Created on 10/21/2013 5:41:00 PM
GUIDE LINES
SEPTEMBER 2013
-1-
GRADE 12 EDITION
Welcome Back!
time, and make up any
missed work.
The Student Services
Department welcomes
you back to school!
Besides attending sessions
by colleges and
universities at our school,
all senior students are
encouraged to attend the
University Information
Program at Saint Michael
High School in October
and the College
Information Programmes
at the Glendale Campus of
Niagara College in
November. Most of
Ontario’s colleges and
universities will be
represented and you will
be able to ask questions
and get accurate answers
directly from their reps.
It is only September, but
you are closer to
graduation than you
think…. college and
university applications are
due in just about 10 weeks.
Please make sure your
parents are aware of all the
information provided so
that they can assist you in
making the correct
choices.
You must start now
researching and planning
your choices, immediately.
If you intend on going
directly to the workforce,
you also have some
planning to do!
In the Student Services
area there is a Calendar of
Events on the bulletin
board. Check it out! This
calendar indicates all visits
to RCBHS by universities
and colleges, as well as
any trips out of the school.
This is also where you will
find information on jobs
and employers. Open
House information is there
too, so you can plan visits
to prospective campuses.
There is a sign up book on
the counter that you must
fill-out to attend any of
these sessions. Be sure to
tell your teachers ahead of
Our job in Student
Services is to assist you in
every way possible with
your educational and
career planning. You are
encouraged to drop by the
Student Services area
anytime! At present, the
following important
information should be
keep close at hand.
Something for Grade 11
and 12 students to keep in
mind: colleges and
universities take grade 11
and 12 marks into
consideration. Repeated
courses and withdrawals
from senior courses appear
on your transcript, so
you’ll want to get it right
the first time around!
Just a reminder that we maintain a library of calendars and brochures on
colleges and universities, as well as information on apprenticeships, jobs
and careers just for you! Resources are available in the Student Services
area.
If you’d like to see Ms. Mercier-Beaudoin or any of the other counsellors,
fill out a “Request for an Appointment” slip in the Student Services area. We’ll make
every effort to meet with you as soon as possible.
Join the RCBHS Guidance Facebook page to get all the information you need!!!
-2-
GUIDE LINES continued …
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
Key Dates!
September : eInfo and the
Ontario College Guide will
be available. These
guidebooks are vital to
helping you and your parents
/guardians understand the
complicated area of college
and university admissions.
September : Grade 12 class
presentations on what to
know and do to prepare.
September 16th : Lakehead
University is scheduled to
visit RCBHS at 10:30 a.m.
McMaster University at
12:00 p.m.
September 17th: Brock
University is here at 10 a.m.
Oct. 7th:
D’YouvilleCollege will visit
RCBHS at 9:30 a.m.
Oct 1st: University Info.
Night at Saint Paul High
school in Niagara Fall from
7-9 p.m. Parents and
students are encouraged to
attend
Oct. 8th: Redeemer U. at
9:00 a.m.
October 16th : Windsor
University visits at 1:00
p.m.
Oct. 17th : Ryerson
University at 10:00 a.m.
Nov. 6th : Guelph
University at 10:00 a.m.
September 27-29:
The Ontario University
Information Fair at the
Metro Toronto Convention
Centre. Many universities
will be there to give
information and answer
questions about career
planning, support services
and programs available to
help students achieve their
career goals. Students and
their parents are encouraged
to attend.
October 1st : Niagara
College a 9:45 a.m.
October 2nd : Mohawk
College at 10:00 a.m.
Nov. 12th : Wilfred Laurier
University at 12:00 p.m
Nov. 18th : Western
University at 9:00 a.m.
January 15th, 2014:
Deadline for University
applications from RCBHS to
be submitted to the OUAC.
February 1st 2014:
Deadline for College
applications from RCBHS to
be submitted to the OCAS.
May 29th, 2014: The latest
date by which all secondary
school applicants shall expect
a response from an Ontario
university.
