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JOHNSTON HEIGHTS SECONDARY SCHOOL
GRADE 12 INFORMATION
BOOKLET 2017/2018
School Counsellors
Ms. T. Tifenbach (A – F) Ms. R. Flack (G – Ng) Ms. B. Tillberg on W&F for Ms. Flack until January 2018 Ms. S. Wilkins on T&Th for Ms. Flack until January 2018 Ms. E. Domingo (Nh – Z) Mr. E. Szutu (International, ELL, Gifted)
15350 - 99 Avenue, Surrey, BC V3R 0R9 Phone: 604–581-5500 Fax: 604-583-9286
Website: Johnston Heights Secondary
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Dates ............................................................................................ Page 3
Things to Know or Do Before Graduation .............................................. Page 6
What Do I Need To Graduate? ................................................................. Page 7
Graduation Program (Provincial) Exams ................................................ Page 7
Graduation Transitions ............................................................................... Page 7
Graduating After First Semester ............................................................... Page 7
Transcript Verification Report (TVR) ..................................................... Page 8
Transcripts to Post-Secondary Institutions ........................................... Page 8
Transcripts ..................................................................................................... Page 8
Reference Letters .......................................................................................... Page 8
Testing and Assessments ............................................................................ Page 9
College or University? ............................................................................... Page 10
College Entrance Requirements .............................................................. Page 12
University Entrance Requirements......................................................... Page 12
Attending Universities/Colleges in the US .......................................... Page 13
Post-Secondary Information Evening .................................................... Page 14
Open Houses ................................................................................................ Page 14
Tips to Help Plan a Successful Campus Visit........................................ Page 15
Trade Careers .............................................................................................. Page 15
Overseas Opportunities After High School ........................................... Page 17
How to Finance Your Post-Secondary Education ............................... Page 17
Helpful Hints When Applying for Scholarships ................................... Page 21
BC Post-Secondary Institutions ............................................................... Page 25
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GRADUATION 2018 . . . IMPORTANT DATES FOR GRADUATES
Wednesday, November 1st, 2017
Valedictorian Application available from Mr. Kuoch – 7FP
Grad Assembly @ 12:10 pm. - Theatre
Thursday, November 2nd, 2017
Grad Transitions & Scholarships Assembly @ lunch - Theatre
Wednesday, November 8th, 2017
Post-Secondary Information evening from 6.00 – 8.00 pm
Saturday, November 18th, 2017
Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test sitting at various locations (UBC Vancouver, KPU Surrey, Douglas College, SFU). This sitting is NOT at Johnston Heights Secondary. Please register online 5 days prior to test day sitting at LPI Test .
Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017
International Student Post-Secondary Fair @ 4.00 pm – Earl Marriott Secondary School (15751 16th Avenue, Surrey)
Saturday, December 9th, 2017
Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test sitting at UBC Vancouver. This sitting is NOT at Johnston Heights
Secondary. Please register online 5 days prior to test day sitting at: LPI Testing registration .
Tuesday, December 12th, 2017
English 12 Mock Assessment – TBA
Saturday, January 13th, 2018
Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test sitting at UBC Vancouver. This sitting is NOT at Johnston Heights
Secondary. Please register online 5 days prior to test day sitting at: LPI Testing registration .
January 24th, 2018
Graduation Transitions interviews for District Program and Early Grads – TBA
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Thursday, January 25th, 2018
English 12 Provincial Exam @ 8.30 am – 11.30 am – TBA; be at school at 8.00 am for registration and sign in.
Please Note: Some dates and times may change
**JOHNSTON HEIGHTS EXAM TIMES START HALF AN HOUR EARLIER THAN THE PROVINCIAL START TIMES**
Please refer to the BC Ministry of Education exam dates website for up-to-date schedules.
Friday, January 26th, 2018
Communications 12 Provincial Exam @8.30 am – 11.30 am – TBA; be at school at 8.00 am for registration and sign in.
Please Note: Some dates and times may change
**JOHNSTON HEIGHTS EXAM TIMES START HALF AN HOUR EARLIER THAN THE PROVINCIAL START TIMES**
Please refer to the BC Ministry of Education exam dates website for up-to-date schedules.
Monday, January 29th, 2018
Semester 2 Begins
Send transcripts to Ontario Universities
Thursday, February 1st, 2018
UBC deadline for Distributed Online courses to be completed
Tuesday, February 6th, 2018
Report Cards available online
Monday, March 19th, 2018
Spring Break
Thursday, April 12th, 2018
Partners36 Scholarship Applications due @ 3.00 pm to Ms. Tuey – 2EWW
Tuesday, April 24th 2018
Report Cards available online
Wednesday, April 25th 2018
Graduation Transitions Interviews – all day - TBA
Friday, April 27th, 2018
School Scholarship Applications due @ 3.00 pm to Ms. Tuey – 2EWW
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Tuesday, May 1st, 2018
Valedictorian Applications due @ 3.00 pm to Mr. Kuoch – 7FP
Thursday, May 3rd, 2018
District/Authority Scholarship Applications due @ 3.00 pm to Ms. Domingo – Counselling Office
Tuesday, May 15th 2017
English 12 Mock Assessment – TBA
AP Calculus Exam – TBA
AP Computer Science Exam – TBA
Saturday, June 16th, 2018
Graduation Dinner & Dance @ 6.00 pm - the Four Seasons Hotel (791 West Georgia Street, Vancouver) All school rules apply Parents welcome Details to follow
Dry Grad to follow
Friday, June 22nd, 2018
Commencement Rehearsal – Gymnasium
Monday, June 25th, 2018
English 12 Provincial Exam @ 8.30 – 11.30 am – TBA; be at school @ 8.00 am for registration and sign in.
Please Note: Some dates and times may change
**JOHNSTON HEIGHTS START TIMES ARE NOT THE SAME AS THE PROVINCIAL START TIMES**
Please refer to the BC Ministry of Education exam dates website for up-to-date schedules.
