February
2015
Grade 12 Newsletter
CAREER CENTRE
University and College Info
Applications opened in October

Universities and colleges began accepting applications for Fall 2015 in October &
November
 Often colleges and/or trades and technical programs accept students based on application
date … first applied, first accepted.
It’s
time!!
UFV Grade 12 Early Application Deadline
 Applications will be accepted after the deadline of January 31, but
some programs will fill up before the deadline; check this website:
http://www.ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/acceptapps
Other BC Universities’ Deadlines – See attached information
 Applications for Entrance Scholarships due Feb. 28
 Some programs have unique application dates
Out-of-Province Universities
 Check published deadlines; dates vary but most range from Jan 31st to March 15th
Apply On-Line



BC Universities and Colleges: applybc.ca
Ontario Universities: www.ouac.on.ca/105/
Other Provinces: Check the university website(s)
Need help? See Mrs. Janzen in the Career Centre
Next Steps After Applying … Application and Registration are 2 Separate Steps





Students will receive a letter or e-mail from the university or college
Pay attention to the details; DO what they ask. If you think you need something from your
counselor or Career Advisor, bring the letter or e-mail with you so we know exactly what
you need.
Most universities and colleges will ask students to “self-report” interim grades; they will
send instructions; there will be a limited window of time in which to “self-report”.
“Conditional Acceptance” and “Early Admission” offers are made, based on “self-reported”
or interim grades.
If you miss the opportunity to “self-report” you will not receive an offer of admission until the
Ministry of Education submits your grades in May or you may not receive an offer at all,
depending on the school.


Students can only self-report Summit course grades that are on their report card or on their
Ministry portal, during the self-reporting period. As such, students should connect with their
distributed learning course provider (e.g. Summit) to make sure their grades will be sent to
the Ministry. Note that the Ministry will only report grades for distributed learning courses that
are at least 50% complete.
Apply for housing!
Transcripts & PSI



Final admission will be confirmed when official transcripts are received from the Ministry of
Education in August.
You must complete the on-line “Post Secondary Institutions Choices” (PSI) form by April 30
- more info on page 4
This will ensure that BC’s public universities and colleges have access to your final
transcripts. In addition, students may request that transcripts be forwarded to out-ofprovince universities, and for a fee, may request additional copies of their transcripts which
will be mailed to them in August.
Course Registration
 Students do not select courses at the time of application.
 The college or university will assign a course registration date, typically in June or July.
 Students can register for their courses on-line on or after the date and time assigned to them.
 Mrs. Janzen will be organizing a day in April / May when students can meet here at the
school with a UFV Advisor for help in planning their courses for next year. Stay tuned for
more info later.
Trades & Technology Programs Info
1. Choose a trade.
2. Find a training program.
Review the program information and admission requirements carefully. If you need more
information or are unclear about requirements, contact the program / school.
3. Apply online at applybc.ca and pay the application fee.
4. Take the entrance exam.
Some programs require an entrance exam, usually a reading and a math skills exam.
5. Submit proof of graduation.
You should complete the PSI form online (see page 4 of this newsletter). You may be asked to
present a statement from your school counselor or principal, showing that you are likely to
meet graduation requirements by June.
6. Wait for the next intake in which there is space.
Riverside College
To apply, pick up an application form from Mrs. Janzen, Mr. McNeill, or from the Riverside main
office.
Calendar of Events 2015
___________________________________
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
February 25
Study and Go Abroad Fair, Vancouver Convention Centre
2 – 6 pm, Seminars at 1:00, www.studyandgoabroad.com
February 28
BC Universities’ Early Application Deadline
Priority Admission for BC Grade 12 students (UBC’s application deadline was Jan 31st)
February 28
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Open House
11 am to 3 pm; Surrey Campus; Register at: kwantlen.ca/openhouse
February 28
Capilano U’s Bosa Centre for Film & Animation Open House
11:00 – 3:00 pm For more info: capilanou.ca/film
February 28 &
March 5
KPU Financial Aid Info Sessions
Check here for info and to RSVP:
http://www.kpu.ca/futurestudents/events/infosession
March 4
Tours of UFV Chilliwack campuses – either Trades & Technology Centre OR
Health Sciences building; 8:50 am – 12:15 pm; Permission form required
March 5
UFV Abbotsford Campus Tour & Info Session
12:00 – 2:55
Permission form required
March 20 & 21
TWU Preview Weekend
See www.twu.ca/undergraduate/visit for more details
March 27
TRU’s Spring Open House 2015
Check out www.tru.ca/openhouse for more information
March 14
On-campus Preview Day at Quest University; for more info and to
register: http://www.questu.ca/plan_a_visit.html
April 11
US College Expo Canada, 10 – 2 pm, Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Pre-registration required at: www.uscollegeexpo.com
linda.janzen@mpsd.ca
Capilano University Faculty of Arts & Sciences Open House
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Questions?
See Mrs. Janzen in the Career Centre
February 12
Other info regarding Post-Secondary schools:

How can you know that a university is as good as its claims?
Check out: www.macleans.ca/education/

Want to know how students rank their university or college?
Go to: outcomes.bcstats.gov.bc.ca

Universities and colleges often have information sessions for their various programs. Look into it and
attend.

Make sure you arrange to tour the campus of the school(s) you are applying to.

Some university programs accept applications based on Expanded Qualifications or Broad-based
Qualifications for students who are within approx 5% of the official admission cut-off.

Check the Career Centre bulletin board in the hallway regularly for new information that may be relevant
to you and “Like” Mission Career Centre on Facebook in order to receive relevant info directly.
PSIs (Post Secondary Institutions)
 ALL Grade 12 students who are planning to attend a Post Secondary Institution (university, college,
technical school, etc.) after grade 12 MUST arrange for their final transcript to be accessible by the
institution.
 This online process MUST be completed by the end of April 30th. Students who don’t complete this
task may be in danger of losing their admission status at the post -secondary institution.
 Students may complete this process NOW even if they have not decided on which institution they plan
to attend.
 Go to the following link and follow the instructions. https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/tsw/tsw/student/
(notice “https”)
 You will require your Student Pen Number, which is printed on each report card.
Need help? See your Counsellor or Mrs. Janzen.
The
Career Centre
has a Facebook page!
Search for
Mission Career Centre
and “Like” the page
You’ll receive updated information on post-secondary schools and
opportunities that will help you to prepare for and transition to your life
after high school.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Many of you have been asking questions about Scholarships - that’s
great! Staying informed is important because there are new application
forms coming in the mail every month and even more applications that
students
can
access
online
at
www.studentawards.ca.
and
www.scholarshipscanada.com
If ANY grade 12 students are planning on going on to post-secondary
training in the following areas, please see me immediately: Trades, Cosmetology, Fashion Design, Fine
Arts, Graphic Arts, Photography, Journalism, Broadcasting, French Immersion or another Second
Language, Fitness, or if you are highly involved in community volunteering. You may be eligible to
compete for a District Scholarship of $1,000 (Dogwood District/Authority Awards).
Mission Community Foundation Scholarship applications are due no later than 3 pm Thursday,
February 26th.
If you have any questions about the Scholarship Application process, improving your marks, study
skills, time management, or dealing with stress, please see me. It is up to you to take the
initiative and work toward success with your scholarship and bursary applications.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:
* Even if your parents have an R.E.S.P. set up for you, you can still benefit from applying for
scholarships.
* Remember, you can only be granted a scholarship from a particular college
or university if you will attend that institution; i.e. Don’t apply for a UFV
scholarship if you have no intention of attending there.
* Please remember to give your referees enough time (1-2 weeks minimum)
and enough information about you (provide them with a completed Brag
Sheet) so that they can write you a great reference letter.
* Students must take the initiative and be prepared to work at their applications in order to receive
scholarships and/or bursaries. Every so often, one of our highest-scoring grade 12 students ends
up receiving absolutely NO Scholarships or Bursaries because they refuse to apply...*don't let this
happen to you!
* Please ask for help when you need it.
Mrs. Francis, MSS
Barb Iversen, HPSS
Mr. Merry, HSS