June 2nd , 2014: The
earliest date by which
Ontario universities may
require a response to an offer
of admission from an Ontario
secondary school student and
a financial commitment.
August 2014: When the
universities receive these
final grades, they will
determine whether the
applicant’s final standing
meets their conditions of the
offer of admission given
earlier.
-3-
Student Services Staff
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
Introducing …
Mrs. Mercier-Beaudoin
I have been a teacher at
RCBHS for 23 years and
have loved every minute.
Guidance is often a link
between the school and
parents, and school and the
community. Feel free to call
anytime between 8am and
3pm to discuss issues
pertaining to academic
planning, career planning,
academic success and other
personal issues.
Mr. Connor
Mr. Connor is available most
periods during semester 1 and
2. Students are welcome to
speak with Mr. Connor about
career planning and high
school course selection.
Mr. Giovannone/ Mr.
Harrington
Are the Special Education
Resource team. They are
available to help you with
any special need or concerns
students may have.
Ms. Julie Matthewson
Youth Counsellor
is available to talk to kids
about personal problems,
home issues, educational
problems, relationship issues,
etc. She is available at the
following times:
All day on Wed. and Thurs.
Appointments can be made in
the Student Services office.
Mr. MacKinnon
Responsible for Co-operative
Education, he will work with
the student to help find a
suitable match with an
employer. This allows
students to experience a
career or trade that they are
interested in. He will also
complete the application for
OYAP (Ontario Youth
Apprentice Program) if you
work in one of the trades that
qualify for an apprenticeship.
Come into Student Services any time. We look forward to meeting you! And check
out the calendar regularly … events are being added all the time!
Kids Help Phone
1 – 800 – 668 – 6868 is a toll-free, national service that operates 24 hours a day.
Kids Help Phone counselors are adults who have special
skills and knowledge about kids’ challenges. Regardless of the time of day or
night, these are counselors you can talk to about anything.
-4Capping Off – your
high school career
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
 ½ credit in Civics
O.S.S.D.
To earn an Ontario
Secondary School
Diploma (O.S.S.D.), you
must earn a minimum of
30 credits distributed as
follows:
Compulsory Credits
(Total of 18 Required)
 ½ credit in Career Studies
 an additional English or
third language, social science
or Canadian & world studies
 an additional Physical and
Health Education or Arts or
Business studies
 an additional credit in
senior science, or
technological education
 4 credits in English
(including at least two from
the Senior Division).
Elective Credits
(Total of 12 Required)
Elective credits may be
earned in all subjects,
including those named on the
compulsory credit list,
provided that such electives
are additional to the
compulsory credits. The
elective credits allow for
concentration in a specialized
area of the curriculum.
Other Graduate
Requirements
 1 credit in French as a
Second Language
 Successful
completion of the
Provincial Grade 10
Literacy Test
 3 credits in Mathematics
 2 credits in Science
 40 Hours of
Community Service
 1 credit in Canadian
Geography
We have a wide range of
non-profit organizations
requesting help from
students. Check out our
Volunteer Board in
guidance and listen to
the morning
announcements.
 1 credit in Canadian
History
 1 credit in the Arts
 1 credit in Physical and
Health Education
Check out our website www.rcbhs.ca to see this information.
Student Services Department
Counsellors are trained to help students understand themselves, relate to others and
develop educational and career plans. We can provide
information about courses in our school and programmes
at post-secondary institutions, as well as jobs, careers and
occupations. Often we play a liaison role for our students.
Parents are especially encouraged to contact us if our
- 5 - – Making the Grade
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
September 2013
assistance is needed.
Grade 12 Edition
- 6 - – Making the Grade
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
Top Ten Tips for Academic Success
1. Location
Location, location,
location! If you’re
serious about getting
work done, find a place
that is relatively free of
distractions.
2. Make it a Habit!
Spend at least some time
on your studies each
day. Avoid that allnight cram session in
which you (usually
unsuccessfully) try to
understand and retain
large amounts of
information!
