2. The Canadian Expert?
• Born and raised just outside of Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. (Kitchener-Waterloo)
• home to Sir Wilfrid Laurier University and
University of Waterloo
• Undergraduate degree from the University of
Guelph (Ontario)
• Graduate degree from the University of
Toronto (Ontario)
• Some ISM students think I have an accent.
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7. 3 Simple Things
1. Why Canada?
2. Canadian University 101
3. What to do now Juniors? Resources?
Learn about and consider a few
universities outside of the BIG Three
11. Canada...the BEAUTIFUL!
• The expanse of Canada's natural beauty, from
mountains and glaciers to secluded lakes and
forests, is almost unparalleled worldwide.
• There are 41 National Parks
• Canada has cosmopolitan cities that are clean,
safe, friendly and multicultural.
• In fact, Canada repeatedly is lauded as one of
the world's most livable countries.
17. Business and Computer Science (5
years)
Kinesiology and Physical Education
Music
Nano Technology
Engineering
Environment/Business)
Math and Computer Science
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
22. High Standard of Living - Country
• From 1992 - 2011, the U.N. has consistently
ranked Canada in the top 8 of all countries in
the world in their annual Human
Development Report (education being one of
the analyzed factors).
• Except for 4 years (1992 - 2011), Canada was
ranked no lower than 4th in the world
• Canada was ranked Number 1 for 9 years
during that time.
26. IB Diploma = No SAT
• In most, if not all cases, you DO NOT need an
SAT score to apply if you are doing the FULL IB
Diploma
• However, an SAT score is required for the
partial IB Diploma/Certificate students.
30. The Weather
• Range of weather with distinct seasons
• The reality is that where most universities are
located, we have very comfortable summers
and reasonable winters
• Winter really can be a beautiful and enjoyable
time of year (skiing and snowboarding)
• The weather is part of the cultural experience
33. Co-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
35. Working in Canada
(while in University)?
• Up to 20 hours/week for international
students
• On-campus/off campus opportunities
• Summer jobs
• Up to three 3 Years post graduation (*see next
slide)
36. Work 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).
37. Permanent 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 Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
39. Continue to Make Yourself Unique
• For those hesitant about what companies
might think about a “Canadian” degree…
How do you think this looks in the eyes of a
global minded company?
• Your unique cultural background
• HS degree from an International School in Manila,
Philippines
• Undergraduate degree from Canada AND…
• Graduate degree from the U.S. (or elsewhere)
41. Save Money $$$
• In the “latest survey” (2003) compiled by the
Association of Commonwealth Universities, Canada
offered the lowest tuition rates for foreign students
compared to the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, for
the same or higher quality of education.
• Also, fees in the United States public universities
were almost 30% higher than fees for Bachelor’s
degrees in Canada, while U.S. private universities are
100% higher than the same program in Canada.
Canada’s cost of living is considerably affordable
among developed nations
44. Save Money $$$ - Conversion?
• Queen’s University (CDN 19,522 – 22,249)
•
•
•
•
•
U.S. Dollar = USD 18,667 – 21,271
Philippine Peso = PHP 817,471 – 931,532
Japanese Yen = JPY 1,874,346 – 2,136,526
S. Korean Won = KRW 19,801,315 – 22,568,028
Chinese Yuan = CNY 113,695 – 129,572
*As of November 11, 2013
46. Our Global Village
• Canada ranks among the most
multicultural nations in the
world.
• Our ISM students are living in a
multi-cultural “bubble”….nice fit
with Canada
• 1 of 3 Canadians has an ethnic
background other than English,
French or Aboriginal.
• As a result, regardless of ethnic
origin, students feel at home in
our diverse communities and
campuses.
48. Top Quality Programs
• 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.
54. Some Background
• 95 universities (more than 3,000 in the U.S.)
• Canadian universities receive a great deal of
public funding and so their programs,
particularly at the undergraduate level, are
quite uniform in quality.
