Admissions Policy and Procedures

Basic Admission Requirements

The basic admission requirement for post-secondary programs is either:

• the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12), with the majority of senior credits at the advanced, general, college preparation, university preparation or university/college preparation levels;
  OR
• mature student status (age 19 or older - refer to the section on Mature Applicant Status);
• degree programs require six Grade 12 credits at the university, university/college or OAC level.

Special Admission Requirements

Subject pre-requisites: Most degree, diploma and certificate programs require specific subject and level pre-requisites as part of the admission requirements.

Selection Procedures: For many degree, diploma and certificate programs offered at the College, a questionnaire, an essay, a pretest, portfolio, and/or group orientation session may be required.

Applicant grades in pre-requisite subjects (or their equivalents) will also be used as a basis for the selection of candidates for a program.

Offers of Admission and Ranking

Ranking of qualified applicants is a process used to determine offers of admission. Grades (and/or test score equivalencies) in required subjects, as well as any mandatory criteria used in the selection process will be used to determine ranking.

Qualified applicants whose ranking does not permit an offer of admission to the regular professional program may be recommended for additional study in academic preparatory courses or in an alternative program.

The Importance of Learning Skills

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills.