Crofton HouseUniversity Evening

University and College Information Evening

Mrs. Ruth Fraser

Mrs. Paula Manhas

Student Services

Agenda

CHS University Program information Factors to consider when applyingChoosing university programsAdmissions LandscapeCanadian universitiesU.S. & International universities and collegesStudent PanelResources for post-secondary research – handout

available as you leave This power point will be available on the website

CHS University Program Overview

• University Info Evening March 6th 7 – 9

• Course Planning Evening – Mar 12th 7-9 • Research sessions (in Planning classes) –

Grade 11 and throughout Grade 12

• Mandatory parent & student interviews (gr. 11) with assigned university counsellors

• Students will be assigned to their university• counsellor by Graduation Transitions12

classes in their grade 12 year

CHS University Planning & Research

• Each student should keep a current filing system

(paper or electronic) for all pertinent information

• Students update their Naviance profile and

information on a regular basis

• Parents should also be on Naviance to engage in

conversation with their daughters and with

counsellors

• Research specific programs and course descriptions

in college and university catalogues and on websites

Important Considerations in Choosing any University program

• Early, on-going, open, and un-pressured dialogue is key

• Your daughter is a unique individual with unique strengths, weaknesses, and needs

• Being accepted is different from choosing the school that is the right fit

• Emotional intelligence is key to transition• 60% of first year students change

programs , faculties or universities – need for flexibility and being open to new opportunities

Factors to consider when applying:• Academic program: content, structure, features, elective

flexibility, rigour, balance

• Facilities: availability to undergraduates, quality, maintenance, development

• Profile of institution

• Size and location

• Campus culture, diversity

• Availability of financial aid/scholarships:

Canadian – University and private organizations

US financial support available but in difficult economic times full fee students increase their chances of admissions to competitive institutions

International – no substantial aid, although there are some scholarships available

Admission Landscape - CANADA• Admissions have eased over the last 15 years due to changing

demographics of Cdn population (fewer 17 year olds)

“Total fertility rate, Canada and the United States, 1940-2000.” 1/Jan.2012. Statistics Canada.com. Web. 23/Feb/2012.

Canadian Admissions Landscape+20 % of CHS students matriculate to UBC or McGill

UBC, McGill, U of T, Western and Queen’s remain

competitive. These are large research universities with

large first year classes in major urban centres

Coastal institutions and the Prairies have relatively lower

admissions (Dal, UVic, U of C, U of Alberta, Concordia,

Mount Allison, Bishops), many with smaller classes

Scholarship money is generously available – both entrance and

private scholarships

Admission Landscape – U.S.Demographics in the US are different than in Canada

Large and growing hispanic and black populations with a

higher birth rate

No child left behind policies

CHS students apply to a narrow band of mostly private, top

tier institutions

International students have better chances of admission if

full fee paying

Parents can access a list of American institutions that

historically provide Financial Aid for International Students

on the school website

Admission Landscape – International

• European countries reflect Canada’s experience with

declining population

• Asia is the reverse – North American applicants are

generally discouraged from applying as application rates

are very high

• UK, Scotland, and Wales have different education systems

• Direct entry is a draw for professional programs such as

Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Physio, Veterinary, but growing

interest from our students in Arts/Humanities

3 Application Processes

Canada US InternationalAdmission Grade 12

marksGrades 9 – 12 marks

Grades 11/12 marks

CounsellorTeacher Recommend

Not required except for special programs

One or Several letters

Teacher only for UK

Hong Kong – Teacher reference

Essays/Profiles

Varies by Institution*Required forBroad Based Faculties & Institutions

Almost all Institutions require one or more - except state schools

Short personal statement for UCAS (UK Application Service)

Some essays required for others

Standardized Tests

Usually none

SAT’s and SAT subject tests for most or ACT

UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test), BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test),LNAT(Law National Aptitude Test) for some

Features of Canadian UniversitiesExcellent education, international reputation, and

undergraduate research opportunities

Availability of co-operative programs

Tuition is subsidized by government

Following CHS, a continued focus on multi-cultural experience, co-operative education and research

