The Final LapThe Final Lap

Grade 12 Parents’ EveningTuesday October 8th, 2013

If only we had a crystal ball…If only we had a crystal ball…

What does the future look like?What does the future look like?

You have arrived!You have arrived!

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

Roles Counsellor•Provides professional and accurate information and guidance•Sends transcripts, and other documents•Supports and listens, encourages

Student•Fills out his own applications and supplements•Is mindful of deadlines•Keeps in communication with university •Keep marks up!- Don’t fall victim to the deadly disease of senioritis•Communicates and meets regularly with university counsellor•Reads his emails from the University Counselling Department

Parent•Advises, encourages and listens•Accepts child’s need for independence•Suggests topics•Allows child to set goals

Where are we now?

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

What’s happening now?

• Meeting with students• One-on-one• Group meetings• Grade meetings

How do students know what to do?

• Naviance e-mails• One-on-one sessions• Announcements• Grade meetings• Showing them

Which University?

• Don’t think narrowly• The next 4 years of your life will be here• These will be your new friends• Expand your list- don’t get lured by the big names if

they’re not for you!• Remember the hidden gems

• Don’t think narrowly• The next 4 years of your life will be here• These will be your new friends• Expand your list- don’t get lured by the big names if

they’re not for you!• Remember the hidden gems

Top 10 Things to Consider

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

College Visits

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

The SearchLook for schools that place an emphasis on:

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

GAP Year• Studies show a gap year does not reduce chances of

attending university after. • These students often more successful at university • Why Gap? Might be the only time you get to be free and

explore the world!• University isn’t going anywhere- better sense of what

you want to do with your life when you come back!• Most universities good about deferring acceptance (and

even scholarships)

What do I need to get in?• Required courses for the desired program• At least 4-5 university admissible courses; (rigor and breadth

for US schools)• Specific mark requirements depending on university and

program• An application• A supplementary application or personal information form

for universities which request it• A portfolio, essay, additional criteria or interview if

requested• Attention to deadlines• An eventual commitment, backed by a deposit• Positive attitude, strong work ethic and good preparation

Applying Canadian• Goal- apply to all schools before winter break• How- on-line; each school linked in Naviance• Just follow steps• Schools will have one of two optionsa. Apply through a centralized application centre (Ontario and

Alberta; BC optional) or

b. Apply directly to the university through their website (future/prospective student; undergraduate; APPLY)

• You will know you have finished the application process when you have PAID$$

What Happens After I Apply?

• Self reporting for Canadian Schools• All schools other than BC (and McGill) we send the term 1-2

transcript• UBC, UVIc and SFU self-reporting- opens mid- March-term 2

marks available; students receive an email link to self-report• Some schools offer conditional acceptance based on grade 11

marks• Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait,

Wait, Wait, • Eventually students hear one of 2 things- they were

conditionally accepted or marks weren’t high enough, and university will wait for the next set of marks.

Applying U.S.• Apply online• Submit application and essay (Common App)• Ensure students have requested teacher references in

person• Standardized testing complete or nearly complete• St. George’s sends transcripts, school profile, Secondary

School Report and counsellor reference letter• Students await offers• Students who have applied Early Action/Early Decision hear

mid December• Regular Decision round• Be mindful of deadlines to accept

Applying U.K.

• Apply online• Centralized system – UCAS• One teacher referee• Personal Statement

Timelines

• Depends on where• Canadian applications are almost all open• US applications are well underway• UK and overseas applications also open• Term 1 marks for all schools other than Early

US (midterm grade 12) and Early UK (predicted grades)

Tracking Applications• Students must use Naviance• Parents can access this- please email

nmaherali@stgeorges.bc.ca for an account• Electronic submission for all applications• Transcripts mailed for all Canadian institutions, except for BC

universities-transcripts sent out by Ministry of Education• UK applications- filled out online; transcripts mailed

www.ucas.org• US schools- electronic submission of all documents

Housing Options• Students who live in residence generally achieve

better grades and are more likely to graduate • Great way to meet people• Help is never far away• Creates a sense of belonging• Always someone to study with• You can concentrate more on school since your food

and chores are under control• It’s fun• Lots of styles of rooms

Am I assured a place in residence?

• Most 1st years get a place – may not be first choice• Some assure residence with certain average• Some give preference to out-of-towners• Some allow you to pick your roommate• Some choose residence through lottery system• So- Make sure you tick the box saying you want

residence or residence information• Promptly fill out any residence questionnaires Don’t miss

the deposit for residence deadlines!

Broadbased Admissions• Universities admit your admission is “based on more than

just your academic grades, and “we will also consider your grade in life”

• Importance of supplements- both mandatory and optional• UBC- all programs, Richard Ivey, Queen’s PSE, Waterloo.

St. Francis-Xavier• Keep in mind opportunities to give more information- ie.

Western- Special Consideration or Extra-Curricular Profile• US and UK systems- holistic review

Deadlines• Students encouraged to check websites• Reminders sent outMajor upcoming deadlines:• October 15th- Cambridge and Oxford/UK Medical Schools/Dentistry/Vet• October 15th- Some US colleges- student athletes• Ongoing to November 30th- some schools like UVic- conditional acceptance

based on grade 11 marks• November 1st- US Early Decision and Early Action- US schools• November 30th- University of California schools• December 10th- UBC- Major Entrance Scholarship Deadlines• January 1st-US Regular Decision• February 3rd- UBC all programs• February 1st- McGill, Queen’s• February 28th- UVIc• April 30- SFU

Scholarships

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

Where do our students go?

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

12 Most Popular Canadian Schools

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

12 Most Popular American Schools

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

Most Popular Overseas Schools

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

Most Popular Faculties

• Arts • Science• Business• Engineering• Kinesiology and Fine Arts (tied)• Architecture• Law and Hotel Management (tied)Some interesting faculties pursued last year:• Nursing and Health, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences,

Criminolgy, Land and Food Systems, Film Studies

How Can Parents Help?How Can Parents Help?• Enjoy your time with your son• Collaborate- dream big but set realistic goals• Provide support and advice; listen, encourage, suggest• Ask yourself some hard questions- “Are my goals for my son

his goals?”• Position your child for success- focus on what your son does

well• Do be a helicopter parent, but hover at a distance• Go on-line- make it fun!• Stay positive

• Enjoy your time with your son• Collaborate- dream big but set realistic goals• Provide support and advice; listen, encourage, suggest• Ask yourself some hard questions- “Are my goals for my son

his goals?”• Position your child for success- focus on what your son does

well• Do be a helicopter parent, but hover at a distance• Go on-line- make it fun!• Stay positive

A Cautionary Word

• Acceptances are Conditional!• Universities will revoke offers!

Cherish this TimeThere are 4 things you cannot recover in life:

The stone after it is thrown…The word after it is said…The occasion after it is missed…The time after it is gone.

Grade 12- A Rite of Passage

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Endings and Beginnings

Every new beginning is some other beginning’s end.

~Seneca