Transcript Counsellors’ Grade 12 Visits: Overview of Your Graduation Year

Grade 12 Parents
September 2010
Mr. White
Education Expo
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Monday Sept 20 in 1 to 2 PM
At least 40 colleges and
universities here in the gym for a
flea market.
Parents welcome!
Handout list.
The 12 year in a nutshell:
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Decide on an immediate personal
future.
Be sure you have the courses to allow
graduation and for what you want to do.
Do school as well as possible.
If going to go on, Apply, maybe now!
Deal with $$$$ issues.
Graduation:
Knowing what credits are
needed and then getting them
is always the responsibility of
each student.
But Guidance does keep track
and endeavour to ensure
students have what it takes.
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS
These requirements are the same everywhere in Nova
Scotia:
 18 credits
 Maximum 7 grade 10 credits
 Minimum 5 grade 12 credits
 3 English (one at each grade level)
 2 Math
 # 1 Science (From Science 10, Biology 11,
Chemistry 11 or Physics 11)
 # 2 Science (From those subjects listed above or
from Oceans, Human Biology or Geology or other
science)
GRAD REQUIREMENTS
(CONTINUED)
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1 Cdn History (includes Mi’kmaq Studies)
1 Global Studies 12 (From Global History or Global
Geography)
1 credit in the Phys Ed or PAL category
1 Fine Arts (From Art, Drama or Music)
2 further credits in the Math, Science or Technology
areas
5 open electives
NOTE: 2 courses of the same subject at the same
grade level can only count as 1 credit except that
Pre Cal Math 12 and Calculus are separate from
other Gr 12 math courses.
Example:MAF11=MAT11=MAD11=just one credit.
HAVE THE RIGHT COURSES BEEN
TAKEN? ARE THE MARKS GOOD
ENOUGH?
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A student may be meeting graduation
requirements BUT the courses might not
be suitable for admission into the postsecondary program wanted, or your
marks may not be good enough!
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This can be discussed any time in
Guidance
WHAT IF THERE IS A NEED TO
UPGRADE after graduation?
1)
2)
3)
4)
Return to high school [free to 21]
Go to upgrading programs at NSCC or
university [$$$$]
Take correspondence courses (limited courses)
Go to Adult Day School (FLECS)
Deciding on a personal
future
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This is the future for the next few
years, with maybe some life-long goals.
In theory and ideally you first decide on
an occupation you want to head
toward.
CHOOSING AN OCCUPATIONAL
GOAL
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Know yourself and what you want
Know the occupations that are available
and which ones suit your characteristics
Weigh the costs and benefits and the
outlook
GET HELP IN DOING THIS, EVEN IF JUST TO
GET CONFIRMATION OF YOUR PRESENT
PLANS.
CAREER SERVICES IN THE
GUIDANCE OFFICE
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PUBLICATIONS: Career Options, Booklets,
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“Career Cruising” : a fun computerized
occupational search programs – answer
about yourself and the computer matches
your answers with occupations
JOB ACQUISITION HELP: Help with your
resumes and for interviews
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Career Cruising
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An online program that you can do on your own
or with your counsellor.
Career Matchmaker section involves answering
interest questions, and leads to a list of career
options
Also you can self assess your skills to further
narrow your list
Career Cruising also has linked information on
occupations and on where in Canada or
elsewhere you can go to study or prepare for
occupations.
www.careercruising.com
CAREER CRUISING!
The first of many questions!
Nova Scotia Career Options, available for loan in Guidance
Career Options On-line
http://careeroptions.ednet.ns.ca
OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL:
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Direct to work (civilian)
Direct to Military Training and
Employment
Apprenticeship (a formal on-the-job
training program) for skilled trades
Private Career College: Business,
Cosmetology, Computer etc.
Community College for trades,
technology, business
University
Going directly to work
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Unless you have a special connection or are
willing to be part of unfavourable conditions the
pay is likely to be low.
May not lead to significant advancement up the
ladder. “dead end”
Might allow you to save $ to go to more
school but it may be difficult to leave your
job once you have that paycheque coming in.
May be suitable temporarily, if you need to
think about your future.
Can allow you to stay in the local area.
Yes there are exceptions to the above!