Flexibility around faculty of choice and degree combinations

Canadian University Applications

Research and selection beginning in Grade 11 – this includes a mandatory research assignment

Apply by mid - December in grade 12 (Naviance)

School transcript sent in January or March at student’s request Admission based primarily on grades, although many

institutions now request a simple profile of student activities and interests

Some Canadian universities will make early conditional offers, based on Grade 11marks

All universities require English 12 as part of the admission process

General Canadian University Admission Requirements

Entrance average calculated on English 12 + 4 or 5 grade 12 academic courses

For many programs: supplementary information (extracurricular, community service, leadership, awards, etc.) is reviewed

Students allowed to apply to two faculties at most institutions

General Canadian University Admission Requirements

Requirements vary by university and faculty

In fall of grade 11, students research specific entrance

requirements in Planning 10B

Published cutoffs are based on the previous year’s data and

may change

UBC is an exception – New Admissions process this year

based on Profile and Grades (Broad Based Admission all

faculties) Trial Year 2011-2012

Most schools finalize offers by mid-late April

Students should check specific schools and their

prerequisites

Admission Averages - Examples

*Varies from school to school and by faculty

Arts: • UBC – 87%• U o f T – low 80%• McGill – 87%• Western – 83%• Queen’s – 80%min /86.4%• Carleton –70%• U Vic – 67% early 75%• U of C—72%• Dalhousie – 70%

Admission Averages – Examples * Sciences* Varies from school to school & by faculty

• UBC 90% • U of T – low 80% • McGill - Physical,Earth Science – 85%• - Biological,Life 90% • Western - 85-86%• Queen’s – 84%min/ 90.1%avg • Carleton –70%• U of C – 80% for Bio Science and 90% for

Neuro Sc• U of Alberta- 75%

Admission Average* - Examples Commerce (Business Management) *Varies from school to school & by faculty

• UBC—84% plus supplement• U of T—mid 80%• McGill—91%• Western—84% Ivey 90% plus supplement• Queen’s—87%min/91.5%aver grade 2010• Carleton—70%• U of C—78-82%• Uvic – 80%

Specialized Progams – Admission Averages & Requirements - Examples

• Some programs that are competitive and small may have special averages and requirements, higher than the general admission to the faculty:

• UWO – Richard Ivey – AEO – 90%• UBC – Science one (3 Science 12’s)• McMaster - Health Sciences (3 Science 12’s)• McGill – Management – 91%• U of Calgary – Nueuro Science – 90%• University of Alberta – no entry for Business from high

school

CHS Admission Stats – CANADA

Institution 2011 (65) 2010 (55) 2009 (52) 2008 (55)

UBC 21

Concordia 2

Dalhousie 1

McGill 12

Queens 7

SFU 0

U of Toronto

4

Waterloo 1

Western 5

Other 8

Institution 2011 2010 2009 2008UBC 21 16 19 10Concordia 2 3 2 0Dalhousie 1 2 1 1McGill 12 14 6 7Queens 7 8 2 10SFU 0 2 2 2U of Toronto 4 1 3 5U of Victoria 1 1 7 7Waterloo 4 1 0 1Western 5 4 6 8Other 8 3 2 7TOTAL 65 55 52 55

U.S University Program

Grade 11:Students write PSAT in October Research beginning in the fall of grade 11Mandatory interviews with parents & studentsStudent self-assessment and resume due in May

of Grade 11 (Naviance)Prepare and write SATs in late spring Grade 11 or

early fall Grade 12Creation of ‘short list’ schools by April-May to be

discussed and reviewed with university counsellor

U.S University Program

SAT prep – Naviance purchase of Prep Me will be

available to CHS students in early May 2012, ($100 –

150 fee per student).

This will provide personalized learning with interactive

lessons, practise quizzes, and intermittent full length

tests. Parents, students, and administrators will receive

weekly reports demonstrating student usage,

performance, and improvement.

CHS collaborates with the Princeton Review to offer a

real full length mock-SAT in spring of every year

SAT/ACT registration & prep

Testing dates spring of Grade 11 to fall of Grade 12

Last SAT possible in January of grade 12

The role of outside consultants

Look for IECA (Independent Educational Consultants

Association) certification and NACAC affiliation

Check the Website/Handout for : 12 Questions to Ask

before Hiring an Independent Educational Consultant?

