Applying to University

1. Applying to University The Process The York School 2013-2014

2. The York School Student Services Grades 9 – 12 POST-SECODARY PLANNING

3. Post- Secondary Admissions Counselling & Applications Peer Mentors Group / Grade Meetings Orientation & Exit Programs Individual Counselling Career Exploration Student Services Grades 9-12 Personal / Social Counselling Parent Information Sessions Future Goals Academic Counselling Career Studies Curriculum Course Planning for IB Diploma Program Study Skills Peer Tutoring

4. CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY We are here to work with You

5. RESEARCHING A UNIVERSITY We are here to work with You

6. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES We are here to work with You

7. PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES We are here to work with You

8. COUNSELLORS RESPONSIBILITIES We are here to work with You

9. Naviance / Family Connection • Applying to Canadian Universities • Applying overseas (U.K) • Applying to U.S. Universities • How to become a strong applicant • Factors to consider when choosing • IB grades vs. Ontario grades • Scholarship opportunities • CounsellingSupport / Resources We will discuss…

10. Using Naviance / Family Connection

13. The Student Services department at The York School proactively supports you in this process through: • Individual planning (each year) • Monitoring academic progress • Meetings with student groups every cycle • Evening Presentations • Drop in times / request to see counsellor • YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS! Preparing for University

14. International Baccalaureate Organization, IBO; IB Schools of Ontario, IBSO; Ontario Ministry of Education • Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario, CIS; Canadian Association of Independent Schools, CAIS • Ontario Council of Universities, Ontario Universities Application Centre, OUAC; Ontario Colleges Application Service, OCAS • Association of Universities and Colleges Canada, AUCC • University and College Application Service, UCAS (U.K.) • Ontario School Counsellors Association, OSCA; National Association of College Admission Counsellors, NACAC (U.S.) • NAFSA: Association of International Educators • Visits to campuses and University Admission Offices We are connected

15. Application 101 • Recognize your strengths and weaknesses • Analyze your interests and values • Know Your Reasons for Higher Education?: • To achieve a personal goal • To increase your earning power • To prepare for a career and expand learning • To participate in extracurricular activities and social life Know Yourself and Your Reasons for Attending University

16. A subjective question • You must be aware of your own goals, preferences, interests, and values • Do Rankings matter? • Toronto, Queens, McGill, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Trent, etc. or • Mt. Allison, Brock, Union College, Truman State, etc. What makes a “good” university? So …. What makes a good university?

17. Majors & educational programs • Type of school & degrees offered • Admission policy • Location & size • Opportunities for Success • Costs & financial aid • Campus activities • Support services The Best Fit !!!

18. Compile information from several resources: • Internet / Websites • Naviance / Family Connection • College catalogs, viewbooks, videos, and computer-based services • College representatives and college fairs • Counsellors and teachers • Parents, students, and alumni • Visit, Visit, Visit List, Compare and Visit Universities

19. Remember, decision making is a PROCESS, not an event.

20. Applying to Ontario Universities

21. OUAC (Ontario Universities Application Centre) • $130.00 for 3 choices • $44.00 each additional choice • E- Info for programs and requirements Applying to Ontario Universities1

22. January 15, 2014Deadline for you to submit completed applications to the OUAC. • Note: Applications received after this date will still be processed by the OUAC and distributed to the universities. However, specific university deadlines will apply. • The original application procedure will include the collection of all final grades from previously completed Grade 11 and 12 courses and a list of all current-year courses in progress. • February 13, 2014Deadline for the OUAC to receive, from Ontario secondary schools, all final first-semester grades and current full-year November grades for 4U/M courses. • March 3, 2014Target date for Ontario universities to receive (from the OUAC) all final first-semester grades and current full-year November grades for 4U/M courses. • April 24, 2014Deadline date for Ontario secondary schools to report, to the OUAC, midterm grades for second‑semester courses and interim grades for full-year courses. Grades that the OUAC receives earlier will be transmitted to Ontario universities when received. • May 6, 2014Target date for Ontario universities to receive, from the OUAC, second-semester midterm grades and interim grades for full-year courses. Grades that the OUAC receives earlier will be transmitted to Ontario universities when received. • May 29, 2014The latest date by which you can expect a response from an Ontario university. Such a response will be one of: • an offer of admission; • a refusal; or • a deferral pending the receipt of specific additional information. • June 2, 2014The earliest date by which Ontario universities may require a response to an offer of admission and a financial commitment of any kind(e.g., registration deposit, residence deposit, etc.) from an Ontario secondary school student. All other admissions‑related elements including scholarships, other forms of student assistance or financial incentives, and offers of residence are considered part of the offer of admission. Therefore, a student may accept these other offers prior to June 2, 2014, but Ontario universities shall not compel a student in any way to make an earlier decision. • July 8, 2014Deadline for the OUAC to receive final grades for current semester/year courses from Ontario secondary schools. • July 17, 2014Target date for the OUAC to transmit all remaining final grades to the universities. By this date, the OUAC will have attempted to contact all schools that have not provided their grades. • August 1-29, 2014The OUAC collects summer school grades from Ontario secondary schools and boards. OUAC DATES

