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Appleby College

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Appleby College University Placement

Where graduates of a school do their post-secondary studies can be an important factor in choosing a private school. Do you want your child to go to a Canadian university, an Ivy League school in the US, or somewhere else? Whatever your inclinations, check out a school’s university placement record and the support they offer for university applications and decisions.

Key Numbers

Average graduating class size	170
Students accepted into post-secondary studies upon graduation	100%
Percentage of students who attend post-secondary institutions outside of Canada	15%
Students who attended a Ivy+ school Number of students in the past 5 years that that attended one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford or Cambridge (UK)	30

Services Offered to Students

Type	Offered
Career planning	N/A
Internships	N/A
Mentorship Program
University counseling

What Appleby College says about their university placement record and services:

Senior Two students are enrolled in Appleby's Guidance course (GLU4X). This non-credit course focuses on supporting students with their post-secondary applications as well as preparing them for their transition to college or university. Building from the research completed in Senior One, students finalize their list of post-secondary programs and schools they will apply to, complete the application and explore scholarship opportunities. Students have individual meetings with the guidance counsellors so they can be supported as they go through the process of deciding which program and school is best suited for them and develop self-advocacy skills. In addition to the core meeting times, students are provided with application workshops, university liaison presentations, and guest lectures aimed at supporting them with their research, completing the application, and preparing for the transition to post-secondary study.
Senior One students are enrolled in Appleby's Guidance course (GLU3X). This non-credit course focuses on post-secondary exploration and research. Students are challenged to consider their motivation for pursuing post-secondary education and to identify potential programs of interest. Students are introduced to a design-thinking approach to post-secondary planning. Using this approach enables students to be more methodical and thoughtful in their selection of institutions and programs. Students research programs based on their own values, strengths and what they feel are important factors and characteristics in their ideal learning environment, to become more informed about their field of interest and the admissions process. Students critically consider what actions they must take to be competitive applicants for admission. Topics in this course include post-secondary design and research, self-reflection, marketing strategy, the application process, writing admission and scholarship essays, enrichment opportunities, and determining next steps leading into Senior Two.

Post-Secondary Schools Attended

Learn the top five post-secondary schools Appleby College graduates attend, and the percentage of graduates that attend each of these schools.

Five most attended post-secondary schools


Western University					15%
University of Toronto				11%
Queen's University			9%
Wilfrid Laurier University		8%
McGill University	7%

% of Graduates

Canada (29 universities)
- Acadia University
- Brock University
- Camosun College
- Carleton University
- Dalhousie University
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- Mount Allison University
- OCAD University
- Queen's University
- Royal Military College of Canada
- St. Francis Xavier University
- St. Thomas University
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Trent University
- University of Alberta
- University of British Columbia
- University of Calgary
- University of Guelph
- University of King's College
- University of Ottawa
- University of Prince Edward Island
- University of Toronto
- University of Victoria
- University of Waterloo
- University of Windsor
- Western University
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- York University
United States (67 universities)
- Allegheny College
- Auburn University
- Babson College
- Bard College
- Barnard College
- Boston University
- Brigham Young University
- Brown University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Claremont McKenna College
- Colgate University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Duke University
- Emerson College
- Emory University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Indiana University, Bloomington
- Johns Hopkins University
- Loyola Marymount University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Miami University (OH)
- Michigan State University
- New York University
- Northeastern University
- Northwestern University
- Parsons School of Design
- Pennsylvania State University
- Pepperdine University
- Pratt Institute
- Princeton University
- Quinnipiac University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Rice University
- Rider University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Santa Clara University
- Stanford University
- Swarthmore College
- Syracuse University
- Temple University
- The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
- Tufts University
- United States Naval Academy
- University at Buffalo (SUNY)
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Irvine
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- University of Chicago
- University of Denver
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California
- University of Tampa
- University of Vermont
- University of Virginia
- University of Washington, Seattle
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Wellesley College
- Williams College
- Yale University
International (25 universities)
- Durham University
- École hôtelière de Lausanne
- Imperial College London
- King's College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- Queen Mary University of London
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Università Bocconi
- University College Dublin
- University College London
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Adelaide
- University of Amsterdam
- University of Bath
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Hong Kong
- University of Melbourne
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Reading
- University of St Andrews
- University of the Arts London
- University of Twente
- University of Warwick

Areas of Post-Secondary Study

This chart shows the main subject areas Appleby College graduates have pursued in post-secondary studies. If post-secondary studies are a major goal, this is an important factor to consider in choosing a school for your child.

Appleby College
OurKids.net Site Average

Appleby College Graduates’ Post-Secondary Studies:

45% - Liberal Arts and Sciences
16% - Engineering and Applied Sciences
27% - Business/Commerce
2% - Fine and Performing Arts
6% - Applied Health Sciences
2% - Applied Professional Studies (Post-grad certificate / diploma)
2% - Other

Aggregate of All Schools’ Post-Secondary Studies:

24% - Liberal Arts and Sciences
25% - Engineering and Applied Sciences
23% - Business/Commerce
6% - Fine and Performing Arts
14% - Applied Health Sciences
2% - Applied Professional Studies (Post-grad certificate / diploma)
7% - Other

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

Students have a head start on learning about universities globally.

