O CanadaO Canada

International School Manila 2011/2012International School Manila 2011/2012

The Canadian “Expert”?The Canadian “Expert”?

• Born and raised just outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Kitchener-Waterloo).

• Played some ice hockey as a kid.• Undergraduate degree from the University of

Guelph (Ontario).• Graduate degree from the University of Toronto

(Ontario).• Some ISM students seem to think I say “aboot”

instead of “about”.

Kitchener-Waterloo

University of Waterloo Wilfrid Laurier University

The Plan for this Homeroom?

• Canadian University 101• How to Choose?

(Factors to Consider when Applying to Canadian Universities)

• How to Apply?(What do you need to do when Applying to Canadian Universities)

• The Process at ISM?(What do you need to do here)?

• Q & A

Canadian University 101Canadian University 101

Some BackgroundSome Background

• 95 universities (more than 4,000 in the U.S.)

• Canadian universities receive a great deal of public funds and so their programs, particularly at the undergraduate level, are quite uniform in quality.

• “Uniform in quality”

Classification of Universities3 types

Medical Research Universities

• Wide range of program offerings including medical schools

• Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD/Doctorate degrees

Examples…

University of Toronto McGill UniversityUniversity of Calgary Dalhousie UniversityUniversity of Saskatchewan McMaster UniversityUniversity of Western Ontario University of AlbertaUBC

Comprehensive Universities

• Wide range of program offerings, research activity and some professional degrees

• “Medium” sizedExamples…

University of Victoria York UniversityUniversity of WaterlooUniversity of Guelph Simon Fraser University

Primarily Undergraduate Universities

• Smaller student populations• History and tradition• A wide range of program options but fewer

graduate options• Largely focused on undergraduate programsExamples…

EduNova Consortium (University of King’s College; Acadia University; Saint Mary’s University; Cape Breton University…)Wilfrid Laurier UniversityTrent University

Other Stuff

Co-op (& Study-Abroad) ProgramsCo-op (& Study-Abroad) Programs

• Universities in Canada pride themselves in the abundance and variety of co-op placements they provide.

• Excellent opportunity to gain real world experience.

• University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Ontario) – largest co-op placement in the world with over 14,000 students enrolled/over 3,500 active employers

Working in Canada (while in Working in Canada (while in University)?University)?

• Up to 20 hours/week for international students

• On-campus opportunities (personal experience)

• Summer jobs• Up to three 3 Years post graduation (*see next

slide)

Work in Canada after GraduationWork in Canada after Graduation

• The Post-Graduate Work Permit Program allows students who have graduated from a post-secondary institution to gain valuable work experience.

• If you study in Canada for more than 2 years, you are eligible for a work permit for up to 3 years (no real restrictions on the type of work).

• Citizenship and Immigration Canadawww.cic.gc.ca

Permanent Residence in CanadaPermanent Residence in Canada

• If you are a foreign student who graduated in Canada, you can apply to stay in Canada as a permanent resident under the Canadian Experience (Economic) Class qualification.

• An easier process in Canada overall than in the U.S. (the processing time is about 10 months compared to 5 years in U.S.).

• Citizenship and Immigration Canadawww.cic.gc.ca

How to Choose?

• Quality• The Program• Location• Weather• Size• Cost• Reputation

QualityQuality

• Canadian universities are noted for offering the highest quality of education.

• A Canadian degree is recognized globally as being equivalent to degrees from the United States and Commonwealth countries.

• “Uniform in quality”

The ProgramThe Program

• Is the program what you are looking for?• Are their study abroad opportunities?• Are their co-op opportunities?• What type of support do they have for

International Students?• What % at the university are international

students?

LocationLocation

LocationLocation

• Mountains, the ocean, lakes, the Prairies• Big cities, smaller city/town• International Feeling?• Urban/Rural• Airport routes and traveling time (UBC vs.

