FAQ for New IESP Students

Applicants must meet the following minimum educational criteria:

• Ontario high school applicants: must submit a complete application and have three Grade 12 credits at the U or M level (4U English is recommended but not required), and be eligible for their OSSD.
• Out-of-province high school applicants: must submit a complete application, have a high school diploma and half their grade 12 credits in the academic/university stream.
• Mature applicants (the IESP office will consider those who have been away from full-time studies for a two-year period and who have not undertaken other college or university study as “mature”): must submit a complete application and will be considered on a case by case basis.
• College/CEGEP applicants: must submit a complete application and may be considered after the completion of one year in a college program.
• University students: please contact iesp@carleton.ca about whether our program can assist you.

The IESP application is now open. The application deadline is Friday, July 11, 2025.

Please email iesp@carleton.ca with any inquiries or questions you may have.

First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students interested in beginning university studies who:

• would like academic and social support
• have taken time away from school and wish to start in a supported environment
• have potential but may lack the grades needed for traditional admission

IESP students:

• have come from across Canada
• have diverse educational and/or professional backgrounds and experiences
• have included both recent high school and/or college graduates and mature students who have decided to undertake university studies after years in the workforce

IESP does not base its admissions decisions on high school or college/university grades alone. For this reason, we ask students to submit an Application Package including an application form, two letters of reference from teachers, a personal statement and an application fee.

IESP applications are not made through the Ontario University Application Centre. Instead, you apply directly to the program, below.