Acceptance Declined Survey (ADS): FAQs
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Every year in the spring/summer term, Niagara College applicants are invited by email to participate in Niagara College’s online Acceptance Declined Survey (ADS). Please see the “Eligibility to Participate” section below. The survey is conducted by Academica Group in collaboration with Niagara College’s Institutional Analytics & Reporting (IAR) department on behalf of Niagara College.
If you have questions about the Acceptance Declined Survey (ADS), please email [email protected].
If you have any technical difficulties, please email [email protected] with a screenshot of the issue you are facing and they will help you as soon as they can.
Purpose of the Survey
Your opinions are important. Niagara College uses your feedback to gain insights into prospective students’ decision-making regarding which institution to select as well as to gauge the importance of various factors in that decision.
- The information you share helps inform planning and improvements for current and future applicants through our continuous improvement processes.
The survey is scheduled from August 4–25, 2026.
Eligibility to Participate
In August 2026, domestic applicants to Niagara College who declined all offers of admission and who had applied to begin a regular post-secondary program in September 2025 (Fall Term), January 2026 (Winter Term), or May 2026 (Spring Term) will be invited by email to complete the survey online.
The survey link you will be provided is unique to you. Please do not share it with others.
What Participation Involves
Your participation in this online survey is voluntary. Your responses are confidential. Only combined results will be reported. Participating in this survey will not impact your application to, or status at, Niagara College.
This survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete; written comments, ideas, or suggestions take additional time depending on the length of the response you may choose to provide.
The survey includes questions on your experiences as an applicant.
Survey Themes
Survey themes include:
* School of choice
* Interest & First Choice
* Visits
* Factors that influence decision to decline
* Scholarships
* Communications and Timing
* Niagara-specific questions
* Demographics
Survey Incentives from Niagara College
We appreciate the time and effort to provide an honest and complete assessment of your experiences as an applicant. As a thank you for your time, survey participants who complete the survey are automatically entered into random draws for a chance to win a share of $2,750 in prizes.
Review the ADS Prize Draw Terms and ConditionsBonus Draw Winners
Congratulations to our bonus draw winners!
- Bonus Draw #1 🏆
Nathan, NC Applicant - Bonus Draw #2 🏆
Shyanne, NC Applicant - Bonus Draw #3 🏆
NC Applicant - Bonus Draw #4
Jonathan, NC Applicant
Confidentiality and Privacy Notice
Participation in this survey may involve the collection of personal information as defined under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
Notice of Collection
Personal information is collected under the authority of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act and in accordance with section 38(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). The information will be used by Niagara College for institutional planning, evaluation, and enhancement of applicant services and processes.
Questions about the collection, use, or disclosure of this information may be directed to:
Institutional Analytics & Reporting (IAR)
Niagara College
Email: [email protected]
Confidentiality of Responses
Survey responses will be treated as confidential and will be reported in aggregate form wherever possible. Individual responses will not be reported in a way that identifies you.
While your survey link is unique to you, any identifying information is separated from survey responses prior to analysis and reporting wherever feasible.
Written comments will be reviewed and may be included in reporting; however, reasonable efforts will be made to remove identifying details.
Use and Disclosure
Access to survey data is limited to authorized staff at Niagara College and contracted research partners (e.g., Academica Group) for the purposes described above. Data will not be used to make decisions about your admission or status at Niagara College.
Data Storage and Security
Survey data is collected and stored using third-party service providers, including Voxco and Academica Group. These providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for authorized purposes.
Data may be stored or processed on servers located outside of Ontario or Canada. As a result, it may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions, including lawful access by foreign governments.
For more information, please review:
Retention
Survey data will be retained in accordance with Niagara College’s records retention policies and securely disposed of when no longer required.
Accessibility
In compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Academica Group is providing a fully accessible online survey, compatible with current screen readers and assistive technologies. Applicants may use any assistive technologies or devices available to them to complete the survey.
Alternative Delivery Options
Should you require alternative accessible options to complete the survey, please email the HWAS Reception Desk at [email protected] at Niagara College campuses in Niagara region.
Background
The Acceptance Declined Survey is a proprietary survey instrument developed by Academica Group. Niagara College has been participating in this survey every year since 2014.