One of our goals at Sault Online is to not only deliver news on Sault events and organized event listings, but to showcase the more positive newsworthy items that are happening around the Soo and Algoma district. The following news release from Algoma University is an example of the good news we’d like to share, as it does impact our community in a positive manner:
 Applications to Algoma University Up Again for 2014
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(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – January 22, 2014): On the heels of a 4.6% overall increase in the number of applications from high school applicants to Algoma University in 2013, preliminary data from the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) shows a 7.5% increase in the number of applications the University has received for 2014. Algoma U received a total of 828 applications from high school students prior to the application deadline of January 15th.
“We were a bit surprised to see such an increase, as our data points throughout the fall indicated that we would be flat, if not down a percent or two this year,” said Director of Student Recruitment, Brent Krmpotich. “We had a strong couple of days leading up to the application deadline.” He also noted that the increase has been achieved in the face of an overall provincial decline in the number of applications received, from 410,963 in January of 2013, to just 407,510 this year. Only 8 of Ontario’s 21 public universities saw application increases this year.
Also encouraging are the number of students who chose Algoma University first on their application, up 8.2% from the previous year.
Although applications are up, growth is being driven largely by a handful of high demand programs, including Business and Psychology. Geographically, the growth is in students from southern Ontario, specifically in small to medium sized cities outside of the major urban centres.
The University is in the third year of its Small University, Big Education marketing campaign, designed to show students the benefits of attending the only truly small university in the province. Classes capped at 65 students, opportunities to take part in research as an undergrad, and some of the best scholarships in Ontario are just a few of the reasons that more students from out of region are choosing Algoma U.
“Despite the decline in numbers across the province we’re continuing to see more students interested in attending Algoma U,” said Krmpotich. “Our message seems to be resonating with students.”
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About Algoma University
Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Psychology, Social Work, Computer Science, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic & Social Development, and Biology in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, Timmins and St. Thomas. As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture. Algoma University has launched its Essential Elements Campaign to expand its campus and offer more scholarships and awards to students. To learn more, visit www.algomau.ca.
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So why is this important, and why is this considered a positive story? As the article states, only 38% of Ontario’s public universities saw application increases this year. High demand programs coupled with some of the best scholarships in Ontario are drawing a large amount of students from Southern Ontario. The more educated a population is, the better prepared we’ll be to aid in the education of our youth. An educated population correlates to more innovation, knowledge creation, and economic growth for our community.
Are you a student who is currently attending Algoma University? We’d love to hear what your daily life is like at the U and publish your thoughts on Sault Online for prospective students.
