The Final Lap

1. The Final Lap Grade 12 Parents’ Evening Tuesday October 8th, 2013

2. If only we had a crystal ball…

3. What does the future look like?

4. You have arrived!

5. The Team • Ms. Christine Wessler- Head of University Counselling • Mr. Ben Griffin- University Counsellor • Mr. Andrew Jones- University Counsellor • Ms. Carol Pollock- University Counsellor • Ms. Sheena Matthews- University Counsellor • Ms. Nasreen Maherali- Administrative Assistant to U. Counselling • Pat Palmer- Head of Grade 12 • Ms. Carol Pollock- Grade 12 Personal Counselor • Mr. William Collins- Associate Principal of Academics • Mr. Brian Lee- Associate Principal of Student Life • Advisors- Grade 12 advisors • 100+ faculty and administration -with experiences and expertise

6. Roles Counsellor • Provides professional and accurate information and guidance • Sends transcripts, and other documents • Supports and listens, encourages Student • Fills out his own applications and supplements • Is mindful of deadlines • Keeps in communication with university • Keep marks up!- Don’t fall victim to the deadly disease of senioritis • Communicates and meets regularly with university counsellor • Reads his emails from the University Counselling Department Parent • Advises, encourages and listens • Accepts child’s need for independence • Suggests topics • Allows child to set goals

7. Where are we now? Your son should: • Have his timetable in place • Be working hard in the classroom – marks do matter! • Engaged in various clubs and programs • Be pursuing his interests, goals and dreams • Having fun; being with friends; making memories • Meeting regularly with his university counsellor

8. What’s happening now? • Meeting with students • One-on-one • Group meetings • Grade meetings

9. How do students know what to do? • Naviance e-mails • One-on-one sessions • Announcements • Grade meetings • Showing them

10. Which University? • Don’t think narrowly • The next 4 years of your life will be here • These will be your new friends • Expand your list- don’t get lured by the big names if they’re not for you! • Remember the hidden gems

11. Top 10 Things to Consider • Does the school have my program? • Do I like the location? • Is it the right size? • Does the school suit my learning style • Will I be able to play sports/participate in clubs? • What are the housing and meal plan like? • Will I feel valued there? • How big will my classes be? • What extras are there- coop, internships, exchanges…? • Does reputation matter to me?

12. College Visits • Over 60 schools from all over the world visiting St. George’s School

13. The Search Look for schools that place an emphasis on: • A global perspective • Experiential learning where students don’t just learn from books • Student exchanges • Coop programs, internships and work programs • Teamwork, as well as independent thinking • Organizing volunteer expeditions to developing countries • Creativity, innovation and risk-taking • Application of knowledge • Commitment to teaching how to do proper inquiry and research • Demand for honesty, respect, tolerance and other soft skills

14. GAP Year • Studies show a gap year does not reduce chances of attending university after. • These students often more successful at university • Why Gap? Might be the only time you get to be free and explore the world! • University isn’t going anywhere- better sense of what you want to do with your life when you come back! • Most universities good about deferring acceptance (and even scholarships)

15. What do I need to get in? • Required courses for the desired program • At least 4-5 university admissible courses; (rigor and breadth for US schools) • Specific mark requirements depending on university and program • An application • A supplementary application or personal information form for universities which request it • A portfolio, essay, additional criteria or interview if requested • Attention to deadlines • An eventual commitment, backed by a deposit • Positive attitude, strong work ethic and good preparation

16. Applying Canadian • Goal- apply to all schools before winter break • How- on-line; each school linked in Naviance • Just follow steps • Schools will have one of two options • Apply through a centralized application centre (Ontario and Alberta; BC optional) or b. Apply directly to the university through their website (future/prospective student; undergraduate; APPLY) • You will know you have finished the application process when you have PAID$$

17. What Happens After I Apply? • Self reporting for Canadian Schools • All schools other than BC (and McGill) we send the term 1-2 transcript • UBC, UVIc and SFU self-reporting- opens mid- March-term 2 marks available; students receive an email link to self-report • Some schools offer conditional acceptance based on grade 11 marks • Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, • Eventually students hear one of 2 things- they were conditionally accepted or marks weren’t high enough, and university will wait for the next set of marks.

