Picking the right study program is a huge step. It really sets the stage for your future. Many high school students spend months weighing their options before deciding. And even after they've chosen, it's rare to feel completely sure.

Some programs have always been highly competitive. Take medicine, for instance, where the number of accepted students is set by the government. Or psychology, which draws hundreds of applicants but can't accommodate everyone. But beyond these traditional favorites, new trends are popping up and really taking off. So, what's new for 2025? Let's take a quick look as the school year kicks off.

Our Tried-and-True

Some study paths never go out of style and stay incredibly popular year after year. Beyond medicine and psychology, consider pharmacy, law, engineering, or architecture. These fields see a lot of applicants, but only a select few get in. Their admission processes are tough, often attracting students with outstanding academic records.

What makes them so appealing? They typically offer specialized expertise, prestige, professional independence, and earning potential above the Quebec average. It's no surprise that getting into these programs is highly competitive!

Programs with a Provincial Reputation

Out of all the programs available, some truly stand out and become synonymous with the institution that offers them, or even their entire region. For example, Cégep de Jonquière has been linked with Art and Technology of Media (ATM) for 58 years. And veterinary medicine brings Saint-Hyacinthe to mind, even though it's taught by the University of Montreal.

These one-of-a-kind programs have built a reputation that goes beyond just local fame, always landing them among the most popular choices.

Artificial Intelligence is Now a Part of Everything

Here, we're not talking about students using AI to write papers. We're talking about the explosion of training programs in artificial intelligence. Just three years ago, who could've predicted how deeply tools like ChatGPT would embed themselves in our daily lives?

Today, AI is being taught at every level. There are many Attestation of College Studies (ACS) available, such as Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence at Collège Ahuntsic, AI for Business Management at Collège Cumberland, or Technical Specialization in Artificial Intelligence at Cégep de Sainte-Foy.

Universities aren't far behind either, with a range of certificates, micro-programs, post-graduate diplomas, and master's degrees. Simply put, just like in our everyday lives, AI is now everywhere – even in classrooms!

The Pull of Pop Culture

What we watch on TV and online can really shape career choices. Today's youth often dream of becoming YouTubers or TikTokers. Not so long ago, they might have wanted to be radio hosts, inspired by shows like Radio Enfer (true story!).

Given our constant exposure to social media, it's no surprise that many are now gravitating towards programs in communications, digital marketing, or multimedia to turn their passions into careers.

TV plays a big part too. In the U.S., after shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation gained popularity, forensic science programs saw a huge leap in enrollment. This became known as "the CSI effect."

In law, there was the "Suits effect," inspired by the legal drama that aired from 2011 to 2019. Quebec isn't immune to this trend either. In 2016, the Young Bar of Montreal even called for a reduction in the number of lawyers, arguing that law schools were overwhelmed. Many students were drawn to the profession by the glamorous images of lawyers shown on TV, when the real-world experience is often quite different.

We're seeing a similar pattern emerge today with real estate brokerage. Many students pursue these studies hoping to earn big, often inspired by flashy real estate agents they see on shows like Selling Sunset, The Parisian Agency, Selling the OC, or Selling Manhattan. However, the reality is a bit more modest: the average annual salary for a real estate broker in Quebec in 2020 was $56,400.

What Does the Future Hold?

As we dive into massive technological changes, some new study areas are really starting to pop up. Take quantum computing, for instance, which is set to transform multiple industries. To put it simply, imagine a new kind of computer that can try out many solutions all at once – like navigating every path in a maze simultaneously instead of one by one. Its impact will be huge on transportation, logistics, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, cybersecurity… and even artificial intelligence.

Perhaps you're interested in helping businesses through their digital transformations? If so, you could pursue an ACS in Digital Innovation at Cégep de Drummondville. With all the changes happening around us, these types of programs certainly seem to have a bright future ahead.