February 2015
/Grade 12 Newsletter
CAREER CENTRE
University and College Info
Applicationsopened in October
- Universities and colleges began accepting applications for Fall 2015 in October & November
- Often colleges and/or trades and technical programs accept students based on application date … first applied, first accepted.
UFV Grade 12 Early Application Deadline
- Applications will be accepted after the deadline of January 31, but
some programs will fill up before the deadline; check this website:
Other BC Universities’ Deadlines – See attached information
- Applications for Entrance Scholarships due Feb. 28
- Some programs have unique application dates
Out-of-Province Universities
- Check published deadlines; dates vary but most range from Jan 31st to March 15th
Apply On-Line
Need help? See Mrs. Janzen in the Career Centre
Next Steps AfterApplying … Application and Registration are 2 Separate Steps
Students will receive a letter or e-mail from the university or college
Pay attention to the details; DO what they ask. If you think you need something from your counselor or Career Advisor, bring the letter or e-mail with you so we know exactly what you need.
- Most universities and colleges will ask students to “self-report” interim grades; they will send instructions; there will be a limited window of time in which to “self-report”.
- “Conditional Acceptance” and “Early Admission” offers are made, based on “self-reported” or interim grades.
- If you miss the opportunity to “self-report” you will not receive an offer of admission until the Ministry of Education submits your grades in May or you may not receive an offer at all, depending on the school.
- Students can only self-report Summit course grades that are on their report card or on their Ministry portal, during the self-reporting period. As such, students should connect with their distributed learning course provider (e.g. Summit) to make sure their grades will be sent to the Ministry. Note that the Ministry will only report grades for distributed learning courses that are at least 50% complete.
- Apply for housing!
Transcripts & PSI
- Final admission will be confirmed when official transcripts are received from the Ministry of Education in August.
- You must complete the on-line “Post Secondary Institutions Choices” (PSI) form by April 30 - more info on page 4
- This will ensure that BC’s public universities and colleges have access to your final transcripts. In addition, students may request that transcripts be forwarded to out-of-province universities, and for a fee, may request additional copies of their transcripts which will be mailed to them in August.
Course Registration
- Students do not select courses at the time of application.
- The college or university will assign a course registration date, typically in June or July.
- Students can register for their courses on-line on or after the date and time assigned to them.
- Mrs. Janzen will be organizing a day in April / May when students can meet here at the school with a UFV Advisor for help in planning their courses for next year. Stay tuned for more info later.
Trades & Technology Programs Info
- Choose a trade.
- Find a training program.
Review the program information and admission requirements carefully. If you need more information or are unclear about requirements, contact the program / school. - Apply online at applybc.ca and pay the application fee.
- Take the entrance exam.
Some programs require an entrance exam, usually a reading and a math skills exam. - Submit proof of graduation.
You should complete the PSI form online (see page 4 of this newsletter). You may be asked to present a statement from your school counselor or principal, showing that you are likely to meet graduation requirements by June. - Wait for the next intake in which there is space.
Riverside College
To apply, pick up an application form from Mrs. Janzen, Mr. McNeill, or from the Riverside main office.
Calendar of Events 2015______
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
February 12Capilano University Faculty of Arts & Sciences Open House
5:00 – 7:00 pm
February 25Study and Go Abroad Fair, Vancouver Convention Centre
2 – 6 pm, Seminars at 1:00,
February 28BC Universities’ Early Application Deadline
Priority Admission for BC Grade 12 students (UBC’s application deadline was Jan 31st)
February 28Kwantlen Polytechnic University Open House
11 am to 3 pm; Surrey Campus; Register at: kwantlen.ca/openhouse
February 28Capilano U’s Bosa Centre for Film & Animation Open House
11:00 – 3:00 pm For more info: capilanou.ca/film
February 28 &KPU Financial Aid Info Sessions
March 5Check here for info and to RSVP:
March 4Tours of UFV Chilliwack campuses – either Trades & Technology Centre OR
Health Sciences building; 8:50 am – 12:15 pm;Permission form required
March 5UFV Abbotsford Campus Tour & Info Session
12:00 – 2:55 Permission form required
March 20 & 21TWU Preview Weekend
See more details
March 27TRU’s Spring Open House 2015
Check out for more information
March 14On-campus Preview Day at Quest University; for more info and to register:
April 11US College Expo Canada, 10 – 2 pm, Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Pre-registration required at:
Other info regarding Post-Secondary schools:
How can you know that a university is as good as its claims?
Check out:
Want to know how students rank their university or college?
Go to: outcomes.bcstats.gov.bc.ca
Universities and colleges often have information sessions for their various programs. Look into it and attend.
Make sure you arrange to tour the campus of the school(s) you are applying to.
Some university programs accept applications based on Expanded Qualifications or Broad-based Qualifications for students who are within approx 5% of the official admission cut-off.
Check the Career Centre bulletin board in the hallway regularly for new information that may be relevant to you and “Like” Mission Career Centre on Facebook in order to receive relevant info directly.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Many of you have been asking questions about Scholarships - that’s great! Staying informed is important because there are new application forms coming in the mail every month and even more applications that students can access online at and
If ANY grade 12 students are planning on going on to post-secondary training in the following areas, please see me immediately: Trades, Cosmetology, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Arts, Photography, Journalism, Broadcasting, French Immersion or another Second Language, Fitness, or if you are highly involved in community volunteering. You may be eligible to compete for a District Scholarship of $1,000 (Dogwood District/Authority Awards).
Mission Community Foundation Scholarship applications are due no later than 3 pm Thursday, February 26th.
If you have any questions about the Scholarship Application process, improving your marks, study skills, time management, or dealing with stress, please see me.It is up to you to take the initiative and work toward success with your scholarship and bursary applications.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:
* Even if your parents have an R.E.S.P. set up for you, you can still benefit from applying for scholarships.
* Remember, you can only be granted a scholarship from a particular college or university if you will attend that institution; i.e. Don’t apply for a UFV scholarship if you have no intention of attending there.
* Please remember to give your referees enough time (1-2 weeks minimum) and enough information about you (provide them with a completed Brag Sheet) so that they can write you a great reference letter.
* Students must take the initiative and be prepared to work at their applications in order to receive scholarships and/or bursaries. Every so often, one of our highest-scoring grade 12 students ends up receiving absolutely NO Scholarships or Bursaries because they refuse to apply...*don't let this happen to you!
* Please ask for help when you need it.
Mrs. Francis, MSS
Barb Iversen, HPSS
Mr. Merry, HSS