Observations from students, parents, and alumni indicate that Appleby's rigorous curriculum, strong guidance, and impressive placement records prepare students exceptionally well for acceptance and success at top universities globally.

The education I received at Appleby College allowed me to get into my dream Ivy League school. There's no way I would have been able to go to Cornell, if it hadn’t gone to Appleby. It's an incredible education, incredible teachers. And, again, they really want what's best for you. They do a really good job.

—Jaime Bourbonnais, alum (see full interview)

All students are accepted by the top universities in Canada and the U.S., so the curriculum must be very effective. The students are very successful in their careers.

—Vanessa Barr, parent (see full discussion)

My son loves his school. He’s even talking about going to universities here in Canada, which a couple of years ago was not the case. He would have wanted to stay in the U.K. or in Europe. I see a child that actually loves the school environment, loves the multiculturalism. He finds that the students in general are very friendly. He feels safe and he feels adapted to the school.

—Vanessa Barr, parent (see full discussion)

They gain self-confidence through academic excellence.

Comments from alumni reflect on how the rigorous academic environment at Appleby, combined with strong support structures and mandatory co-curricular involvement, instills confidence and skills that are crucial for success in higher education and beyond.

Getting really confident in my abilities academically at Appleby—coming from the teachers that I had, and the support structures in place—made me feel like I could take on the academic programming at Harvard, and get really involved and invested, and also go up to my professors—even though they are literally leading their field—and talk to them after class and ask questions. I think there is a confidence there that came from Appleby, and my connections with faculty and teachers there.

—Noah Caza, alum (see full interview)

I jumped at a whole bunch of leadership opportunities. When I got them, they taught me hard and soft skills that I can take now into my university clubs. I can lead a team now because of being a prefect; I feel the school has built me into someone who's able to create things of my own.

—Simi Ogunsola, alum (see full interview)

The transition from high school to university is significantly smoothened with Appleby's guidance and preparation from the early stages. From grade nine onwards, guidance counselors work with students to prepare them for the upcoming transitions, making the process much more comfortable and less daunting. This proactive approach greatly shaped who I am today, helping me to navigate the considerable leap from high school to university with more confidence and readiness.

—Dawson Meloche, alum (see full interview)

I would say that the biggest impact that Appleby had is building confidence. I’d say that both of my kids going through the program, doing the Boarding Student program in Grade 12, and going off to university, I felt that their level of self-confidence was something that I just was in awe of. There’s so much to try and so much to do and so much support that it’s just a wonderful confidence builder. I think it comes from Appleby.

—Vanessa Barr, parent (see full discussion)

When I look at myself in comparison to all the other students I’ve encountered at Dartmouth, Harvard, and Princeton, I’d say Appleby has made me probably one of the much, much better prepared individuals on campus.

—Gabby Ponikvar, parent (see full discussion)

They benefit from mastering time management and gaining independence.

Insider sources emphasize Appleby's focus on teaching students essential skills like time management and self-discipline through its intense academic environment and Grade 12 boarding program, which significantly ease the transition to university life.

I must mention how prepared the students are when they leave Appleby. The school experience is intense, with long days, but this teaches students how to manage their time wisely. That’s a skill that proves invaluable in their life after high school. The mandatory boarding in Grade 12 is an amazing experience that prepares them well for university. It teaches them discipline and self-care habits. When they proceed to university, they find that they have more time on their hands, they join clubs and other extracurricular activities, thanks to the skills they developed at Appleby.

—Erin, parent (see full discussion)

Your boarding experience at Appleby really helps, because boarding gives you that chance to really be yourself as a student. You are in charge of your sleeping, eating and working schedules, and social schedules as well, and that’s a skill that a lot of students have to pretty much develop from scratch once they go to university. The fact that Appleby already gives students a year of guided experience to make good habits, that puts you at a massive advantage in so many ways when you go into university.

—Gabby Ponikvar, parent (see full discussion)

Appleby has mandatory Grade 12 boarding. That is something that I don’t think is too common among other schools. It is such a great way to, in your final year, solidify your friendships. Also to prepare for university, because for most university experiences, you’ll probably move away from home. For many students, that coupled with the new school, coupled with the new people—it can be overwhelming. By helping you get accustomed to living on your own, you can focus on other things, like the new university, the new classes, and the new community. It’s one less thing for you or your parents to worry about because you’ve done it before.

—Noah Caza, alum (see full interview)

The most shocking part of the whole process was when my parents found out that Appleby has mandatory boarding in Grade 12. That experience eliminates the stress associated with transitioning to university residence life, making me feel more comfortable and prepared for the next stage of life. This option starts as early as grade nine and attracts a lot of international students. In the final year, local students join the international ones, fostering a strong sense of community like nothing I've seen before.

