Choosing the best campus for you

As you begin to narrow down your post-secondary search, one of the first decisions you need to make is what size campus you want to attend. In Ontario, colleges range from having just over 1,000 full-time students to well over 20,000.

Finding the right fit depends on your personality, preferences and academic goals. Here are just some of the benefits that comes with each experience:

Big

• Wider variety of academic programs and courses
• Lots of housing opportunities (residence, off-campus and home)
• Varsity athletics teams, intramural activities and gym facilities
• Wide range of student activities and clubs
• Multiple cafeterias and eateries close by

Small

• Unique programs
• Smaller class sizes with easy access to faculty
• Free parking and lockers
• Strong community partnerships with industry connections
• Programs tied to local labour market needs

So how do you decide which campus setting is best for you?

1Make a list

Make a list of your requirements (and wishes) when it comes to your post-secondary experience. Ask yourself the following questions:

Program location

• Where is my program offered?
• Do I need access to public transportation, car share services or my own car?
• How far and how long am I willing to commute?

Costs

• Is parking easily accessible and free?
• What do student fees cover and how much are they?

Housing

• Do I want to live in residence, live off campus nearby, or do I want to live at home?

Student life

• Do I want to be surrounded by lots of people, or do I want a close-knit atmosphere?
• Will I have easy access to my instructors for help?
• Am I looking for lots of social activities outside the classroom?

Athletics

• Do I want to participate in varsity or intramural sports?
• Do I want access to an on-campus health and wellness centre?

Community

• Do I want to live in a small town or a big city?
• Are there community amenities and services that I need?

2 Rank your list

Rank the importance of these factors to making your decision. If you’re planning to stay at home no matter what, then living on or off-campus isn’t important. But if a short commute is essential to your work and life balance, then you’ll want to choose the closest campus to home.

3 Book a tour

Still undecided? Book a tour or speak with a recruiter to get to know each college campus you’re considering.