School of Horticulture Admission Policies
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Academic Pre-requisites
For Ontario students who began grade 9 after September 1999: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), providing official transcripts indicating a minimum of 60% in the university level or 70% in the college level in each of the following pre-requisite courses: Grade 11 or 12 Science (University or College), Grade 11 or 12 Biology (University or College), Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (University or College), Grade 12 English (University, College or Workplace), Grade 12 Mathematics (College, College and Apprenticeship or Workplace). These are minimum guidelines and university level courses may be substituted, such as Mathematics for Data Management (University) and Geometry and Discrete Mathematics (University).
For Ontario students who began grade 9 on or before September 1998: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, providing official transcripts indicating a minimum of 60% in the advanced level or 70% in the general level in each of the following mandatory pre-requisite courses: Grade 12 Biology, Grade 12 Chemistry, Grade 12 advanced or OAC Mathematics and English.
Admission is on a competitive basis and these requirements represent the minimum level for consideration.
2. Horticulture Practical Experience
Prior to admission, applicants must obtain practical work experience, such as two or three summers working in a parks department, nursery, greenhouse or other horticultural field, under the supervision of a professional horticulturist. Applicants must be capable of performing the physical duties normally expected of a gardener, and hold a valid driver’s licence.
APPLICANTS FROM OUTSIDE ONTARIO
Applicants whose secondary school studies have been completed outside the Province of Ontario must submit evidence of equivalent standing. Recognized equivalents to the OSSD are:
Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Sasketchewan, Yukon, Nunavit and Northwest Territories - Grade 12: Quebec - High School Leaving Certificate (Secondary V)
United Kingdom & Commonwealth Countries: General Certificate of Education at the Ordinary Level with credit in five appropriate subjects
United States: At least 16 units of credit at the secondary school level, including four credits in English.
Applicants from other countries are considered on an individual basis.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Applicants from countries for whom English is a second language must complete internationally recognized tests of English language competency, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This test is administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. The TOEFL is offered on several dates each year by a number of centres in Canada, the United States and many other countries. Applicants are required to make their own arrangements to write to TOEFL and to have the results sent directly to the Admissions Office by the testing agency. The TOEFL bulletin of information and registration form, can be obtained by writing to:
Test of English as a Foreign Language
Box 899
Princeton, New Jersey
U.S.A. 08540
Applicants from Ontario must have a valid driver’s licence. Out-of-province applicants must also obtain a valid Ontario driver’s licence. This can be obtained upon arrival. The licence is for five years, but if you leave the province before the five-year term, you will receive a credit for the unused portion of the licence.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION
1. Downloadable Application Form
Application forms are available from:
Admissions Office
The Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture
P.O. Box 150, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T2
Phone (905)356-8554 Fax (905) 356-5488
Email: schoolofhorticulture@niagaraparks.com
2. Documentation required with the completed application form are:
a) an official transcript of past education
b) a resume of practical horticulture work experience, and
c) two letters of reference from previous employers regarding work performance.
3. Deadline for applications
Completed application forms and related information must be received by the Admissions Office on or before June 30th for entrance consideration the following late March. All qualified candidates will be contacted for a personal interview with the selection committee at the School of Horticulture. The selection committee includes 1-2 instructors/curators and the Superintendent of the School of Horticulture. All candidates will be informed of the selection committee’s decision on or before the third week of August. Each candidate must indicate hisher acceptance or refusal immediately. All new students must report to the School of Horticulture for the opening day of the term, on the date indicated in the letter of admission. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on a waiting list.
