2. Planning for graduation and beyond

3. WHAT’S NEXT? Plan your graduation and your life after high school no matter what you choose to do! A Transition Guide for Students Of School District No.83

4. Make sure you have the courses you need to graduate. Counselors will also do a TVR check twice this year. Make sure you sign it! Explore the various options available to students after graduating: post-secondary education, work, travel and combinations of all three. Make sure you have any pre-requisite courses necessary for the post- secondary program(s) related to your career goal(s). Make sure you are able to finance the plan that fits for you START COLLECTING INFO TO SUPPORT YOUR PLAN !!

5. GRADE 10 REQUIREMENTSCREDITS  English 10  Social Studies 10  Science 10  a Math 10  a PE 10  Planning 10 444444444444 Total Credits: ___________ (min. 24) GRADE 11 REQUIREMENTS  English or Communications 11  a Social Studies 11  a Science 11 or 12  a Math 11 or 12 44444444 Total Credits: ___________ (min. 16) GRADE 12 REQUIREMENTS  English or Communications 12 or First People’s 12  ________________________________ 12  Graduation Transitions 4444444444 Total Credits: ___________ (min. 20) FINE ARTS or APPLIED SKILLS REQUIREMENT Either 4 credits of one area  Fine Arts _____________________________ 10 / 11 / 12  Applied Skills__________________________ 10 / 11 / 12 4444 Total Credits: ___________ (min. 4) ADDITIONAL COURSES  ________________________________ 12 (an extra grade 12 course is recommended)  ________________________________ 10 / 11 / 12 44444444444444 Total Credits: ___________ (min. 16) OVERALL TOTAL CREDITS: _______________________ (MUST = 80 CREDITS)

6. Transcript and Government Forms Transcript Verification Report: the government sends the school a confirmation of the courses you have taken and indicate whether you can graduate or not. Counsellors will arrange to go over these forms with the grade 12s. PSI Selections Form: this online form allows students to choose which post- secondary institutions will receive their official transcript at the end of July. This MUST be completed prior to April 15 th to get confirmation of admission to university in the spring! Go to SAS website to log on.

7. Grad Transitions Your Grad Transition requirement will be completed in the semester in which you have English or Communications 12. Mr. Houle will come to your Eng/Com 12 class to give you instructions on how to complete the assignments necessary for this course.

8. Grad Transitions In order to get credit for Grad Transitions, student must show evidence of the following: Personal Health – 100 hrs in grade 11/12 Community Connections – at least 30 hrs of work/volunteer experience in grades 10-12 Career and Life – present your transition plan to a committee. Include examples of accomplishments!

9. Changes to the Provincial Exams Except for English 12/Com 12, First Nations 12 and Francais Langue 12, all grade 12 provincial exams are cancelled.

10. What about Exam Scholarships? Scholarships will now be allocated to students who score well on a combination of their grade 10, 11 and 12 required exams. Grade 12 students who wish to rewrite any of their grade 10 English, Science, Math or grade 11 Social Studies exams may do so to get better marks. Register at the office!

11. How and When do I Apply for Post-Secondary? Most university and college websites are open for applications at the beginning of October. Early application deadlines are usually the end of February. * UBC deadline is Jan. 31! Make sure you have the pre-requisite courses for your desired program, then apply online.

12. General Admission Requirements Entrance requirements will vary for each post-secondary institution and each program within that institution Students must check post- secondary web sites for specific entrance requirements Admission is often based on the marks achieved in grade 12 courses required for entry

13. RULE OF THUMB English 12 plus... 3-4 Approved academic courses for general Arts entry

14. For example Nursing program entrance requirements UBC Okanagan: En 12, Bi 12, Ma 11, Ch 11 and 2 other approved academic courses competitive average 85% or higher TRU Nursing: En 12 (73%), Math 11 (C), Ch 11 (C+), Bi 11 (C+), one other approved science 11/12 (C+)

15. What is meant by an approved academic course? All universities have their own lists of what they will accept as approved academic courses. Typically, these are academic courses that previously had a provincial exam ex: Biology 12, Physics 12, French 12, Geology 12, History 12, Lit 12, Geography 12 However, some universities accept other courses as well such as Law 12 or Comparative Civilizations 12. Check university viewbooks for admission requirements to be sure!

16. Averages change from year to year - students are encouraged to apply if they meet minimum averages Averages are based on the grade 12 courses required for entry into the university program. Some universities use broad-based admissions for some programs. UBC uses this for all programs this year. This means admission is based on marks, school and community service, and extra-curricular activities. This is an additional process to the regular admission application.

