that you’ve submitted all the necessary documents related to your application so you can be accepted as soon as possible. That way you will have lots of time to decide on your program of choice.

February 1, 2025: Equal Consideration Date
Deadline for applications to qualify for Equal Consideration to a program. Applications received after this date will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as space is available in the program.

July 1, 2025: Confirmation Deadline
Applicants to Winter Term must confirm their offer of admission on ontariocolleges.ca.

November 1, 2024: Tuition Deposit Due Date
Tuition Deposit Due Date for Level 1 students. Find out how to pay.

December 1, 2025: Document Submission Deadline
If you receive a conditional offer, you must confirm your offer and pay your tuition deposit to hold your seat in the program. However, your application cannot be completed until you have met all program requirements. You should submit any required documents before December 1 to secure your seat.

December 2025: Winter Term Timetable Available
Winter course timetables become available in December and can be viewed on ACSIS. If students wish to add/drop or change course sections, they may request these changes on ACSIS up until January 6 (TBC).

January 6, 2026: Start of Term (TBC)
Most classes start on this date.

January 2026: Refund Date
This is the last day to withdraw from a program for the Winter term and receive a partial refund of your fees. If you withdraw by or before this date, you are eligible to receive a tuition refund, less the non-refundable tuition deposit If you withdraw after the refund date, no refund is available and you are liable for payment of any outstanding fees owing to the College. Requests to withdraw must be made in writing to the Registrar’s Office. Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal.

January 2026: Balance Due Date. Pay all remaining tuition fees due in full to avoid $150 late payment fee. You can find your balance due date on your ACSIS account.

Spring 2026

October: Applications Open on ontariocolleges.ca
Ontariocolleges.ca opens for applications into the next academic year. This means that if you would like to start college in May 2026, you can start your application in October 2024. Starting the application process early allows you more time to gather required materials such as transcripts and to complete any other admissions requirements. It also means more time to complete any required assessments.

November 1, 2024: Early Acceptance
The college will be issuing non-competitive program offers starting November 1. Make sure that you’ve submitted all the necessary documents related to your application so you can be accepted as soon as possible. That way, you will have lots of time to decide on your program of choice.

July 1, 2025: Confirmation Deadline
Applicants to Spring Term must confirm their offer of admission on ontariocolleges.ca.

March 1, 2026: Tuition Deposit Due Date
Tuition Deposit Due Date for Level 1 students. Find out how to pay.

April 1, 2026: Document Submission Deadline
If you receive a conditional offer, you must confirm your offer and pay your tuition deposit to hold your seat in the program. However, your application cannot be completed until you have met all program requirements. You should submit any required documents before April 1 to secure your seat.

April 2026: Spring Term Timetable Available
Spring course timetables become available and can be viewed on ACSIS. If students wish to add/drop or change course sections, they may request these changes on ACSIS up until the first day of class.

May 5, 2026: Start of Term (TBC)
Most classes start on this date.

Can I apply to a highly competitive program after February 1st?

Yes! However, applications received after Feb 1st will be given consideration on a first-come-first-served basis, should there still be space in a program. This means you may be placed on the waitlist.