2013 Grad Parent Information planning for graduation and beyond

1. Mr. von Matt Ms. Kusnezov counsellors 2013 Grad Parent Informationplanning for graduation and beyond

2. Courses needed to graduate Must have completed these 13 courses: English 10 Socials 10 A Science 10 A Math 10 PE 10 Planning 10 A Fine Art OR Applied Skill 10,11 or 12 English or Comm.11 Socials 11 A Science 11 A Math 11 English or Comm. 12 Graduation Transitions 12 All are 4 credits each = 52 credits • Plus at least 7 other courses: • THREE of which must be grade 12 level courses. • 7courses x 4 credits =28 credits. • 52 + 28 = 80 credits.

3. Plus… • 5 Gov’t exams must be written: • English 10 • Science 10 • Math 10 • Socials 11 • English 12 or Communications 12 • To check exam results: • www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams • Create an account by using your PEN (personal education number) which is on report card. IMPORTANT TO CHECK IN THE SUMMER

4. Provincial scholarships • Scholarships are awarded based on the five mandatory exams. Students must still achieve a final mark of 73% or higher in English 12, and… • Score AT LEAST at least one “A” (86% or higher) and three “B’s” (73% or higher) on four of their five exams. • The top 5,000 students in the province will receive $1000. • Students can re-write exams one time per course within 12 months of their first attempt. But if you are re-writing English 12 this year must re-write by Aug 31.

5. Graduation transitions course • Graduation Transitions is a mandatory course required for graduation • No weekly set class for the course • Students attend one seminar at the end of September or beginning of October to receive course booklet and instructions • Completed booklet is due April 5th

6. Graduation process • Counsellors check to see if grad is possible based on courses students are registered in- Sept/Oct • Students can figure out if they have enough credits by looking at grade 10 and 11 report cards, and factoring in courses they are registered in now. • After each reporting session counsellors check to see if there are any grads in jeopardy of not graduating based on current marks. • Letters sent home to parents for students in danger of not graduating

7. Graduation process contined • Grad photos – January 13th – 15th • Parent tributes, toddler photos and grad write-ups due January 17th. • See page 78 in the planner for detailed information • April/May – Grad fees to be paid, gown sizing • Be sure to read Haney Happenings daily and check Thss.ca to ensure that announcements pertaining to grad aren’t missed!

8. Graduation week Wednesday, June 4th, 2013 • 7:30 am – Grad Breakfast and rehearsal –all grads must attend rehearsal Friday, June 6th, 2013 • 7:40 am - Grads arrive in Grad Cap & Gown – meet in Rotunda • 9:00 am - Grad Ceremonies begin @ THSS in the gym • 4 tickets to ceremony per graduate. Not many extras!! • 5:30 pm- Dinner/Dance begins @ Meadow Gardens • 11:30 pm to 5 am - Dry Grad @ THSS • Detailed info on thss.ca website under “grad 2014”

9. After graduation • Working • Trades (apprenticeship programs) • “Gap” year – valuable to PSI’s and scholarships if structured with specific goals • Volunteering (buyer-beware) • Travelling • College • University

10. Info for college/university Almost everything you need to know about college/university… Two articles to read first: http://www.theprovince.com/business/university+degrees+losing+their+value/8858564/story.html http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/University+education+rise+college+grads+enjoy+better+employment+rate/8580889/story.html

11. Specific information for students going to Post Secondary School College • Entry is usually first come, first served. • Some specific requirements depending on school and program. • Many schools open registration Oct. 1, but Apply BC site is open now. University • Must complete FOUR academic courses, and a second language (to grade 11). • TRU and UFV differ. Check their websites. • Admission based on grades in grade 12 courses required for entry.

12. How and when do I apply for post secondary school? • Most university and college websites are open for applications at the beginning of October. Early application deadlines are usually the end of February • Make sure you have the pre-requisite courses for your desired program, then apply on line at : https://applybc.ca

13. University admission averages • Averages change from year to year – students are encouraged to apply if they meet minimum averages. • Averages are based on the grade 12 courses required for entry into the university program. • Some universities used broad-based admissions. UBC has moved to this method. This means admission is based on marks, school and community service, and extra-curricular activities. This is an additional part of the regular admission application. Five written parts- very important to do this well.

14. University contacts • Self Reporting of Grades • Make sure you are following the deadlines in your email provided to you by the university/college you applied. • Admission may be tied to self-reported grades. Do not self-report a grade that is not on a report card or a transcript.