3. Help Exists!
Whether you are an “A”
student or a “D” student,
you can strengthen your
learning skills. Make it
a point to improve your
study skills. Use the
help of fellow students
and tutors when
necessary. It’s your
academic career – make
the most of it.
4. Write it Down!
Remember important
dates. It’s up to you to
remember due dates for
assignments and tests.
A daily planner is great
for organizing your life.
A wall calendar is a
good idea, too!
5. Get Energized!
Eat, exercise and sleep!
Not understanding?
Trouble remembering?
Comprehension and
memory are affected by
stress and fatigue.
When you are hungry,
tense or tire, your brain
has a difficult time
functioning well. Kind
of a good reason to eat
well and get adequate
sleep, especially during
exam periods.
6. Be a Keener!
Go to class and pay
attention. Don’t fall into
the habit of missing
class. Someone else’s
notes are never as good
High-Tech Resources?
Technology is just another name for tools.
(You know, there was a time when nails were high-tech!)
Come in and use the Internet to browse web sites for even
more study skills tips.
as having gone to the
class yourself. In class,
listen for emphasis and
examples. Take
thorough notes – you
will be thankful at test
time. Questions? Ask
your teacher
immediately. Isn’t it
better to learn as you go
than to find yourself
unprepared the night
before the exam?
7. Get the Big Picture!
Many unsuccessful
students see a course as
“just a lot of stuff to
memorize”. Real
learning requires seeing
how pieces of
information fit together.
Use course outlines,
headings and subheadings to organize the
information in your
courses. Routinely ask
yourself whether or not
“you get the big
picture”.
-7ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Continued …
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
Top Ten Tips Continued …
8. Remember Your
Keys!
Do something
(anything) to remember
key information.
Capture your
understanding of course
material in an active
way. Generate
examples, create
mnemonics, make
summary notes, identify
key words, highlight
textbooks, or add margin
notes. Be creative and
interested and you’ll
probably be awesome at
test time.
9. Prove It!
You already think you’ll
remember key points?
Well, no matter how
well you understand
something, without
practice some forgetting
will occur. Before a
test, make sure that you
can recall important
information from
memory. Self-test by
practicing.
10. Be Test Smart!
Don’t lose marks
because of careless
errors such as
misreading a question or
running out of time.
Think through specific
strategies to tackle
different questions first
to build confidence. For
more tips, see the Exam
Survival page of this
sourcebook.)
Just a couple of
thoughts about
preparation and
planning …
The great dividing
line between success
and failure is often
expressed in four
words: “I didn’t
have time.” Find
the time!
“Tomorrow is often
the busiest day of
the week.” Avoid
procrastination.
“If not now, then
when?”
Do it now!
And remember …
it wasn’t raining
when Noah built
the ark!
Lifelong Learning
There has been more information produced in the last thirty years than in the previous 5,000!
Today’s world takes no pity on the person who gets lazy about learning. Either you take personal responsibility for continuing
your education, or you end up without the knowledge you need to protect your livelihood. So, keep learning! The more you know
how to do, and the better you do it, the more valuable you become. So just forget about “finishing” your education. Defend your
livelihood by developing the best package of knowledge and skills that you can!
-8-
No Whining Allowed
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
Avoiding the Traps!
The “Traps” of
Studying:
In all my years of
teaching and counseling,
these are the ten “traps”
I have heard the most
often, along with
strategies for avoiding
them.
1. “I don’t know where
to begin.”
Take control. Make a
list of all the things you
have to do. Break it
down into manageable
chunks. Prioritize!
Then schedule your time
realistically. Never skip
a class near an exam …
you’ll probably miss an
important review. Use
anytime between classes
to review your notes.
Interrupt you study time
with planned breaks.
Begin studying early so
you can avoid
cramming.
2. “I’ve got so much to
study and so little time.”
Preview. Survey your
reading materials and
notes. Identify the most
important topics, things
your teachers
emphasized, and areas
still not understood.
