Applications for Algoma University up ‘dramatically’

Recently released stats from the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) show applications from high school grads to Algoma University have grown by 34.5 per cent, the highest overall percentage increase in the province, the Algoma University Board of Governors was told at its meeting Thursday.

Amid the increase in applications are those from Sault and area high school students, more of them opting for Algoma over larger universities in southern Ontario.

“They don’t want to be in a class of 800,” said Asima Vezina, Algoma’s president and vice chancellor, speaking to reporters after the open portion of Thursday’s meeting.

“The percentage of students choosing Algoma University as their first choice university grew by over 25 per cent...Algoma U received a total of 796 applications from secondary school students prior to the January 16th application deadline, approximately 200 above 2018 levels for the same reporting period,” an Algoma University news release states.

There was a 62 per cent increase in applications from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as well as an increase from students living in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area.

The increase in local applications is especially noteworthy because the number of university-bound students is projected to be in decline across northeastern Ontario.  

Computer Science, Law and Justice, Psychology, Business and Biology are the top five programs selected by secondary school applicants. There is interest in courses being offered through Algoma’s School of Business and Economics at Algoma’s Sault Ste. Marie and Brampton campuses, while interest in Computer Science and Biology programming remains high with international applicants.

“Our marketing and recruiting strategy has been effective and it’s paying off,” said Brent Krmpotich, director of enrolment management and international operations.

“I think we’ve built a marketing campaign that really speaks to the uniqueness and the value that Algoma University provides to students, and it’s resonating with students,” Krmpotich said, crediting the institution’s recruitment team which visits high schools with the ‘come to Algoma’ message.

“We’re really promoting campus tours, for students to meet with faculty.”

But it’s more than just good marketing, Krmpotich said.

“We’ve been doing some really neat things in terms of program development,” Krmpotich said, pointing to high school student interest in Algoma’s new School of Business and Economics and Environmental Science programs.

The Sault and area itself has become an attraction for students, Krmpotich said.

“Students come up to visit the university and we provide an opportunity to see Searchmont and Hiawatha.”

“We have almost a whole soccer team coming in February to go skiing at Searchmont, so our team is working with them to make sure they have everything they need to have a great day out there...they’re a women’s soccer team (Oshawa Turul Soccer Club), one of the best in the country, and it’s actually through this kind of tour that family members of the team were totally sold on Algoma,” Vezina said.

“Our faculty will actually come out on Saturdays and Sundays and meet with potential students and that does not happen in many places. Parents are just blown away by the fact that they immediately have a relationship with faculty that are going to be teaching their kids, and the students say ‘wow, you really mean what you say when you say you’re a student, not a number,’” Vezina said.