MEETING NOTES: ADMISSIONS PROCESS

May 14, 2018 - 10:30 am-11:30 am

Room: Lundy Boardroom, L201

Topic #1: Always Look Online – “If it’s not on the web, don’t say it”

www.niagaracollege.ca/status: This page offers information on program availability for

domestic and international students. Program Availability Sheet (PDF) is only for domestic
intake and is updated daily. For the most up-to-date information, download the PDF before
every event. There is a separate link for international program availability.

www.niagaracollege.ca/par: A list of programs with pre-admission requirements. Click on the

program link to download a PDF with detailed information about the pre-admission
requirements and deadlines for the specific program for the specific intake. Pre-admission
requirements are supplemental conditions that need to be met before the application is
considered by Niagara College. Examples could be HOAE test, portfolio, or audition. These are
not the same as pre-registration requirements which are conditions that need to be met
before the applicant can register. Examples could be a police check or proof of up-to-date
immunizations. This page also contains information for out-of-province applicants.

www.niagaracollege.ca/testing: Testing registration for pre-admissions testing. The applicant

can pay (with a credit card) and register for HOAE testing and other testing here.

www.niagaracollege.ca/pathways: This is where dual diploma opportunities can be identified.

Admissions is currently working on NOTL programs – WC TK. This is a work in progress and
applicants who are interested should be referred to Admissions.

www.niagaracollege.ca/admissions: This link will take you Enrollment Services. Click on the
Admissions tab for a drop down to helpful links. This will be helpful for recruiters while on the
road. Includes the above links.

www.niagaracollege.ca/mync: Where applicants and students can log in to the Student Portal.
The Student Portal is where applicants and students can check their application status, pick
their time table, etc. The applicant must have their Niagara College student number and
username to create a new account. “Your MyNC account is your gateway to all of your
important Niagara College information, from Application to Convocation.”

For any inquiries where you can not find the answer online, contact the Admissions Office at
X7619 or admissions@niagaracollege.ca
(Be sure to include all possible background information about the applicant and their
situation.)
Topic #2: Prospective Student has Applied
Once the prospective student applies to Niagara College through OCAS they will receive a
“Thank You for your application” email and a brochure is sent to the applicant’s home address.
The brochure contains information on:
• Student ID number
• Logging in to the portal
• Pre-Admission Requirements (PAR) website
• Program information
• Student services
• How to book an on-campus tour

It will usually take a few business days for the brochure to arrive, however, if they are anxious
to have their student number to login to the student portal they can contact Admissions for
help.

Upon receiving the application brochure in the mail the applicant will be able to create their
MyNC account, and they will have access to the Student Portal regardless of if they are
accepted or not. The Student Portal is where they can find information about their application
and Niagara College.

Topic #3: Student Portal

Student Portal Access: The applicant must know their user name and student number to access
the Student Portal. These details are generated when they apply through OCAS and they will
receive this information in the brochure that will be sent in the mail to their home address.

Once the applicant has received these details, they can access the following apps in the Student
Portal:
• My Profile
• My Application
• My Financials
• My Services
• My Registration
• My Grades
• My Communications
• Convocation
• Information

My Application: Although the applicant has access to all these apps, My Application will be of
particular interest at this stage. In this section the applicant will find the following details about
their application:

• Status of Program Choice: shows the applicant’s program choices for the application
cycle. If pre-admissions requirements are required the Important Program Information
 link will list these items. The applicant needs to submit these requirements before their
application will be considered. A Missing Requirement Email (MRE) will be sent from
Admissions if the additional requirements have not been fulfilled within (about 14 days)
of applying.

• Program Evaluation Status shows how the applicant has been evaluated so far. These
details are current and up to date. Examples could include an OSSD, an English
requirement, or final grades. It could also include Subjective Requirement, if an
additional item, like a portfolio, is required.

• Education/Transcripts Received: lists all the transcripts that the college has received to
support the application. Status shows the status of the transcript. Field of Study
contains a SHSM major or post-secondary program, if applicable. Admissions must
“Press the Button” to update all the recently submitted transcripts, final grades and
results from testing centre. HOAE results are included with this update.

• Transfer Credit/Exemption: Pre-approved transfer credits that the applicant MAY be

eligible to receive. This is a work in progress, and it is not user-friendly at this time. Best
practice is to refer the applicant to Admissions for these details.

My Application Additional Resources:

• Additional Admissions Requirements (PAR website)
• OSAP (Application) Step-by-Step
• Student Services
• Orientation
• Pre-Admissions Testing Accommodation Request
• Prior-Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Topic #4: Applicant has been Admitted

Niagara College’s application deadline date for equal consideration depends on the start date
of the program (some colleges only offer February 1st as the cut-off, regardless of the start date
of the program).

The applicant can view their application status on their MyNC account/Student Portal, but they
need to log in to OCAS to confirm their offer before the confirmation deadline. Confirming after
the deadline in competitive or over-subscribed programs may result in the applicant being
waitlisted.

Visit www.niagaracollege.ca/par for details on the applicant’s deadline to confirm based on

their program’s start date. May 1st may or may not be the applicant’s confirmation cut-off.

Note: If the applicant shows as matriculated into two programs on SF, the Niagara Student
View on PeopleSoft will show which program the applicant has actually matriculated in to.
Topic #4: Articulation Agreements
www.niagaracollege.ca/pathways: This is where dual diploma opportunities are identified.
This system is a work in progress. NOTL programs currently underway with WC to follow.
Anyone interested in dual diploma opportunities should be referred to Admissions.

Best Practices and Notes:

• When contacting Admissions include all possible background information about the
applicant and their specific situation.

• Parents may request help on behalf of the applicant. We can help parents get to the
correct places on the website, but we CANNOT share any specific info about the
applicant or their application with the parent (or anyone), even at the applicant stage.
This is due to the Freedom of Information act.

• Q: What grades do I need for this program? A: Grades in high 80’s are competitive, but
refer to Admissions if there have any specific questions. They will be able to assess the
applicant’s situation case-by-case and offer appropriate alternatives so that the
applicant doesn’t waste program choices.

• HOAE Testing: The HOAE test results are required before an admissions offer can be
made. Applicants can register to take the test at www.niagaracollege.ca/testing. After
the test results are in they are sent to OCAS by the testing centre. OCAS then sends the
out to all colleges in the consortium.

• Potential Scenario: A prospective student applied to an open program through OCAS,

but hasn’t sent their transcript yet. In the meantime the program has become
waitlisted. The applicant will be put on the waitlist