Ontario Universities Application Centre OUAC

Ontario Universities Application Centre OUAC

About the OUAC The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) provides services in English and French for applicants to all undergraduate and professional programs (medicine, law, teacher education, and rehabilitation sciences), as well as graduate programs at some universities. Our key function is to process applications for admission to the province s 20 universities. In addition to personal application data, we may collect and process other selected information required by the universities to make admissions decisions. This information includes academic data, transcripts, graduation status, essays, GPA calculations, test scores and references. We also perform miscellaneous data and research services for university and government researchers on a cost-recovery basis, when time and privacy legislation permits, and when the request is in accord with university and Council of Ontario Universities (COU) values and missions. Council of Ontario Universities (COU) The OUAC was founded in 1971 by the Committee of Presidents of the Universities of Ontario, now called the Council of Ontario Universities, and the Ontario Universities Council on Admissions (OUCA). The OUAC is a not-for-profit agency that derives its status from the Letters Patent granted to COU Holding Association Inc. The OUAC s activities are monitored by an Advisory Board that is appointed by, and reports to, the Council of Ontario Universities. The COU, in turn, represents the collective interests of its 20 member institutions and one associate member. The COU is responsible for overseeing the operations and management of the OUAC. The Advisory Board includes representation from each application group and is chaired by a university president appointed to the position. Our Team The OUAC employs approximately 60 full-time employees and a number of part-time employees, many of whom are bilingual (English/French). Our Mission Statement The OUAC is dedicated to providing a responsive, environmentally sound and cost-effective service to Ontario s universities and their applicants. This service includes processing university applications and collecting related fees; administering other central services that benefit all universities; and providing ancillary services, on a fee for service basis, to individual universities, governments and related agencies. Our Values Statement In performing its mission on a day-to-day basis, the OUAC values the following: a highly skilled, trained and motivated staff; a working environment that fosters productivity and teamwork; collaboration, mutual respect and trust in our partnerships; the development and management of effective and innovative technology, systems, policies and procedures to ensure the integrity of services and data; the provision of services in both of Canada s official languages; and environmentally responsible business practices. By 2012, 40 years after the first operating cycle in 1972, the OUAC had processed more than 14 million applications, filed by more than 4.5 million applicants.

Our Evolution 1963 Investigation begins into the possibility of co-operation among universities in the application process. 1964 A report on the establishment of an application processing centre is written and approved. Our Funding The OUAC is fully funded through application and contract revenues. We operate on a cost-recovery basis, and any excess revenue is transferred to the universities. More than three quarters of the fees collected from undergraduate applications and all supplementary fees from professional and undergraduate applications are transferred to the universities in support of their admissions processing costs. The OUAC s annual operating budget is derived from application service fees and contract services revenue. 1971 1972 1975 1979 The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) is founded. The OUAC commences its first official processing cycle for first-year undergraduate applications. The Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) has its first processing cycle. The Ontario Teacher Education Application Service (TEAS) has its first processing cycle. 14% 2% 2%2% 1997 The Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS) has its first processing cycle. 2% 1998 The OUAC s first web-based application is introduced. 78% 2000 2001 The Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Application Service (ORPAS) has its first processing cycle. The OUAC moves to its Research Park location in Guelph, Ontario. 2010-2011 Approximately 78% of the fees collected from undergraduate applicants is transferred to the universities in support of their admissions services. The other 22% of the revenue is used to cover the OUAC s expenses, divided as follows: 14% Salaries/Benefits 2% Computers/Office Equipment 2% General Administration 2% Facilities 2% Communications 2002 2003 2008 2012 The OUAC celebrates the completion of its 30 th processing cycle. All applications are now offered online. The OUAC begins processing graduate study applications. To date, more than 4 million applicants have applied to university through the OUAC. The OUAC celebrates its 40 th anniversary.

