Canada has one of the best higher education systems in the world. If you’re planning to attend a Canadian university, you’d want to know the requirements for getting in. So, do Canadian universities require SATs?
SATs aren’t part of the required documents for applying to most Canadian universities. But some universities might require it from American students. You can study in Canada in five steps: choose the program, take a language proficiency test, apply to universities, get a study permit, and travel.
There are some disparities between Canadian and American educational systems. While Canadian universities rarely ask for SATs, most US universities do. Canadians who want to attend a school in the US can take the SATs in Canada. This article explains whether Canadian universities need SAT and the steps to follow to accomplish your dream of studying in Canada.
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Do you need SATs to get into a Canadian university?
You’re not usually required to present SATs results when applying to Canadian universities. SAT is much of an American thing, and students applying to study in American universities usually need SATs. But Canada doesn’t have a similar standardized exam, and its universities don’t ask. However, few Canadian universities might ask for SAT, especially from international students from the US.
If you’re an American student planning to attend a Canadian university, the university might require you to submit an SAT score. This is so because the American high school system has a different standard than Canada’s. The universities may want a more standard way to determine student ability apart from GPA. Examples of universities that could ask for SATs include the University of Toronto for its homeschooled students and McGill University.
Canadian universities usually admit students based on high school grades, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, etc.
Steps for Getting into a Canadian University
Now that you know that SAT isn’t compulsory to attend a Canadian university, you’ll want to know what’s compulsory and the process for getting admitted. Here are the steps:
1. Choose a University and Program
In Canada, most universities require you to apply for a particular program. So, you have to pick a course you plan to study in school. Even though you can change it once in school, it’s better to compare all the options available to you beforehand so you can choose the most suitable program. Your course will determine the academic requirements you need when submitting your application. Also, you have to choose institutions with the DLI status. Only Designated Learning Institutions can admit international students in Canada.
2. Take Language Proficiency Test
International students who want to study in Canada have to prove proficiency in English or French. The easiest way to do this is by taking the proficiency test. IELTS is the best option for English-speaking students as all universities recognize and accept this. But there are others, such as the Cambridge English: Advanced or TOEFL exam.
If you’re proving you can speak French, the tests you can take are TCF, DELF, DALF, and TEF. TEF is the most common option. You have to take the exam before applying, which means you’ll do it in your home country. However, French-speaking schools sometimes test applicants case by case. It’s easy to find registered centres in most countries, and with sufficient preparation, you’ll ace it.
3. Apply to Universities
When applying to study in Canada, don’t limit yourself to just one university. It’s better to have a shortlist of your preferred universities based on your plan to major in. Then you can contact them to know what they need for application and apply subsequently to each of them. Take your time shortlisting universities you want to apply to, and it’s best not to have too many. This is because each university has an application fee between $100 – $250. That’s a lot of money to spend on application fees if you’re applying to ten universities.
The application process varies from one province to another. In some, you can apply directly to the university, while others have a central application service.
Filling the application form is a crucial stage, and you need to make sure every information you enter is correct and can be proven with documents. Then you can go ahead and submit the application and wait for a response. It’s important to complete and submit your application form on time. Once you’ve submitted, all that’s left is to wait for an acceptable offer and confirm interest. It’s after confirming interest that you’ll get an acceptance letter.
4. Apply for Study Permit
You need an acceptance letter before applying for a study permit in Canada. It’s the letter that proves your admission, and you’ll need it when applying for the student visa. The application can be online or at the local application centre in your country. You’ll need to attach your acceptance letter, proof of funds, and your passport. Suppose you’re applying to a university in Quebec. In that case, you’ll receive a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec along with your acceptance letter and need to also include this document in the study permit application. You may also need to prove you’re a law-abiding person by presenting a police report, and a medical examination might be necessary.
The application might include an interview phase where an immigration officer will ask you certain questions based on the information provided. The interview is also an opportunity to prove that your purpose for coming to Canada is to study, and you’ll leave at the end of your study. You can find more information about Study Permit on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
5. Travel
After processing and accepting your study permit application, it’s time to start planning your travels. The study permit has a start date, the day you’re legally allowed entry into Canada. Therefore, you need to make sure that you plan your travel based on this date.
Documents Needed
Each school has its requirements but most Canadian universities will ask for the following:
- Transcripts from a secondary or postsecondary school recognized in Canada
- Proof of proficiency in English or French
- Letter of recommendation or References
- Motivation Letter
In Conclusion
Studying in Canada can be a thrilling experience, but the application process is quite complicated. Several requirements for studying here don’t include SATs. Only American students might have to present their SAT results.