So you've chosen a few universities and colleges
you like. How do you become a student? Your first step is to
find out when the application deadlines for the
university/college is and send in the application before
then. Since the university probably does not know you exist
at this point in time, you will have to get one at your high
school counselling office or a government-run educational
institution in your area. If you meet the requirements, they
will send you a calendar and various packages of information
about the university. If you haven't decided what faculty you
want to go into, look through the calendar and go on any
tours that are provided by the university. Remember: you
can't enter all fauculties in your first year. If you want to
get into Dentistry or Medicine, then you need to look at the
required courses and apply to the specific faculty (most
likely science in this case).
Don't panic about the courses right now since
you won't have a clue about what they mean. Look at the
detailed descriptions in the calendar/registration guide and
get a plan about what kinds of courses you will need for your
first year to continue in your second year. For example, if
you have to take biochemistry in your second year, you will
probably need to take organic chemistry in your first. Keep
your eyes open for prerequisite courses that must be taken in
your program. First year courses tend to be nearly a repeat
of high school courses (but with greater detail!). Some
universities make the students go into a General Studies
program before they choose their faculty. Any
"mistakes" that can be made won't be too tragic
unless you registered in Zoology when you want to get into
Religious Studies. The requied courses within your faculty
will be very general for the first year. If you can take some
options, take courses that will be both interesting and give
you credit toward another degree in case you switch
programs/faulties.
You will probably have to register by phone. You
will be given an ID#; this is how the system will know that
you are registering. This number becomes your identity. Each
course will be assigned a code and you will have to enter it
(follow the instructions they give you first...) to register
in that class. The computer will tell you if the class is
full, but it will NOT tell you if you have a timetable
conflict (i.e. you have registered for two classes at the
same time). Work out a reasonable timetable, giving yourself
a lunch break (especially if you have labs). Check the
timetable over several times before your register so you know
where you can reschedule if you can't get into a particular
class. Don't worry if you can't get in right away, keep
trying (some people will drop out later on). Registering is
not the final act; you can still drop and add courses until
school starts. Registering early ensures that you have a
timetable you can live with and that you can get into the
courses you need to.
Once you apply and they clear you, you will
recieve a letter telling you that you are on thier records
and what faculty/program you are in. KEEP THIS LETTER AND
PHOTOCOPY IT. You will have to send copies of this letter to
institutions for scholsrships and loans.
You may need to send official transcripts to the
universities. If so, please read the information about
transcripts on the Scholarships,
Bursaires, and Loans page.
