Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Timio Colistro: timio.colistro@smus.ca 250 370 6115 Ruth McGhee: ruth.mcghee@smus.ca 250 370 6119 Kate Knight: kate.knight@smus.ca 250 370 6171 Alison McCallum: alison.mccallum@smus.ca 250 519 7515

University & Scholarship Applications Timeline for Grade 12 year

Prior to Grade 12 September October November December

All students

Prepare components of Graduation Transition Plan: personal statement, resume, GTP survey

Work on community service, arts, athletics involvement etc.

Update Resume on Naviance

Interviews with Counsellor to check credits

University visits (Canada, US, UK, Europe) are on-going throughout the fall

Interim Report Card mail out

One-on-one interviews with University Counsellor to check post-secondary apps list

Write TOEFL/IELTS, if needed

Work on GTP components

TVRs to be checked

Personal statements to be revised and completed

Meet with University Counsellor to check post-secondary apps list

Exams

First Term Report Card mail out

Canadian applications

Research application deadlines for admission and scholarship

Finalize list of universities and check pre-requisites for desired program.

Canadian University Event (CUE) – Oct. 4, 2:00 – 3:30 pm SMUS Single Gym

Complete any supplemental admission forms for specific programs

Art College Mini Fair – Nov. 29

Canadian university apps completed by Dec 8th (internal SMUS deadline)

US applications

Finalize list of colleges

Write SAT/ACT. Register to repeat tests and write SAT II subject tests, if necessary

US apps Meeting

Register with Common App

Familiarize yourself with supplementary apps (regular & early decision)

Vancouver Is. College Event (VICE) at SMUS October 10 – Single Gym

Teacher recommendation requests finalized by Oct. 31

Ivy League – SMUS Oct. 16 Chapel

Early Decision/Early Action US apps due November 1

Complete form on Naviance

University of California System apps submitted Nov 1 to Nov 30 only.

American app material completed, including essays, and shared with Counsellor by Dec 1

All school documents will be sent with Fall Term marks

UK applications

Prepare Cambridge Overseas Application Form (due Oct) and UCAS personal statement

Read widely in your chosen area of study.

Oxford, Cambridge, and professional school apps (medical, dentistry, vet) must see Counsellor

UCAS application started online by Sept 15

Oxford, Cambridge, and professional school apps (medical, dentistry, pharmacy, vet) due Oct 15th

Teacher recommendation request finalized by November 1 (for regular apps)

Personal Statement completed by Nov 30

UK regular app materials completed and uploaded to UCAS by Dec 1

All applications will be sent electronically before break

Scholarship applications

Prepare scholarship apps: Blyth Cambridge, Loran Scholarship (both due Oct)

Search websites for Major Scholarship application deadlines

Blyth Cambridge app submitted by mid-September

Loran Scholarship started

Loran Scholarship applications due mid-Oct.

Queens Chancellors Scholarship application due (SMUS internal deadline)

U of T Scholarship application due.

TD Canada Trust due end of Nov.

Complete Major Scholarship applications

Many scholarships are available, with varying application deadlines during the year. It is the student’s responsibility to check websites for accurate dates for all scholarships and to be in touch with Ms. Knight regarding any scholarship applications.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Timio Colistro: timio.colistro@smus.ca 250 370 6115 Ruth McGhee: ruth.mcghee@smus.ca 250 370 6119 Kate Knight: kate.knight@smus.ca 250 370 6171 Alison McCallum: alison.mccallum@smus.ca 250 519 7515

January February March April/May June After Grade 12

All students

Finalize GTP components (Naviance survey, personal statement, resume) PSI Selection to be completed online (BC Ministry of Education)

Winter Term marks available mid-February

Winter Term Report Card mail out

AP Exams (May) Provincial Exams Final Report Card mailed home

Provincial exam results available at end of July

Final transcript sent late July by the Ministry of Education

AP exam results available mid-July

Canadian applications

Universities using self-reporting of Fall Term marks open sites in Jan (e.g. McGill)

Transcripts sent with Winter Terms marks (if not self-reported)

Self-reporting sites open and/or close

Offers made and deposits due

Submit deposit (and sometimes start application) for housing

Be prepared to register for classes at university

Final transcript sent late July by the Ministry of Education, according to what you on the submitted PSI Form

US applications

American Mid-Year Reports due Jan/Feb FAFSA/CSS Profile, financial aid applications due (most colleges)

Some US offers made beginning in mid-March

April 1 – deadline for all offers to be made May 1 – response to offers deadline. Submit deposit

Final transcript sent late July by the Ministry of Education, according to what you on the submitted PSI Form

UK applications

UCAS communicates arrival of application

Track UCAS progress online

Some UK offers made UK offers made Final transcript sent late July by the Ministry of Education, according to what you on the submitted PSI Form

Scholarship applications

Complete Major Scholarship applications to Canadian universities

Complete Major Scholarship applications to Canadian universities

Many Major Scholarship apps to Canadian universities are due this month

District Authority Scholarship app due; adjudication evening in late April

Many private scholarships apps are due (April/May/June)

Voucher for District Authority Scholarships arrives mid-Oct to Nov

Money for Provincial Scholarships arrives in late November

Many scholarships are available, with varying application deadlines during the year. It is the student’s responsibility to check websites for accurate dates for all scholarships and to be in touch with Ms Knight regarding any scholarship applications.

