Information about Alternate Offers
Alternate Offers: What you need to know
Below you’ll find answers to some of our most common questions about alternate offers.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Feel free to reach out to us at admissions@carleton.ca for more information about Carleton’s alternate offer process.
Common questions about alternate offers:
Why did I receive an alternate offer?
If you are not admissible to the program of your choice, you will be automatically considered for an alternate program. You will receive an alternate offer as long as you meet the required grades and prerequisite courses for the alternate program. In your alternate program, you’ll be able to start your journey at Carleton and benefit from taking interdisciplinary courses and joining student clubs in your field.
Can I be reassessed for my first-choice program?
Carleton will reassess students for their first-choice program(s) if there is an increase in grades. If your grades increase, you must email admissions@carleton.ca to inform us there has been a change in grades and you would like to be reassessed. If you applied to a program that required additional admission requirements, like a portfolio or supplementary application, it is not possible to be reassessed for that program.
Please note, programs have limited enrolment and a reassessment will only occur if there is still space in the program.
Can I reapply to my first choice program later?
Once you are a Carleton student, it is possible to apply to switch to a different degree program (an internal degree transfer). You will be assessed based on your post-secondary grades and any required prerequisites for the program you are applying to. You will need to submit a portfolio or supplementary application if you are applying to a program with additional admission requirements. There are a very limited number of spaces for internal degree transfers in limited enrolment programs like Architectural Studies, Nursing and some programs in Engineering. Please contact admissions@carleton.ca for more information.
Can I switch my alternate offer to a different program?
Yes! If you would like to be assessed for a different program at Carleton other than your alternate offer program, please email admissions@carleton.ca with your full name, Carleton ID number, name of alternate program and the name of the new program you would like to be assessed for.
How do I find out more information about my alternate program?
There are many ways to find out more information about Carleton programs.
- Look up your alternate program on our website for more information including sample courses, student testimonials and career options.
- You can request a meeting with a representative from your alternate program.
- Receive a call from a current Carleton student to ask questions and learn about their experience at Carleton.
- If you received an alternate offer to a program within the Faculty of Engineering and Design (FED), you can also contact the FED Outreach and Engagement Team at engdesign.outreach@carleton.ca or (613) 520-2600 ext. 2020.
Who can I contact if I have questions about my alternate offer?
Please reach out to us!
Why is Carleton still a great place to study?
Carleton offers strong academic programs, supportive professors and a vibrant campus community. You’ll benefit from hands-on learning opportunities, co-op and internship programs, research opportunities and career services that help prepare you for your future career. With over 170 clubs and societies to explore, you’ll find your passion and your people. Carleton’s location in Ottawa also provides access to government, tech and non-profit organizations, creating valuable networking and career opportunities.
After an unsuccessful application, luckily I was advised to investigate History and Theory of Architecture (HTA). This quickly became the best decision I had ever made. HTA gave me the skills to think critically and analyze the built environment, hands-on archival research, collaborative projects with community partners, and a practicum placement with Parks Canada as a researcher. The Art and Architecture on Site course took us to Istanbul, Turkey. I learned to appreciate the living relationship between heritage and architecture which piqued my interest in urban planning. I’m forever grateful for the opportunities that were opened from this path.
– Zaid Hashim, History and Theory of Architecture, minors in Urban Studies, and Heritage and Conservation; MSc in Planning student