Tuesday, June 26th, 2018
School Leaving Ceremony for Class of 2018 @ 7.00 pm - The Bell Performing Arts Centre (6250 – 144 Street, Surrey, 604-507-6355).
Wednesday, June 27th,2018
Communications 12 Provincial Exam @ 8.30 – 11.30 am – TBA; be at school @ 8.00 am for registration and sign in.
Please Note: Some dates and times may change
**JOHNSTON HEIGHTS START TIMES ARE NOT THE SAME AS THE PROVINCIAL START TIMES**
Please refer to the BC Ministry of Education exam dates website for up-to-date schedules.
Dates and Times SUBJECT TO CHANGE Please remember to check the school website (Johnston Heights Secondary)
for the latest information and schedule changes.
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THINGS TO KNOW OR DO BEFORE GRADUATION
Make sure you have the basic 80 credits for graduation. See your counsellor or check the graduation requirements online at: 2004 Grad Program.
Make sure you have the appropriate courses for the post-secondary institutions and programs of your choice (check the appropriate websites).
Confirm the accuracy of your transcript in November when your teacher gives you your Transcript Verification Report (TVR).
Complete your Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Choices form online at Student Transcripts Services from November to June of your graduating year so that your official transcript will be sent to any post-secondary institution you have applied to (very important). The Student Transcripts Services is a new online application for students to view their school marks, scholarships and transcripts, and send transcripts electronically to post-secondary institutions and third parties.
Attend the Post Secondary Information (PSI) evening on Wednesday, November 8th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Johnston Heights Secondary. Come prepared with questions. See suggested questions here.
Check for campus tours, information sessions, and open houses at the post-secondary institutions you are interested in attending.
The best way to gain insight into post-secondary institutions is to make an appointment with an academic advisor at the institutions that you plan to attend to discuss your situation.
Check college and university websites for additional entrance requirements (TOEFL, LPI, SAT, etc.). Give yourself plenty of time to write these exams and remember to have your results forwarded to your university/college of choice.
Check the appropriate post-secondary websites for application deadlines. Many colleges, technical institutes, and US schools have fall due dates beginning in October.
Application websites that may be useful:
https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca (BC schools)
https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/ (ON schools)
www.commonapp.org (USA schools)
Check for post-secondary institution scholarship deadlines.
Check the bulletin board in the Counselling Office and also the school's website for grad information (under Announcements).
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WHAT DO I NEED TO GRADUATE?
Graduation Program total of 80 credits in Grades 10, 11, 12
(most courses at Johnston Heights are 4 credits)
must complete a minimum of four Grade 12 level courses (including English 12, EFP 12 or Communications 12)
English 10 and English or Communications 11
a Math 10 and 11 Social Studies 10 and Social Studies 11 or
First Nations 12 Four electives at grade 10, 11 or 12 level
Science 10 and 11 PE 10
Planning 10 one Fine Arts or Applied Skills course at
the Grade 10, 11, or 12 level Graduation Transitions GRADUATION PROGRAM (PROVINCIAL) EXAMS There have been considerable changes to a number of post-secondary institutions that require provincial exams. If in doubt, check the admission guidelines on the institution’s website to see if they require the exams as part of your final mark. BC universities no longer require provincial exams at the Grade 12 level, except for English 12.
Check out old Ministry exams to print off old provincial exams and answer keys. It is advised that you write the practice provincials first, then mark them upon completion. This process enables you to see what areas you need to study and review further. GRADUATION TRANSITIONS Students must complete Graduation Transitions in order to graduate. The course is worth four credits and it will count towards the necessary 80 credits of graduation (but not as one of your four Grade 12 required
courses). There is no percentage given for this course but rather students will receive an RM (requirement met) on their transcript. In order to successfully meet the requirements of this course you will need to:
Complete 30 hours of work or volunteer experience and the Community Connections reflection sheet.
Complete 150 minutes of physical activity per week in Grades 10, 11, and 12 and the Personal Health reflection sheet.
Finish your transition plan (Career and Life).
Students will be required to complete an exit interview April.
All required information is available from Ms. Tuey in the Career Centre; please see her if you have any questions or concerns.
GRADUATING AFTER FIRST SEMESTER Any Grade 12 students who are planning on graduating at the end of January 2018 should make an appointment with their counsellor to ensure that they have fulfilled their graduation requirements and that there is a plan in place to complete their Graduation Transitions. Students should also establish a school contact before they leave Johnston Heights so that they can be kept informed of graduation announcements and happenings.
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TRANSCRIPT VERIFICATION REPORT (TVR) This report is a document that indicates graduation status and lists all Grade 10, 11, and 12 courses you have either completed or are enrolled in, with final or interim marks. The purpose of this form is to verify the accuracy of the information being sent to the Ministry of Education and to ensure that you have met all graduation requirements. You will be given your TVR sometime in November to enable you to have the opportunity to indicate any changes that need to be made. ***It is YOUR responsibility to make sure the information on your TVR is accurate. Failure to do so may jeopardize your chances to graduate and/or entry into a post-secondary institution.
TRANSCRIPTS TO POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS (PSIs) This online document enables you to give the Ministry of Education permission to electronically send your official transcript to any post-secondary institution you have applied to as well as to any institution you are applying to for a scholarship. This form will be available on-line on the Student Transcript Service website.
***It is YOUR responsibility to complete this form. University and college applications cannot be completed without it.
TRANSCRIPTS * If applying to schools in Ontario you should send your transcript to them at the end of first semester (once your final marks are entered). Check with the institution to ensure that they do not require a hard copy as the transcripts from the Ministry of Education will not get there in time for their initial selection process. REFERENCE LETTERS FROM TEACHERS, COUNSELLORS, ADMINISTRATORS OR OTHERS
Many universities (primarily in the US) and many scholarship and bursary applications require reference letters. When you are asking for a reference letter, please give two to three weeks advance notice. You will need to provide a completed and accurate Reference Letter Request to the person(s) whom you are asking to write your reference letter. Make sure to give the person writing the reference letter information about the school or scholarship you are needing the letter for.