Mount Allison)• The Weather

The WeatherThe Weather

• Range of weather with distinct seasons• The reality is that where most universities are

located, we have very comfortable summers and “reasonable” winters

• Some areas…the winters can be a little cold• The weather is part of the cultural experience• UBC vs. Toronto

Toronto vs. Vancouver,Toronto vs. Vancouver,

Winnipeg, CanadaWinnipeg, Canada

University SizeUniversity Size

• Big vs. small and everything in between

• University of Toronto(about 60,000 undergraduates)

• Quest University(150 undergraduates)

CostCost

$$* Not including accommodations

2010-2011 Fees (Arts and Humanities)2010-2011 Fees (Arts and Humanities)• Newfoundland and Labrador • Memorial University of Newfoundland $2,550 $8,800• Prince Edward Island • University of Prince Edward Island $4,860 $10,034• Nova Scotia • Acadia University $5,369 - $6,391 $12,939• New Brunswick • Mount Allison University $6,720 $14,112• Quebec • McGill University $2,068 - $5,668 $14,462 - $16,160• Ontario • University of Toronto $5,141 - $8,140 $20,420 - $23,478• Manitoba • Brandon University $2,995 - $3,182 $5,990 - $6,364• Saskatchewan • University of Saskatchewan $4,730 - $4,749 $12,298 - $12,347• Alberta • University of Alberta $5,177 $17,995• British Columbia • The University of British Columbia $4,518 $20,457 - $21,118

InternationalDomestic

$$

ReputationReputation

Other World RankingsOther World Rankings

• University of Toronto - #17• University of British

Columbia - #30• McGill University - #35• McMaster University - #93• University of Alberta - #127

Reputation in Canada?Reputation in Canada?

How to Apply?How to Apply?

• All applications are available online• Ontario University Application Center (OUAC)

for Ontario • Post Secondary Application Service for B.C.• Apply Alberta for Alberta• Apply directly to any other university• Application Deadlines (varies) – January to March• Acceptances - February to May

What are Canadian Universities What are Canadian Universities looking for?looking for?

• “Good students”• Strong grades with the appropriates pre-

requisite HS courses• Less emphasis on extra-curricular activities in

terms of the application (important but not to the degree it is for U.S. colleges).

• “Officially” no quotas for international students and their citizenship/immigration status has no impact on admission

Documents?Documents?

Generally Required• Online Application• Transcript (including 1st

semester of senior year)• Predicted IB grades• TOEFL/IELTS score (depends

on the # of years of study in English speaking curriculum schools)

Generally Not Required• SAT/ACT scores (except for

non IBDiploma students)• Reference Letters• Essays (usually some short

answer instead)• Information about extra-

curricular activities

McGill University - RequiredMcGill University - Required

• Official Transcript• High School Profile and Counselor recommendation• Predicted IB Diploma or Certificate marks• If you have strong SAT results, send them as well• If you attended ISM for less than 4 academic years,

you may need proof of your English proficiency (depends on the previous school)

• Additional requirements based on department (Architecture requires a portfolio)

McGill University – Not normally McGill University – Not normally RequiredRequired

• Personal Essays (unless applying for Major merit-based scholarship consideration)

• Teacher references (unless applying for Music Major merit-based scholarship consideration)

• In person interview (audition for B. Music degree)• List of extra curricular activities, positions held or

resume

Other Admission InformationOther Admission Information

IB Diploma• Canadian universities will put some emphasis on

the first term of your senior year during the admission process – not only this term though

• Many programs will grant transfer credit for HL subjects with a strong final grade (normally 5 or better). Some (but not many) may grant advanced standing for excellent SL subject scores.

Ontario Universities

UBC (“youbc”)

Let’s look at a couple applications…

The Process @ ISM?

“College Transcrip

t Request”

“College Transcrip

t Request”

College Transcript Request

ResourcesResources

ResourcesResources

Useful WebsitesUseful Websites• www.studycanada.ca • www.aucc.ca/• www.studyincanada.com • www.uc411.com• www.scholarshipscanada.com• www.canadian-universities.net• www.ibo.org/ibo/index.cfm/en/ibo/services/universities • www.ouac.on.ca/ • www.ets.org/toefl/• www.cic.gc.ca• www.cicic.ca • www.canlearn.ca• www.macleans.ca/universities• www.iefa.org

For Future ReferenceFor Future Reference

• Doug McQueen• Grade 9/10 HS Counselor (Surnames A-Lh)• mcqueend@ismanila.org

• Curt Nichols (HS Guidance Dept. Head)• Grade 11/12 HS Counselor (Surnames J-N)• nicholsc@ismanila.org

Best of Luck!Best of Luck!