26. OUAC

27. Some offers come earlier than others • Additional information?: • Personal profile • Audition • Portfolio • Confirm offer by June 1st • Residence: application or guaranteed or both? Applying to Ontario Universities2

28. Universities will compare and use the scores that put the student in the best position IB grades vs Ontario grades

30. Applying to Other Provinces

31. Individual applications and fees • Different dates, different processes • For Atlantic universities: only require five 4U/M credits. $35-100 depending on university. • Watch deadlines: • UBC – Jan 31, • McGill February 1. • Many get grades from OUAC • (e.g. McGill, UBC, Dalhousie, Concordia, Bishop’s, Calgary) Applying to Other Provinces

32. www.studentawards.com • www.scholarshipscanada.com • Admission scholarships • Merit scholarships • Bursaries and grants • Student Awards Offices and publications at each university … check websites Scholarships

33. Applying Overseas

34. Applying Overseas • United Kingdom: UCAS.com • Over 300 schools, over 50,000 courses • Apply by mid-January • Mid-October for Medical, Dental and Veterinary programs, Oxford or Cambridge • Personal Statement: 4000 characters; why?, reasons, evidence of understanding, interests, experiences and abilities

36. individual university application – check websites Applying To non US/UK Universities

37. Applying to U.S. Universities

38. 3,800+ degree granting post-secondary educational institutions in the U.S. • 2,629 four-year colleges • Colleges and universities may be more or less selective, depending on the institutional mission that each college individually determines. So many choices …..

39. Ivy League vs. others • Ivy League schools are not the only schools of stature and quality • Ivies: • Harvard, Yale, Princeton,Dartmouth, Penn, Brown, Cornell, Columbia • HiddenIvies: • Stanford, Chicago, Duke, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, MIT, USC, Notre Dame …etc! • IV

40. Much more involved • Application and fee • Essay • Letters of Recommendation • Teacher Recommendations • Counsellor Recommendation • Transcript • SAT or ACT (or Test Optional) • Interview? (On-Campus or Alumni) • Early Decision Nov. 1 (binding) • Early Action • Regular Decision (Jan. 1) Applying to U.S. Universities

42. The application process (from their perspective)

43. What are the most important factors for college admissions? • SAT/ACT scores. Universities will take either score. Super scoring. • SAT II Subject tests • Rigor of secondary school record • Academic GPA (from grade 9-12) • Volunteerism/Extra Curricular Activities • Application essay • Recommendation letters Becoming a Strong Applicant

44. Work to improve your IB levels • Balance your life • Discover and develop your strengths and interests • Commit to what you are interested in (Scouts, Sports, Music Lessons, Model UN, Debate) • Give back: Volunteer / Service opportunities • Go beyond the minimum: commit to 3-4 years of same class/club/etc. Becoming a Strong Applicant

45. Grades in university prep courses (along with Strength of Curriculum) 76 % • Standardized admission tests 60 % • Grades in all courses 51 % • Essay or writing sample 28 % • Class rank 23 % • Student’s interests 21 % • Counsellor recommendation 21 % • Teacher recommendation 20 % • Interview 10 % • Work/extra curricular activities 8 % Admission FactorsPercentage of Colleges Reporting “Considerable Importance”Source: 2007 NACAC State of College Admissions

46. Become familiar with the test content and format • Review academic results to identify weaknesses • Learn appropriate test-taking strategies • Use Naviance / Family Connection online test preparation program • Take practice tests • See your counsellor for other test preparation materials THE BEST PREPARATION IS A SOLID HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM Test Prep Courses ?

47. Naviance / Family Connection Other School Check Subject Requirements for Schools

48. Collegeboard.com Other School Check Subject Requirements for Schools

49. The Changing Landscape of U.S. College Admissions

50. As the number of high school graduates grows, so, too, does the number of applications they are submitting to the nation’s four-year colleges and universities • The increasing number of applications students submit contributes to a more complicated admission environment • Other trends • Continued Increase in number of High School Graduates. • post-secondary education has become the standard for economic advancement • Admission Offices identify Grades, High School Curriculum and Test Scores as Top Factors I am Perfect! So why am I not accepted?