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TESTING AND ASSESSMENTS Language Challenge Exams Challenge exams are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, and Spanish. If you do not qualify for equivalency language credits and you are in Grade 10, 11, or 12, with a high level of skill in reading, writing and speaking a language other than English, you may be eligible to write a language challenge exam.
If you are interested in writing a language challenge exam and you meet the above listed requirements then you need to:
Read the instructions on the Language Challenge Exams website or Google “language challenge exams”.
Download the application and type your information onto the online form, print and complete the rest by hand.
Hand in the fully completed application to Ms. Tillberg well before Friday, November 3rd, 2017 including:
o A $50 cheque made payable to the Delta School District ($175 for international
students).
o On the back of the cheque print your legal name, Jacob Heights Secondary School, and the exam you are challenging.
o A passport sized photo.
Challenge exams can only be written once for each Grade 11 and 12 course. The language challenge exam will be written in January 2018 and the results will be mailed to students in March 2018. All universities in Canada accept Language Challenge exam marks. UBC accepts Challenge credits for pre-requisite and requirements for courses and second language requirements but does not accept Challenge marks as part of the GPA calculation for admission. It is highly recommended that you check with your intended university for admissions requirements.
See your counsellor if you have any questions. Language Proficiency Index (LPI) The LPI Test provides a consistent and standardized measurement of an examinee’s competency in English. Over 30 academic institutions across British Columbia and other parts of Canada use LPI scores to assess the English language proficiency of prospective and current students for entrance into their academic programs. The LPI identifies errors in sentence structure, language usage, paragraph construction, and essay writing. The score you receive on the LPI determines whether you can enrol in first year English courses at BC colleges or universities. The institution you are applying to will indicate whether or not they will accept LPI scores. Grade 12 students who are planning to apply to college and/or university may want to write the LPI test if they believe their blended final mark in English 12, EFP12 or English Literature 12 may be below a B. The LPI exam is administered at UBC, SFU, Douglas College, or Kwantlen Polytechnic University. If you are interested in writing the LPI, you must register on: LPI Testing Registration prior to the exam date. Johnston Heights will not be hosting a sitting this year. Please register for a sitting elsewhere.
You are required to bring photo ID (see website for what is acceptable) and your LPI exam ticket on the day of the exam. Results will be mailed to students four weeks after writing the LPI.
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Many post-secondary institutions require you to write the TOEFL if your first language is not English and you have had less than four years of formal education in an English speaking school. As this is a general guideline, be sure to check the entrance requirements at your chosen post-secondary institutions.
The test has three parts:
1. Listening Comprehension
2. Structure and written expression
3. Reading Comprehension
Test sittings are offered at a number of private and public agencies, with one popular choice being the UBC Career Connections.
For more information go to http://www.ets.org/toefl
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) / ACT
In general, this test is required by all American colleges and universities. If you are planning on attending a university in the United States, you should write your SAT or ACT as soon as possible. There are usually five testing dates each school year. Information booklets on the SAT are available in the Counselling Office.
You can register online for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com. The Johnston Heights CEEB code is: 821352.
If you require tutoring for the SAT, visit their website at www.kaptest.com or www.ivyglobal.ca . Many bookstores sell practice tests for the SAT.
COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY? WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?
Should you go to college or university? Many students are confused about the type of education they can receive at college. Colleges have different programs ranging from university transfer to one-year certificate programs to degree granting status in some cases.
What does this mean to you? Maybe you want to go to university eventually, but right now you aren’t sure you’ll have the marks, or you want to start at a smaller school, or perhaps you don’t have all the classes you need to get into university. A college transfer program could be a good option. You can take all the same courses you would at university in first and second year, and then transfer your credits to university when you decide to go. Be sure to speak to a college advisor ahead of time if you are thinking of transferring after second year to ensure the courses you take are transferable.
There are many reasons to consider going to a college: smaller classes, different programs and best of all, it’s much less expensive. In fact, college tuition can be well over a thousand dollars less per year than university tuition! Some things to consider when planning for further education:
Where are my interests, passions, strengths? How can I turn that into a career?
How long do I want to study/train before I start earning money? How long will it take to complete my studies?
What is the starting salary, average salary, potential maximum salary?
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What programs of study enable me to get employment in a particular field?
What are the prospects for employment when I am finished the program?
Do I like to work outside and/or inside, with people and/or on my own, with a computer/technology and/or with my hands? Am I capable and would I want to be “the boss”?
Do I have the appropriate physical, emotional, mental make up to work in the profession/job once I am finished my studies/training?
Do I have the appropriate course pre-requisites and marks to apply to the program?
What post-secondary institutions (PSIs) offer the course or program?
What are my chances of getting into this program? Is there a wait list?
Where will I live while I train/study? Do I want to live at home, near the institution, on my own, in another city or country? How will I get to school? How will I afford this?
Will I study part-time or full time? Will I work? How many hours per week should I work?
How much will it cost? How will I finance my education?
Is it important to me and/or to my parents that I earn a “Degree”?
Is it important to me and/or to my parents that I attend an Institute, College or University straight out of high school?
How does the physical plant (buildings, classrooms, lecture halls) of the campus make me feel? How do the people, atmosphere, and environment of the campus make me feel? Is it a good “fit” for me?
What are the pros and cons of attending one PSI compared to another?
What kind of educational experience will I have? ...do I want to learn how to think critically, analyze, question, debate, challenge? …do I want job specific training? …some of both?
Are there lectures, tutorials, labs, practical experiences, Honours or Capstone projects, Co-op/work experiences, field studies?
Do I want to have, need to have close contact with my instructors?
Am I ready to attend classes with possible 400 people in them? Am I ready to be a little fish in a big pond?
Does it excite and motivate me to be a part of the prestige of attending a university and to be among the top students of the province and leading edge researchers in their professions?
For more information go to : www.educationplannerbc.ca and School Finder
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COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
High school graduation.
You must demonstrate competency in English (EN12, COM12, TOEFL, LPI, or IELTS).