University
• University definition
• College (community) definition
College
56. What about the IB?
• “We find the IB Diploma to be very good
preparation as it requires breadth of study,
development of primary research, critical
reading and writing knowledge skills, as well
as involvement in creative/cultural arts, sports
and volunteer service.”
• McGill University Admissions
59. The Application Process
• All applications are available online
• Ontario University Application Center
(OUAC) for Ontario
• www.ouac.on.ca
• Apply directly to any other university
• Application Deadlines (varies) – January to
March
• Acceptances - February to May
62. What are Canadian Universities
looking for?
• “Good students”
• Strong grades with the appropriate
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
63. Documents?
Generally Required
Generally Not 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)
• SAT/ACT scores (except for
non IBDiploma students)
• Reference Letters
• Essays (usually some short
answer instead)
• Information about extracurricular activities
64. McGill 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)
65. McGill University – Not normally
Required
• Personal Essays (unless applying for Major meritbased 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
66. Other 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 (but looking at everything)
• 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.
67. Getting a Visa for Canada
Depending on your country of origin and the
type and length of study, you may require:
• A temporary resident visa
• A study permit
• For Quebec-bound students, a CAQ (Quebec
Application Certificate)
Each university will help you with this process
68. Financial Aid/Scholarships
Canadian Citizens
• Provincial Assistance may
be possible (Ontario
Student Assistance Plan =
O.S.A.P.)
• Institutional Aid (Merit
based)
• IB Awards/Scholarships
• Private Scholarships
International Students
• Limited Institutional Aid
• Limited Private Aid
73. Timeline (the next 1 and 1 /2 years or so)
•
•
•
Now – June 2014
– Academic performance
– Standardized testing?
• SAT, ACT, TOEFL
June 2014 – August 2014
– Exploration
• Service work, Internships,
travel, college visits
– Research universities & narrow
down list (ISM limit of 10)
September 2014 – December 2014
– Academic performance
IMPORTANT!!!!
– Standardized testing?
• SAT, ACT, TOEFL
– Essays
•
December 2014 – January 2015
– Submit applications
– Submit financial documents
•
January 2015 – April 2015
– Wait….
•
February 2015 – April 2015
– Decisions
•
February 2015 – May 2015
– Deposit to ONE institution
74. Where should I be in the process?
• Determine your own criteria for a “good college”
• Create a college list
– Now: 20-30 colleges (maybe less if only Canada)
– August: 5-10* colleges
• Be open-minded
• Create an organizational chart, including deadlines
and requirements
*ISM strictly limits students to 10 applications (UC,
UCAS count as one)
75. What to do now?
• Self-reflection; Determine priorities
• Research
• Junior college meeting #1 (get to know each other)
– December - February
• Junior college meeting #2 (includes parents)
parents
– February - April
• Register for:
– SAT, if appropriate (Janauary)
– TOEFL, if appropriate
• Junior Parent Survey (in Naviance) due: Jan 10
• Senior profile due: First Day of Senior Year
76. Resources
• 95 universities (University Websites –
“Admissions” or “International Admissions”
– Reading websites and Contacting Admissions
•
•
•
•
Family Connection (Scattergrams feature)
Publications/Rankings (as one perspective)
Attend Canadian University visits to ISM
Visit Canadian Universities yourself…next
summer
• ISM Alumni
81. Canadian University Visits
• Most university college visits are September to
December
• Subscribe to the ISM College Visits Google
Calendar (next slide)
• August (University of British Columbia)
Columbia
• October (Group of Canadian Universities
including…University of Saskatchewan, Kwantlen
Saskatchewan
Polytechnic University, Emily Carr University of
University
Art and Design and Dalhousie University)
University
• Spring (???)
84. Your Own College Tour?
You could easily fly to Toronto and see a number of
universities…driving distance away
(University of Toronto, McGill University, York University,
Queen’s University, University of Waterloo, McMaster University,
University of Ottawa etc.)