universities_and_colleges_british_columbia

Then choose: “Virtual Reference Desk or go to

www.lib.bcit.bc.ca/li.htm,” then choose “Education, Colleges and U.s” and then choose “Canadian Universities and Colleges Web Locator”

A comprehensive listing of Canadian Universities/Colleges and Institutes and Agencies (Emily Carr, Institute of Indigenous Government, Open Learning etc.)is found at: www.islandnet.com/bccat/menusyst.html

Online Application Process:

Online application via: PASBC (www.pas.bc.ca/)

Schools currently accepting online applications are included

Application Deadlines:

Applications deadlines are approaching. Most colleges and some universities are already accepting applications (note March applications are considered late applications by some colleges). Early university application deadlines are on, or around Feb. 28, 1997 and university applications are usually accepted up until May (Check websites for verification of dates)

General Application Info:

In order to ensure acceptance you should apply to as many institutions and programs as desired. Keep in mind that only the institutions that you designated on the Ministry forms will receive your transcripts. If you require a separate institution to receive your transcripts, arrangements must be made through the Ministry and a nominal fee will be applied.

College and University application processing costs are approximately $25.00. Most institutions only charge one application fee regardless of number of programs applied (i.e. Arts, Sciences, Fine Arts, Dental Assistant, Forestry etc.), but separate application forms are usually required.

Application Criteria:

Entrance requirements:

General rule of thumb-60-65% for colleges(usually a C+ in English 12); 67-75% for universities. These are minimum requirements!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Note: for example the minimum requirement for SFU is 67% in four academic subjects including English 12 and yet in 1995 the cutoff was 78%). Please keep in mind that these criteria are for General Arts programs; other specialized areas may have different cut-offs

English requirements:

Universities require fluency in English. What that means is most university students will be required to take English courses in their undergraduate degrees.

To ensure early admission, the universities and colleges require documentation of English 12 (that is, that you are currently registered in, or have already passed English 12).

In order to prove English proficiency and/or to avoid enrolling in requisite English courses in university, it is necessary that students take the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) or the Early Placement Exams (EPE) offered by the applicable universities/colleges.

For example, at UVic in order to enrol in the necessary English courses in first year it is required that you obtain an 86% on the English 12 Provincial Exam, or that you obtain an acceptable score on the E.P.E. (early placement exam) or a score of 6 on the LPI.

Unless you receive an 80% on the English 12 Provincial Exam, you must write the LPI and score a 5 or better (on the essay portion), or write the EPE to obtain entry into UBC. The exception would be if you have an ‘A’ average with the combined school and prov. exam grade.

LPI sittings are available at local colleges, or upon application, can be held at your secondary school. Info on the composition of the L.P.I., plus example exam questions are available.

2nd Language Requirements for university: Grade 11 second-language
If you are unclear if the second-language you possess is acceptable, check the university calendars. If you require a language waiver, please apply for one soon. Note UBC and UVic does not allow a beginners course for second language requirement(SFU does).

Acceptable grade 11 science for universities:
includes Bio, Chem, Physics, Computer Studies, or Earth Science

Choosing a post-secondary institution:
Obviously program, location and costs will determine your choice. But when you are selecting institutions or when you get accepted to more than one institution, you may want to bear a few things in mind.

Marketability of program - Can you get a job upon graduation (what are the placement statistics at each institution)? Does the university offer work experiences to build up job contacts? Is the school more “liberal” or “scientific” in its teaching methodology?

You may want to speak with professionals in the area, counsellors at the post-secondary institution, and check out “Job Futures” or Career and Labour Market forecasts: http://www.ceis.org

Financing: *Cost of living - Approx. $12,000+ (excluding entertainment costs)
*Federal and Provincial Gov’t Loans and Grants: Check with the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training (www.stl.gov.bc.ca/). Choose “Programs and Services” option.
*Amounts vary - $0-$7000 depending on if single or dependent and earnings potential, educational costs etc, as well as, supply and demand.
*Deadline - on or around June 1, 1997 (up to 8 weeks to process application)
*Provincial Examination Scholarships: 70% must be obtained in top three provincial examinations to be eligible; an arithmetic mean is calculated on all qualified applicants and receipt of scholarship depends on relative ranking in qualified pool
Amount- $1000 or $2000(top 20 across B.C.); academic medals of excellence for top three candidates
Funds disbursed in August and contingent on registration in post-secondary school

General Scholarships:
1) Search for Canadian and Colleges Web Locator (through Virtual Reference Desk(www.lib.bcit.bc.ca/li.htm) and look up scholarship info under the University of Victoria link (It offers a great deal of general info. that goes beyond specific info. on UVic). It offers a comprehensive list of scholarships for all universities and colleges.
2) Another essential link (This site allows you to provide pertinent educational and program specific info. that interest you, and then the site delivers relevant scholarship info for your area of interest). TWO MILLION THUMBS UP!!
(www.parentsguide.com/cgi-bin/dbml.dll?template=/onfile/funding.html) or utilize search engine for “post secondary Institutions”(www.wtc.bc.ca/tdebhome/postsec.html)
3)Unions/legions - If your parents are members of unions i.e. BCTF etc., or of an organization, Lion’s Club etc. you may be eligible for a scholarship
4) Assoc. of Canadian Colleges and Universities (www.aucc.ca/) lists a limited number of Canadian scholarships, as well as some companies that offer scholarships i.e. Bell Canada, CIBC ( it also contains list of post-secondary institutions, but beware it takes some time to download the graphics)
5) Indistrict Scholarships
6)Passport to Education - redeemed at Post-secondary program Criteria: top 30% in each grade (gr. 9 - $125; gr. 10-$175; gr. 11-$225; gr. 12- $275)
(7)University/College Entrance Scholarship and Bursaries:
Go to Ministry Site (www.stl.gov.bc.ca/) then choose “Programs and Services”, then “Post-Secondary Education Division” then “Student Services” then “Other Financial Assistance Programs” then “Scholarship” (an exhausting process I know, but once again a TWO MILLION THUMBS UP!!! site).
College/University scholarships - approx. $1000-$5000(remember some of these can be rolled over)
Criteria: either based on overall GPA, Provincial Scholarship exams, athletics, cultural or a combo.
Deadline-April - June * University/College Bursaries - approximate value $100-$1000 (please note that if a student is ineligible for a government loan, s/he is probably ineligible for a bursary)
(8)Other: Athletic, Cultural (arts), vocational and technical scholarships sponsored by an organization (i.e. some for women entering trades....guys there are some for you too)

Transfer Credit Info(university transfer credits): See this site if you want to see which credits are accepted at what institution
Available through British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT): (www.islandnet.com/bccat/)