Depending on your program of study, you may be required to have certain prerequisite courses.
Most programs do not require a second language.
Deadlines for applications vary depending on the post-secondary institution and program selected. (You should always check the websites for up-to-date information on application deadlines and for specific program information.) Colleges and technical institutes (BCIT) frequently offer early acceptance once basic requirements are met, so apply early to improve your chances of being accepted.
UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
High school graduation with the following Grade 11 courses: English 11, Pre-Calculus or Foundations of Math 11, a Science 11, Socials 11 or First Nations 12 and a language 11. Admission to a university in BC is determined primarily on the basis of English 12 (blended or class mark) and three additional approved academic 12 courses. These three additional academic courses will be dependent upon which specific program, i.e., Arts, Business, Sciences, etc. that you are planning to apply to. For further information concerning specific program requirements, please consult the university website of your choice.
Meet the English language requirement which includes completing 3-4 consecutive years of full-time education in an English-speaking educational institution or 70% (UBC) minimum final grade in one of English 11 or English 12, or 60% (SFU) on the blended class mark in English 12. Students may also demonstrate competency in English by meeting the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or LPI exam.
Generally, universities determine admissibility by calculating grade point averages (GPAs) of English 12 and 3 additional approved Grade 12 courses. NOTE: Each post-secondary institution has their OWN list of accepted approved courses. It is up to you to determine if your courses meet these requirements.
Special Notes:
1) If you complete a Distributed Learning Course (online course) and plan to use it for university entrance, you need to ensure that this course is completed by April 1st if you would like the mark to be included in our Ministry report card at the end of April. Also, ensure the online school forwards the mark directly to the Ministry of Education. UBC requires Distributed Learning courses, used for admission average, to be completed by February 1st. SFU requires Distributed Learning courses, used for admission average, to be completed by April 30th. If you are repeating the course to upgrade your mark from a course taken previously, ensure the post-secondary institution you are applying to is aware that you are repeating a course to be used for admission.
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2) Language Challenge exams cannot be used as part of your admission average to UBC. They can be used to meet the Language 11 requirement. SFU and UVIC will accept Language Challenge Exam marks. For admission average and language requirements, you must check with your intended university as policies differ across Canada and from institution to institution.
It is important that prospective applicants check out the university calendars and websites for each post-secondary institution as each institution has its own specific entrance requirements. University admission averages can range from mid-60s to low 90s. Many universities provide program admission averages from the previous year on their websites so it is wise to consult this information before filing an application.
Early acceptance to university is available to Grade 12 students with a strong academic standing. Universities, colleges and technical institutes usually begin accepting applications for the following year as early as October 1. Remember that you do not need to have completed all your courses before submitting an application. Offers of early acceptance will be made to qualified applicants beginning in the early spring. These offers are conditional on satisfactory completion of secondary school graduation requirements and maintenance of the student’s current admission average. Deadlines for applications vary depending on the post-secondary institution and the program you have selected. You should always check the website for up-to-date information on application deadlines and specific program information:
BCIT.........................................................................................................http://www.bcit.ca/admission/ Capilano University...........................................................................http://www.capilanou.ca/future/ Emily Carr University of Art and Design.......http://www.ecuad.ca/info/prospective_students Kwantlen Polytechnic University......................................http://kwantlen.ca/futurestudents.html SFU.................................................................................. http://www.sfu.ca/students/admission.html Thompson Rivers University.................................................... https://www.tru.ca/programs.html Trinity Western University.......https://www.twu.ca/undergraduate/admission-requirements UBC (Vancouver).................................................... http://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/how-to-apply/ UBC (Okanagan).............................................. http://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/how-to-apply/ok/ University of the Fraser Valley...................................................... https://www.ufv.ca/admissions/ UNBC............................................................................... https://www.unbc.ca/apply/undergraduate University of Victoria............. https://www.uvic.ca/future-students/undergraduate/index.php
ATTENDING UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE IN THE US
Check the university’s website for application dates. Many US university applications are due before winter holidays.
Please contact the university you are interested in to determine what happens to an Early Action application that is unsuccessful.
See www.commonapp.org for more details.
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POST-SECONDARY INFORMATION EVENING (PSI) Johnston Heights will be hosting a Post-Secondary Information evening on Wednesday, November 8th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm for all Grade 11 and 12 students along with their parents. Sixteen local post-secondary institutions will be represented during this evening.
BCIT, Douglas College, KPU and SFU will offer two – 25 minute presentations: Session 1: 6.30 – 6.55 pm and Session 2: 7.00 – 7.25 pm. Parents and students will also have an opportunity to meet with presenters in for informal discussions throughout the whole evening beginning at 6.00 pm.
On Wednesday, November 22nd from 4.00 – 6.00 pm, Surrey School District’s International Department is hosting an International Student Post-Secondary Fair at Earl Marriott Secondary (15751 16th Avenue, Surrey). Please see Ms. Ng for more information as transportation is available.
See Suggested questions to ask a recruiter for more information. PRESENTERS: BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) Canadian Armed Forces/Royal Military College of Canada (CAF/RMC) Corpus Christi College (CCC) Douglas College Capilano University (Cap U) Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Langara College Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Trinity Western University (TWU) University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) University of Northern BC (UNBC) University of Victoria (UVIC) Vancouver Island University (VIU) Vancouver Community College (VCC)
OPEN HOUSES There are so many intangible qualities of a school that are practically impossible to fit into a pamphlet. For example: Are people friendly? Do the students have an academic curiosity? Is the campus aesthetically pleasing? How is the food? Can you picture yourself as a student there? These are all things you will have to see for yourself when you visit a campus.
Many students from other places will need to think about how easy it is to get on or off the campus? Is there public transportation readily accessible? If you drive, is there parking readily available? What will it cost?
In addition, the surrounding area should have something to offer. Yes, the campus has lots of amazing things to do, but eventually you’re going to want to explore further. Are there restaurants and cultural venues nearby? What is there to do in the university’s neighbourhood? What are the options for entertainment off campus?
