For Maya Duckworth-Pilkington, a graduating student at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, the pressure to succeed academically is immense. Despite maintaining a 96 per cent average while balancing multiple extracurricular commitments – including roles as a peer tutor, club co-president, school paper editor, and production head – she isn’t certain she’ll be admitted to her university of choice.
Rising Admission Standards
Duckworth-Pilkington’s experience reflects a broader trend in Ontario. Data analyzed by CBC News from the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) shows that average grades required for university admission have been steadily increasing for 15 years. In 2021, typical entry averages ranged from 85.4 to 92.9 per cent, a significant rise from the 82.2 to 90.4 per cent range recorded in 2017.
This increase isn’t simply a matter of more students achieving high grades; it’s a shift in the distribution of grades themselves. According to Sachin Maharaj, an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Ottawa, high school grades are increasingly clustered at the extremes – around 50 per cent, the passing mark, and in the A+ range.
An ‘Arms Race’ in Grading
Maharaj explains that teachers face pressure to ensure students pass, sometimes through increased support or grade adjustments. Simultaneously, schools are incentivized to report high admission rates to prestigious programs, creating what he calls an “arms race” in grading. “If some people are doing it, you’re just hurting yourself and your students if you don’t also do it,” Maharaj said.
The anxiety surrounding university admissions is palpable. Online forums reveal students struggling with stress and uncertainty, questioning whether their high grades will be enough. Education consultant Monika Ferenczy notes a growing trend of students seeking to retake courses to improve their averages, and even parents beginning to plan for their children’s post-secondary education in Grade 7.
Data from the COU shows a sharp increase in the number of students entering university with averages of 95 per cent or higher between 2020 and 2021. At OCAD University and Toronto Metropolitan University, this number more than doubled. In 2021, almost half of students admitted to Waterloo and McMaster had averages of 95 per cent or higher.
Ferenczy describes the situation as “dysfunctional,” noting that some students are now considering attending college first to gain admission to university as mature students with a post-secondary transcript. The Ontario government is currently consulting with stakeholders on admissions as part of its Supporting Students and Children Act, which will require universities to have merit-based admissions policies and publicize their processes starting in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving the increase in university admission averages?
According to Sachin Maharaj, the increase is due to a combination of factors, including pressure on teachers to ensure students pass and an incentive for schools to report high admission rates to prestigious programs, leading to grade inflation.
What is the government doing to address this issue?
The Ontario government is currently consulting with institutions, students, and stakeholders on admissions as part of its Supporting Students and Children Act, which will require universities to have merit-based admissions policies and publicize their processes starting in 2025.
Are students responding to this pressure?
Yes, students are experiencing increased anxiety and stress, as evidenced by posts on online forums. Some are even considering alternative pathways, such as attending college first, to improve their chances of university admission.
As the competition for university spots intensifies, will institutions adapt their admissions criteria, or will the pressure on students continue to escalate?