18. Applying U.S. • Apply online • Submit application and essay (Common App) • Ensure students have requested teacher references in person • Standardized testing complete or nearly complete • St. George’s sends transcripts, school profile, Secondary School Report and counsellor reference letter • Students await offers • Students who have applied Early Action/Early Decision hear mid December • Regular Decision round • Be mindful of deadlines to accept

19. Applying U.K. • Apply online • Centralized system – UCAS • One teacher referee • Personal Statement

20. Timelines • Depends on where • Canadian applications are almost all open • US applications are well underway • UK and overseas applications also open • Term 1 marks for all schools other than Early US (midterm grade 12) and Early UK (predicted grades)

21. Tracking Applications • Students must use Naviance • Parents can access this- please email nmaherali@stgeorges.bc.ca for an account • Electronic submission for all applications • Transcripts mailed for all Canadian institutions, except for BC universities-transcripts sent out by Ministry of Education • UK applications- filled out online; transcripts mailed www.ucas.org • US schools- electronic submission of all documents

22. Housing Options • Students who live in residence generally achieve better grades and are more likely to graduate • Great way to meet people • Help is never far away • Creates a sense of belonging • Always someone to study with • You can concentrate more on school since your food and chores are under control • It’s fun • Lots of styles of rooms

23. Am I assured a place in residence? • Most 1st years get a place – may not be first choice • Some assure residence with certain average • Some give preference to out-of-towners • Some allow you to pick your roommate • Some choose residence through lottery system • So- Make sure you tick the box saying you want residence or residence information • Promptly fill out any residence questionnaires Don’t miss the deposit for residence deadlines!

24. Broadbased Admissions • Universities admit your admission is “based on more than just your academic grades, and “we will also consider your grade in life” • Importance of supplements- both mandatory and optional • UBC- all programs, Richard Ivey, Queen’s PSE, Waterloo. St. Francis-Xavier • Keep in mind opportunities to give more information- ie. Western- Special Consideration or Extra-Curricular Profile • US and UK systems- holistic review

25. Deadlines • Students encouraged to check websites • Reminders sent out Major upcoming deadlines: • October 15th- Cambridge and Oxford/UK Medical Schools/Dentistry/Vet • October 15th- Some US colleges- student athletes • Ongoing to November 30th- some schools like UVic- conditional acceptance based on grade 11 marks • November 1st- US Early Decision and Early Action- US schools • November 30th- University of California schools • December 10th- UBC- Major Entrance Scholarship Deadlines • January 1st-US Regular Decision • February 3rd- UBC all programs • February 1st- McGill, Queen’s • February 28th- UVIc • April 30- SFU

26. Scholarships • We send out information • We help students search for scholarships • Various search engines available

27. Where do our students go?

28. Top Destinations Top Canadian matriculations (# of students) • McGill University- 24 • University of British Columbia-21 • Western University -8 • University of Waterloo- 4 Top American matriculations • New York University- 6 • UC Berkeley- 5 • University of Pennsylvania- 4 • Princeton University- 4

29. 12 Most Popular Canadian Schools Applied to: • UBC- 87 • McGill-69 • University of Toronto- 46 • Queen’s- 46 • Western University – 41 • Uniersity of Victoria - 27 • University of Waterloo- 24 • McMaster University- 22 • Simon Fraser University- 18 • Dalhousie University- 15 • University of Calgary- 13 • University of Alberta- 11

30. 12 Most Popular American Schools 12 most popular American schools applied to: • UC Berkeley- 39 • UCLA- 33 • Cornell University- 29 • Columbia University- 27 • University of Pennsylvania- 26 • NYU- 26 • Harvard University- 22 • Stanford University- 21 • University of Chicago- 19 • Duke University- 18 • Princeton University - 18

31. Most Popular Overseas Schools • London School of Economics- 9 • University of St. Andrews- 8 • King’s College London- 7 • University College London- 7 • Cambridge University- 4 • University of Edinburgh- 4 • University of Hong Kong- 4 • University of Oxford- 4

32. Most Popular Faculties • Arts • Science • Business • Engineering • Kinesiology and Fine Arts (tied) • Architecture • Law and Hotel Management (tied) Some interesting faculties pursued last year: • Nursing and Health, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Criminolgy, Land and Food Systems, Film Studies

33. How Can Parents Help? • Enjoy your time with your son • Collaborate- dream big but set realistic goals • Provide support and advice; listen, encourage, suggest • Ask yourself some hard questions- “Are my goals for my son his goals?” • Position your child for success- focus on what your son does well • Do be a helicopter parent, but hover at a distance • Go on-line- make it fun! • Stay positive

34. A Cautionary Word • Acceptances are Conditional! • Universities will revoke offers!

35. Cherish this Time There are 4 things you cannot recover in life: The stone after it is thrown… The word after it is said… The occasion after it is missed… The time after it is gone.

36. Grade 12- A Rite of Passage .

37. Endings and Beginnings Every new beginning is some other beginning’s end. ~Seneca