Being a busy university/college student, you will learn to value your time and be efficient with your day. Remember, if a campus is really big, it might take you a while (15 – 30 minutes) to walk to class (not to mention find a place to park if you drive) and this time can add up quickly.
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Living accommodations also count. Do you think you can sacrifice living standards for the academics? Remember, if you are unhappy in your living conditions, it will affect other parts of your day and your general happiness with your post-secondary experience. Remember, if you are planning to live in residence, apply early. TIPS TO HELP PLAN A SUCCESSFUL CAMPUS VISIT The key to a successful campus visit is planning. Students should keep in mind the following helpful hints when scheduling their campus visits.
Plan ahead. Contact the admissions office to ask about special visit days/open houses, office hours, and activities planned.
Keep an open mind. A campus visit may confirm what is already known about a school, or it may present new opportunities. Don’t rule out a school based on preconceived ideas.
Be focused and flexible. Attend information sessions and tours sponsored by the admissions office, but also seek out spontaneous opportunities to interact with community members.
Investigate academic opportunities. Most professors welcome visitors. Schedule a meeting with a faculty member in an area of interest. Visit the classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and studio spaces. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Explore the campus. What do the buildings look like? Are the grounds nice? Are there places to study or relax? Be sure to tour the residence halls. Learn about the dining areas, fitness centres, laundry facilities, computer and study rooms, and shops.
Ask about extracurricular activities. Visit the student activities office to find out what clubs and organizations are on campus. Ask a student what he or she does at night and on the weekends (if they live on campus). If interested in sports, see what varsity, intramural, and club sports the school offers. Meet with a coach, if possible.
Information on campus tours, information sessions, and open houses can be found at the individual institutions’ websites or call their recruiting/advising office.
TRADE CAREERS If many of these statements apply to you, find out more about trades occupations.
Check off the things that describe you:
I enjoy working with my hands.
I have good hand-eye coordination.
I get satisfaction when I can put something together.
I am interested in how things operate.
I want to know about the latest technology in the area of my interest.
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I am okay with numbers, especially if they are relevant to my project.
I can follow directions, both written and verbal.
I can work with others to get a job done but I can also work on my own.
Many students experience an increased interest in their education once they make
the connection between school and how it relates to their future. The training pathway from high school to a career in trades is often shorter in duration than
other post-secondary pursuits. Work-based learning provides students with job-ready skills and knowledge.
BC has the fastest growing job market in Canada and this trend is expected to continue. Over 100 trade occupations from carpenter to baker
translate into options and opportunity. Here are some examples of just some of BC’s in-demand trades:
Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician
Automotive Service Technician
Bricklayer
Cabinetmaker
Construction
Cook
Electrician
Hairstylist
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
Landscape Horticulturist
Machinist/Millwright
Motor Vehicle Body Repairer
Plumber
Sheet Metal Worker
Welder
Learning on the job is a key component to becoming a qualified tradesperson. Most trades involve a combination of paid on-the-job learning with instruction at a college or other training centre. Finally, a “Red Seal” trade or inter-provincial designation enables a tradesperson to be mobile within the province and across Canada. For students who learn best in informal, hands-on settings, apprenticeships can be a rewarding path to a great career. And the best part? You can earn $$ while you learn the trade.
To find out more about careers in trades industry, go to http://www.itabc.ca, www.careersintrades.ca, www.caf-fca.org, www.skillscanada.com. See Ms. Lofgren, Ms. Tuey or Ms. Hayler in the Career Office for more information.
Top 5 Facts About Trade Careers
1. In demand – Tradespersons are in high demand with strong prospects in the future.
2. Opportunities - Tradespersons can use their skills in a variety of industries, work within large companies, move into management, consulting, teaching and/or start their own business.
3. Income – Tradespersons can earn above-average incomes with growth potential.
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4. Lifestyle – Tradespersons can work in their home communities or across Canada, from small towns to large metropolitan centres.
5. Hands-on training – Trade occupations appeal to a wide variety of youth. Real-life projects, work experience and the chance to put learning to use right away hook students like no other post-secondary option.
OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Many students and parents who are interested in the following programs should visit the following websites:
Gap programs: Google “gap year abroad” and http://www.mygapyear.ca
Katimavik: https://katimavik.org/en/
Canada World Youth: http://cwy-jcm.com/
Class Afloat: www.classafloat.com
HOW TO FINANCE YOUR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
Provincial Scholarships Program
A summary of the provisions of the Provincial Scholarships Program is set out below. For full details, see the Handbook of Procedures for the Graduation Program at (http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/handbook/handbook_of_procedures.pdf) hereafter referred to as the Handbook – excerpts copied with permission. Check for any updates in scholarship application requirements and for full particulars of the application process.
The Provincial Scholarships Program provides the following scholarships:
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
REQUIRED APPLICATION PROCESS
WINNERS
SELECTED BY VOUCHERS
MAILED
BC Achievement
Scholarship $1,250 No None Ministry October
District/Authority
Scholarship $1,250 Yes
Student applies to
District/Authority
District/Authority &
Validated by Ministry October
BC Excellence
Scholarship $5,000 Yes
Each school’s selected
Grade 12 nominee applies
directly to Ministry
Ministry Committee September
Pathway to Teacher
Education Scholarship
$5,000
Yes Student applies to Ministry Ministry Committee September
(Source: 2017-18 Handbook of Procedures for Graduation Program, page 107.)
Recipients of any of the available scholarships must meet the BASIC ELIGIBILITY requirements. The requirements that will apply to most students are:
1. Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (Landed Immigrant) at the time of registration in the school year for which the scholarship is awarded.
2. Must be a BC resident.
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3. Must be or have been enrolled in a British Columbia public school in the school year for which the scholarship is awarded.
Additional Requirements:
1. Students must meet the specific criteria for the scholarship for which they apply, 2. Students may qualify for scholarships only for the school year in which they
graduate, and 3. Complete all graduation requirements by the end of August in their graduating
year.
