Post-Secondary PreparationStage I What to StudyStage II Where to study Stage III The ApplicationStage IV Course Selection Stage V PaymentStage VI Let’s Get Started NOW

Why are you going to university? Personal Development and

Interest Better Career Opportunities Parental Pressure Don’t Know What Else to Do Is a GAP Year right for you? Is another form of education

better for you? Trade? Professional School?

What do you want to study?Interest > program > faculty > universityWhat can I do with a degree in…http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers

Faculty Descriptionshttp://www.dal.ca/academics/undergraduate_programs.html

10 Top Careers http://careerbear.com/career-tips/article/10-hot-careers

Career Quizhttp://www.schoolfinder.com/careers/index.asp?StudyType=2

Which Universities Have Your Program?Canada http://oraweb.aucc.ca/ http://www.electronicinfo.ca/en/index.php?j=1&flash

=1

United Kingdom http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

United States http://www.collegeboard.org/ http://www.collegeweeklive.com/ http://www.theadmissiongame.com/

All Three (meta-site) http://www.peirceeducational.com/Links.html

What Are Your Credentials?Personal Statement, Supplemental Applications, Reference Letters

GPA or Admissions AveragePre-requisites (Courses, Interview,

Portfolio)Standardized Testing (ACT, SAT, AP,

IB)Leadership, Service, Extra-curricularUnique Characteristics (athlete,

musician etc.) Work or related experiences

Stage II Where to study!What questions should you ask?Do I want to leave home?Do I want to live on campus?In what location do I want to live for 4

years?Do I want a city or a suburb?Do I want a residential campus or

commuter campus?Do I want to be anonymous or highly

visible?Small, medium or large? Reputation (degree of selectivity)

List Potential Schools (up to 15)Do all the schools meet your

criteria?

Affordable?Accessible?Attractive?

Evaluate Your Preferences

Shorten Your ListStretch 5

Carefully Research Your Stretch 5Deadlines for applicationGuaranteed HousingCo-opPre-requisitesMajor, Minor, Concentration, Double

Major, Honours, Magnet ProgramsDirect Entry, Non-Direct EntryCampus Visits, Personal ContactsProgram Descriptions

Stage III The ApplicationRolling Admissions vs Pooled

AdmissionsCampus Direct or Application

Service Application FeesLimitation on number of choices Documents and Information

Required

Determine Application ‘Process’ONGOINGInitial application (personal information,

academic history, payment)Follow-up Establish account, periodically

check for updates, to-do list READ THE DETAILS

Report academic progress at prescribed timesComplete supplemental portions of

application by secondary deadlinesDo not apply if you have no intention of

going. Do not apply too early.

Application, Transcripts

Self Reported - on-line self reporting

School Reported - transcript mailed or attached to official site

Ministry Reported – through PSI Choices form

School of Record (on-line courses, external credits)

Application, Accepting an OfferAn offer must be accepted in

order for you to be ‘enrolled’ at a PSI

There are rules for the number of PSIs you can accept

There is a non-refundable deposit required to accept an offer

Accepting an offer is a kind of ‘contract’

Stage IV Course SelectionOnce you have applied, been

made an offer, accepted the offer, and paid the deposit, you will be given a course registration date.

Plan your courses and make a mock timetable ahead of time so that when the portal opens you can select courses.

Select courses, build timetable.

Stage V PaymentHow much does it cost?Who is going to pay for it?What contribution will you make?

What about scholarships?

ScholarshipsMinistry – Exam Scholarship, Dogwood Scholarship,

Passport to Education

Meadowridge- Dr. Michael Orser, Mick McLaughlin, Greg Moore, Alumni, Board of Governors

PSI – Entrance Scholarships, Merit Scholarships, Athletic Stipends

External Scholarships – http://www.studentawards.com http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/ http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/postsec/index.shtml http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards/

Upcoming Planning Events UBC TourSeptember 13th 8:30-3:30pm @ UBC

VancouverGo Global Expo (work, study, volunteer abroad)

September 16th 1:00pm-5:00pm @ The Olympic Village

IVY PlusSeptember 19th 7:00pm @St. George’s

School Study & Go Abroad Fair September 22nd 1:00pm-5:00pm @

Vancouver Convention Centre

More Planning EventsAtlantic Canada (St. FX & Acadia)October 10th morning @ MeadowridgeVAIS Fair (US Colleges)October 24th 1:00pm-3:00pm West Point Grey

AcademyCanadian Universities EventOctober 25th 6:30pm-8:00pm @ Meadowridge

School University of Toronto November 24th or 25th 7:00pm Meadowridge

School Art & Design FairNovember 29th @ St. John’s School, Vancouver

Stage VI Get started NowVerify TranscriptNote PENSet up account on Student Secure Website https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/tsw/tsw/student/welcome.j

sp

Complete Reference Letter Request Form (or other similar assessment)

Identify Supplemental Requirements (College Essay, Personal Statement)

Complete ‘Graduating Student Profile’ form for Mr. Graveson

Read Student, Counsellor, & Family Responsibilities (understand your role)

Put Planning Events in your calendar

Student Responsibilities Develop and research an initial list of approximately five to fifteen universities you

might be interested in attending. Be aware of admission requirements and deadlines, including residence and housing. Research scholarships; a good site is www.studentawards.com. Many scholarship

applications are due in the fall of Grade 12. Write a resume and personal statement. Ask teachers early for letters of recommendation. Give them a copy of your resume

and personal statement as supporting documents. Students, not the university counsellor, are responsible for teacher recommendations.

Register well before the deadlines for all college admissions tests i.e. SAT, ACT, TOEFL.

Arrange to have admissions tests results sent directly to the universities. Complete all American university applications by late October for early admissions

decisions and by December for regular admissions decisions. Complete all UCAS (British) applications in the fall (Oxford and Cambridge are due

Oct 15th) Request and report grades as required by your institution. Notify the University Counsellor of acceptances or denials, and which university you

will attend. Inform the universities of your intentions to accept or deny an offer of admission. Continue to work hard in your classes. Don’t let an admissions officer, test score, or course grade determine what you’re

worth.

Counsellor Responsibilities Inform students and parents of the university application process. Meet with students and parents individually and in groups as part of

the university application process. Advise students and parents of appropriate universities, given each

student’s grades, test scores, interests, abilities, educational goals and financial

status. Maintain a university and college resource and test information library. Arrange opportunities for on-campus visits by university and college representatives. Process all related school records (transcripts), secondary school

reports, teacher and counsellor recommendations and school profiles in a

timely manner. Correspond with university and college admissions officers in support

of student applications.

Family Responsibilities Assist and support your son/daughter through the university application process. Resist the urge to take over and do it for them; do not become a “helicopter

parent.” Remember there is not one perfect university for your child. Check the university calendar each month to see if your son/daughter is on track. Be aware of deadlines for test registration and university applications. Know the list of universities and chances of acceptance. Be discerning about everything you hear, from neighbours to McLean’s University

report/ US News and World Report Have a realistic talk about how much you can afford for university; assist in

searching for scholarships. Assess your need for financial aid. Provide necessary financial statements for university applications. Provide fees for university application costs. Encourage continued studying. Be prepared for ups and downs of acceptances/rejections For the most part, let the student make the decision of where he/she will go. Obtain visas and travel documents as required for university outside of Canada. Keep a sense of humour, an open mind, open heart and open wallet!