Published
Friday, March 29, 2019
Last Updated

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?

 

throwing a frisbee on campus

 

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?

 

Study break on campus

 

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.

 

Book a tour

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