Participating Universities Undergraduate Application Service The OUAC processes undergraduate applications to all Ontario universities for: students from Ontario secondary schools; students and mature applicants from every province in Canada; international applicants from more than 169 countries; applicants transferring from universities or colleges; and part-time applicants. The Undergraduate Application Division also offers the following application support services to secondary schools: Algoma University Brock University Carleton University University of Guelph Lakehead University Laurentian University McMaster University Nipissing University OCAD University Ryerson University Trent University University of Ontario Institute of Technology University of Waterloo Wilfrid Laurier University University of Windsor York University Counsellors Online Services: A collection of web-based services intended to provide authorized Ontario secondary school officials with user-friendly access to academic and application information for their students. Services include creating student accounts, sending grades files, updating academic files, viewing completed applications, and creating and printing reports. Systems that facilitate the transfer of student records from Ontario secondary schools to the university application system. Systems whereby universities and Ontario secondary schools can view and exchange information. Ontario Universities Electronic Transcript System (OUETS) Established in 1996 by Ontario s universities, with the OUAC as the hub of transcript trading activity, this system allows for the electronic exchange of academic transcripts among postsecondary institutions. The OUETS was further enhanced in 2003, when trading partnerships were initiated with the Ontario colleges through the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS). The system continues to expand and to benefit applicants as more trading partners join. Admission Information Service The Admission Information Service is available online or by telephone. This service allows applicants to determine which universities may have spaces remaining in specific programs, and is in operation from June until August. Graduate and Part-Time Studies Applications In 2003, the first OUAC-based online graduate studies application went into production, and several universities now use the OUAC s online services to process their graduate studies applications. In addition, customized online applications have been developed for part-time and internal applicants on behalf of a number of universities. As contract services, the development, maintenance and execution of the Graduate and Part-Time Studies applications were completed on a full cost-recovery basis and do not affect the OUAC s core services mandate.

The OUAC offers technical support, by email and telephone, to all applicants and to Ontario secondary school guidance counsellors. Hours of operation for support services are extended to accommodate application deadlines. Professional Applications Teacher Education Application Service (TEAS) TEAS has been processing applications for teacher education candidates in Ontario since 1979. There are currently 13 faculties of education in Ontario. Brock University Lakehead University Laurentian University (offered only in French) Nipissing University Trent University University of Ontario Institute of Technology Wilfrid Laurier University University of Windsor York University Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS) ORPAS programs include Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy/ Physical Therapy, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology, all of which are offered at the graduate level. McMaster University (as of 2014) By 2011, approximately 99% of all applications received by the OUAC were completed online. Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) Since 1975, OMSAS has provided application processing services for applicants to Ontario medical schools. Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (McMaster University) Northern Ontario School of Medicine Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Western University) Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS) Ontario s law schools have benefitted from the centralized services of the OUAC since 1997. Lakehead University (as of 2013) Osgoode Hall Law School (York University) University of Windsor The OUAC website received more than 6.5 million visits from 215 countries in 2011.

Contact Us Ontario Universities Application Centre 170 Research Lane Guelph ON N1G 5E2 Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST) Additional Support In addition to our key functions, the OUAC also provides the following centralized support for Ontario s 20 universities and the Royal Military College of Canada. einfo www.electronicinfo.ca einfo is a comprehensive web resource that provides information about Ontario universities. einfo s searchable database allows prospective applicants to research university programs, admission requirements, scholarships, residence, and additional related information. einfo data is submitted by university liaison representatives, and is carefully prepared to ensure accuracy. Application-related inquiries: 519-823-1063 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (EST) Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (EST) All other inquiries: 519-823-1940 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST) Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST) Fax: 519-823-5232 Email: webmaster@ouac.on.ca Web: www.ouac.on.ca As an online resource, einfo is used not only by Ontario students, but by students around the world. To respond to this wide audience, einfo provides links to university admission requirements for students from other Canadian provinces and other countries. einfo has thousands of visits each day, and this number continues to grow. Universities Information Program (UIP) The UIP is a series of events that occur throughout Ontario each fall. Ontario universities travel across the province and collectively offer informative events in cities and towns in all regions. These presentations provide an opportunity for students, parents and educators to learn about each university, talk individually to university representatives and collect publications from all Ontario universities all in one place. Ontario Universities Fair (OUF) www.ouf.ca The OUAC oversees the business management of the OUF, a threeday event that showcases Ontario universities. The fair began in 1997 for Toronto students and, with its ongoing success, is now available to all Ontario students. The OUF gives Ontario secondary school students an opportunity to speak with university representatives and faculty from across Ontario about programs, campus life, and anything else that will help them make a decision about which university to choose. The OUF regularly draws more than 115,000 students, parents and educators each year.