- calendar_today November 5, 2026
Thirty-three universities and colleges joined students at TAIE International Institute's September 2026 University & College Fair. The event gave students a chance to move beyond a list of institutions and speak with representatives about programs, admission requirements and the choices available after graduation.
TAIE, a private school serving Grades 7–12 in Thornhill, Ontario, described the event in its fair recap. Representatives came from Canadian institutions including the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo, the University of Ottawa, McMaster University and Western University. U.S. institutions named in the recap included Temple University, St. John's University and Niagara University. TAIE's event announcement placed the fair on September 21 in the school gym.
Questions students could ask directly
A university fair is useful because a student can bring the same question to several institutions in one afternoon. How does the first year of a program work? Which secondary-school courses are prerequisites? Is there a portfolio or supplementary application? How does the institution support students from different educational backgrounds? Speaking with representatives can help a student hear the distinctions between programs that appear similar online.
The fair also helps students discover options they had not considered. A student interested in criminology, psychology or business might start with a broad field and use conversations to identify a degree title, campus and program structure. TAIE's recap describes students asking about programs and admission requirements, which are the kinds of details that can shape a more focused university shortlist.
Bring the fair back into the classroom plan
The next step happens after the booths close. Students can compare what they learned with their courses, grades, interests and application timeline. At TAIE, guidance counsellors meet students individually on course selection, university applications and preparation. Grade 12 students also receive OUAC-focused workshops twice each semester. These recurring conversations help students turn fair notes into action rather than leaving them as brochures in a folder.
TAIE's university visits extend that access beyond one event. School visits and workshops give students additional chances to ask about university study and subject-specific preparation. A family can ask their student to identify two or three programs from the fair, then meet a counsellor to discuss prerequisites and the application calendar for each one.
A school connection with higher education
The 2026 fair illustrates what a university relationship can offer a student today: direct questions, clearer program comparisons and a reason to plan early. TAIE also lists university pathway partners, giving families further institutions to explore. The practical value is strongest when these contacts are tied to each student's academic work and future goals.
Families considering TAIE can ask how often university representatives visit, whether students can meet them one on one and how the school helps students follow up. The answers show how a school supports university choice across the year, from initial exploration to the application stage.
The Ontario Universities' Application Centre's application guidance encourages students to research programs and attend university events before choosing where to apply. Students can use the fair as a starting point, then verify prerequisites and deadlines on each institution's own site.
About TAIE International Institute
TAIE International Institute is a Canadian private school serving Grades 7–12 on a five-acre campus in Thornhill. The school combines academics, guidance, student life and university preparation to support each student's next step.
Sponsored content prepared with information supplied by TAIE International Institute.
