Studying in Canada

1. Studying in Canada Western Academy of Beijing April 24, 2014

2. WAB Destinations

3. Location of major Canadian universities Source AUCC, 2004

4. Notable Features of studying in Canada • Very good value for the dollar • Welcoming culture for international students • Work Visas available 3 years after graduation • Similar to US colleges in educational style • Offer a wide range of programs of study in various campus settings • Easy application process (similar to UK) • Recognize and reward the IB Diploma • Engineering, Architecture, and Medicine all recognized around the world

5. Types of “universities” • Comprehensive University • Undertake a significant amount of research • Offer a wide range of programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels • Examples: Simon Fraser University, UVic, Waterloo, Guelph • Medical/Doctoral Institutions • Have a broad range of Bachelor’s, research-based Master’s and PhD degree programs, plus medical schools. • Examples: McGill, Toronto, Queen’s, UBC • Undergraduate Universities • Focused on Bachelor’s level teaching although they have some professional Master’s programs • Examples: Mount Allison, Acadia, UNB, St. Francis Xavier http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/rankings/

6. Types of “colleges” • Many different titles including: • institute, institute of technology, technical college, regional college, cégep (in Québec), university college or college. • All offer academic and pre-professional certificates, diplomas, Associate's degrees – usually in two-year programs • Some offer Bachelor’s degrees • Differ from province to province: • For example: colleges in Alberta and BC offer a direct transfer program (colleges  university) • Also English Bridge Programs – • Examples: Fraser International College (SFU); International Foundation Program (University of Toronto) http://www.campusstarter.com/CommunityCollegesCanada.cfm

7. Art & Design programs • Very strong studio and professional-based programs • Entry based on portfolio review • Each university has specific portfolio requirements • Many visit WAB each year – can pre-arrange for the formal portfolio review during the visit • Examples: OCAD University, NSCAD University, ACAD

8. Research each university • Campus settings, location and size are very different • Example: U of Toronto vs. Lethbridge • Very specific course requirements for entry into each program • Make sure you are meeting the minimum, before you even apply! • Examples: Kinesiology, Art, Architecture, Medicine • Minimum IB points required for competitive programs • Example: Faculty of Commerce (Saunders at UBC) • Most universities will grant a “conditional acceptance” pending IB exam results • Many will grant direct entry based on IB predicted grades • Students must then show proof of graduation from WAB and/or earning the IB Diploma • Make sure to ask questions of Canadian university visitors to WAB

9. Application ProcessAPPLY ONLINE • Main websites for two Provinces: • Ontario (OUAC) www.ouac.on.ca • British Columbiawww.pas.bc.ca • Other provinces – have to apply directly through each university’s website

10. OUAC Undergraduate Application

11. BC – www.pas.bc.ca/

12. Application Requirements Student/Family Counselor/WAB • Complete online application and pay the fee • Keep track of all login details • Generally: no Personal Statement required (unless for a specific program) • SAT • If not doing full IB Diploma • TOEFL /IELTS • Could be waived if have 4 years of English instruction or taking an IB English A course • Student must request the following to be sent by DHL (Fee per packet): • IB Predicted Grades • Awarded by each teacher • High School Transcript • WAB Profile • Generally no teacher references unless to a particular program • May accept letter from counselor

13. High School Transcript

14. Deadlines • Research for each university, as all differ • Generally, January to March; some as late as June/July • Complete the application sooner rather than later (before the Winter Holiday is recommended) • Places will fill, especially in competitive programs

15. FEES • Fees for Canadian citizens are about 1/3 less than international students • Financial aid exists • International students’ total cost approximately $14,000 to $22,000 (USD) • No financial aid for international citizens • Growing number of scholarship programs (especially for full IB Diploma students) • Other automatic merit based scholarships, determined by university

16. Resources • Naviance • Individual University Websites • High School Counselor • Association of University and College of Canada (AUCC) http://www.aucc.ca/publications/reports/index_e.html • i-student advisor http://www.i-studentadvisor.com/international-courses-canada.html

17. Naviance Lots of resource links right off the homepage.

18. AUCC

19. Educationau-incanada.ca

20. istudentadvisor

21. Concordia University • Carleton University • McGill University • McMaster University • Queen’s University • Simon Fraser University • University of British Columbia University of Guelph • University of Toronto • University of Waterloo • University of Western Ontario • York University Class of 2014 University Acceptances As of April 24, 2014

22. Q&A