—Dawson Meloche, alum (see full interview)

My experience could have been better if I had been able to take advantage of the boarding opportunities more. But I still loved my boarding experience and met a lot of really fun people. And I'm so grateful for that. Boarding really teaches you a lot about what it's like to live away from home, what it's like to live at a school for university. So when you move away, you're prepared.

—Jaime Bourbonnais, alum (see full interview)

My own biggest surprise was the value in the boarding program in Grade 12. You quickly realise that it’s the best thing for you and for them, and it’s just such a great eye-opener before they go to university—just to have a little bit of practice on the studying, the independence, and quite simply getting along with roommates and figuring out what that’s all about. It’s not your family, and you have to sometimes adapt your behaviours and figure out what’s important to you with roommates. So those are all really valuable lessons. My kids would say it’s their favourite year there, when they were Grade 12 boarders. It’s just so good for their confidence and for their independence, to get their work done on their own and learn how to manage their fun time with their school time.

—Vanessa Barr, parent (see full discussion)

A lot of people when they started university found the workload that they were expected to do in their first and second year just overwhelming. They found it obviously more challenging, but they were used to that level of expectation and they’re made to be very independent on getting the work done, getting it in on time. That to me has so much value, even more so than the actual mark at the end of the day—the ability to want to do the work, get the work done, get it done properly and get it in on time.

—Vanessa Barr, parent (see full discussion)

Diverse opportunities broaden students' horizons.

Testimonies from Appleby College students and alumni emphasize the wide array of experiences offered, from service trips to extracurricular activities, which contribute to well-rounded personal and academic growth.

I've realized, after making the transition into university and meeting many new people, how incredible the academics were at Appleby, including the courses you can take but also the experiences beyond the classroom. That outdoor education, which can now naturally teach many different leadership skills in an environment that is a lot more flexible than a structured classroom environment, is really something. It's stuff like that, and that massively diverse experience in all areas of school life, that I realized in my personal experience, was quite different from other people's experiences that I've talked to in university who reflect on their high school experiences.

—Dawson Meloche, alum (see full interview)

Appleby has amazing academics. So, in that respect, we’re taught well. But we’re educated in many different ways. Coming out into the world, there's so much these days that you need to be able to adapt to, and so many skills you need to have. And Appleby really prepares you.

—Erin, parent (see full discussion)

Because co-curricular involvement is mandatory, I think it’s fantastic. I think my kids might have been those kids, but because it was mandatory, I think that they were pleasantly surprised, and so were we as a family, at some of the cool things they got to do. And then in the end, when they’re writing their equivalent of a résumé to get into university, they have this beautiful list of all these things they have done—whether it was the newsletter or it was organising the formals or being on the Student Council, all of these things that they had on their résumé that was just part of their everyday life there. And it was considered absolutely normal, and everyone participated.

—Vanessa Barr, parent (see full discussion)

The number one reason I would recommend Appleby is its effectiveness in preparing students for life after high school, offering real-life experiences that resemble the future working and university environments. It provides an opportunity to try new things and fosters well-rounded individuals. I would urge prospective families to consider the unique aspects of Appleby and align them with their values and expectations. My biggest advice to new students is to embrace the opportunities early on and approach the journey with an open mind, as it can broaden their horizon and unveil numerous prospects. It’s essential to take full advantage of everything Appleby has to offer.

—Dawson Meloche, alum (see full interview)

There was just a massive selection of extracurriculars. Transitioning into university, I really appreciate having had all those experiences. ... What I appreciated the most about Appleby College was the wide array of experiences. I had the opportunity to try things that I never would have been able to try if it were not for Appleby. I had the chance to go on service trips to Nepal and Costa Rica, to try new sports, like squash, and to get involved with community outreach and outdoor education. I could try winter camping for the first time.

—Dawson Meloche, alum (see full interview)

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Appleby College University Placement

Page Contents

Key Numbers

Services Offered to Students

What Appleby College says about their university placement record and services:

Post-Secondary Schools Attended

Five most attended post-secondary schools

Canada (29 universities)

United States (67 universities)

International (25 universities)

Areas of Post-Secondary Study

Appleby College Graduates’ Post-Secondary Studies:

Aggregate of All Schools’ Post-Secondary Studies:

Qualitative insights

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My Shortlist

BUILD YOUR SHORTLIST

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

TRACK IMPORTANT DATES

Appleby College University Placement

Page Contents

Key Numbers

Services Offered to Students

What Appleby College says about their university placement record and services:

Post-Secondary Schools Attended

Five most attended post-secondary schools

Canada (29 universities)

United States (67 universities)

International (25 universities)

Areas of Post-Secondary Study

Appleby College Graduates’ Post-Secondary Studies:

Aggregate of All Schools’ Post-Secondary Studies:

Qualitative insights

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