A. BC Achievement Scholarship - BC Achievement Scholarships recognize the top 8000 graduates in the province. The Ministry will determine recipients based on achievement in Grades 10, 11 and 12 courses that satisfy 2004 Graduation Program requirements, including elective courses. Grad Transitions will not be included.
Students do not apply for this scholarship.
B. District/Authority Scholarship - There are 5500 District/Authority Scholarships distributed across school districts and independent school authorities that recognize graduating BC students for excellence in their chosen area of interest or strength. Winners receive a $1250 scholarship voucher to use towards their post-secondary tuition.
Applications are made to the school’s Scholarship Committee in conjunction with applications for Johnston Heights Secondary School Scholarships. These applications will be available in the spring; more details to follow.
Applicants must meet the criteria determined by the JH Scholarship Committee and demonstrate outstanding achievement in any of the following areas:
Area of Achievement Example
Indigenous Language and
Culture Demonstrated at school or in the community
Fine Arts Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music
Applied Skills Business, Technology, Home Economics, Information
Communication Technology
Physical Activity Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, not limited to Physical
Education
International Languages International Languages Curriculum or External
Assessments, including AP and IB courses
Community Service
(Volunteer Activity) Includes awareness of local, global, and cultural issues
Technical and Trades
Training Carpentry, Automotive, Mechanics, Cook Training
Applications are due by 3.00 pm on Thursday, May 3rd to Ms. Domingo in the Counselling Offices.
C. BC Excellence Scholarship - There are 55 BC Excellence Scholarships available to recognize well-rounded BC graduates. Winners will have demonstrated service and
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leadership, both at school and in their communities, and shown aptitude and commitment to their chosen career paths.
A student must be nominated by their secondary school in order to apply for this scholarship. Only one student from each school may be nominated. Applications must be submitted
The school nomination process begins in November and the successful nominee must submit their application to the Scholarship Program by February 15th, 2018.
Specific grade requirements must be met. These will be set out in the nomination package.
Students cannot receive both a BC Excellence Scholarship and a Pathways to Education Scholarship.
D. Pathway to Education Scholarship - The Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarship is awarded to 20 outstanding graduates who have demonstrated a commitment and aptitude for a career path in K-12 teaching. Each recipient will receive a $5000 scholarship voucher to redeem when they are registered and attending an approved K-12 teacher education program at one of BC's nine Faculties of Education.
Applications must be submitted to the Ministry no later than February 15th, 2018.
Scholarship Vouchers - Winners will receive a voucher by mail in the fall of their high school graduation year. The vouchers can be redeemed when the student is registered and attending a designated post- secondary institution (i.e. approved for Canada Student Loans by B.C.) or an authorized trades training provider in BC and has paid tuition equal to or greater than the amount of the voucher. To verify if an institution is designated, visit https://studentaidbc.ca/apply/designated. To check if a trades training provider is authorized, visit www.itabc.ca
Most winners have five years from their date of graduation from high school to redeem their vouchers.
Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarship winners have seven years to redeem their vouchers. In addition, they must provide a letter from their Faculty of Education confirming their enrolment in the K-12 teacher education program.
The expiry dates are stated on the vouchers.
Johnston Heights Scholarship Program
Contributions from businesses, community organizations, our Elementary feeder schools, the Parent Advisory Council and others are received by Johnston Heights and are made available in the form of scholarships to support graduating students.
The criteria for the various scholarships vary but, in general, include such criterion as involvement in school or school-supported activities, grades, character, involvement in the community, athletics and/or other specific requirements determined by the donor.
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Students may be disqualified from receiving an award for incidents of poor citizenship, cheating/plagiarism, or other actions that reflect poorly on their character or as a student of Johnston Heights.
Scholarship recipients are mostly determined by the school’s Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship applications will be available in the spring; stay tuned.
Johnston Heights Scholarship Program – School Sponsored Scholarships
Throughout the school year, various scholarships become available through outside organizations that require specific school support. These opportunities, when possible, will be publicized and included in the Grad Newsletter (News from the Nest).
Some scholarship that require the applicant to have school support include:
Loran Awards
University of Toronto National Scholarship Program
Schulich Leader Scholarships
BC Excellence Scholarships Partners36 Scholarships
Range from $500 - $2,000.
Only one application per scholarship will be submitted from each school in Surrey.
Very competitive – 12 scholarships in total.
You must apply for this at Johnston Heights by Thursday, April 12th. The Scholarship Committee determines which applicants to put forward. See Ms. Tuey or Ms. Domingo for more details.
Youth Work in Trades Award To qualify for the $1,000 scholarship, a student must:
Be a registered youth apprentice with the Industry Training Authority (a student participating in the SSA program is required to be registered with the school district (in an SSA course) and the ITA.
Complete graduation requirements.
Maintain a C+ average in Grade 12 numbered courses.
Successfully complete 16 credits of Youth Work in Trades courses Submit an application form within one year of graduation from high school.
Reported a total of at least 900 hours to the ITA by December 31 of the school year the student turns 19 years old.
See Ms. Lofgren, Ms. Tuey, or Ms. Hayler for complete details.
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Corporate/Service Clubs
Examples include:
Unions
Companies
Corporations
You must apply for this on your own – not at Johnston Heights.
College/University
Examples include:
Entrance
Departmental
Private/Alumni
You must apply directly to the post-secondary institution for consideration based on GPA and extra-curricular involvement in athletics, the arts, school and community service and student government.
Scholarships requiring nomination from the school are required at least three weeks prior to the deadline. The Scholarship Committee determines which applicants to put forward. See Ms. Tuey or Ms. Domingo for details.
Military Sponsorship Students considering a career with the military should consider sponsorships through Canada’s military college, the Royal Military College in Kingston, or through the Canadian Armed/Navy/Air Forces. HELPFUL HINTS WHEN APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS 8 Tips for Submitting a Great Scholarship Application:
1. Passion for the subject: Prioritize all the awards you find in order of personal interest. Apply for the awards with subject matter that grabs your interest first – your passion for the subject will be reflected in your application.
