Ontario Collge: Private vs Public?

Ontario colleges can be a good choice for your career training, especially when you are new to this country as an internationally educated professional. 

Ontario government has been quite generously funding post-secondary education, with the second-career give-away and OSAP for modest income students.Both private colleges and public colleges are eligible for these funding. 


Not surprisingly, there are tons of private colleges proactively promoting their quickie and flexible programs, on the free job newspaper, on regular daily newspaper,and on immigration magazines. 

Earlier this year I decided it's time to go back to school for a recharge and enrichment. I was attempted by the Start Any Time and graduate in one year advertising slogan from private colleges. 

And I ended up in a private college at a primary downtown location. 

What do I like about private college?

The admission officer has been very supportive and helpful, providing up-to-date labor market information well before hand, so that I was able to choose the program I fell in love with later on. 

The whole campus is like a department in public colleges, everyone knows everyone; administrative support is prompt and the staff are nice enough to greet you by name every morning. The small and cozy kitchen has everything you need to survive the day: Microwave, Fridge, Water Boiler, Cafe Machine and Snack Machine. Many students including myself bring our own lunch box to heat up. 

Since everything has been tucked into a small space, you don't need to worry about commuting between classrooms and cafeterias and washrooms. Classroom is also small enough for the teacher to know everyone's breakfast preference. And basically everyone will have a chance to participate fully in a lecture. Sounds pretty good eh? 

But what happened was that I quit the college and transferred to a public one a couple of month later. 

What are the pros of public colleges over private ones? My understanding is that:

• 1. A big faculty of professors to provide multiple perspective and sources of knowledge. 

• 2. A full service career center with various activities and resources such as workshops, job fairs, networking events, and online job postings exclusive for current students .

• 3. Student Clubs and Associations for your different hobbies and networking needs.

• 4. Student discount from partner stores and student insurance coverage.

• 5. Well established program with relatively stable instructors who have previous experience teaching the courses.  

• 6. An extended network of classmates and school mates, which can be a great asset for new comers to start all over again in a city of strangers.

• 7. Expanded partnership with private sectors which can provide better internship opportunities for students.

But why people still  go to private colleges? From my own observation:

• 1. Easier to enter, and easier to pass.

• 2. Too many other obligations from family and work, that study is not a top priority.

• 3. A diploma is sufficient, the institution does not matter much.

• 4. For people with children, a full year program at a private college can mean a full year child care subsidy!

• 5. Flexible schedule, so that you don't have to wait for the Fall, Winter, or Summer semester to get started.   

I have been researching all around before I got into the private college, but  didn't get a satisfactory answer. It was not until I had been through all of it that I knew what's in there.

I hope this can be of help to those who are still hunting for your ideal college.
Do your research carefully, and make your college experience a worthy and enjoyable one!