Canada's Largest Educational Fair Gathers All Ontario Universities Under One Roof

More than 120,000 students and parents expected to attend the Ontario Universities' Fair Sept. 25-27

TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2015 /CNW/ - Picking the right university is one of the most important decisions a young adult can make, and to make things easier representatives from all 21 Ontario universities will gather this week at the Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF) to answer questions from more than 120,000 students and their parents.

"No two universities in Ontario are alike, and the Ontario Universities' Fair can help high school students find the right fit for them," says Dave Wallace, Executive Director of the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.

"There are thousands of academic programs to choose from at Ontario universities and at the fair prospective students can hear all about them directly from faculty, staff, alumni and current students. We encourage everyone to come and explore a world of options."  

The three-day fair begins Friday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and runs until Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Entry is free and students can find out about all aspects of campus life including the wide range of programs, extracurricular activities, residence options, internships and how to apply for scholarships.

"We know that many parents and students have a lot of important questions about life after high school on their mind," says Bonnie M. Patterson, President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU). "The Ontario Universities' Fair helps make these tough decisions just a little bit easier by connecting students directly to universities."

Even for students whose postsecondary preferences are already narrowed down, the OUF is a great place to ask a professor about the types of things taught in class, or talk to current students about activities and groups that can be joined outside the lecture hall. Now in its 19^th year, OUF is the only educational fair that brings all universities together in one place.

For those unable to attend OUF, Ontario's universities also send representatives across the province to speak with students as part of the University Information Program. Universities also host campus tours and visits for prospective students throughout the year.

Need more reasons to attend the fair? Click here. Or if you're looking for a list of universities in attendance or more information visit the OUF website.

OUF is organized by the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, a division of COU Holding Association, Inc.

Quick Facts:

• Ontario university graduates have the highest employment rate and earnings among those with any level of education.
• Almost 94 per cent of recent graduates had jobs two years after graduation and the average salary was $49,001.
• Ontario has one of the most generous financial support systems for students in Canada, with over a billion dollars available each year in loans, grants, scholarships, bursaries and tax credits.
• Ontario universities also provide over 800 million dollars a year to students in bursaries and scholarships.

COU is the voice of Ontario's universities, promoting the value of education, research and innovation that leads to social, cultural and economic success.

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SOURCE Council of Ontario Universities

Wendy McCann, Director, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, 416-979-2165 x233, 647-271-0825 (cell), Email Wendy McCann ([email protected])