Primer for University Preparation

List of 10 items.

• 

  September

  • Prep groups are formed. Attendance is mandatory
  • Students complete career aptitude testing using Career Cruising and learn how to use it to research universities
  • Students wishing to apply to the UK or US must fill out a “US/UK Application Declaration”
  • US application weekly workshops begin (if applicable)
  • Compose “Brag Sheet”. This term is a bit of an in-joke for a résumé. By November break, all students complete a basic résumé which can be used for certain university or scholarship applications as well as a guide for staff to write letters of recommendation. A résumé is of fundamental importance for a professional career and the completion of a basic example of one is one of the skills the Prep Group Programme promotes.
  • University visits begin. Universities as far away as British Columbia and as close as Acadia visit. Students have a chance to hear information about the schools and ask questions about their programmes of interest.
  • University tour to Ontario and visit the Ontario University Fair and the Student Life Expo in Toronto.
  • International students research their IELTS/TOEFL requirements and begin preparing for IELTS/TOEFL testing
  • Students register for SAT/ACT (if applicable)
  • Students receive and “Application Tracking Sheet” to keep track of their application, scholarship and residence deadlines
• 

  October

  • University visits continue. Open houses are usually held in October. KES takes students to the Dalhousie Open House and we help make arrangements for the other universities’ open houses if there is interest.
  • The AARAO tour brings over 40 institutes to the Athletic Center and gives students a chance to meet with representatives
  • Applications to most Canadian universities open now—some will allow you to apply with final Grade 11 grades
  • Transcript information compiled. Each student receives a mock-up of his or her transcript. This is checked for accuracy in terms of courses taken and graduation requirements. The transcript also has a very condensed list of the students activities while at the school.
  • Students can attend evening workshops on various special interest areas (US admissions, UK admissions, Direct entry medicine, personal statements, etc.)
  • Groups continue to meet. Topics of discussion include how to choose a university and how to make applications. The OUAC (Ontario University Application Centre) portal is used as an example of on-line applications.
  • Deadline for students applying for medicine, veterinarian and dentistry in the UK is October 15th
  • Loran Scholarship is due this month
  • TOEFL/IETLS testing continues
• 

  November

  • November transcripts will be available as soon as the report cards are ready. This can be used to apply to university.
  • Applications for students wishing for early acceptances in Canada continue. After a student has applied to a university, they must inform me via email so that I can track it and send a transcript. If families prefer to complete the process on their own, it is still important to keep me informed of their activities so that transcripts are sent to the appropriate schools.
  • Early decision for US applications is November 1st. Many US universities use the “Common Application” form, which is reviewed in the US weekly workshops. Students supply their brag sheet to teachers who are writing letters of reference. They complete all forms online and inform me so that I can supply the school profile and counsellor report to the Common App.
  • Study hard for December exams. The December report card will be the most import one for acceptances in Canada and the US regular decision
  • TD Scholarship deadline is this month
  • TOEFL/IETLS testing continues
• 

  December

  • Prep groups end. Students can book individual appointments for application support
  • Some universities, such as Queens and UBC, have deadlines for their major scholarships in December. If students get an early acceptance now, they must still send a transcript in after Christmas break to be eligible for scholarships. It is up to them to let me know where they have applied so that I can make sure the transcript is sent.
  • US regular decision applications made (see instructions on early decision above)
• 

  January

  • Applications continue. Usually students schedule individual appointments to review their options and make applications. Continue to inform me of any applications made so we can send transcripts.
  • Be sure to check the status of your application online. Your acknowledgement letter or email will have instructions on how to do this! Keep track of your login details. Be sure to look for any supplementary forms that are required (personal statements, additional information forms, essays, portfolios, etc.)
  • Drop-in evening application support sessions take place in January for students needing assistance with applications.
  • Some universities make offers
  • Students research and apply for scholarships. The first place to check is the universities website under their “Money Matters” or “Scholarships and Bursaries” page. The sites https://yconic.com/ and http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/ are also very helpful.
  • January 21st is the OUAC deadline for Ontario schools thus programs begin filling after this point.
  • December transcripts are sent for scholarship considerations. You must email Ms. Sasaki to let her know if you need a transcript sent somewhere
  • Research meal plans and residences (if you have not already)
• 

  February

  • Applications and offers continue.—keep me posted of any offers.
  • Continue to check the status of your applications online and submit any supplementary forms
  • Schulich Scholarship deadline
  • Complete residence applications
  • International students bring acceptance letters to Mrs. Naugler to begin their study permits for next year once you have accepted an offer
• 

  March

  • Offers will continue to roll in and students will need to decide which to accept
  • Their acceptance letters will have the pertinent deadlines and procedure for accepting an offer
  • The OUAC offers must be accepted online at www.ouac.com
  • Complete residence applications (if you have not already done so)
  • International students bring acceptance letters to Mrs. Naugler to begin their study permits for next year (if you have not already done so)
• 

  April

  • A list of where students have accepted offers will be posted.
  • Complete residence applications (if you have not already done so)
  • International students bring acceptance letters to Mrs. Naugler to begin their study permits for next year (if you have not already done so)
• 

  May

  • Students will inform me of their decision so the final transcript can be arranged
  • Students receive “Transitions: Student Reality Check” and are encouraged to review it with their parents.
  • Students from the previous graduating class will visit to discuss their experiences and share their wisdom
  • Prepare for exams. Remember: all offers are conditional!
• 

  June

  • You graduate!!! Once you receive your final report card, check to make sure that you met all of the conditions of your offer. If you did not, please contact Ms. Sasaki ASAP so that we can formulate a plan.