October 2009 Riverside Secondary Presents: TRANSITION TO POST-SECONDARY

1. October 2009 Riverside Secondary Presents:TRANSITION TO POST-SECONDARY

2. The World Is Full of Choices • Directly into the work force? • Choose Grade 12 courses to acquire necessary skills • www.workfutures.bc.ca • Continue education? • vocational school • technical institute • university/college • career program • university degree programs (transfer) • University • www.educationplanner.bc.ca

3. CAUTION!! Graduation requirements DO NOT EQUAL post-secondary entrance requirements.

4. Applying to Post-Secondary Schools • Check institution websites for specific deadlines • Apply on-line: www.pas.bc.ca • BC schools: self-report marks online or wait till Ministry transfers data. No paper transcript necessary • Generally • BC Universities: apply by Feb. 28th • Douglas College: apply beginning October 1st • Other institutions and BCIT: check specific program deadlines • Eastern Universities: apply before Christmas

5. Basic B.C. University Entrance Requirements • English 11, Principles of Math 11, Socials 11, Academic Science 11, Language 11 • English 12 and 3 provincial exam or academic 12-level courses • Almost all programs require around 75% or higher for admission Note: Students are responsible for checking websites for specific admission and program entry requirements SFU requires minimum 60% in both Math 11 and English 12 and accepts Beginner’s Language 11

6. Provincial Exams:GRADUATION • Students are required to write English 12 or Communications 12; all other exams are optional. • IF an exam is written, the final mark on the high school transcript will be the blended mark (school mark plus exam mark). If the optional exam is not written, the final mark on the transcript will be the school mark. • Students must write at least 3 provincial exams to be eligible for Provincial Scholarships. • French Immersion students must write Français 12

7. Provincial Exams:POST-SECONDARY ENTRANCE • Optional Provincial exams are no longer required by universities. The admission average may be determined using the school mark only. • In BC, where students choose to write provincial exams, schools will consider the higher of the school mark or the blended mark to calculate the admission average. • Some Eastern Universities will consider only the blended mark if the exam is written; Kwantlen Polytechnic as well. • Note: Students are responsible for checking websites for specific admission and program entry requirements

8. Calculating Admission Averages • The admission average is calculated using percentages from only English 12 and the best three grade 12 examinable courses required for the chosen program. • Example: UBC Arts Admission Average=85%

9. Admission Averages(September 2009)

10. Admission to College or Technical /Trade School • College • Most programs require high school graduation • Specialty programs have specific requirements • Technical /Trade School (BCIT, VCC) • Most programs require high school graduation • Each program has specific requirements and application dates • Note: Students are responsible for checking websites for specific admission and program entry requirements

11. Support for Admission Process Institution Websites Riverside Career Resource Center See Ms. David for information about programs and entrance requirements School Counsellor Matching information about programs and requirements to YOUR son or daughter

12. Post-Secondary Assessment Tests • LPI • May be required for UBC and SFU entrance • Test at Riverside in March • Register in counselling office, $40 • SAT • Required for American colleges and universities • Write early, apply on-line, test sites in several lower mainland locations • TOEFL • May be required for students whose first language is not English • Note: Students are responsible for checking websites for specific admission and program entry requirements

13. Scholarships and Bursaries • Last year, the Riverside graduating class won more than $1 500 000 in scholarships • Biggest myth? “You must have straight A’s to win scholarships” • Criteria • different for each scholarship • marks, citizenship, service, and/or leadership, financial need, excellent achievement in non-“academic” areas

14. Paying for Post-Secondary Schooling • Provincial Graduation Exam Scholarships • Awarded automatically ($1000 tuition credit) • based on a score of 86% or higher on best three provincial exams • Must have a “B” in English 12 • District/Dogwood Scholarships • Must apply on Riverside application in April • $1000 ($500 tuition credit plus $500 cash) • Superior achievement in Fine Arts, Applied Skills, Physical Activity, Second Language courses • Other school criteria (for more info www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards)

15. Post-Secondary Institution Entrance Scholarships • Some automatic based on admission average • Must apply for major scholarships --many requiring school nomination (see Mrs. Simpson) • Riverside “Local Scholarships” • Must apply in April • Range in value from $100-$1000 • Includes District/Dogwood Scholarships • Private Organization Sponsored Scholarships • Check with parents’ place of work • www.bcawardsonline.sd61.bc.ca • www.studentscholarships.org

16. Support for Scholarship Applications • It is the student’s responsibility to research scholarship information • Support from Ms. David and the Career Resource Center Riverside WebsiteCareer Centerscholarships • Support from Mrs. Simpson and the three scholarship info sessions Riverside WebsiteCounselling Deptshared documents • Do not hesitate to contact your school counsellor!

17. Questions?