Agenda

1. Agenda • Introductions • Graduation Requirements • Provincial Exams • Life after Kal • How do I apply to college or university? • Scholarship & Bursaries

2. Graduation Requirements • set by Ministry of Education • 80 credits from grade 10, 11 and 12 Concerns every year: • Missing Fine Arts / Applied Skills 4 credits • 2nd Language NOT REQUIRED for graduation • Failed a course…see a counsellor ASAP

3. Graduation Requirements www.kalamalka.sd22.bc.ca/counsellor_website/grad_requirements.html

4. Are YOU going to graduate? Log on to Student or Parent Connect, select “Grades” and then “Grad Profile” to view your credits and required courses. https://cimsweb.sd22.bc.ca/SchoolConnect/ParentSignon.aspx

5. “TYPICAL”Post-Secondary Requirements English 12 AND3 more university approved courses: • History • English Literature • Pre-Calculus 12 • FOM 12 • Law* • Calculus* • Social Justice * • Geology • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Geography • French * New additions in BC

6. ENGLISH 12Requirement for Post-Secondary • 70% or better as a final grade (school grade and provincial exam mark combined) OR • Some universities provide the option of taking a separate English placement test or enrollment in a lower level English to boost your skills

7. Life After KAL

8. GAP YEAR • Refers to taking a break from studying to do something else such as travel or work • *Note, many scholarships won’t defer for a gap year

9. Check out our website for some gap year travel opportunities… www.kalamalka.sd22.bc.ca/counsellor_website/travel.html

10. What does ittake to Get into University or College?

11. Post Secondary Requirements • High school GRADUATION • English 12 • 3-4 additional university approved courses • Institution specific • Program specific • G.P.A. calculated using • English 12 and other university approved courses • this average is what establishes your RANK among the applicants

12. Post Secondary RequirementsContinued… • May include “Broad Based Application” i.e. extracurricular activities, community volunteerism, essay/short answer component

13. Researching BC Institutions www.educationplanner.ca

14. What kind of marks do I need to get into college Or University?

15. Admission Entrance Averages • Each institution sets their own minimum entrance GPA • 67% to 70% has been the minimum general admission average, HOWEVER, the minimum changes year to year based upon the pool of applicants and seats available so work hard and do your best!

16. How do I apply to College Or University?

17. Application Process • Apply on-line to the specific institution • Apply to @ least 2 schools • to keep options open • some programs are very competitive • Applications require a fee for processing which is non-refundable (credit card, cheque or pay in person)

18. WHEN should I apply? • Application deadlines vary from institution to institution • Okanagan College opens November 1st(Open House Nov. 5th- they’ll wave your application fee if you apply that night) • UBC is currently open and closes February 3rd(NOTE: to be considered for Major Entrance Scholarship you must apply by Dec. 10th) • UVIC is currently open and closes Feb. 28th(late applications accepted until May 15th)

19. What scholarshipsareavailable? Scholarship & Bursaries Where do I find the info.?

20. 5 types of Scholarships • National / International • Entrance (institution specific) • Ministry of Education • Local • District Project Scholarship

21. National / InternationalScholarships • Tough competition • Many applicants  few recipients • Grades plus factors specific to the organization (humanitarian service/ innovator/leader) • Applications are comprehensive often requiring reference letters, nominations, essays and transcripts

22. Entrance Scholarships • Institution specific • Selection is based on 1 or more of the following factors: • Grades and/or • Reference letters • Nominations • Scholarship Essay • Application Process • Separate application form OR automatically once you apply (i.e. UBC)

23. Provincial Exam Scholarships A student will receive a $1,000 Examinations Scholarship if he/she meets the following requirements: *Must rank in top 5,000 scholarship students in BC on all five provincial exams combined AND achieve at least a “B” (73% or above) final mark (provincial exam and school mark combined) in one of the Language Arts 12:

24. Local Scholarships • One application form for many scholarship opportunities • Either selected by the donor or a district scholarship committee • Applications available online in the SPRING • Factors considered in selection: grades, service, affiliation, acceptance at post- secondary institution

25. District Project Scholarship • Opportunity to recognize student achievement in non-academic areas • Fine Arts, Applied Skill, 2nd Language and Physical Education • $1,000 awards • Showcase Event in the Spring • Find more information at the district website: http://www.sd22.bc.ca/forms/Guidelines_District_Project_Scholarships0809.pdf *See Mr. Balcombe for more information

26. Where do I find out about scholarship opportunities? • Counselling Area- bulletin board • Websites • Posted on School District 22 website: www.sd22.bc.ca • * Select Students  Secondary  Scholarships • Companies/Employers • Check with your employer to see if they offer any scholarships

27. Get Organized • Keep a folder for Post Secondary information • Give those writing you a reference letter at least 2 weeks notice (use the reference letter planner which can be accessed on-line or in the counselling area) • Official transcripts are available at the KAL main office • Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

28. Who has an e-mail addressthat looks like this? hugz.to.ma.thugz@hotmail.com *Consider the kind of impression your email address makes….What does it say about you? *Create an e-mail address that uses your name and use that to contact universities and scholarship providers.

29. P.S.I. BC Visit to Vernon October 16th @ VSS 6:30 – 8:30pm • Royal Military College • British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) • Thompson Rivers U • Emily Carr University of Art & Design • Selkirk College (Nelson) • Nicola Valley Institute of Technology • Simon Fraser U • Trinity Western U • University of Victoria

30. Conclusion • Enjoy your Grade 12 year – get involved, find balance between work, play and community involvement • Research, Research, Research • Study and Maintain a good GPA

31. Questions ? ? ? ? ? ? Questions