Subject Requirements

A final decision on the admissibility of an applicant will be based on academic performance, and if required by the Admissions Committee, on review of a Background Information Sheet for the Diploma programs.

Associate Diplomas in Agriculture, Food, Nutrition and Risk Management, and Horticulture

New Curriculum: Applicants for admission to the first semester of the Associate Diploma in Agriculture, Food, Nutrition and Risk Management, and Horticulture programs should present as a minimum requirement:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with a minimum 60% average in the final year of study excluding workplace courses
• applicants who do not meet the above requirements may also be considered if they will be 19 years of age at the date of enrolment and have been out of secondary school for at least one year
• applicants who do not meet the above requirements may also be considered for admission on the basis of relevant work experience, practical knowledge, special skills or abilities

Students are encouraged to complete General or Advanced, College (C), University (U), or University/College (U/C) course types at the 11 and 12 grade level in mathematics, biology, and chemistry.

Old Curriculum: Applicants for admission to the first semester of the Associate Diploma in Agriculture, Food, Nutrition and Risk Management, and Horticulture programs should present as a minimum requirement:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with a minimum 60% average in the final year of study
• applicants who do not meet the above requirements may also be considered if they will be 19 years of age at the date of enrolment and have been out of secondary school for at least one year
• applicants who do not meet the above requirements may also be considered for admission on the basis of relevant work experience, practical knowledge, special skills or abilities

Associate Diploma in Environmental Managment

Applicants for admission to the first semester of the Associate Diploma in Environmental Management program should present as a minimum requirement:

New Curriculum:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, with credits in Grade 11C Biology, Grade 12C Chemistry, Grade 12 Mathematics, and Grade 12C English, each with a preferred minimum grade of 65%

Old Curriculum:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with General or Advanced level credits in Chemistry (Grade 11), Biology (Grade 11), Mathematics (Grade 12), and English (Grade 12), each with a preferred minimum grade of 65%

Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management

Applicants for admission to the first semester of the Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management program should present as a minimum requirement:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with a minimum 60% average in the final year of study excluding workplace courses
• applicants who do not meet the above requirements may also be considered if they will be 19 years of age at the date of enrolment and have been out of secondary school for at least one year
• preference given to applicants with a minimum of one year's experience in the turfgrass industry
• prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to complete general or advanced, College (C), University (U), or University/College (U/C) course types at the grade 11 and 12 level in mathematics, biology, and chemistry

Associate Diploma in Veterinary Technology

New Curriculum: Applicants for admission to the first semester of the Associate Diploma in Veterinary Technology program should present as a minimum requirement:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; with credits in grade 11C Biology, grade 12C Chemistry, grade 12C Mathematics, and grade 12C English, each with a preferred minimum grade of 65%. Due to the demanding nature of this program, completion of university level courses (U) are of assistance to your success and will be recognized in the selection process;
• in addition to meeting the minimum academic requirements, applicants must obtain the necessary work experience prior to August 15 of the year of admission. Specifically, this means the applicant must have worked with in a clinic with a practising veterinarian for a minimum period of 40 hours. The Work Experience Form must be completed by the veterinarian or supervising veterinarian technician and forwarded directly to the Registrar's Office at Ridgetown College. Students who have completed their work experience prior to the pre-admissions testing date are given additional selection credits if the forms are recieved prior to or on the date of testing;
• Applicants who advance to the second stage of the selection process are required to take part in pre-admissions testing and complete a written questionnaire at Ridgetown College.

Old Curriculum: Applicants for admission to the first semester of the Associate Diploma in Veterinary Technology program should present as a minimum requirement:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; with advanced level credits in Chemistry (grade 11), Biology (grade 11), Mathematics (grade 12), and English (grade 12), each with a minimum grade of 65%;
• in addition to meeting the minimum academic standard, applicants must obtain the necessary work experience prior to August 15 of the year of admission. Specifically, this means the applicant must have worked with a practising veterinarian to become familiar with veterinary technology as it applies to animals. An example of work experience would include voluntary assistance in a veterinary practice for a minimum period of 40 hours (observing, assisting and cleaning). This experience should be supported by the completed work experience form from the practising veterinarian.

Admission with advanced standing may be granted to students with course credits from other recognized post-secondary institutions. Official transcripts must be provided. Students interested in transferring should see the Ontario College University Transfer Guide at http://www.ocutg.on.ca/.

