Every year, an increasing number of American students
select Canadian universities and colleges to complete their higher education. One of the main reasons for
this popularity is that the cost of education in Canada is far less than that in the United States. Along
with being cost-effective, a number of Canadian educational institutions are at par with American
institutions in terms of their quality of education.
Educational counselors will take this further by saying that the application process in Canada is both
simpler and less competitive than the American system. The convenience, affordability and simplicity of the
Canadian process is proving to be some of the determining factors that are enabling American students to
enrol in colleges offering a level of education they would not have been able to achieve in the United
States.
The application process in Canadian
educational institutions is quite different form that in American institutions. Although international
students have to fulfil a number of formalities, such as obtaining a student visa and work permit and
undergoing medical examinations, students from the United States are exempted from a number of such
formalities, making the process a rather simple one.
Canada has a provincial setup, with each province setting its separate rules and regulations. Some provinces,
such as British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta, have a unique central application process that makes it much
easier for students to apply to all the universities in that region.
The first step in applying to a college or university is to request the application form and other relevant details. This can
be done either online or by post. As most colleges provide the option of a downloadable application online,
opting for this method can save valuable time. Your next step would be to accurately fill out this
application form and send it to the university along with the application fee and requested documents, such
as birth certificates, transcripts and resumes.
If your application is accepted you can expect to be mailed a letter of acceptance from the university.
An American student generally is not required to apply for a student visa or a Canadian study
permit. Students of other nationalities have to apply to the Canadian embassy in their country for a
Canadian work permit. American students, however, can obtain their study permits at their port of entry into
Canada.
American students who have been selected into a university in Quebec must obtain a certificate of acceptance
(CAB) from the Quebec immigration authorities. This certificate needs to be applied for as soon as the
letter of acceptance is received.
The application process for American students is similar to that of Canadian students, and much simpler when
compared to that of other international students. However, some of the prerequisites for successfully
completing the applications process are an awareness of the deadlines and preparation of all the necessary
documents. Planning well in advance will ensure that you do not face any unnecessary hassles later in the admissions process.•
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