Welcome to Holy Cross…. Post-Secondary Information Evening

1. Welcome to Holy Cross….Post-Secondary Information Evening

2. Prayer for the Journey Loving God, we thank you for your presence in our lives and in the lives of our children. As we plan this evening for new possibilities, we ask you to bless us and see the future filled with new opportunities Guide and direct our planning and discussions this evening, so we may continue our journeys, in faith and in love. Amen

3. Agenda • 1) Application Timelines • 2) University Information • 3) Scholarship Information • 4) College Information (Diploma programs and University Degree programs offered at colleges) • 5) Things to consider when choosing a college or university • 6) Graduation Requirements • 7) Students on an IEP (Individual Education Plan) • 8) Wrap-up

4. Post-Secondary Information Session • HC Today Website: Lists information about timelines and visitations from colleges and universities • www.hctoday.ca • Students need to listen to announcements for reminders, see updated information on the website, school newsletter, or student agenda. • Most sessions will take place in the lecture theatre during lunch and after school • Attend Open Houses at Colleges or Universities

5. Useful Research Tool Handout Don’t know what you want to do? Start here… www.careercruising.com (career assessment quiz, explanation of careers) Do you want to have a record of your courses and marks? www.myBlueprint.ca Considering College? www.ontariocolleges.ca Considering University? www.electronicinfo.ca www.ouac.on.ca Interested in hands-on work? Try a trade! www.apprenticetrades.ca www.workingincanada.gc.ca/ Transfer options: www.ONTransfer.ca

6. University Requirements: • Students need 6 University (U) or University/College (M) level courses to apply including English 4U • COOP is not considered a “U” or “M” level credit • Prerequisites for programs (Queen’s, McGill) • Additional Criteria: portfolio, interview, audition, tests • Personal Statement of Experience (PSE) • Deadline Dates • www.hctoday.ca • PIN number (OUAC) • $140 for three choices; $47 for each additional choice • Early admissions • Accepting/declining offers of admission

7. Ontario University Application Center (OUAC) • Links to Ontario Universities www.ouac.on.ca • OUAC 101 www.electronicinfo.ca • Find a Program • Scholarships • Residence • Prerequisites

8. Universities Outside of Ontario • Apply directly on-line to the university and you may need to send a transcript • Some schools access OUAC so there is no need for you to send a separate transcript(Bishop’s, UBC, Concordia, McGill, Dalhousie, University of New Brunswick, Simon Fraser, University of Victoria, University of Calgary and St. Mary’s) • RMC – apply to the Canadian Forces Recruitment Center on Bagot Street (all programs require grade 12 math)

9. Scholarships • Money is available for college and university • www.hctoday.ca • Scholarships may be based on marks, volunteer work, community involvement, and financial need • Loran Scholarship and Chancellor’s Scholarship • Garfield Weston Scholarship for College • Entrance scholarships are automatic and based on marks • Co-op option • Check college and university websites for scholarships specific to that institution • CHECK DUE DATES • Keep a file with letters of reference and copies of applications • Money is available for students on an IEP • www.scholarshipcanada.com • OSAP: www.osap.ca • In April a representative from Queen’s will visit to tell students about the process • First Generation (colleges) – money available if you are the first in your family to pursue a college education

10. OCAS Website • www.hctoday.ca • October 1st – St. Lawrence @ 11:10 • October 2nd and 7th - @ 11:00 – College application overview • October – 15 – College Information Program at St. Lawrence (12:00-2:30) • Requirements: OSSD plus recommended courses for specific programs (e.g. Eng 4C) • *majority of gr.11 and 12 courses should be at the “C” or “M” level http://www.ontariocolleges.ca (Ontario colleges only) • Plan • Find • Apply • Confirm • No PIN number for college- just apply on-line (Video tutorial) • 5 choices for $95; no more than three choices can be made at one college • Additional requirements (portfolio, auditions, testing for Science programs) • “Prep” Programs at colleges • www.ONTransfer.ca

11. Job Postings Handout • What’s HOT at college? • University degree programs at college www.degreesindemand.ca

12. Choosing a College or University • Size of city, campus, classes • How far is it from home? What transportation is available to get home? • Residence or house rentals? • Fall reading week • What kinds of part-time jobs are available? Co-op opportunities? • What kind of accommodations do they offer if you are on an IEP? Any health issues? • Choose a program that matches your strengths

13. Please check … • “Student-Parent Maplewood Portal” • The passwords are available through Student Services • You can use the portal to retrieve your son/daughter’s credit history on-line. www.hctoday.ca

14. Check your transcript… How many compulsory credits do you have remaining? How many credits are left to graduate?

15. Are all your grades accurate? Grade 11 and 12 marks are sent to post-secondary institutions.

16. Are all of your community hours in our system? • 40 hours of community service is required for graduation • 60 hours for a Crusader Certificate Is the literacy component complete?

17. Students on an IEP • Current psycho-educational testing (within last 3 years) • Parent/Students’ responsibility to make sure these documents are updated • Connect with post-secondary institution to identify your child’s needs • Parent/Students’ responsible to set up meeting in May/June with college/university to get ready for the fall • Orientation sessions at Post-secondary (arrange on your own) • Accommodations (with supporting documentation) in high school will transfer to post-secondary as long as they are being used in high school • Queen’s On-line to Success • Course (March- May) is open to gr. 11’s and 12’s to transition to post-secondary • Special Education teachers will meet with students individually to discuss transitioning to post-secondary • Students with extenuating circumstances • *call Ms. Gavan-Knox for an appointment if you have any questions ext. 3426

18. Important Things to Remember: • University Application Workshops: October 16th (11:15 and 2:30) and October 23rd (11:15 and 2:30) • College Information Session: October 2nd and October 7th (11:10 a.m.) • University Information Program @ Frontenac S.S. (6:30pm) • College Information Program at St. Lawrence – October 15th (12:00-2:30) Sign up in Student Services or after this presentation • College Application Workshops – November 6th and 10th at 11:10 a.m. in lecture theatre • Atlantic University Fair @ RND – October 2nd (9:00-10:30a.m) • Ontario Scholar – need six grade 12 courses to be eligible • If students are attending Focus Programs at another school, please ensure that current marks are being transferred to OCAS or OUAC (see the Student Services department at the new school and see us again when the student returns to Holy Cross)

19. ***Thank you for attending our session. Pick up handouts on your way out***