U.S. University Program

Grade 12

Students complete applications, essays, etc. to be sent -November 1 for early action and early decision -December 1 for regular decision

Decisions for early candidates may be released as early as December 1, continuing until mid-December

Some Schools offer ED 2 – in early JanuaryRolling admission decisions for all candidatesNational response date: May 1st (all decisions due)

Features of U.S. Colleges

Undergraduate research opportunitiesValue of liberal arts educationIntegrated cross-curriculum more commonCollege life includes automatic residence for four years

Single sex education – a unique learning opportunity – Scripps, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke

The U.S. Application Components

Grades achieved in courses and rigour of academic

program selected : School Transcript for grades 9 – 12.

Character and personal qualities (Secondary School

Report for US Schools)

Student essays and personal statement are crucial

Counsellor Recommendation Letter

Teacher Recommendation Letters

Context of school as reflected in School Profile

U.S. Application Components – cont’d

SAT/ACT scores: should reflect a careful plan,

thorough preparation, and balance. Score Choice is only

used at some schools. Competitive schools will request

ALL scores be sent

Additional factors: talent (athletic, musical, etc.), VIP,

contribution, legacy

Interviews with university representatives – can be

conducted at CHS

CHS does not provide rank or GPA

School does not provide rank or GPA

SAT Exams (SAT I and SAT II’s)Registration and Preparation

*Consider most appropriate for your own learning and lifestyle. Studies conducted by the College Board concluded that commercial coaching programs for the SAT had little or no significant positive effect on SAT scores. This report did conclude, however, that challenging academic coursework was directly associated with higher test scoresP.51,Foundations of Standardized Admission Testing, Richard J. Noeth, PHD, NACAC, 2009.

How to Select SAT IisUniversity and program specific requirements & recommendations – link to program of studyCan be written in Grade 11 or 12 depending on curriculum RESEARCH SPECIFIC SCHOOLS’ SAT II REQUIREMENTS BY THE SCHOOL EARLY AND VERY CAREFULLY! (eg. History and French required for Brown ?)

Should I Apply Early Decision/Action?

Checklist or considerations include:

an excellent academic record since Grade 9

comprehensively researched colleges and universities and found

the best match for them

outstanding talent(s)

parents who are alumni

a compelling reason to choose that school

School selects 45% or more of their candidates from the early pool

School offers highly competitive program with small enrolment

What’s the Difference?

*Early Decision: early cycle – binding; if accepted MUST WITHDRAW all other applications and attend

*Early Action: early cycle – not binding

*Regular Decision: regular cycle

*Rolling Admission: no cycle

*Potential outcomes: Admit, defer, deny, waitlist.

CHS ADMISSION STATS - USInstitution 2011 (20) 2010 (15) 2009 (21) 2008 (16)Berkeley 2 3

Johns Hopkins 1 4 1

Cornell 2

Duke 1 1

Georgetown/ George Washington)

1 (Georgetown)

1 (George Wash)

New York University 1 2 2 2

Rhode Island School of Design 1 1 2

Stanford 1 1

UCLA/USC/UCSB 5 (UCLA) 4 (USC) 1 (UCLA) 1 (USC) 1 (USC) 1 UCSB

Ivy Leagues 3 (Brown, Cornell, Penn)

1 (Columbia) 1 (Yale) 1 (Princeton) 2(Penn)

1 (Brown) 3 (Columbia)1 (Harvard)

Other (Rice, Berkley, Wellesley, etc.)

