Studying in Canada

1. Studying in Canada Western Academy of Beijing May 23, 2013

2. Location of major Canadian universities Source AUCC, 2004

3. 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

4. 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/

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. OUAC Undergraduate Application

10. BC – www.pas.bc.ca/

11. 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

12. High School Transcript

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. AUCC

18. istudentadvisor

19. Brock University • Carleton University (Sprott School of Business) • McGill University • McMaster University • Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) • Queen’s University • Simon Fraser University • University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business) • University of Guelph • University of Toronto • University of Waterloo • University of Western Ontario (Richard Ivey School of Business) • York University Class of 2013 University Acceptances As of May 22, 2013

20. Q&A