Ottawa vs. Cornwall: The big choice

Are you thinking about heading to college sometime soon? Deciding whether to go to school in your hometown or peace out for a bigger adventure can be a tough one, but we think Ottawa is the place for you. Here’s why:

Bigger and better

Sure, Cornwall has some great things going for it – nice waterfront trails, a movie theatre, and all the necessities. But Ottawa kicks it up with so much more – a fantastic music scene, great bars, authentic tacos, even a Feline Cafe.

If being outside is more your thing, we’ve got loads of green space to take in – you can run, hike, ski, skate, tube, and so much more right here in Ottawa. With so much to do, you’ll get to experience college the way it was meant to be – with new adventures, new friends, and new hangouts. You’ll fit right in!

More jobs, more experience

Ottawa has tons of opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a part-time job while in school or thinking about your dream gig once you graduate, Ottawa has one of the most attractive job markets in Canada right now. We ranked first on the BMO Capital Markets list thanks to our strong employment growth, low jobless rate, impressive median income, and more. Basically, we’ve got jobs to spare! You can check these stats out here.

Tons of our programs also have work integrated learning opportunities, meaning an internship, co-op, work placement or other industry experience could be part of your learning. Since Ottawa is home to so many businesses and industries, you’ll gain diverse experience that likely isn’t available in Cornwall.

Close but far

There’s something great about living far enough away from your parents that they can’t just drop in unexpectedly, but close enough that you can still pop home to do laundry or enjoy a homecooked meal. Since Ottawa is just an hour or so away, you can enjoy some of the comforts of home while still creating your own life away from your parent’s nest.

Stay Safe

Moving away from home can be really scary. We want you to feel safe. That’s why you should come to Ottawa! According to Maclean’s Most Dangerous Places, Cornwall is less safe than Ottawa. In contrast, Ottawa was actually ranked as the Top Student City in 2017. The best part? The leading factor was friendliness.

You do you

Real talk, Cornwall and Ottawa are both great choices to live and study in. Our (slightly biased) opinion just wants you to have the time of your life at college – and we know Ottawa will welcome you with open arms. You do you, friend. You got this!