Selecting a university can be a whirlwind of emotions — confusing, overwhelming, and downright thrilling! With so many factors to consider, it's normal to feel a bit lost in the sea of choices. In this blog post, we're here to simplify things for you. We'll walk you through the seven main categories you should look into when researching potential universities. All factors are important and will contribute to your success and happiness over the next few years.

IMPORTANT: This is only a baseline guide and is not intended to replace your own research. There are other factors that will be important to you. These are only the main factors that everyone should consider.

1. Location

City size: Do you prefer a small town or a bigger city? This can really change your university experience. Would living in Toronto be right for you? Maybe you prefer Kingston? or London? Maybe Waterloo? Each city is different and has pros and cons.

Distance from home: Think about how often you'll want to visit home. Living far away may mean only going home for major holidays or during reading week, while being closer allows for more frequent visits. Applying to at least one nearby school (even if you think you want to be far) gives you flexibility in case your preferences change later on.

2. Program

There are 2 subcategories to consider once you have chosen your program:

Quality: Consider factors like quality of professors and facilities. Maybe an internship, experiential experience, placement, or co-op option is something you want to do. Is research output important to you or your future plans? Lastly, look at the program structure. Decide if you like the mandatory courses and the electives that the school offers.

Reputation: Look into the best schools in your chosen field. Reputation matters more for some fields than others. For instance, for business school, a good program matters; but for general science leading to med school, it's less critical. Overall, you should consider how good the reputation is, but it is not always the most important thing. To find out which schools are best, you can check online rankings, talk to current students and alumni, or consult teachers, guidance counselors, and academic advisors.

3. University Campus

The campus environment plays a significant role in your overall university experience. Think about the size of the campus, where it is located and what you can find out about the student population. Would you prefer a smaller school like Laurier or Brock or a larger school like Western or UofT? Size can impact whether the school feels like a tight knit community or not. Some people will really care about this, others will not.

It is important to visit the campuses of schools you are interested in because this can make all the difference. You may find that you just "click" at a certain school, and you'll have a much better idea about if it's right for you! If you cannot attend in person, visit virtual campus tours.

4. Culture/Social Life

Different schools have very different cultures and allow you to have a different school/ social life balance. Schools such as Queen's, Laurier, Western, and Guelph, will have a different culture than schools like UofT, Waterloo, and Mac. We strongly encourage you to talk to students who are currently attending the schools. Remember that stereotypes don't always reflect reality—keep an open mind and do your research to find the right fit for you.

5. Cost/Finances

This will be important to certain people, and less important to others. Look at tuition costs of course and the average cost of rent for housing after first year. Some people pay $500 per month and others pay $1800 per month depending on what city they live in. Don't forget to apply for all eligible bursaries, grants, and scholarships. Many of the admission scholarships are based on your grades, however, there are many more scholarships that are based on leadership, volunteerism, and other initiatives. Use this link to check out our scholarships page.

6. Residence

If you will be studying away from home, it is important to consider what residence options are available. Think about your living preferences—do you prefer apartment-style residences or a traditional dorm? If cooking your own meals is important to you, look for residences with kitchen facilities.

7. Ignore Stereotypes

Don't fall for all the stereotypes surrounding Canadian universities—they're not always accurate. Let's bust some myths about Canadian universities:

• UofT may have a reputation for lacking social life balance, but many students there still enjoy an active social scene, especially given its downtown Toronto location.
Waterloo has a rep of causing students to have poor mental health. This is just not true for most students, and there are supports in place for students experiencing mental health struggles.
Queens has a rep of being so white that people think it’s over 95% white students, when in reality it's closer to 68% (based on a report done in 2018)
Brock has the “walk and talk” rep, however it excels in many areas and is a great option for many students.
Moral of the story: schools are much more than the stereotypes that are placed on them.

As you sift through the options and factors in choosing your university, remember to keep an open mind. This guide outlines the main categories to consider, but it's just a starting point. Each university offers a unique experience, so research thoroughly and visit campuses if you can. Don't let stereotypes sway you—universities are diverse and multifaceted.

If you are still struggling to decide, need help polishing your application, or are just looking for some 1-1 support then take a look at some of Azul’s Academic Packages. We offer personalized help with scholarships, essays, letters of intent, and more!

Trust your instincts, stay true to yourself, and enjoy the journey of finding your perfect fit. Good luck!