Previewing saves time
by helping you to
organize and focus in on
main topics.
3. “But Mrs. MercierBeaudoin. This stuff is
so boring, I can’t even
stay awake reading it.”
Attack! Get actively
involved with the text as
you read. Ask yourself,
“What is important to
remember about this
section?” Take notes,
highlight key concepts.
Discuss the material
with other students.
Stay on the offensive,
especially with material
you don’t find
interesting.
4. “I read it, I
understand it, but I just
can’t get it to sink in.”
Elaborate. We
remember best the
things that are most
meaningful to us. As
you are reading, try to
elaborate upon new
information with your
own examples. Try to
integrate what you’re
studying with what you
already know. You will
be able to remember
new material better if
you can link it to
something that’s already
meaningful to you.
5. “I guess I understand
it.”
Test yourself. Guessing
usually isn’t good
enough. To find out if
you really understand,
test yourself. Make up
questions about key
sections in notes or
reading. Keep in mind
what your teachers have
stressed in the course.
Since time cannot be manufactured, you have to decide what to do and what not to do.
When opportunities exceed resources, you can use the ABC method to make decisions. List items that
need to be done and place each into one of these categories:
A “Must-do” items: critical things, such as school and work directives, familial responsibilities, and
other significant deadlines.
B “Should do” items: medium value things that may contribute to improved performance but are not
essential and do not have critical deadlines.
C “Nice to do” items: items of the lowest value, that while interesting and fun, could be eliminated,
postponed or scheduled for slack periods.
-9-
No Whining Continued …
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
Avoiding the traps continued …
6. “There’s too much to
remember.”
Organize. Information
is easier to recall if it’s
represented in an
organized framework
that makes retrieval
more systematic.
7. “I knew it a minute
ago.”
Review. After reading a
section, try to recall the
information contained in
it. If you can’t recall,
re-read portions you had
trouble remembering.
The more time you
spend studying the more
you tend to recall. In
other words, you can’t
“over study”. But how
you organize new
information is even
more important than the
amount of time you
spend studying.
8. “But I like to study in
bed.”
Context. Recall is
better when your study
context (physical
location, mental,
emotional and physical
state) is similar to the
test context. This means
that your bed is not a
great place for studying,
and the library is. The
greater the similarity
between the study
setting and the test
setting, the greater the
likelihood that the
material studied will be
recalled during the test.
9. “Cramming keeps it
fresh in my mind.”
Spacing. Start studying
now. Keep studying as
you go along. Begin
with short periods a few
weeks before the exam,
and then increase your
study time as the exam
approaches. Recall
increases as study time
get spread out over time.
10. “I’m going to stay
up all night until I get
this.”
Avoid mental
exhaustion. Take short
breaks often when
studying. When you
take a break don’t think
about academics. It’s
important to relax and
unwind mentally and
physically.
More Exam Reminders
Find out what the evaluation policy is in each course.
Write down the date, time and location for each of your
exams. Set up a study schedule. Review your old tests.
Once you get to the exam room, read over the whole
paper before you start and check the whole exam before
you hand it in. Once you’ve handed in your exam,
forget about it: until you get your exams back, then
analyze how well your studying worked.
- 10 Solving the School
Choice Puzzle
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
Earning a diploma or a degree can take 2 – 5 years of your life
and cost thousands of dollars. The last thing that you need to
discover is that you chose the wrong school. You have to get
concrete answers to dozens of questions before you make the
final decision.
There are three basic categories of
questions to ask at the early stage:
1. Ask Yourself
What is your personal situation?
What do you want from a school?
2. Ask the School
What is the quality of their academic
programmes?
How much will they care about you
when you get there?
3. Your Gut Feeling
Don’t just sit there passively thinking
when you do this. Get active! Write it
down. Talk to people. Write out lists of
questions and answers. Talk to parents,
friends, brothers, sisters, teachers,
counselors. Call schools and talk to
liaison people. Then put it all together!
This is your future we’re talking about,
so do the best to get all the answers you
need.
1. Ask Yourself
What is your personal situation?
Are you going to college or university
for the right reason? (Following your
friends or escaping your siblings are not
solid reasons.)
Are your grades good enough?
Do you even know the entrance
requirements and cut-off marks?
Do you have all the prerequisites?
Can you afford to pay?
What do you know about scholarships,
bursaries and loans?
What are your academic interests?
Do you even know all the possibilities?
(There are hundreds of possible majors!)
What do you want in a school?
Do you want to live at home or at
school?
In residence or off campus?
Do you want to go far away or stay
close?
Do you want to attend a school in a
small town or a big city?
Would you prefer a huge and social
campus or a small and quiet one?
The key to making the right
choice is to get all the
information you can (and then
together with your parents),
decide what matters most to you!
- 11 Finding What it Takes
to Pay for School
September 2012
Grade 12 Edition
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Searching out scholarships is a job in itself!
Most post-secondary institutions send us
scholarship information for your use.
You can automatically qualify for many
awards without an application.
But there are thousands of others …
scholarships, awards, bursaries, grants
and other forms of financial assistance
where you need to apply. Their awards
are sponsored by colleges, universities,
community agencies, private
organizations and individuals. Many of
them are available to you … you just
need to do a little research to take
advantage.
Resources
Your best resource is Mrs. MercierBeaudoin, as well as the websites:
www.studentsawards.com and
www.dsbn.org website. Click on
Students and then click on Scholarships
and awards". This is a fabulous,
searchable on-line database for financial
awards. The DSBN website offers links
for hundreds of scholarships and gives
deadline dates.
Ontario Student Assistance Program
O.S.A.P. applications are available
online. Detailed information, including
online application procedures and
deadlines for applications is available on
the OSAP web site at
http://osap.gov.on.ca.
Question: I am a good student, but not
a rocket scientist. Are there awards
for students like me?
Answer: Yes. Many awards are not
based solely on academic achievement.
Some awards are based on activities
such as sports and volunteer work.
Other awards may be available to people
of a specific heritage or cultural
background. So take stock of all your
interests!
Question: When should I start
looking?
Answer: Begin your search far in
advance of attending college or
university. Start a year or two in
advance. This will give you time to
check out leads, gather documentation,
line up references, and plenty of
incentive to boost your marks! And
chart out your course well. Map out all
deadlines. There is nothing more
heartbreaking than finding that the
$5,000 scholarship you had a good shot
at is … oh, it was due … yesterday!
Question: Help! Where can I go for
help?
Answer: Parents, teachers, friends,
and counsellors can all help. Ask your
parents to check their connections.
Maybe their employers, trade unions or
service organizations offer scholarships.
Their membership in such organizations
may make you eligible for big awards.
***Come to Student Services for a Listing of Scholarships Due by Month***
Career Resources -–12Only
a Click Away
September 2013
Grade 12 Edition
The World Wide Web is a vast library filled with new and worthwhile
resources. An on-line exploration can provide you with valuable
information for your career planning.
If you have a computer at home, lucky
you! But even if you don’t, you can still
take your research on-line. There are
lots of places you can get on the Internet
for free. Start right here! We have
Internet access in the student services
area, the library and the computer lab.
You can also use the Brock library or the
public library. And you can always try a
family member or friend.
Starting Points
There are lots of Internet Directory sites
that organize web-sites into an easy-touse system. Here are some to get you
started:
 The School Website
www.rcbhs.ca
Click on Student Services and look on
the left hand side. There are many links
to all sorts of information.
 Job Gym
www.jobgym.com
This site offers employment services and
career guidance specifically for the
Niagara region.
These pages provide a starting point for
exploration of many online career and
employment related resources.
 Career Gateway
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/career
This site is designed for students from
Grade 7 to 12. It contains annotated
links to over 500 resources dealing with
career exploration, job search skills,
student skills and resources, workplace
issues, and post-secondary education.
 Career Cruising
SAT TEST
This is an entry exam for US postsecondary education. To sign up to
write the SAT, students can register at
www.collegeboard.com. Any
student can choose to write this test.
There is a fee to write it.
www.careercruising.com
www.access.bridges.com This is an
Career Cruising is an interactive career
resource designed for people of all ages.
If you want to find the right career,
explore different career options, or plan
future education and training, you've
come to the right place!
amazing site to help with material for the
SAT test. The Universal Code is:
13898730. This site can also be used as
a resource for courses.
Important Dates and Procedures
For Admission to an Ontario University
September
2013
October
2013
November
2013
The Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) circulates eINFO to
secondary schools for distribution to potential university applicants.
Your copy is available in the Student Services area.
You need to:
 Spend some time researching using university calendars and using
www.electronicinfo.ca.
 Arrange for a counseling interview if necessary.
 Attend the grade 12 meeting with your counselors for specific
details relating to your university application.
 Attend some of the university visits to RCBHS without missing
extensive class time.
The application procedure is explained in the e-info pamphlet. We will
also have a workshop where further assistance is provided. You need
to:
 Attend the session on completing the application.
 Make arrangements to write the SAT where necessary (US schools
only).
 Continue with personal research using course calendars & INFO.
 Consider doing on-line research using Career Cruising or School
Finder.
 Attend the University Information Programme.
 Begin to research scholarship opportunities.
Our school has set an internal deadline of December 11th , 2013 at noon
for your application. Applications may be submitted at any time before
that but absolutely no later than January 15, 2014. Your application must
be accompanied by a non-refundable fee of $130 payable to Ontario
University Application Centre. (Any choice beyond the basic three will
require an additional $44 per choice, and any change beyond the basic
two changes / amendments requires an additional $40 per change.
You need to:
 Get your complete and accurate application in on time or early!
 Listen for announcements regarding updates.
Important Dates and Procedures
For Admission to an Ontario University … p.2
January –
February
2014
March
2014
April
2014
April – May
2014
June
2014
Acknowledgement / amendment forms are sent via the OUAC website to
you at your email address. You will receive an acknowledgement of
receipt of your applications from each of the institutions you have
selected. You need to:
 Check forms for accuracy and make amendments where necessary.
 WORK YOUR VERY HARDEST BECAUSE FIRST SEMESTER
MARKS ARE CRITICAL!
Once all of the final grades have been sent to OUAC, universities may
make conditional offers of admission to Ontario secondary school
students.
You need to:
 Understand that you do not have to accept any offer of admission
until May , 2014.
 Plan on visiting the Open Houses held at universities over the
March Break.
 Check Student Services bulleting board for dates of the Open
Houses.
Secondary schools provide the OUAC with your mid-term grades for
second semester courses and updates to grades for full-year courses.
OUAC then transmits your grades to each of your chosen universities.
We will hold a presentation on financial planning and the Ontario
Student Loan Programme. You need to:
 Review your offers of admission carefully.
 Make a solid decision with your parents / guardians regarding the
school that is right for you.
 May 29, 2014 is the latest date by which all secondary school
applicants shall expect a response from an Ontario University.
 Reply in time (earliest date a university can require a response and
financial commitment is June 2nd , but you need to pay special
attention to other deadlines such as scholarships and residence.)
 Discuss financing with your parents / guardian and attend the
OSAP presentation.
June is the earliest date by which a university may require a financial
commitment to an offer of admission, and the date by which all
secondary school applicants shall expect a response from an Ontario
university. (an offer of admission, a refusal or a deferral)
You need to:
 Review offers and choose a school by replying in time.
 Once you have evidence of admission, submit your OSAP
application to the University Financial Aid office.
Important Dates and Procedures
For Admission to an Ontario College
September
2013
October
2013
November
2013
The Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) no longer
circulates the Ontario College Guide to secondary schools for
distribution to potential college applicants. Students should now use
the Ontariocolleges.ca website to do research about programs.
You need to:
 Spend some time researching using ontariocolleges.ca and the
college calendars.
 Arrange for a counseling interview if necessary.
 Attend the senior session with your counselors for specific
details relating to your college application.
 Attend the college visits to RCBHS without missing extensive
class time.
We will complete the application online directly on the OCAS
website.
You need to:
 Listen to the announcements.
 Investigate specific portfolio requirements for your chosen
programme(s).
 Develop a skills-based resume for admission purposes.
 Continue with personal research using calendars.
 Consider doing on-line research using Career Cruising or
School Finder.
 Attend the College Information Programme.
 Begin to research scholarship opportunities.
 Apply on-line.
Our school has set an internal deadline of January 15, 2014 at noon
for your application. Application may be submitted at any time
before that but absolutely no later than February 1, 2014. Your
application fee should be paid by VISA or MASTERCARD via the
internet in the amount of $95. This fee in non-refundable.
You need to:
 Get your complete and accurate application in on time or early!
 Listen for announcement regarding updates.
Important Dates and Procedures
For Admission to an Ontario College … p.2
December
2013
January –
February
2014
March
2014
April – May
2014
June
2014
Application forms are transmitted from the OCAS to the colleges.
Only you can make your grades attractive for admission. You need
to:
 WORK YOUR VERY HARDEST BECAUSE FIRST
SEMESTER MARKS ARE CRITICAL!
You will receive an acknowledgement letter confirming receipt of
your application and programme choices. If necessary, amendments
may be made and you will receive an official acknowledgement of
your changes. You need to:
 Check forms for accuracy and make amendments where
necessary.
 Make sure your application is in by February 1st for equal
consideration
Once all of the final grades have been sent from the OCAS to the
colleges, colleges may make offers of admission. The earliest date
for an offer of admission is February 1st. Some students may receive
letters from colleges on February 1st offering them admission. Other
students may not receive such a letter until after this date.
You need to:
 Understand that you do not have to accept any offer of
admission until May 1st.
Perhaps you have received offers of admission and are thinking about
where you are going and how you are going to finance your
education. We will hold a presentation on financial planning and the
Ontario Student Loan Programme. You need to:
 Review your offers of admission carefully.
 Make a solid decision with your parents / guardians regarding
the school that is right for you.
 Attend the OSAP presentation.
Students who have been offered admission by one or more colleges
must notify the OCAS by May 1st regarding the college they plan to
attend. Students who have not been accepted to their chosen
programmes but still wish to attend college in the fall can call the
OCAS to find out (a) what programmes are still accepting
applications, (b) which programmes are “wait-listed”. The
programme vacancy number is 1-888-892-2228. You need to:
 Review offers and choose a school by replying in time.
 Once you have evidence of admission, submit your OSAP
application to the financial aid office of your chosen school.
 If you have not been accepted and are still interested in college
for the fall, call the OCAS and follow the amendment procedures.
The Last Word
September 2012
Grade 12 Edition
Once again, take note of this final year checklist!
I Have:
op) to ensure that marks are sent to the
correct destination.
 Researched fully my post-secondary
 Written the PSAT and SAT as
options.
required.
 Developed my resumes
(a) for
employment (part/full-time) and (b) for
school / programme admission.
 Developed the most impressive
portfolio I can.
 Attended college and/or university
 Researched financial awards
opportunities.
 Applied to college and/or university
in advance of the deadline.
 Indicated my intention to apply for
information programmes.
January admission to college to Mrs.
Mercier-Beaudoin
 Researched various schools through
 Checked the accuracy of all
RCBHS visits and Open Houses.
 Informed Student Services of any
course(s) I am taking (another school,
correspondence, night school, militia co-
applications and made amendments
where required.
 Attended sessions on financial
assistance such as OSAP.
Be a Winner!
 Do a little more than you’re expected to do.
 Give a little more than you have to.
 Try a little harder than you want to.
 Aim a little higher than you think possible.
 And give lots of thanks for health, family and friends!