15. Choosing the Right School • Treat it like buying a car…

16. In order to make an informed choice • Visit campuses - do a tour • Attend information sessions, open houses • Sit down with an advisor • Talk to students who are there • There are people on every campus who are hired to talk to prospective students. They are the experts, not us. • SHOP AROUND

17. Thss.ca • Our website has links to virtually every post secondary school in BC. • Counselling/career center website is http://schools.sd42.ca/thscareer/ • There you can find dates and times for campus tours etc. • Explanation of application processes, scholarship opportunities, trades and apprenticeship options, job search help

18. How much does it cost??

19. Approximate college costs • 2 years – at home • Tuition $5,356 • Expenses 5,760 • Interest on debt 244 • Total: $11,360 • 2 years – on campus • Tuition $5,356 • Expenses 22,760 • Interest on debt 1,991 • Total: $30,170

20. Approximate university costs 4 years- living at home • Tuition 21,464 • Expenses 11,520 • Interest on debt 2,451 • Total: 35,435 • 4 years- on campus • Tuition 21,464 • Expenses 45,520 • Interest on debt 11,833 • Total: 78,817

21. How to pay? • Personal savings- parent/student • Passport to Education • Provincial Exam Scholarships • District/Dogwood Scholarships • Other Scholarships/bursaries • BC/Canada Student Loan Program

22. Scholarships/Bursaries • Bursaries based on financial need and are not to be paid back. • Scholarships are applied for and awarded. Community involvement is very important. • Local scholarship process begins in January. (consistent in district) • Workshops held at noon hours in January, 2013. • Post-secondary scholarships on web-sites. • All awards have their own criteria. • Begin the gathering of information early. Lots of help available in Career Center. • Sept30- Y Block in Suddaby Room. First general info session.

23. Passport to education • Gr. 10- $250 • Gr. 11- $250 • Gr.12- $500 • Total possible award $1000 • There are a limited number of awards given by the Ministry of Education each year (approx 25/grade). • Course marks are the determining factor (top 5 courses) • Money is given after graduation, upon showing proof of tuition payment.

24. District Dogwood Awards • $1000 awarded to grade 12 students who excel in Applied Skills, languages, athletics, Community Service, Technical and Trades Training and Fine Arts. • Students present skills to a committee who determine awards based on a set criteria. • Number of winners vary each year, usually around 10-12 per school.

25. District Scholarships • Community donated money • Criteria varies by donor • District committee chooses all winners, although some donors choose their own winners. • All awards are offered to all high schools in the city. • Booklet will be available in the new year. • 3 noon hour sessions to walk students through process. • Application deadline in March before Spring Break for most awards. • Winners announced on Grad Day in June.

26. Marks-based Entrance Scholarships • Scholarships awarded automatically based on GPA on final grade 12 academic courses. Students do not apply for these. • Minimum average around 85%

27. Major Entrance Scholarships • Based on overall % average and extra curricular activities. • Courses considered will vary with institution • 90-95% for highest $$ awards • 80-85% average for other awards based on leadership and school, community involvement. • Often require personal essay, and references. • Some top awards need nomination from THSS • Students need to apply to the institution to be considered for the award.

28. What about bursaries? • Monetary awards based on financial need. • Administered by post secondary institutions- check on line for applications and details. • Some district bursaries available as well. • % average and extra-curricular are considered. • Will be required to submit documentation of family finances. • Often must qualify for a student loan to be eligible for a post-secondary bursary.

29. Other important information • Post Secondary Day – October 10 in morning. • UBC information session October 23. • Information items on web site (www.thss.ca) • PSI forms in the spring for students going to post-secondary school. We will explain what these are and why they are very important at that time. • marks for universities based on second term report card and final report. Universities consider grade 12 academic marks only (with a few exceptions).

30. So much to do… • Use a checklist of things to do for your post-secondary plan. • Create a folder to collect info. • Record all deadlines. • Scholarship/bursary information. • Send transcripts or self-report grades on-line and send in other required documents (resumes, essays) as required. • Keep a copy of all documents. • If you talk to someone at the post-secondary school about a problem on the phone, get the name of the person you talk to. • Thinking of the trades: tradestraining.ca and itabc.ca are two good sites.

31. Did you know? • A Recent study showed 2 out of 3 jobs now require some level of Post Secondary Education. • Also, the same study showed employment rates as follows: • Adults with a post secondary degree- 72% employed • Adults with only a high school diploma- 61% employed • Adults without a high school diploma- 33% employed. • Please share these figures with your children!

32. Final thoughts • Have a back-up plan. Counting on getting into the ONE university can be very stressful for the entire family. • Apply to a college early to ensure you have somewhere to go. • If a student is getting behind or getting poor marks here, what will happen at university? • University professors do not use the words “deal” or “plan” when it comes to students who fail to hand in work on time. • Unless your child has a high “B” or “A” average in academic grade 12 courses, the chances of being accepted in a major university (UBC, SFU) are virtually zero. Local colleges or smaller universities are a great option for a year or two (and cheaper).

33. In conclusion… • Any further questions, email one of the counsellors or career planning assistant: • tkusnezov@sd42.ca • pvonmatt@sd42.ca • mmcgrath@sd42.ca