Close to 72,000 students have notified the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) that they will be accepting an offer of admission to an Ontario university.

“Over 102,000 Ontario secondary school students applied for admission to Ontario universities this year. In spite of this dramatic increase, the number of acceptances suggests that we are on track to register a normal percentage of applicants,” said Dr. Ross Paul, Chair of the COU Standing Committee on Government and Community Relations and President of the University of Windsor. “It is also gratifying to note that 81% of these applicants accepted an admission offer from one of their top three choices. Admission offers will continue to be issued and students will continue to respond over the coming weeks, but the preliminary figures are good news indeed.” (See attached for individual university numbers.)

OUAC Executive Director Jamie Mackay said, “We expect that the final number of registrants at Ontario universities in November 2003 – the point at which universities report enrolments to government – will stand at approximately 70,000.” Mr. Mackay also noted that this year 46% of those accepting offers accepted an offer of admission to the program of their first choice. This is close to last year’s figure of 49%. “By working together, the government and Ontario universities have been able to meet our commitments to our university-bound students. Ontario universities interpret these results as a vote of confidence from Ontario students and, speaking on behalf of all Ontario university presidents, we look forward to welcoming students to our campuses this fall,” said Dr. Paul.

For further information:

Arnice Cadieux Executive Director, Public Affairs (416) 979-2165 ext. 224

Dr. Mordechai Rozanski Chair, Council of Ontario Universities (519) 824-4120 ext. 2200

Preliminary Confirmed Acceptances of Admission Offers to Ontario Universities

June 19, 2003