O CanadaA whole lot more than ice and snow!

The BIG Three?

Where are the BIG 3?

UBC

U of T

McGILL

Vancouver to Toronto/Montreal is a 5 - 6 hour flight

More than the BIG 3

1. Why Canada?

2. Canadian University 101

3. What to do now? Resources?

Learn about and consider a few universities outside of the BIG Three

3 Simple Things

Why Canada?

Top 10 Reasons to go to University in

Canada

#10

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.

Vancouver, British ColumbiaCommerce (Business)Arts/Sciences

Squamish, British ColumbiaLiberal ArtsKeystone Project

Calgary, AlbertaEngineeringHealth Care (Bio-Medical)Vet Medicine

Saskatoon, SaskatchewanUrban PlanningToxicology

Toronto, OntarioEngineering

Cell/Molecular BiologyCommerce/Business

IllustrationIndustrial Design

Environment and Urban SustainabilityJournalismActing

International BusinessDigital MediaSpace Engineering

Kitchener-Waterloo, OntarioBusiness and Computer Science (5 years)Kinesiology and Physical EducationMusic

Nano Technology Engineering

Environment/Business)Math and Computer Science

Kingston, OntarioLife SciencesCommerce/BusinessWorld Languages

Montreal, QuebecFinanceCommunicationsCivil Engineering

EngineeringLaw

Music

KinesiologyBusinessGeography

Francohone University

Halifax, Nova ScotiaEnvironment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) International DevelopmentAgriculture

#9

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.

High Standard of Living

High Standard of Living

#8

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.

Quest University

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UG79lK69zM

Quest University?

QUEST

#7

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

Toronto, Canada

#6

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

#5

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)

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).

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 Canadawww.cic.gc.ca

#4

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 NIST International School, Thailand

• Undergraduate degree from Canada AND…• Graduate degree from the U.S. (or elsewhere)

#3

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

World Comparison (2013)Only public

universities, I believe ☺

Canadian Tuition (2013)

#2

Our Global Village• Canada ranks among the most

multicultural nations in the world.

• Our NIST 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.

#1

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.

Other World Rankings

MacLean’s Magazine

Reputation IN Canada Ranking

Canadian University 101?

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 definition

• College (community) definition University College

Where are these universities?

UBC

U of T

McGILL

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

Queen’s University

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujtpTBeLWDc&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL1Wcn1HVup5i1WHl2O-deLOJ7iW5v596p

Queen’s University?

QUEEN’S

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

Apply through OUAC

Apply through University Site

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

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 - Required• Official Transcript

• High School Profile and Counselor recommendation

• Predicted IB Diploma or Certificate marks

• If you have strong SAT/ACT results, send them as well

• If you attended NIST 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 Required

• 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 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.

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

Financial Aid/ScholarshipsCanadian 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

Private Scholarshipshttp://www.scholarships-bourses.gchttp://www.scholarshipscanada.com

What to do now Year 12s? Resources?

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 NIST

• Visit Canadian Universities yourself…next summer

• NIST Alumni

University Websites

Publications/Websites