University Fee Status Arts & Science

Tuition

Business

Tuition

Engineering

Tuition Residence Notes

Canadian UniversitiesUVic Canadian & PR 5,476.00$ 7,464.00$ 6,058.00$ $6182 - $10064 includes meal plan

International 18,062.00$ 23,422.00$ 19,490.00$

UBC Canadian & PR 5,189.00$ 7,689.00$ 6,463.00$ $5214 and up must purchace meal plan

International 34,912.00$ 45,089.00$ 40,732.00$

University of Calgary Canadian & PR $5,385.00 6,590.00$ 4,641.00$ $3,706 - $8,632 meal plan not included

International 18,330.00$ 18,330.00$ 20,163.00$ Tuition fees are $611/3 units

University of Toronto Canadian & PR 6,400.00$ 16,830.00$ 14,300.00$ $15,631 - $18,348 includes meal plan

International 45,690.00$ 45,690.00$ 50,780.00$

Western University Canadian & PR 8,043.00$ 28,500.00$ 14,600.00$ $11,705 - $14,455 includes meal plan

International 28,740.00$ 40,584.00$ 36,355.00$

University of Waterloo Canadian & PR 7,700.00$ 16,176.00$ 17,446.00$ $5,673 - $7,549 meal plan not included

International 28,241.00$ 32,538.00$ 42,272.00$

Queen's University Canadian & PR 7,714.00$ 18,740.00$ 13,978.00$ $3,284 - $15,009 includes meal plan

International 39,247.00$ 44,662.00$ 42,196.00$

McGill University Canadian & PR 9,236.00$ 9,377.00$ 9,632.00$ $13,447 - $17,167 includes meal plan

International 20,012.00$ 44,848.00$ 39,625.00$

Dalhousie University Canadian & PR 9,181.00$ 10,635.00$ 10,063.00$ $4,825 - $9,175 Science - $9,519.00

International 18,415.00$ 19,869.00$ 19,297.00$ Science - $18,753.00

meal plan not included

Camosun College Canadian & PR 3,800.00$ 3,250.00$ 3,850.00$ n/a

International 14,000.00$ 14,000.00$ 14,000.00$

US Universities Fee status Tuition

(US Dollars) Residence Notes Column1

UC, Berkeley International 28,014.00$ 17,000.00$

University of Washington International 34,926.00$ 11,691.00$

University of Chicago International 47,802.00$ 14,130.00$

New York University International 46,170.00$ 25,170.00$

USC International 52,283.00$ 14,348.00$

Cornell University International 52,612.00$ 14,330.00$

University of Virginia International 30,100.00$ 8,720.00$

College of William & Mary International 41,718.00$ 11,382.00$

Virginia Tech International 30,100.00$ 8,720.00$

UK Universities Fee status

Tuition -

Most

Courses

Tuition -

Medicine Residence Notes

University of St. Andrews International 21,290.00£ 30,080.00£ £6,426 - £8,170 Meals included

University of Edinburgh International 17,700.00£ 32,100.00£ £3,989 - £5,658 £32,100 - Pre-clinical, £ 49,900 - Clinical

University of King's College International 17,050.00£ 39,200.00£ £150 - £382/week Laboratory Year fees: £22,800

Durham University International 17,400.00£ 22,000.00£ 5,019.00£ Meals not included

7,171.00£ Meals included

USA Universities 101

Advantages to American colleges

The United States generally has a wider selection of colleges and a wider selection of program choices

within those colleges. There is an extensive network of varsity athletics programs for students interested in

recruitment; there is also usually more money provided for recruited athletes, especially females. In some

parts the country, the weather can be much warmer than any climate zone in Canada.

Disadvantages

Cost is significantly greater than at a Canadian university, even before exchange rates are factored in. The

quality of schools is generally not as well-regulated by government. The application process is vastly more

intense and time-consuming. Co-op is not as popular an option as in Canada. The post-grad work visa for

foreigners is 2 years (compared with 3 years in Canada); even this is in flux as political priorities change.

