Why are you here today?

2. Why are you here today?

4. Ask yourself:

5. If your answer is “yes”… Have we got a Program for you!

6. UCEP University Cooperative Education Program UCEP is a unique educational experience available only to senior students (grade 12 or 5th year) who are enrolled in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board

7. So what is UCEP? A partnership between the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and:

8. UCEP is an opportunity to…

10. While in UCEP, students will… • take either one or two Grade 12 courses: Religion – HRE4M The Grade 12 courses offered are based on student enrolment English – ENG4U Vectors/Calculus MCV4U Physics -- SPH4U Functions - MHF4U • participate in a co-op placement and earn two co-op credits English Writer’s Craft – EWC4U e-learning Co-op credits cannot be used for University application and therefore are not considered part of your 6 “U or M” level courses Possibly other e-learning courses Co-op (14-15 hours week) • take a University course in an • area of interest University Course

11. Some UCEP Facts • Students spend all day during their first semester on the University campus • Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the University on a daily basis (bus passes will be arranged for students who are not currently eligible for bus transportation to their home school) • Students are responsible for the costs associated with tuition for their first year University course and any related materials – i.e. textbook, lab materials… • Students are considered part time first year University students and therefore benefit from all of the privileges of being enrolled in University • The schedule of a UCEP student is anything but traditional and therefore time management and self discipline are essential for entry and on-going success

12. Sound good? But wondering how it benefits students? • experience a transitional program from secondary school to university • explore an area of study in a university setting and plan future educational paths • establish experience and knowledge for future academic paths • enhance personal growth and life skills

13. How is co-op beneficial? Participating in a cooperative education placement has unlimited potential, but some of the key benefits are: learning through experience developing time management transferring “learned classroom knowledge” into a “real” environment gaining hands on experience creating new networks and opportunities

14. Good News! UCEP is a way to achieve the Cooperative education component linked to your Specialist High Skills Major Transportation Manufacturing Health & Wellness Arts & Culture Construction Business Energy Sports Information Communication Environment Hospitality & Tourism Horticulture & Landscaping

15. What are some of the areas of research?

16. Journalism Engineering Optometry Business Biology Psychology Music Criminology Kinesiology Fine Arts Chemistry Architecture Astronomy Political Science Physics Computers Mathematics Drama Earth Science History

17. How do I make a plan to get into UCEP?

18. Here’s you in grade 10 or 11... working hard, doing your best, thinking about UCEP... ? Here’s where you want to be in the next 2-3 years... University of your Choice

19. UCEP is the perfect transition program to help you complete the requirements for Graduation and simultaneously provide your with a University experience!

20. How to plan your courses for UCEP… In order to apply to University, you need to have graduated from high school with 30 credits. Six of these must be from “U or M” level grade 12 courses.

21. How to plan your courses for UCEP… Here are your six grade 12 U or M level courses... The question is when are you going to complete them? You could take all six courses during your 4th year of high school or some students will consider UCEP in their 5th year. Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course

22. During their 4th year of high school, many students elect to take 3 courses during first semester and 3 courses during second semester – thereby creating space in each semester for other options. 4th Year Semester One 4th Year Semester Two Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course

23. If you participate in UCEP during your 4th year of high school, your planning might look something like this: 4th Year Semester One -- UCEP -- 4th Year Semester Two Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Taking four Grade 12 U or M courses during semester two is possible, but could present a heavy workload for many students. The difficulty with this path is that you must then take four Grade 12 U or M courses second semester Grade 12 U or M level course Co-op (14-15hours per week) Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course University Course Grade 12 U or M level course

24. Another option is to begin taking your Grade 12 U or M courses during Grade 11... Grade 11 Semester Two 4th Year Semester One -- UCEP -- 4th Year Semester Two Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 11 course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 11 course Grade 12 U or M level course Co-op (14-15 hours per week) Grade 11 course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course This type of planning allows the student to still have an option during second semester of the 4th year. University Course Grade 12 U or M level course

25. This pathway would be the suggested and preferred plan for students interested in UCEP: 4th Year Semester One -- UCEP -- Grade 11 Semester Two 4th Year Semester Two Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 11 course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 12 U or M level course Grade 11 course Grade 12 U or M level course Co-op (14-15 hours per week) Grade 11 course Option for spare or course Grade 12 U/M Course University Course Recommended courses include: MHF4UI* or another senior social science course

26. Some students elect to participate in UCEP in the first semester of their 5th year of high school. This allows students to have more options when planning their courses. 5thYear Semester One -- UCEP -- 4th Year Semester Two 4th Year Semester One Grade 12 U or M level course Co-op (14-15hours per week) University Course 5th year UCEP participants will often only take one grade 12 U or M course

27. There are many different ways to plan for UCEP Speaking with your Guidance counsellor to develop a plan that allows you the most opportunity for success combined with appropriate courses is highly recommended and important.

28. How to apply… • Students should have an average in the mid-80’s • When selecting your courses for next year (September 2012) using Career Cruising, students interested in UCEP will select “UCEP12” when selecting courses • Students interested in applying to UCEP must also submit: • Cooperative Education Application Form • two teacher reference forms • * forms are available through your home school*

29. Once You Have Applied…

30. University Course Offerings: • *students enrolled at WLU are subject to a health/dental fee

31. UCEP Timelines *acceptance = into UCEP, but the registrar of the University will ultimately determine acceptance into the program

32. For more information: www.facebook.com\ucepwcdsb UCEP_WCDSB@twitter.com http://coop.wcdsb.ca/ucep.html … and speak with your guidance counsellor!