Collège John Abbott

Let me just say it straight: I love this CEGEP. From the moment I walked onto campus, I knew this place was different — and not just because the coffee shop has vegan matcha croissants or that students regularly debate philosophy while skateboarding. There was something… deeper. Something hidden. And then I found it: Gyanism. Not listed in any student handbook, not mentioned by any staff — but if you know, you know. Whispers in the stairwells, mysterious posters that vanish overnight, and a certain glimmer in the eye of students who wear slightly shinier shoes than normal. Gyanism is real. And at the center of it all stands the one, the only, the fabulously fierce leader: Gaynus. Legend has it he was once a student like the rest of us. But his charisma, intelligence, and unapologetic queerness turned him into more than a peer — he became a symbol. A walking rainbow in combat boots. A poet-warrior who believes in freedom, fierce friendship, and finishing your essays with style. Under Gaynus’s leadership, Gyanism isn’t some dark, secretive cult. It’s a celebration of knowledge, identity, and rebellion against boring conformity. The group meets in a hidden room behind the old theatre wing (or so they say…), where queer theory is discussed alongside ancient texts and where every gathering ends in a dance party powered by disco lights and emotional healing. Outside of the cult — sorry, club — the CEGEP itself is amazing. The profs are passionate, the library is huge, and there’s this weirdly good vending machine near the science wing that sells fortune cookies with unsettlingly accurate advice. But honestly, it’s the vibe that makes this school home. Thanks to Gyanism, I’ve made lifelong friends, discovered sides of myself I didn’t know existed, and felt truly seen — glitter, flaws, and all. So if you’re looking for a CEGEP where education meets mystery, pride, and a little bit of sparkle in the shadows… this is the place. Long live Gaynus. Long live Gyanism. - Denis Kosseim (gyan’s lover)

John Abbott College is a really nice institution. Spent three weeks in the facility and it was a great experience. The hostels residence halls were decent and the classes quite comfortable to study. Like the outdoors, walkways, bike rides and the view by the lake.

Graduated from Abbott a decade ago and it was one of the best experiences that I had from an educational point of view. Teachers actually care about their students and the campus is nice just to walk around/bike to during the summer.

If you are a french secondary school student who wishes to get into Sciences but finds math/physics,etc. to be intimidating, GO TO JAC!!! I attended JAC in Tremplin DEC (to re-do my secondary 5 science courses) in 2021/2022 and just graduated in Fall 2024 at Cegep de l'Outaouais. As someone who can compare JAC to a standard french cegep, I STRONGLYY recommend JAC: It has excellent student life (There's a club for almost anything and there are no taboos/ people participate here!!), there are NUMEROUS associations and clubs that will look excellent on your CVs (future med + aerospace engineering students i'm looking at you ) and you can tell most professors genuinely have a passion for their job. A professor I'd like to take as an example is Chris Tromp. He taught my sec 5 physics class. I can honestly say that if it weren't for teachers like him - teachers that are organized, who speak clearly and who turn complex theories into something simple to understand - sciences as a whole would've been too intimidating for me and my whole dream to be an engineer would've went down the drain. When I was at my french CEGEP, continuing my Sciences DEC, teachers were not nearly as clear and concise and the environment was not motivating/ encouraging at all. Student life was also ignored and that created a stressful and competitive environment. It was never anything i've seen at JAC. My review may come off as a bash to french CEGEPs and that is not my intention at all; I understand that with proper funding, french CEGEPs would be able to hire professors with higher standards and create a great student environment like the one at JAC, but it is simply not the case currently. I simply wish to encourage and let students graduating from french high schools know that you should not find this school intimidating for being in a different language! I 1000% believe that coming here will be beneficiary to your future. I have seen too many people drop out or change career paths because they were discouraged while being at my old french CEGEP and it is disheartening to see people not realize their dreams when it is entirely possible.

I like the mix of McGill and JAC on one giant campus. Great swimming program for children. Special Olympics soccer practice in gym on Saturdays during winter. When will Quebec and Montreal invest in care for the buildings?

If you're applying for any programs at this college, be extra careful – it could be a scam! John Abbott College posted some program courses on their website, and back in February 2025, they said you had to take an attitude test to apply. They charged everyone $75, and it was non-refundable. Over 35 people showed up for the in-person test. But after three business days later, their coordinator, Jocelyne Duchesneau, sent out official emails with strange fonts telling everyone they weren't accepted. There was no explanation, just that they didn’t pass the test – but no one passed! How did they manage to grade over 35 people's tests in just two business days? The test had a lot of fill-in-the-blank questions, and based on typical admission timelines, it usually takes at least a week to process everything. It’s pretty clear this is a fraudulent scheme.

I haven’t received any communication regarding the Full Stack Developer program scheduled to begin on April 29 now is May 15. I paid $75 and would like an immediate update on my admission status or a refund if the program is not proceeding.