All applications must be submitted as follows:

1. Application for admission to the Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph should be made on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre form and submitted to the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, Box 1328, Guelph, Ontario, N1E 7P4. For those presently attending an Ontario secondary school, the form is available in the guidance office. Other applicants can access forms at the colleges, local high schools or by contacting the Centre (phone number 1-519-823-1940 or on the world wide web at http://www.ouac.on.ca/).

2. Applicants to Collège d'Alfred, Kemptville College or Ridgetown College should seek admission through the Ontario College Application Service, P.O. Box 810, 370 Speedvale Ave. W., Guelph, Ontario, N1H 6M4. Applications must be received at the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) by February 1 of the year of admission. For those presently attending an Ontario secondary school, the form is available in the guidance office. Other applicants can access forms at the colleges, local high schools or by contacting the application service (phone number 1-888-892-2228 extension 228 or apply on-line at http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/).

Applications for the program may exceed an established quota and candidates, therefore, are urged to submit their application for admission as early as possible. Normally admission decisions will be released commencing March 31. Conditional acceptance may be granted to those students currently attending Year 4 (Grade 12) on a full-time basis who submit an application, an interim grade report, and if required complete a Background Information Form.

On request, a student may be exempted from taking any course providing they demonstrate that they have standing in a course deemed equivalent by the instructor in consultation with the director of the program. Students should consult the director or the director's designate concerning such exemption.

Students currently enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary program will normally be required to submit all official transcripts at the conclusion of their program before a final decision regarding their admission will be made.

Graduates of Associate Diploma programs who achieve a cumulative average of 70% may apply to University of Guelph degree programs. Please consult the Admissions Counsellor for the specific degree program for details on application deadlines and the application procedure, as well as the admission criteria.

For details on program requirements and course selection, transfer students are advised to consult the Program Counsellor for the specific degree program.

Associate Diploma in Food and Nutrition Graduates

Alfred College, Kemptville College (prior to and including 2004)

You may apply to transfer to the Hotel and Food Administration major of the Bachelor of Commerce program. Upon admission up to 6.00 advanced standing credits may be transferred. Applicants must have achieved a 70% cumulative average in their associate diploma program and have completed an Ontario Academic Credit or University (U) level high school credit in Mathematics and English or equivalents.

You may be eligible for advanced standing in NUTR*1010, NUTR*2050, HAFA*1000, HAFA*2000, HAFA*2030, HAFA*2700, HAFA*2740, and 1.50 credits in unspecified HAFA*/HTM* courses.

Associate Diploma in Agriculture or Horticulture Graduates

Alfred College, Kemptville College, Ontario Agricultural College, and Ridgetown College

You may apply to transfer into the Agricultural Business major of the Bachelor of Commerce program or the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program. Applicants must have achieved a 70% cumulative average in thier associate diploma program.

Applicants to the Agricultural Business major of the Bachelor of Commerce program must have completed the Ontario Academic Credit or University (U) level courses in Calculus and English to meet admission requirements. Students may receive up to a maximum of 4.00 advanced standing credits.

Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program may apply without the the Ontario Academic Credit or University (U) level admission requirements. To receive degree credit, a student must have a minimum of 'B' standing (70%) in each of the diploma courses specified. Students must have taken OAC or U level Chemistry and/or OAC Calculus or U level mathematics prior to admission or alternatively, add CHEM*1060 and / or MATH*1000 (or their equivalents) as appropriate to their course of study in the degree program.

Associate Diploma in Veterinary Technology Graduates

Ridgetown College

Upon application you may be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program.

Note: no college transfer credits may be used to satisfy prerequisite courses for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.

1. Bachelor of Science

Applicants must have achieved a 70% cumulative average in their diploma program.

In addition, applicants must present a minimum final standing in Ontario Academic Credit or grade 12 University (U) level Calculus and Chemistry of 75%.

You will be eligible for up to 3.00 credits advanced standing (AGR*2350, ANSC*2340, one 1000-level biology, and 1.50 credits free electives at the 1000-level).

2. Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Applicants must have achieved a 70% cumulative average in their diploma program.

You will be eligible for up to 5.00 credits advanced standing (AGR*1250, AGR*2350, AGR*2360, ANSC*2340, CIS*1000 and five (5) AGR* electives at the 2000-level).

While the final date for receipt of applications and documents is June 15 at the Ontario Agricultural College and August 1 at Collège d'Alfred, Kemptville College and Ridgetown College applicants are advised to submit their applications well in advance of the proposed date of enrolment. The University of Guelph cannot guarantee that applicants submitting applications or supporting documentation after August 1 will receive admission consideration for the Fall entry point due to space limitations which may exist within programs.