2. Research: Do the appropriate background work and find out exactly what the specific scholarship is looking for, then tailor your application. Read the rules and regulations!
3. Clarity of thought: Be clear and concise. Answer the essay question and only provide relevant information. Do not go over the word limit.
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4. Not a resume: Your scholarship application essay is not a substitute for your resume, so don’t simply re-write your resume in essay form. Don’t list, discuss! Expand on your personal experience by discussing the broader implications of the volunteer work or paid work you do and how it fits into your long-term plans.
5. Structure, spelling & grammar: Be aware of proper essay structure. Use Canadian spelling. Always double-check your spelling and grammar and have someone proofread your work.
6. References: Ideally, references should be professional, from your school or an organization that can vouch for your participation. Assume the scholarship administrator will check your references; keep your references informed about potential calls and make sure their contact information is up-to-date.
7. Complete all requirements: Make a checklist of all the elements required for each award. Follow the instructions and make sure you’ve collected and provided all required materials.
8. Don’t miss the deadline: Don’t procrastinate! Give yourself plenty of time to fill out the application and gather required documents. Don’t expect an extension. In order to be fair to all applicants, administrators tend to be very strict with their deadlines. (Source: www.studentawards.com, studentawards Report, Vol. 1; Money 101:
Studentsneverhaveenough!) Where to look/listen for information
PA announcements
Monitor announcements
Websites and family connections
Career Centre (see Ms. Tuey)
Counselling office (see Ms. Domingo)
JHSS website (News from the Nest newsletter) - under Parents/Grad Information
Scholarship Websites to Search
Scholarships Canada Student Awards
Provincial Scholarship Programs Surrey School District Scholarships
Scholarship Partners Canada
FastWeb! Scholarships.com
FinAid! Windspeaker
Student Scholarships Disability Awards
Government Funding Programs Aboriginal Learning Links
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Student Loans, Grants & Bursaries
BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)
Student Aid BC School Finder
Obtaining a letter of support for a financial award Try to get a mix of supporting letters (teacher, employer, someone from the community). Make certain that the people you choose will speak positively about you. If you are applying for several financial awards, ask the person writing the letter to either use a Dear Name of Scholarship Selection Committee introduction to make it personal or To Whom It May Concern if a person is not addressed or given in the application instructions. Ask them to put it on a word processor so that they can edit the letter several times without having to re-write it every time. Give the person at least two weeks to write the reference letter and provide them with your Request for Reference Letter (also available in the Career Centre). Make sure to give the person writing the reference letter information about the scholarship you are applying for. Suggestions:
Make a scholarship binder.
Reference letters, certificates, newspaper clippings, etc.
Make an activities/accomplishments list utilizing the Student Profile form.
Talk to family and friends to see if they can think of anything else. They may remember something you’ve forgotten about.
Get involved by:
Playing a sport, starting a club, volunteering, showing your initiative and developing your leadership skills.
Becoming active in your school and community. Not only is this fun and rewarding, but it’s something that the vast majority of scholarship committees look for.
Organization is key!!! Purchase manila envelopes and post-it notes. Write the mailing address for the scholarship on the envelope. Keep all the materials related to that scholarship within the envelope as soon as you begin working on it. Stick post-it notes on the envelope to write the scholarship name, the deadline and what you still need to do in order to complete the application.
Scholarship essays are not impossible. You CAN do it!!! When writing:
Try to have an interesting introduction. They may well be going through hundreds of applications – how does yours stand out?
Make it personal. Don’t simply re-write your resume in essay form. Don’t list, discuss!
Make each sentence count. EDIT!!! Ask friends, family and/or teachers for insight.
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AND REMEMBER…
Be confident!!!
Apply, apply apply!!!
Applying for the first three scholarships is as much work as applying for the next ten. Getting started is the hardest part. Also, you can’t win if you don’t apply. Remember…there’s a lot of money out there waiting for you!
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BRITISH COLUMBIA POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Burnaby Campus 3700 Willingdon Avenue Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2 Phone: 604-434-1610 Website: www.bcit.ca Downtown Campus 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver Marine Campus 265 West Esplanade, North Vancouver Great Northern Way Campus 555 Great Northern Way, Vancouver Aerospace Technology Campus Vancouver International Airport 3800 Cessna Drive, Richmond Camosun College Lansdowne Campus 3100 Foul Bay Road Victoria, BC V8P 5J2 Phone: 250-370-3550 4461 Interurban Road Victoria, BC V9E 2C1 Phone: 250-370-3750 Toll Free: 1-877-554-7555 Website: www.camosun.ca Capilano University Main Campus 2055 Purcell Way North Vancouver, BC V7J 3H5 Phone: 604-986-1911 Website: www.capilanou.ca Squamish Campus Box 1538 1150 Carson Place Squamish, BC V8B 0B1
Sunshine Coast Campus Box 1609 5627 Inlet Avenue Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0 Phone: 604-885-9310 Toll free: 604-986-1911 ext. 5900 College of New Caledonia 3330 – 22nd Avenue Prince George, BC V2N 1P8 Phone: 250-562-2131 Toll Free: 1-800-371-8111 Website: www.cnc.bc.ca Lakes District (Burns Lake, Granisle, Southside), Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Quesnel and Valemount College of the Rockies 2700 College Way Box 8500 Cranbrook, BC V1C 5L7 Phone: 250-489-2751 Toll Free: 1-877-489-2687 Website: www.cotr.bc.ca Creston, Fernie, Invermere, Golden and Kimberley. Douglas College PO Box 2503 New Westminster, BC V3L 5B2 Phone: 604-527-5478 Website: www.douglas.ca New Westminster Campus 700 Royal Avenue New Westminster, BC V3M 5Z5 David Lam Campus 1250 Pinetree Way Coquitlam, BC V3B 7X3