Futures involving more school:
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1. Choose a suitable occupational goal
2. Choose an educational program and
institution to suit that goal, based on
abilities, drive, finances, etc.
3. Take the program and do as well as
you can in it
4. Get an appropriate job
5. Reconsider as appropriate throughout
life and go back for more (life’s spiral,
hopefully an upward one!)
Going on
to more education or training
If you aren’t going straight to work or on vacation
this is what you will be doing!
Post Secondary Education
“Post-secondary” = after high school
“training” = hands-on or technical learning,
relating to a particular occupation.
“education” means learning in a more general way,
Such as learning to learn, learning to think, gaining
new knowledge that doesn’t relate to a particular job.
“program” means a set of courses
usually leading to a certificate of
qualification to enter a particular
occupation. May still be much
training beyond.
“institution” = a school of some kind
Why go to Post-secondary
education
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Better chances for employment and/or
better income and working
conditions
In most cases the money and time
used is a good investment.
Personal satisfaction
Social growth
Sports opportunities
INFORMATION ON POST-SECONDARY
INSTITUTIONS
Look in the publications they all
provide
 Many available for loan in the
guidance office, or call the
institution for your own
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POST-SECONDARY PUBLICATIONS
Calendar= complete information
Book produced each year by large
Institutions, lists programs, courses,
rules. May be very lengthy and
complicated.
Viewbook = gives main points only
and, for Large institutions is where
you should start.
Brochure = small institutions might
only have this.
Typical Calendars
On-line information
•Most information is available on-line
•Easy to search to find the institution
•Or use a links page
•Once there it is not always easy to find the piece of
information you want. Many still prefer a book.
Super Link Page! Easy to use!
Contains links to all the institutions
commonly attended by local students.
Via the school webpage:
www.dmhs.ednet.ns.ca
Then click on “guidance and transcripts”
Kinds of post-secondary institutions
and their entrance requirements
UNIVERSITY
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Education and training that usually takes
at least 3 or 4 years
Usually requires academic English 12 and
other academic courses.
Average on Gr 12 courses to be around
70, with some schools or programs
having much higher minima.
For some business type programs you
can go to 2 yrs NSCC first and then
transfer. Cheaper.
UNIVERSITY
Some programs are specific
preparation for certain professions,
e.g. Nursing, Pharmacy, Law,
Teaching.
 Many are more general with the
student coming out “more educated,
knowledgeable, independent
thinker, etc.” but needing more
training.
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UNIVERSITY
 Most
students are heading to a
degree.
 The most common
undergraduate degrees are BA.
BSc. BComm but there are many
more: e.g. BTHM BEd, LLB, BAA
 Also many higher degrees.
UNIVERSITY
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There are more universities in NS per
capita than in any other province.
All universities in Canada are good to
excellent.
You can transfer between universities in
many cases.
You can study at foreign universities as
part of going to many Canadian
universities.
Universities of Atlantic
Canada
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Dalhousie
Saint Mary’s
Mount St Vincent
NSCAD
At. Sch. Of Theology
U Ste-Anne
Acadia
NS Agricultural Coll.
St. Francis Xavier
Cape Breton U
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Memorial U of Nfld
Sir Wilfrid Grenfell
UPEI (inc AVC)
Mount Allison
Moncton (FF)
Crandall
UNB Fred & SJ
St Thomas
St. Stephen’s
Easy access to 2 U of
Maine campuses
UNIVERSITY
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To apply to an Atlantic Canada university it is
almost always okay to wait until after 1st
semester, but for scholarship consideration must
be before March 15.
University elsewhere in Canada: apply earlier,
and there may be different requirements.
For foreign universities: usually must write the
SAT or ACT (international tests). See guidance
for information
There are on-line universities around the world
and in Canada. Canada’s largest is Athabasca
University. Get a degree while you work.
Community College
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Offer programs that train you for specific
occupations. Some of these occupations or trades
may pay more than many university-oriented jobs
and have more likelihood of employment.
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Skilled trades, computer, business, service,
helping occupations
Operated by governments and usually are
relatively inexpensive per year, and programs
1 or 2 yr long.
Programs are at least adequate, and often are
excellent.