17. Competitive Averages Although there are general admission averages for each program, most universities use Competitive Averages. This is the more realistic average you will need to get in- based on the top percentage of people who apply. For example: University of Victoria entrance average requirement for Arts is 67%, but the competitive average for 2011 was 75%

18. English 12 Requirements Most Universities have a minimum English 12 grade that is required for entry. If the minimum is not met, students will be required to write the LPI(Language Proficiency Index) Okanagan College 60% (70% for Business Program) UBC – 70% in either English 11 or 12 UVIC – 86% SFU –75%

19. www.applybc.ca Most of BC’s universities, colleges and institutions will accept or require application through this internet application-for-admission service. Need to have the following: SIN # PEN# CREDIT CARD # (name of card/full name on card/exp date) Is there an easier way to apply to multiple BC institutions?

20. So I’ve Applied...Now What? Institutions will contact you and assign you a student number. RECORD THIS!! They will inform you of your next steps. This may include sending a school transcript (available at Sullivan office), self-reporting grades online in the spring, and sending in any additional information required for your program. Apply for housing Go to the Ministry of Education website and fill out the PSI selections sheet

21. University Contact Self Reporting of Grades Ensure that you are meeting the deadlines provided by the university in your email Be sure that you have created your campus account at your university/college This is most important! Admission and scholarship access may be tied to self reported grades UVIC: First phase Sept 2 nd –Nov 30 th Second Phase: Jan 2 nd –March 31 st UBC and most other universities: March/April

22. University Contact Email Ensure that email account does not junk the communication from the university especially if you are using hotmail Check emails regularly for contact Read emails from university/colleges very carefully

23. On Campus Housing Housing applications are completely separate from university admission applications. You must go to the housing website to apply! Universities will contact you via email regarding housing – you may need to add the housing email address to your contacts

24. Use a checklist of things to do for your post-secondary plan: Create a folder to collect info! -Record all deadlines –Scholarship/Bursary/Fundraising Research –Send transcripts or self-report grades on-line and send any other required documents (resumes, essays, etc) as required –Keep copies of all documents

25. How Much Does it Cost?

26. Average Costs of Post Secondary Education - (8 months of study) UVIC Shelter and Utilities - $4488 Food - $1632 Local Transportation - $510 Health and Personal Care - $816 Miscellaneous - $816 Tuition/Fees - $5283 Books - $1700 Total = $15,245

27. Tuition based on a fee per credit $151x 30 credits = $5000 per year SFU $306 x 15 credits Total $4590 per year approximately UVIC $45 x 30 credits = $4350-$5000 depending on campus and program UBC Academic programs approx. $4000/year Career programs approx. $4000/year TRU

28. Approx $1500-$1800 per semester for university courses Trades programs $2000-$6000 depending on length of program Ok College Tuition varies by program Approximately $5000/year BCIT $2680 per semester Total per year - $5360 U of A

29. Personal Savings -parent/student Passport to Education Provincial Exam Scholarships District/Dogwood Scholarships Other Scholarships and Bursaries BC/Canada Student Loan Program Co-op Programs Apprenticeship Various Ways to Pay for Post-Secondary

30. Gr. 10 $250 Gr. 11 $250 Gr. 12 $500 Total Possible award $1000 There are limited number of awards given by the Ministry of Education each year (approx. 60 per grade) Course marks will be the determining factor for recipients Same process for redeeming $ at post-sec institutions as scholarship

31. $1000 awarded by Min of Ed for excellence on provincial exams Must pass one of the required language classes (Eng 12 or Com 12) with at least a “B” final blended mark Must achieve 86% or higher on at least1 provincial exam, and at least 3 “B”s on four other provincial exams (10-12 exams) If the student ranks among the top 20 exam scholarship students in the province, students will receive $2500 Students who score 100% on an exam will receive an Academic Medal of Excellence List of Required Exams: English 10 Foundations of Math 10 or Apprenticeship & Workplace Math 10 Science 10 or Sciences 10 Social Studies 11, Civics 11, Sciences Humaines 11 or First Nations 12 English 12 or Communications 12

32. $1000 awarded to grade 12 students who excel in applied skills, languages, athletics or fine arts Students present skills to a local scholarship committee who determine award winners based on a set criteria 20+ awards are available to SAS each year Please note: Students can win both a provincial exam scholarship and a district scholarship Presentations will meet presentation requirements for Grad Transitions District/Dogwood Awards

33. Community donated money Criteria varies by donor School committee assesses applications on community criteria and school ranking School ranking based on overall % average + academic course load, specific marks in academic courses, overall course load, extra-curricular involvement Some scholarship donors choose their own winners from those who fit criteria Applications available in March

34. Marks Based Entrance Scholarships Based on % average of courses required for entrance into program of choice Scholarships awarded automatically based on % average Minimum average around 85%

35. University Major Entrance Scholarships Based on overall % average and extra curricular activities Courses considered will vary with institution 90-95% average for highest $ awards 80-85% average for other awards based on leadership + school and community involvement Often require personal essay, and references Some top awards need nomination from our school *Students must see referees well in advance of deadlines *Student activity sheets are often helpful to provide to referees and are available in career centre Some entrance scholarships are awarded automatically to students with high academic averages – averages vary with each institution, check websites for details Remember you must apply to the institution to be considered for the award

36. Bursaries are monetary awards based on financial need Administered by post secondary institutions- check on-line for applications and details % Average and extra curricular are still considered Will be required to submit documentation of family finances Info and applications are usually found on college/university websites under financial aid/scholarships Often must qualify for a student loan to be eligible for a post–secondary bursary What About Bursaries?