Note: No new applications are considered for the Associate Diploma in Veterinary Technology program after February 1.

Classes at Guelph, Kemptville and Ridgetown are offered in English only; classes at Alfred in French only. If English or French is not your first language, you must be able to provide evidence of your fluency in the language of instruction. Contact individual colleges for further information.

At the University of Guelph, Prior Learning Assessment is an acceptable process for assigning credit at the diploma level for learning stemming from experience acquired independently of courses taken at post-secondary institutions. P.L.A. provides a mechanism whereby credit is given for equivalence in a course to those students who have mastered the content of the course concerned without having taken a formal course in the subject area. Such mastery may have been acquired, for example, through work experience, independent study or from non-diploma courses. In the absence of a certificate or other formal acknowledgment of competence by an appropriately accredited institution, the student can challenge the appropriate specific course(s) offered by the University to a maximum of 1.50 credits in a diploma program or 30% of the curriculum for Open Learning Certificates. This is a post admission process only.

Each academic department is responsible for determining which of its courses may be subject to P.L.A. challenge. The challenge process could include one or more assessment methods, including standardized tests, written and/or oral examinations, performance evaluations, interviews, and portfolio assessments. These assessments require that the individual demonstrate, to a qualified faculty member, that pre-determined knowledge and skills have been acquired.

Students should contact Undergraduate Program Services at the University or the Registrar's Office at the Colleges for application forms and further information. Refer to Prior Learning Assessment in Section VIII--Associate Diploma Regulations and Procedures for more information.

Students may be required to apply for readmission after an absence from the University or college. Refer to Readmission in Section VIII--Associate Diploma Regulations and Procedures.

Campus residence accommodation is normally available for students in the Associate Diploma programs provided they make application for it and meet the required application and deposit deadlines. Those desiring campus residence accommodation should make their needs known as soon as possible after they have been accepted into the program.

It should be carefully noted that possession of the minimum requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to any of the Associate Diploma programs. For all programs for which the number of qualified applicants exceeds the quota, the University reserves the right to select the quota from among the qualified applicants.

For students applying to enter the University for the first time, the decision of the Admissions Committee of the individual colleges is final and there shall be no appeal to that decision.

An applicant for readmission may, under specific circumstances, appeal the decision of the Admissions Committee to deny readmission. Refer to Section VIII--Associate Diploma Regulations & Procedures.

Applicants are reminded that the University is a dynamic institution and that information pertaining to admission may change. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ascertain admission requirements at the time of application.

The University normally will not defer admission to a subsequent entry point. Applicants who are unable to register at the entry point for which admission is offered will be required to amend their application or to re-apply.

For additional admission information, write:

Each of the following applicable documents must be sent in support of an application. Personal documents will be returned upon request. Please note that official transcripts submitted will become the property of the University of Guelph and will not be returned except in special circumstances. Normally, official transcripts must be sent directly to the University or College by the institution issuing the document.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all documents are received in Admission Services at the individual colleges by the document deadline date. No decision will be made until all documents have been received. Applications with incomplete documentation after the document deadline date will not receive consideration.

1. Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent Senior Matriculation Certificates, i.e. Alberta Grade 12, G.C.E. etc. Students currently enrolled in their final secondary school year in Ontario are required to submit documentation of interim grades reported by the secondary school.

2. Birth Certificate (only for students applying under Mature Student Regulation).

3. Official transcripts of all academic work taken at the post secondary level, i.e. university, college, nursing, etc.

4. Transcript of marks from the last secondary school attended.

5. Any other documents demonstrating academic results or ability, or explaining the level of academic performance.

6. Any supplementary information required as part of the application.

Text books and supplies are available at the campus book store or library, depending on the college location. Each student should anticipate spending a minimum of $250.00 on books and supplies for each semester.

Animals are used to support the teaching in some courses. The University of Guelph is dedicated to maintaining a high level of animal care in all of its teaching programs. Regulated by the Animals for Research Act, the University is in compliance with the standards set by the Canadian Council on Animal Care. Guelph has long been a leader in the promotion of animal welfare issues, and in 1989, established the Colonel K. L. Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, the first such centre in North America. The Centre promotes humane systems of animal management and fosters the development of alternatives in animal use in research and teaching.

Admission inquiries: Admission Services ~ ~ ~ General calendar inquiries: Undergraduate Program Services
Last revised: 14 May 2003
© 2003 Office of Registrarial Services, University of Guelph