January 15, 2024, marked the deadline for submitting complete applications to Ontario universities through the Ontario University Application Center (OUAC).
Whether you’ve already received an offer from your preferred university or are in the process, the following information, sourced from the OUAC website (www.ouac.on.ca), may prove useful to you. Please take a moment to read it carefully and consider sharing it with others who may find it helpful.
OUAC Key dates
May 29, 2024
The latest date all current Ontario high school students who submitted their application by the January application deadline can expect a response from an Ontario university. This includes an offer of admission, a refusal or a deferral, once additional information is received.
June 3, 2024
The earliest date a current Ontario high school student may be required to respond to an Ontario university offer of admission and give a financial commitment (e.g., registration deposit, residence deposit, etc.).
All other admission-related elements, including scholarships, other forms of student assistance or financial incentives, and offers of residence, are considered part of the offer of admission. Therefore, a student may accept these other offers before June 3, 2024, but Ontario universities will not compel a student in any way to make a decision before this date.
OUAC questions and answers
How can I check the status of my application?
Once we receive your fee, process your application and distribute your application information to the universities, you can contact them directly for information about the status of your application.
I haven’t heard from my university choices even though it has been several days since I applied.
After you submit your application, you should expect to receive an acknowledgement from your university choices within 1 week. However, in September and October, it can take up to 2-3 weeks for some universities to acknowledge receipt of your application.
How do I respond to an offer of admission?
How do I accept my offer of admission in the Undergraduate Application?
When the universities have evaluated your application, they will send an admission decision directly to you. If a university has offered you admission, they will include instructions for responding through your application in your admission package.To successfully accept your offer of admission:
- Go to “My Offers” in your application.
- Click the offer you would like to accept.
- Click “Accept” to accept the offer (or “Decline” to decline the offer if that option is available).
- Click “I’m ready to submit my response/changes”.
- Verify your application information, review the Applicant’s Declaration and click “I verify and agree”.
- You will receive a confirmation number by email along with a summary of your responses to offers of admission and/or changes to your application information. Keep this email for your records.
* It may take 1-3 business days to process your response.
I accepted my offer, but when I go back in to my application, the offer doesn’t show as accepted. What happened?
There is no acceptance listed because you did not successfully accept an offer of admission.To successfully accept an offer of admission:
- Go to “My Offers” in your application.
- Click “Accept” to accept the offer (or “Decline” to decline the offer if that option is available).
- Click “I’m ready to submit my response/changes”.
- Verify your application information, review the Applicant’s Declaration and click “I verify and agree”.
- You will receive a confirmation number by email along with a summary of your responses to offers of admission and/or changes to your application information. Keep this email for your records.
When I accept an offer of admission, does it mean that I will not be considered for any other offers?
If I accept an offer now, can I change my mind at a later date?
Yes. If you accept an offer but later wish to accept a different offer, you will need to first cancel your accepted offer and then accept the new offer by the stipulated deadline.Be sure to consider all other factors such as scholarships, residence acceptance and deposits before you make your final decision.
My university program choice requires a supplementary application. How do I include that with my OUAC application?
Can I defer my acceptance until next year or later?
If you are admitted to a university but wish to delay your studies for a year or more, you will need to reach an agreement with the university in question. The university will determine any conditions.
When you are ready to attend university, you may be required to re-apply through the OUAC. Contact the university for more details. If you are required to apply through the OUAC, you will need to submit the appropriate application fee(s) and respect any application deadlines.
I’m a current Ontario high school student. What can I do if I am refused admission to all my choices?
Beginning in June, Ontario high school students can search for possible openings at Ontario universities.
To begin your search, visit the Undergraduate page and click the “Search Open Programs” button.
Once you find an open program of interest, add it to your application.
View the Admission Information Service flyer [PDF] for more information.
We also encourage you to contact universities directly for more information about available programs.
Keep in mind that certain programs may have different deadlines. We advise you to contact the universities directly to be considered for late admission. It may be possible to seek admission as late as August.