37. Counselling Centre Files on top of filing cabinet have most recent scholarships received University websites Scholarship websites ∙ check out the links on the SAS website under “Counselling” link Where do I find Scholarship/Bursary Info?

38. Awards: www.studentscholarships.org www.studentawards.com www.scholarshipscanada.com www.aucc.ca/programs/index_e.html www.ldrc.ca/scholarhips.php Career/Educational Planners: www.educationplanner. bc.ca www.careercruising.com Login: sas Password: career Favourite Career Centre Websites

39. A loan based on financial need Must begin repayment 6 months after last semester of attendance at post secondary institution Can also apply for loan relief if having difficulty repaying loan Common form to apply for both federal and provincial loans and millennium bursary Limit to the amount of assistance possible Student Services Branch of the Ministry for Advanced Education will review both costs, such as education and living expenses, and resources, such as savings and income More information and application forms available at: www.bcsap.bc.ca www.bcsap.bc.ca Website to help with financial planning and student loans: www.canlearn.ca

40. Check with your bank to see what kind of loan or line of credit is available to help students with post- secondary education/training

41. Offered at most universities and colleges for various programs (see web or calendar for specific details) Provide paid work experience as part of university/college program Often alternating a semester of school with a semester of work for duration of program (may take a year or a semester longer than just academic program by itself but… YOU’RE GETTING PAID WORK EXPERIENCE IN YOUR AREA OF STUDY! Can be very competitive so resume, interview skills, academic work, needs to be of a high standard **Find out if your post-sec institution offers Co-Op in the program you’re interested in! Check on-line or speak to an advisor CO-OP Programs

42. APPRENTICESHIP $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA: Been registered in a Secondary School Apprenticeship Program Graduated with a Gr. 12 Dogwood Diploma or Adult Dogwood Successfully completed SSA 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B Maintained a C+ average or better on Gr. 12 courses Continued work or training full time in the trade 5 months after secondary school graduation (or have 1100 hours reported to Industry Training Authority).

43. Students can also pursue other educational and work opportunities * There are travel/school programs available – often cost student $ for airfare (food and lodging is sometimes covered) Websites for different exchanges : www.asse.comwww.asse.com www.volunteer.org.nz/ www.afs.orgwww.afs.org www.exchanges.gc.cawww.exchanges.gc.ca www.rotary.org/enwww.rotary.org/en www.efeducation.cawww.efeducation.ca Youth Challenge International www.yci.orgwww.yci.org World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms www.wwoof.org Travel Opportunities

44. Gap Year Program/You Lead Projects Ages 16-35 students 2 wk - 12 month work, study, internships, and/or volunteering in another country in various areas: agriculture, teaching, healthcare, etc www.gapyear.com www.youlead.org www.summer-work.comwww.summer-work.com (YMCA) Katimavik Youth work program that allows participants to become involved in community projects in Canada – areas are construction, literacy, senior care, and communications www.katimavik.org Volunteer Travel Opportunities

45. Canada World Youth For ages 17 and up Opportunity to live with local families in other countries do volunteer work in areas related to agriculture, community services, health care, education, the environment, and information technology www.canadaworldyouth.org

46. Need a work VISA? Call 604 666 2171 www.cic.gc.ca Need a PASSPORT? Application packages at the post-office (apply at least 6 months in advance) Travel and Work Abroad

47. Do some budget planning (use your transition plan package!) and start your post- secondary/scholarship/bursary/travel research now Visit Career Centre regularly throughout the year to check post secondary info: applications, scholarships, travel opportunities etc Visit post secondary web sites for info on admissions, scholarships, and more Create a file of all information you find that interests you – particularly deadlines!! Make an appointment with a counselor if you have more specific questions or concerns Now Put Your Plans Into Action!

48. Upcoming Events Throughout the year, events and opportunities for information will be posted on the counselling website and on the TV announcements Post-Secondary Liaison Visits UBC- October 18 th Noon Sullivan Library BC PSI’s -October 25 th. Sign up outside career centre next week. November 9 th. College Prep 101 at Okanagan College, S.Arm. 6:30pm in the Campus Cafe November 6 th – Okanagan College Career Fair at KLO Campus in Kelowna