6 (Chicago, Pitzer, Scripps, Smith, UW,Carnegie Mellon

1 (Wellesley) 5 - Marymount, Rice,Berkley, Boston, Claremont

7 – FIDM, Chicago, PomonaHaverford, UW, Maine (2)

ADMISSIONS STATS - US

College or University 

Overall Admissions% of students admitted

% International Students Admitted

CHS **% of students admitted

Boston 28 2.9 71.4Brown 9.3 8.4 9.3Berkeley 22 5.5 18Cornell 16.7 8.2 20.6Columbia 10 10.3 20.6Johns Hopkins 25 6.1 47.0New York University 32 6.3 40.5U of Pennsylvania 18 10.3 20.0Pitzer 26 3.2 100University of Southern California

22 4.8 37.8

Stanford 7.3 6.9 8.6

Carnegie Mellon 7.5 8.6 44.4Wellesley 36 7.7 36.4

UK & International Admissions*

*Rationale for attending school abroad varies by family: nationality, culture, institution reputation, or availability of direct entry programs*Tuition is considerably more expensive but on a par

with ending school in the U.S.*www.ucas.com early application deadline for Dentistry,

Medicine, Vet Science and Oxford/Cambridge is Oct. Late of Grade 12 year. Late applications Jan – June

UKCAT / BMAT/ LNAT

Standardized testing for admission

UKCAT (Clinical Aptitude Test) The test measures verbal

reasoning, abstract reasoning, decision analysis, and non-

cognitive analysis; DEADLINE OCTOBER 10th

UKCAT required by 26 universities, primarily medical & dental

BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test) is required by 5 schools. The

test measures aptitude, skills, scientific knowledge and writing –

DEADLINE OCTOBER 31

LNAT (Law National Admissions Test). It measures verbal

reasoning DEADLINE OCTOBER 5th

U.K. & International Admissions

One key to success for admissions has been having one or

more relevant work experience opportunities

CHS has strong admission rates for medicine, dentistry,

physiotherapy, visual arts (fashion), law, and veterinarian

programs

Studying in foreign country requires students to be flexible

and adaptable

Complex VISA process

CHS Admissions Stats – UK & International

Institution 2011 (6 students) 2010 (6 students)

2009 (11 students)

2008 (3 students)

Saint Andrews 1 (Medicine) 3 (Medicine)  Edinburgh 2 (International

Relations/Vet) 2 (Vet/Psychology)

 

Oxford 1 (Law)    King’s College 1 (Medecine)   1 (Law) 1 (Business)

Birmingham 1 (Medicine) 1 (Physiotherapy)  

Bath 1 (Education) 1 (Sociology)  Brighton 1 (Business)

Durham   1 (Law)  Sheffield   1 (Medicine) 1 (Dentistry)

Saint Georges     1 (Medicine)Hong Kong 1 (Law) 1 (General)  Other 3 (Science, Design,

Marine Biology)

The Campus Visit

Resources for University Planning &Research

• Mrs. Fraser rfraser@croftonhouse.ca

• Ms. Manhas pmanhas@croftonhouse.ca

• Naviance - parent portal and registration is below:• https://connection.naviance.com/croftonhouse

This software allows parents, students and counsellors to manage the post-secondary application process

NAVIANCE FAMILY CONNECTION

Naviance

https://succeed.naviance.com

Student Profile Student Journal and Resume Student Surveys Document Library Scholarships Career Research College Research – tracks applications &

acceptances Regular e-mail from Counsellors

University Resources

• University and College Visits from Representatives,

admission offices, websites & Links

• Articles & Books

• Student Services – Counselors, Post-Secondary Resource

Room

• CHS Alumni, family & friends

• Book List Available in Handouts

What Next?

• Students search programs by region, state or province, majors, websites

and viewbooks

• Consider CHS Couse Seclections for 2012/2013

• Focus on 6 to 8 schools of interest, depending on geographical areas and

interest

• Connect with colleges and universities for information regarding

admissions, financial aid – they want to hear from you if you are

interested

• Campus Tours/Online Tours/ VirtualTours

Student PanelAnd now…a few words from our special guests

Bavenjit Cheema

Rebecca Smith

Madeleine Armstrong

Alana Gross

Thank you

“Admissions officers are looking for students who are motivated to succeed in college, students who are socially competent and emotionally intelligent enough to participate in college life and to contribute to its community.”

“Colleges are looking for students who are happily pursuing their own interests. It is best to be spending your out-of class time doing things you really enjoy, not doing what others tell you that you must do to be admitted to college.”

– Marilee Jones & Kenneth Ginsburg, Less Stress, More Success. (A highly recommended resource available through Amazon.com)

Q & A session