Phone: 604-892-5322
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BRITISH COLUMBIA POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS
Emily Carr University of Art & Design 1399 Johnston Street Granville Island Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9 Phone: 604-844-3800 Website: www.ecuad.ca Justice Institute of BC Main Campus 715 McBride Boulevard New Westminster, BC V3L 5T4 Phone: 604-525-5422 Website: www.jibc.ca Maple Ridge 13500 – 256th Street Maple Ridge, BC V4R 1C9 Phone: 604-462-1000 Downtown Victoria 101 - 910 Government Street Victoria, BC V8W 1X3 Phone: 250-405-3500 Okanagan 825 Walrod Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 2S4 Phone: 250-469-6020 Chilliwack 45300 Vimy Avenue Chilliwack, BC V2R 5X6 604-847-0881 (call prior to visiting) Kwantlen Polytechnic University Surrey Campus 12666 – 72nd Avenue Surrey, BC V3W 2M8 Admissions: 604-599-2100 Website: www.kwantlen.ca Cloverdale 5500 – 180th Street Surrey, BC V3S 6R1
Richmond 8771 Lansdowne Road Richmond, BC V6X 3V8 Langley 2091 Langley Bypass Langley, BC V3A 8G9 Langara College 100 West 49th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Y 2Z6 Phone: 604-323-5511 Website: www.langara.bc.ca Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Merritt Campus 4155 Belshaw Street Merritt, BC V1K 1R1 Phone: 250-378-3300 Toll Free: 1-877-682-3300 Website: www.nvit.bc.ca Vancouver Campus 200 – 4355 Mathissi Place Burnaby, BC V5G 4S8 Phone: 604-602-9555 North Island College Campbell River Campus 1685 South Dogwood Street Campbell River, BC V9W 8C1 Phone: 250-923-9700 Website: www.nic.bc.ca Comox Valley Campus 2300 Ryan Road Courtenay, BC V9N 8N6 Phone: 250-334-5000 Port Alberni Campus 3699 Roger Street Port Alberni, BC V9Y 8E3 Phone: 250-724-8711
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BRITISH COLUMBIA POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS
Port Hardy Campus Box 901 9300 Trustee Road Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0 Phone: 250-949-7912 Northern Lights College 11401- 8th Street Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4G2 Phone: 250-782-5251 Toll Free: 1-866-463-6652 Website: www.nlc.bc.ca Atlin, Chetwynd, Dease Lake, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Hudson’s Hope and Tumbler Ridge Northwest Community College Admissions Office 5331 McConnell Avenue Terrace, BC V8G 4X2 Phone: 250-635-6511 Toll Free: 1-877-277-2288 Website: www.nwcc.bc.ca Hazelton, Houston, Kitimat, Queen Charlotte City, Prince Rupert, Masset, Smithers and Stewart Okanagan College 1000 KLO Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8 Phone: 250-762-5445 Website: www.okanagan.bc.ca Penticton: 250-492-4305 Salmon Arm: 250-832-2126 Vernon: 250-545-7291 Toll Free: 1-877-755-2266 Royal Military College of Canada PO Box 17000 Station Forces Kingston, ON K7K 7B4 Phone: 613-541-6000 Toll Free: 1-866-762-2672 Website: www.rmc.ca
Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre Toll Free: 1-800-856-8488 Website: www.forces.gc.ca Royal Roads University 2005 Sooke Road Victoria, BC V9B 5Y2 Phone: 250-391-2511 Website: www.royalroads.ca Selkirk College 301 Frank Beinder Way Castlegar, BC V1N 4L3 Phone: 250-365-7292 Toll Free: 1-888-953-1133 Website: www.selkirk.bc.ca Grand Forks, Nelson, Trail, Kaslo, and Nakusp Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Phone: 778-782-3111 Website: www.sfu.ca Surrey Campus #250-13450 102 Avenue Surrey, BC V3T 0A3 Phone: 778-782-7400 Website : www.surrey.sfu.ca Harbour Centre 515 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3 Phone: 778-782-5000 Website: www.vancouver.sfu.ca Thompson Rivers University Box 3010, 900 McGill Road Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3 Phone: 250-828-5000 Website: www.tru.ca
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS
Williams Lake Campus 1250 Western Avenue Williams Lake, BC V2G 1H7 Phone: 250-392-8022 Open Learning Division Toll Free: 1-800-663-9711 Website: www.tru.ca/distance/ Trinity Western University 7600 Glover Road Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1 Phone: 604-888-7511 Website: www.twu.ca University of the Fraser Valley 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 Phone: 604-504-7441 Toll Free: 1-888-504-7441 Website: www.ufv.ca 45635 Yale Road Chilliwack, BC V2P 6T4 Phone: 604-792-0025 University of British Columbia 1874 East Mall, Rm 1200 Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 Phone: 604-822-9836 Toll Free: 1-877-272-1422 Website : https://you.ubc.ca/ubc/vancouver Okanagan Campus 3333 University Way Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7 Toll Free: 1-877-807-8521 Phone: 250-807-8000 Website: https://you.ubc.ca/ubc/okanagan University of Northern BC 3333 University Way Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9 Phone: 250-960-5555
Website: www.unbc.ca Quesnel, Terrace, Ft. St. John, and Prince Rupert University of Victoria PO Box 1700, Stn. CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 Phone: 250-721-7211 Website : www.uvic.ca Vancouver Community College VCC Broadway Campus 1155 East Broadway Vancouver, BC V5T 4V5 Phone: 604-871-7000 program advising Phone: 604-443-8400 admissions enquiries Website: www.vcc.bc.ca VCC Downtown Campus 250 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6B 1S9 Phone: 604-443-8300 Vancouver Island University 900 Fifth Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5 Toll Free: 1-888-920-2221 Website: www.viu.ca Cowichan Campus 222 Cowichan Way Duncan, BC V9L 6P4 Phone: 250-746-3500 Parksville – Qualicum Centre 100 Jensen Avenue East Parksville, BC V9P 2G3 Phone: 250-248-2096 Powell River Campus 3960 Selkirk Avenue Powell River, BC V8A 3C6 Phone: 604-485-2878 Toll free: 1-877-888-8890
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NOTES
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NOTE
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