Applying to Post Secondary Institutions

1. Applying to Post Secondary Institutions http://sd67.bc.ca/schools/sss/

2. Post Secondary School Choices • Many post-secondary education options to consider • Apprenticeship Programs • Technical Institutes • Colleges • Universities

3. Undergraduate (Bachelor) Degree: your first degree. Examples of Bachelor Degrees: Bachelor or Science: take courses in areas such as Physics, Biology, Chemistry etc… could lead into Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy Bachelor of Arts (Humanities),: takes courses in areas such as Psychology, Sociology, English, History etc… could lead into careers such as: Education, Social Worker, Lawyer Bachelor of Fine Arts: take courses in areas such as Music, Art, Drama etc… Could lead into careers such as: Musician, Teacher, Actor etc… Other Bachelor Degrees can be more specific Eg. Engineering, Nursing, Commerce (Business) Types of Programs / Terms

4. Post Secondary Application Process • Once you have decided on where and what program you want to take then you must: • Research each of the schools you are considering on applying to and check the individual institutions’ entrance requirements. • Every College and University has its own Entrance Requirements and every program has its own special requirements. • These requirements are both Course and GPA specific. • Research tools include the Post Secondary websites and the school calendars available in the counselling area.

5. HOW MANY PROGRAMS SHOULD YOU APPLY TO? • How flexible are you with your chosen program or institution? • Will your marks guarantee you admission at the institution of your choice? • Do you have a back-up plan? • Back-door to your chosen program may get you into your institution of choice eg. Choice #1: Engineering Choice #2: Sciences • Back-door to your chosen school may get you into the program of you choice Choice #1: UBC: Bachelor of Science Choice #2: UVIC: Bachelor of Science Choice #3: Okanagan College: Science

6. Application Deadlines • Post Secondary Schools are accepting Applications as of October. • The deadline for Early Admission to the three major universities in BC is February 28. • Other Universities may have other earlier or later Admission dates. • If you miss the application dates you are out of luck. • Apply to more than one school to keep options open. • Most schools require online applications. • Applications require a fee for processing which is non-refundable (credit card or cheque). • Research the Universities Application Process and Deadlines.

7. Applying to Post Secondary InstitutionsHow to Apply Important Tips • Students need to research the entrance requirements • Students need to research the application deadlines, as they may be different than the major institutions in BC • Most Post Secondary Colleges and Universities in BC use a registration tool called PASBC(www.portal.bccampus.ca) • Most Post Secondary Colleges and Universities in Ontario use a registration tool called http://www.ouac.on.ca • Other Colleges and Universities will have the application on their website. (eg. University of Calgary)

8. What is PASBC? • PASBC(www.portal.bccampus.ca) stands for the Post-Secondary Application Service of British Columbia (BC). • It is a centralized online service that allows you to apply for admissions to multiple post-secondary institutions in BC. • UBC has created a new website for prospective undergraduate students admission https://you.ubc.ca/ubc/index.jsp. • Note students can also still apply to UBC/UBCO through PASBC

9. How does PASBC work? • NOTE: Before starting this process students should ensure they have their Social Insurance Number and their P.E.N. (Personal Education Number) available. Students can find out their nine digit P.E.N. from their school counsellors. • To submit an application, you must create an account in the myBCcampus portal. The admission (PASBC) application is laid out in two sections. • The first section is called the Common Form and is where you provide personal information. This form only needs to be filled in one time, but can be used again to submit your admission application to other institutions. • The second section is the Institutional Application Form. This section asks you to select your preferred program and start date, pay your institution application fee, and submit your application to the institution.

10. TRANSCRIPTSHow do Universities Get My Grades? • Official School Transcripts may be requested in Student Services office. Not all schools require this • Make sure you check the Universities application procedure. Every Institution has different procedures for sending and receiving transcripts. • Familiarize yourself with university Websites. • For early admission, some schools ask for self-reporting of grades for classes in session(eg. UVIC, UBC) • P.S.I. (Post Secondary Institution) forms must be filled in correctly for official transcripts to be sent from the Ministry to your chosen schools.

11. P.S.I Choices FormPOST SECONDARY INSTITUTION • Students can provide their transcript information to a number of post-secondary institutions by completing an electronic Post Secondary Institutions Selections form on line from January to June of each school year via the Ministry of Education Web site: Student Secure Web. • This electronic PSI selections form is only to be submitted by students who expect to graduate this year and are applying to a PSI.

12. Post Secondary Institution Choice Forms • Students can only access this form from January to June 30. • For final transcript information to be sent to PSI’s by July 31, students must submit their PSI selections by June 30. • Students may submit a maximum of 6 selections. If needed, requests to send transcripts to additional PSI’s can be made, for a fee, by completing a "Transcript • Request Form" at: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/transcript/transcripts_ordering.htm • If a desired institution is not listed, students may submit a "PSI Additions Form" directly from the online PSI Selections form or by going to the following web site: • http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/handbook/psi/psichange_new.htm • After submitting their selections, students will receive a printable confirmation page for reference purposes. At any point in time, students can log back into SSW and view their selections by using the "View PSI Selections" menu option.

13. Admission Averages • Only specific courses are included…these vary by program and institution • It is your responsibility to research, determine, and meet specific requirements for programs you are applying for. • Here are some examples from 2009: • University of Victoria – 70% Humanities & Science, 80% Business • Simon Fraser – 75%-90% depending on the program • U.B.C. Vancouver – Science 88%, Arts 84%, Engineering 83% • U.B.C. Okanagan – Arts 72%, Science 73%, Engineering 75% - Nursing 80%, Fine Arts 67% + Portfolio • Okanagan College– English 60% minimum (Averages fluctuate across programs)

14. Early Admission Universities: • Apply before Feb. 28th - they will notify you in May of your status. Applying early is a good idea • For some later deadlines, you will have to wait until August to find out your status • If you get Early Admission, you will have the opportunity to register early for classes (huge bonus)

15. Housing Applications • Requires a separate application • Housing applications should be submitted at the same time as admission applications • Check websites for specific information • Housing at most institutions is limited

16. L.P.I. (Language Proficiency Index) • The purpose of the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) is to provide information about an individual’s competency in English. This information is used primarily by post-secondary institutions and professional organizations within British Columbia. • The fee is $99.00.(plus HST) • www.lpitest.ca • B.C. Institutions require proof of English proficiency • Two ways to demonstrate proficiency: • A certain percent in English 12 - May range by institution from 70% to 86% • A certain score on the L.P.I. Exam • L.P.I. tests vocabulary, grammar, and written composition • Tests can be taking at Okanagan College in Penticton. Dates will be posted in the Student Service Office.

17. Remember To… • Keep a binder for all Post Secondary information (copies of your applications, transcripts and university correspondence.) • Create a folder in your Inbox for each University you are applying to and save all correspondence from the University/College in that folder. • Once the application has been sent, a reference number will be issued. • Students should make sure they keep a copy of the reference number, as this proof of application. • Students should remember to record their login username and password for future access. • If students choose not to send the application fee by credit card through the internet, they should send the fee in by cheque, with the reference number written on the cheque.

18. Review • Research What you want to take • Research Where you want to go • Research Entrance Requirements for each Institution you are applying to. • Research Application Procedures and Deadlines(for Academic Program you are applying to and *Housing*) • Have Options 1, 2, and 3 for Academic Programs • Have Options 1, 2, and 3 for Universities or Colleges • Start Now. Don’t wait until the Last Moment