Looking Ahead to Grad and Graduation

1. Looking Ahead to Grad and Graduation How to save your sanity and enjoy your Grade 12 year!

2. Your Grade 12 Year is ALREADY 20% COMPLETE!! • Our most important piece of advice? • ** Get organized, and, if you don’t know, ask. (your parents,teachers, counsellors, administrators, or even helpful websites!)**

3. High School Graduation • Make sure that you check with your division counsellor to confirm that you have taken, or are taking, the courses necessary for graduation, for career options, or for admission to post-secondary programs.

4. High School Graduation • Make sure that you check with your division counsellor to confirm that you have taken, or are taking, the courses necessary for graduation, for career options, or for admission to post-secondary programs. • Throughout this school year, you will be reminded about completing your Graduation Transition Plan (GTP). The sooner that you get this work completed, the easier it will be to stay on track and meet your goals for your future.

5. Planning Ahead • In order to be well-prepared for what is ahead in your remaining months of Grade 12, you are encouraged to do the following things NOW …if you haven’t already done so: • Finalize your post-graduation plans and determine the steps that you will need to take to get started, and what will be required for you to be successful. Your Graduation Transition Plan documentation will assist you in organizing your information.

6. Planning Ahead • In order to be well-prepared for what is ahead in your remaining months of Grade 12, you are encouraged to do the following things NOW …if you haven’t already done so: • Finalize your post-graduation plans and determine the steps that you will need to take to get started, and what will be required for you to be successful. Your Graduation Transition Plan documentation will assist you in organizing your information. • Create letters of introduction and academic resumes, in anticipation of their use in applying for scholarships, bursaries, programs, or jobs.

7. Planning Ahead • In order to be well-prepared for what is ahead in your remaining months of Grade 12, you are encouraged to do the following things NOW …if you haven’t already done so: • Finalize your post-graduation plans and determine the steps that you will need to take to get started, and what will be required for you to be successful. Your Graduation Transition Plan documentation will assist you in organizing your information. • Create letters of introduction and academic resumes, in anticipation of their use in applying for scholarships, bursaries, programs, or jobs. • Obtain at least two letters of reference (at least one from a teacher or administrator) to include with #2.

8. Planning Ahead • In order to be well-prepared for what is ahead in your remaining months of Grade 12, you are encouraged to do the following things NOW …if you haven’t already done so: • Finalize your post-graduation plans and determine the steps that you will need to take to get started, and what will be required for you to be successful. Your Graduation Transition Plan documentation will assist you in organizing your information. • Create letters of introduction and academic resumes, in anticipation of their use in applying for scholarships, bursaries, programs, or jobs. • Obtain at least two letters of reference (at least one from a teacher or administrator) to include with #2. • Gather information on financial support for your post-secondary plans. Check out www.studentawards.com or http://www.scholarshipscanada.comfor scholarship information, as well as other sources of funding. Student loan information can be found at: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentservices/student/

9. University and College Admission Deadlines • usually the end of February or beginning of March (note: the UBC exception) • Some colleges and universities allow for year-round application (eg. NIC, Camosun) or early application (eg. VIU, UVIC). • Some college programs have numerous start dates. • Check the calendars in the Counselling Office, or, better yet, the school’s website for specific dates and requirements (application forms, fees, etc.). • The easiest way to apply to university and college programs in BC is to go to: • www.applybc.ca

10. University Admission Requirements • The rule of thumb for university admission in BC (it will be similar elsewhere!) is four academic Grade 12 courses: • English 12, plus three others (usually having Provincial Exams), with the minimum mark for any one course being 67%, C+ • sometimes a fifth, non-academic Grade 12 course • Admission averages are usually in the 75-82 % range, depending upon the program for which you’re applying. • Most universities now calculate the admission average and scholarship scores based on the final mark for the courses required for admission to the program (not all marks) • High school graduation is required. • Specific course pre-requisites, including mathematics and second languages, vary from university to university and program to program. Check calendars and/or websites for specifics.

11. College and Trades School Admission Requirements • admission requirements vary from program to program and institution to institution. • University Transfer programs require English 12 (C or C+) and other program-specific requirements. • You must consult the appropriate institution’s calendar or website for specific current information.

12. So, What’s it all going to cost?

14. Whoa! How are we going to pay for this?

15. Students Should Consider All Possible Sources of Funding • Parent and family support • Savings from part-time & summer jobs • Loans (government; financial institutions) • Entrance Scholarships • Bursaries • Affiliation (parents, relatives, 1st Nations Status, etc.) • Work Study / other part-time work

16. Scholarships and Bursaries • Scholarship awards are primarily determined based upon G.P.A. • Bursaries will usually use a number of criteria (often including G.P.A. and financial need, plus others) to determine eligibility. • Be aware that financial awards may have restrictions as to when they can/must be used. • These may be offered throughout the year, and application deadlines and eligibility criteria will vary.

17. Entrance Scholarships • These are not awarded until after your application for admission to the specific institution has been approved. • If the institution requires special application, deadlines are usually prior to the end of March, but check to be sure.

18. Vanier Bursaries • Information about the scholarships and bursaries offered through the school can be accessed through the Vanier Website at: http://www.gpvanier.ca/ and click on “Graduation”, then the “Bursaries” link. • Bursary packages will be available in early February and due just prior to Spring Break

19. Provincial Scholarship Program • Eligibility is automatically calculated based upon your results on all government exams: • English, Math and Science 10 • Social Studies 11/First Nation Studies 12 • English 12 / Communications 12 • The top 5000 averages (with minimum mark of 73% on the EN12 exam) will be awarded $1000. Recipients will be informed by mail.

20. Passport to Education • Applications will be distributed in A.G. in April. • Awards are based on academic performance (marks & work habits = 80%) and community involvement (20%). • Approximately 10 percent of our Gr. 12’s will receive $500. You don’t need to have achieved this award before to be eligible this year.

21. Finally, • We began this information presentation by encouraging you to start NOW to make decisions about your future, to get organized, and to take steps to make it happen. Don’t delay, start today (okay, maybe tomorrow…) Good luck!