Community Colleges in
Atlantic Canada
NS Community College
 NB Community College
 Maritime College of Forest
Technology
 Holland College (PEI)
 College of the North Atlantic (Nfld)
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N.S. COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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13 campuses around NS. NSCC offers
many different programs.
Minimum grade 12 or equivalent for most
programs. Some require academic
courses. A few require a degree.
Portfolios showing creativity are required
for artistic programs.
Many programs have waiting lists each year.
FIRST COME FIRST SERVED… APPLY EARLY!! NOW!!
Can apply as early as the first day of Grade 11.
Apprenticeship
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Many skilled trades require you to be an
apprentice (on job learner) before you
are fully qualified (journeyperson)
Can be an advanced apprentice coming
out of community college (some trades)
Can take pure apprenticeship without
going to community college. This route is
basically free, as you are paid while
under training.
http://apprenticeship.ednet.ns.ca/
PRIVATE COLLEGES
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Similar to community college but operated as a
private business for profit.
Generally high tuition fees.
May be excellent and up to the minute!
But as with any purchase, shop around and think.
Often specialize in one or a few programs, such as
cosmetology, massage, business, tourism,
computer, private security, etc. There are many
different specialties and there are at least 30 just
in the Metro Halifax area
Admission: Usually minimum grade 12; maybe with
specific subjects.
Applying to a College
(typical procedure)
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Obtain application form from Guidance or
directly (may be on-line)
Complete form; review with counsellor if you
wish; then attach fee if applicable.
Request transcripts from Guidance .
Mail or take to the institution prior to deadline.
For NSCC apply as soon as possible.
For private colleges you can usually apply after
the end of first semester, but earlier if you want.
Counsellor Check:
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Before you apply, check to see if you
have the right courses and high enough
marks.
If borderline but have extenuating
circumstances your counsellor can be of
great assistance.
Do you mention adaptations or learning
difficulties?
Do you mention minority status?
The Military as a PostSecondary Option
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Is a combination of a job and an educator
and trainer
Many, many different occupations
Several different entry plans ranging from
Unskilled Entry (start as a private and work up)
to ROTP (university at their expense)
Can be a lifelong career or a step leading
back to civilian work.
Can be reserves (usually part-time work)
or regular (full-time work)
Military Information
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For more info call the CF Recruiting
Centre at 1 (800) 856-8488 or walk in
during business hours (Scotia Square)
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Recruiters for the forces in general will be
part of EXPO.
Local reserve units might come to the
school at various times to recruit
Any of these can be called for information
(Counsellor can help)
Keep in mind that there are many, many
occupations in the military.
$$$$$$$$$$$
Costs of Post-Secondary
Education (multiply by number of years in the
program)
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Tuition Fees
Other Fees (activities, athletic, health,
etc)
Books and supplies
Room and board (home and away)
Transportation
Miscellaneous and Social (may be
different than if not at school)
Lost income and benefits (“Opportunity
Costs”)(hopefully to be offset by increased
earning power for the rest of your life)
Typical Tuition Fees:
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Community College: around $3000/yr for
most programs. 1 or 2 yrs.
Private Career College: $5000 to over
$20,000/yr. 1 or 2 years.
University: In Nova Scotia, around $6000/yr for
4 years Less elsewhere in Canada.
Flight College: approximately $20,000/yr.
Usually 2 years
Paying for Post-Secondary
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Student Savings
Awards (Scholarships and Bursaries)
Student’s employment income: summers
and during the school year
Student Loans
RESP’s and other family investments
Family pay-as-you-go
Education grants to those with
documented disabilities
Awards
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This is money that someone gives to you
and you do not pay it back.
Almost always you must actually attend a
post-secondary program to receive the
money.
Entrance scholarships, Private
scholarships, National & regional awards,
Local awards, Grants
Private Awards
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Private Scholarships
are provided by some
employers and unions and clubs to dependents of workers
or members, or to workers themselves. Examples are
Sobey’s/Lawtons, Canadian Tire, Imperial Oil, NSGEU,
RCMP. Values typically $1000 and up.
May be competitive.
You must check to see if your employer or your parents’
employer or union has such an award.
Armed Forces Reserves: Any member who completes a
year of college or university will receive an award, at least
$1000.
Entrance Scholarships
All universities have these.
 Some colleges may offer them.