Resources

The two best resources, other than an individual college’s official website, are Collegeboard Big Future and

Naviance. Both have search engines that allow students to identify a set of schools that match certain

personal criteria; they also contain lots of information on individual schools. Naviance provides a 5-year

snapshot of applicants from SMUS to specific colleges, the acceptance rate each year, and the average

standardized test score of SMUS students who applied.

Requirements

1) Academic coursework: US colleges will look at academic results from Grades 9 – 12.

2) Standardized testing: many will require official SAT or ACT scores, though an increasing number of schools

are test optional. SAT subject scores are still required at the most selective colleges. Applicants whose first

language is not English may have to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores as well.

3) Supporting letters: applicants submit letters from their university counselor and two academic subject

teachers.

4) Essays: most colleges will require at least one essay, and certain colleges will require several. These essays

are usually reflective in nature and are intended to gauge the applicant’s personality.

5) A very lengthy application that includes biographic information, extracurricular activities, parent info,

ethnicity, income, religion and more.

6) Interview: though in reality not mandatory, many selective colleges encourage students to have an

interview with an alumnus in their region.

Process

Spring of Grade 11: take the SAT or ACT; research various colleges and identify 12 – 15 of interest (though

you likely won’t end up applying to all of them); research financial aid options; reach out to coaches if

interested in athletic recruitment.

Summer: continue to research different colleges; revise list down to 10 maximum; continue to liaise with

coaches; visit college campuses if feasible; work on personal statement and have a solid draft ready by

September.

Fall of Grade 12: ask teachers early about writing a recommendation letter; repeat the SAT or ACT; take any

SAT subject tests if necessary; begin applications (Common App, UC, UW, etc); revise personal statement ad

nauseum with university counselor; be aware of early and regular deadlines; apply!

UK Universities 101 (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Unique features of the UK university system:

• Highly specialized – most “courses” (the term used instead of program) focus in one specific area

as opposed to the more broad approach taken by North American schools. E.g. students study

chemistry exclusively as opposed to choosing to complete a joint degree in chemistry/history

• Direct-entry programs for law, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and veterinary sciences

• 3 year degree available in England (4 years in Scotland)

• One application – students use one app to apply to 5 schools (max. 4 medical)

• UCAS – https://www.ucas.com/ - students are able to get support for every aspect of the

application process on the UCAS website, including tutorials, sample personal statements etc.

Things to Consider:

• Singular focus of degree programs

• Transferability of professional degrees back to Canada/USA (law, medicine etc.) – can absolutely

be done but there is a process

• Students interested in the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge must choose –

students are only permitted to apply for one or the other!

• Early application deadline of October 15th for Oxford/Cambridge and/or direct-entry programs

• Cost is greater than at a Canadian university, even before exchange rates are factored in.

• Scholarship and financial aid opportunities are almost non-existent for international students

• Distance from home (and related costs)

Requirements:

1) Academic coursework: UK universities will review all high school grades but will focus on grade 12 and

AP level results

2) AP courses: competitive schools or programs will expect to see AP course work in the student’s area of

interest/strength

2) Standardized testing: do not require official SAT or ACT scores, though most schools welcome the

inclusion of these results as another standardized measure of aptitude. Specific UK tests such as the

BMAT/UKCAT (medicine) or LNAT (law) may be required for specific programs. Applicants whose first

language is not English may have to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores as well.

3) Supporting letters: applicants must submit one reference letter from a teacher or academic advisor.

Only 1 letter is permitted and should be from a teacher in the student’s area of interest (or the academic

advisor, who may be able to weave together feedback from several teachers in related areas)

4) Personal statement: applicants must write a personal statement which provides evidence of his/her

academic readiness and suitability to study in the area of interest selected. The statement should speak

to academic preparation and extracurricular activities related to the area of interest as well as future

plans. This statement is VERY different from a US personal statement as it is singularly focused –

students should not write about activities/interests which are not related to the course they want to study.

6) Interview: students may be invited to attend an interview for highly selective programs (e.g. medicine).

These interviews can usually be done via Skype but students may also choose to interview in person.

Timeline:

Spring of Grade 11: research various universities and identify at least 10 of interest; set-up volunteer

opportunities if interested in medicine/vet programs; meet with your academic advisor to review ideas

Summer: continue to research different universities; revise list down to 5 maximum; visit college

campuses if feasible; work on personal statement and have a solid draft ready by September; register for

standardized tests as required

Fall of Grade 12: meet with your academic advisor if applying to any program with an Oct 15th deadline;

ask teachers early about writing a recommendation letter; write standardized tests as required; begin

application (UCAS); revise personal statement ad nauseum with Academic Advisor; apply!

REMEMBER – your Academic Advisor is here to assist every step of the way!