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UNIVERSITY

APPLICATION WORKSHOP FOR CANADA

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CONTENTS OF WORKSHOP

Some key information and resources when applying to the Canada

Applying to Canada

You must keep it so that proper credits for our design are given

Application Process

Processes for Canadian Universities

Useful Resources & Websites

Some useful resources to help you with the application process

Questions / Individual Support

Time for some individual support and questions

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SELECTING UIVERSITIES

01

Reminders: Key things to consider when choosing university

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Choosing the right University!

  • Style – from the traditional, with a focus on subject-based courses and research, to modern universities, with a greater focus on vocational courses.
  • Location – some are based in large cities, others in smaller towns - a major influence on the environment and lifestyle.
  • Size – larger universities can have more than 20,000 students, whereas some of the smallest have only a few thousand.
  • Culture and facilities – influenced by a range of factors, including the diversity of students who attend.
  • What graduates do – all universities collect destination statistics. It can be interesting to find out the types of jobs or further study students go on to.
  • Tuition fees – can vary between universities and colleges. Check if there are any scholarships or bursaries available.
  • Living costs – accommodation, transport, and food can vary enormously.

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Remember the CLASS system!

To find the Best-Fit, you need to have …

Cost

What is the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, living expenses, and financial aid? Do they offer credit for IB classes therefore reducing your long-term cost?

Is this affordable for you?

C

Location

Consider not only the country, but the area within. City? Countryside? Near family? Proximity to international airports? Environment? Where will you go for holidays?

L

Academics

Look at your planned major, but also at other academic programs in case you want to change your mind later. Do they have what you need?

A

Supports

Academic and Social Emotional Counseling, Tutoring, Medical Services, Cultural Groups, LGBTQ+, Personal Connection, Transportation, Visa/Immigration

S

Student Life

How would it feel to be a student there from day to day? What are the priorities of the school? Socialization? Living Accommodations? Sports? Music? Coffee? Volunteer Opportunities? Cultural Groups?

S

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Balanced University List!

To give you the best chance to receive quality offers to study at university …

Less than 30% acceptance rate

  • 2-3 points below Entry Requirements)

Reach

50-60% acceptance rate

  • Match Entry Requirements

Match

Likely

70% acceptance rate or above

  • Exceed Entry Requirements

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Choosing the right Course!

  • What does the course cover?
  • Courses with the same title may be very different.
  • Look carefully at the core course content, and the range of optional studies/modules available.
  • Which modules are the most interesting and relevant to your career aspirations?
  • See if the course or university/college offers any internship, placement, or study abroad opportunities.
  • How is the course taught – structured teaching, or more independent research? How many lectures are there, and how much group work will be done in seminars?
  • How is the course assessed?

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REMEMBER! CHECK PREREQUISITES…

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APPLYING TO CANADA

01

Reminders: Key things to consider when choosing university

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Choose a University

Determine what you’d like to study and where. This Directory of Canadian Universities is a good place to begin. It includes profiles of institutions and listings of their programs. You may want to research individual university websites as well. An easy way to access those is through our searchable database of study programs.

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Contact Universities Directly

  • Don’t be afraid to contact officials who deal with international students at the universities you’re interested in and to ask them questions.
  • Each university has its own admissions departments and staff that specialise in supporting international students.
  • Contacting universities also can help show ‘demonstrated interest’ which in some cases can help your application
  • After you’ve identified your preferred universities, find out on their websites what the admission requirements are and what the application process entails.

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Application Requirements

Are you eligible?

In Canada, each university has its own entrance requirements and will assess you on an individual basis. However, graduation from a secondary school and good academic standing are typically the minimum requirements for undergraduate study.

What documents are needed?

You may need to supply official documents, such as transcripts from secondary or postsecondary school. It may be necessary to have those documents assessed and translated into English or French. Consult your country’s educational authorities or the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (cicic.ca) for more information on degree recognition.

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Application Requirements cont….

Do you meet the language requirements?

International students in Canada must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French, depending on the university they apply to. Many English-language universities require that you attain a minimum score on a standardized language test. French-language universities usually assess applicants on a case-by-case basis.

Check the requirements for each university and contact them directly where necessary as this requirement may be waived in some circumstances based on the IB course subjects. (For example - For some universities students that study English A - HL and achieve the required grade may be able to have the requirement waived).

Updates on IELTS

Some of you may be aware that recently across Vietnam IELTS examinations have been suspended. It is unclear as to when these will resume so for those that need to complete tests for English proficiency requirements please check with universities directly about what other tests are accepted such as Duolingo (most have a list of what tests they accept for English proficiency).

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Application Process

What is the application process to study in Canada?

Application processes vary by province (Ontario Universities' Application Centre - OUAC / Education Planner BC). In some provinces, students can apply through a central application service. In others, you must apply directly to the university. You may also want to apply to more than one program or university in case you aren’t admitted to your first choice.

What are the application deadlines?

Deadlines vary, but generally, you should apply at least eight to twelve months in advance (tends to be January or February but some are earlier). Typical entry points for international students are the September and January semesters. However, many universities have a “rolling admissions” procedure to consider international students throughout the year.

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RESOURCES & USEFUL LINKS

Websites & Resources used for workshop -

www.universitystudy.ca

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Any Questions?