 Usually all applicants to NSCC and to
private colleges are considered for
these awards, or there is a check
box on the application form.
 Most are competitive. Depends on
who applies for what in any given
year.
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Athletic Scholarships
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Common in the USA but not in Canada.
Varsity athletes in Canada do commonly
receive some benefits.
Capable athletes can get into prestigious
American universities that would be
otherwise not available.
Local Awards
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For most DMHS grads this will be the
major type of award.
Provided by businesses, organizations
and individuals in our local area.
Duncan MacMillan is blessed by a very
high level of contributions from our
communities.
Two kinds: Ones provided directly by an
organization, and ones that are tied to
the school.
Direct Local Awards
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The organization decides entirely on its
own who will win.
They might provide an application form
that students receive through the
guidance office or other ways.
Or they simply choose someone they
know of already.
May be a variety of criteria such as
special need, marks, area of residence,
future plans, etc.
Almost all are applied for March to May.
Local Awards tied to the
School.
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The organization provides funds to the
school, along with any criteria they have.
An in-school committee determines who
will win the award, with no application.
For these awards students must complete
volunteer hours.
Often there are enough awards that all
who complete volunteer hours and are
going on to further school will receive one
or more.
Volunteer Hours
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All present Grade 12’s wishing to be
considered for local awards decided by
the school must complete at least 20
volunteer hours during this school year.
For more information and for record
forms to be signed by “employers”, see
Mr. Cumminger or Mr. Fraser.
Should get on with this immediately!!
Education Grants
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From the provincial and/or federal government
• Available to students who have documented
disabilities or challenges that will affect their
education
Education Grants, contd.
• require a diagnosis from a doctor
or psychologist.
• Could be a range of things,
Such as visual impairment, muscular dystrophy,
learning disabilities, or mental disorders such as
severe anxiety disorder, tourette syndrome, etc.
The amount of grants can be very significant
But generally are meant to pay for the extra
Equipment or assistance required to “level the
Playing field”
Education Grants, contd.
Must have up to date testing or diagnosis in place!
Up to date usually means a diagnosis or formal update
completed not more than 5 years prior to the beginning
of the program of studies.
If not already in place, you must get this started now!!!
Must be done by a physician or psychologist. For learning
disabilities this will be the school psychologist.
All major post-secondary institutions have people there just
To help those with difficulties.
Student Loans
The money loaned must be paid
back
 Two types: government and private
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Government Student Loans
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Commonly called Canada Student Loans
but really a combination of CSL and NS
Student Loans. Maximum amount is
about $10,000 per yr.
Administered by the NS Dept of
Education. They determine eligibility.
The less your family income and the
higher the cost of the program, the
bigger the available loan. Most students
are eligible for at least a small one, which
likely will not cover all the costs.
Government Student Loans,
contd.
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There is no repayment of the loan and
there is no interest until after studies
have been completed.
A portion of the loan may be remitted
(does not have to be repaid) if good
marks are obtained.
Apply beginning in May (approximately)apply on-line. www.studentloans.ednet.ns.ca
Private Student Loans
Student line of credit offered by many chartered
banks. No government involvement. Useful for
families with a medium income, not eligible for a
full government loan but who would have
difficulty in paying for college or university.
 Based on a student budget and on having a cosigner with an acceptable credit rating (usually a
parent, but not necessarily)
 Student draws funds as necessary.
 Interest, at a preferred rate, is paid monthly on
the amount borrowed. The principal is not paid
on until after studies end.
 Apply anytime, once plans are firm.
 Example:
http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/student/stline.jsp
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For more financial
information:
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Speak to guidance counsellor for general
information.
Speak to financial advisor or awards
officer at the institutions
Call the student aid office in Halifax or go
on-line
Talk to your bank or credit union
Ask your employer, union, service clubs,
church about awards
Students listen for, or look for,
announcements in school regarding major
awards.
Duncan MacMillan’s Scholarship
and Awards Information
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See the list of scholarships and other awards
ordered by due date, available at the On-line
Guidance Office (OGO), via
www.dmhs.ednet.ns.ca
Also there will be announcements regarding
major awards. (printed copies may be available
in the actual Guidance Office).Then see your
counsellor for more information
Go to websites such as
www.studentawards.com
www.scholarships.ca
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