Transcript Stage 1 What to Study!

Post-Secondary Preparation
Stage I What to Study
 Stage II Where to study
 Stage III The Application
 Stage IV Course Selection
 Stage V Payment
 Stage VI Let’s Get Started NOW
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Why are you going to university?
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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 > university
What can I do with a degree in…
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers
Faculty Descriptions
http://www.dal.ca/academics/undergraduate_programs.html
10 Top Careers
http://careerbear.com/career-tips/article/10-hot-careers
Career Quiz
http://www.schoolfinder.com/careers/index.asp?StudyType=2
Which Universities Have Your Program?
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Canada
http://oraweb.aucc.ca/
 http://www.electronicinfo.ca/en/index.php?j=1&flash=1
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United Kingdom
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http://www.ucas.ac.uk/
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United States
http://www.collegeboard.org/
 http://www.collegeweeklive.com/
 http://www.theadmissiongame.com/
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All Three (meta-site)
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http://www.peirceeducational.com/Links.html
What Are Your Credentials?
Personal Statement, Supplemental Applications, Reference Letters
GPA or Admissions Average
 Pre-requisites (Courses, Interview,
Portfolio)
 Standardized Testing (ACT, SAT, AP, IB)
 Leadership, Service, Extra-curricular
 Unique Characteristics (athlete, musician
etc.)
 Work or related experiences
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Stage II Where to study!
What questions should you ask?
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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)
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Do all the schools meet your criteria?
Affordable?
Accessible?
Attractive?
Evaluate Your Preferences
Shorten Your List
Stretch 5
Carefully Research Your Stretch 5
Deadlines for application
 Guaranteed Housing
 Co-op
 Pre-requisites
 Major, Minor, Concentration, Double
Major, Honours, Magnet Programs
 Direct Entry, Non-Direct Entry
 Campus Visits, Personal Contacts
 Program Descriptions
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Stage III The Application
Rolling Admissions vs Pooled Admissions
 Campus Direct or Application Service
 Application Fees
 Limitation on number of choices
 Documents and Information Required
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Determine Application ‘Process’
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ONGOING
Initial 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 times
Complete supplemental portions of application by
secondary deadlines
Do 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 Offer
An 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’
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Stage IV Course Selection
Once 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.
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Stage V Payment
 How
much does it cost?
 Who is going to pay for it?
 What contribution will you make?
 What about scholarships?
Scholarships
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Ministry – Exam Scholarship, Dogwood Scholarship, Passport to
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Meadowridge- Dr. Michael Orser, Mick McLaughlin, Greg
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PSI – Entrance Scholarships, Merit Scholarships, Athletic Stipends
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External Scholarships –
Education
Moore, Alumni, Board of Governors
http://www.studentawards.com
 http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/
 http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/postsec/index.shtml
 http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards/
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Upcoming Planning Events
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UBC Tour
September 13th 8:30-3:30pm @ UBC Vancouver
Go Global Expo (work, study, volunteer abroad)
September 16th 1:00pm-5:00pm @ The Olympic
Village
IVY Plus
September 19th 7:00pm @St. George’s School
Study & Go Abroad Fair
September 22nd 1:00pm-5:00pm @ Vancouver
Convention Centre
More Planning Events
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Atlantic Canada (St. FX & Acadia)
October 10th morning @ Meadowridge
VAIS Fair (US Colleges)
October 24th 1:00pm-3:00pm West Point Grey
Academy
Canadian Universities Event
October 25th 6:30pm-8:00pm @ Meadowridge
School
University of Toronto
November 24th or 25th 7:00pm Meadowridge
School
Art & Design Fair
November 29th @ St. John’s School, Vancouver
Stage VI Get started Now
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Verify Transcript
Note PEN
Set up account on Student Secure Website
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https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/tsw/tsw/student/welcome.jsp
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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
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Student Responsibilities
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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
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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!
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