Year at a Glance for
WGSS GRADS

 
 
Timeline for WGSS Graduates
Considering Post-Secondary Study
 
 September

  • Grad Newsletter:  Will be available to you through “Teams”;  ensure you have joined WGS – Grad Class of 2021.  Your parent will also be receive the WGSS Grad Newsletter if the main office has their correct email in MyEdBC.
 
  • GatorFutures Twitter:  Join @GatorFutures to receive up-dates on career, post-secondary opportunities and scholarship information.
 
  • High School Grad Requirement:  Be sure you meet BC graduation requirements – These can be reviewed at:   Ministry Graduation Requirements  Additional information is available in the Graduation Section of the WGSS Counselling & Careers Website. Contact your counsellor if you have questions.

  • Canadian Post-Secondary Entrance Requirements:  Spend time checking that you have the correct high school courses needed for the post-secondary institution(s) or program you are considering. There are both ‘general entrance requirements’ (e.g. whether or not a language 11 is needed or minimum 70% in academic Math) and ‘specific entrance requirement’ (e.g.  English 12 plus Pre-Cal 12 and at least one science 12 for a B.Sc. program at UBC). Use either:  www.myblueprint.ca  or www.educationplanner.ca as a starting place but then be sure to go to the specific post-secondary sites to verify the information (Canada:  Post-Secondary Section of the WGSS Counselling & Careers Website) 
 
  • US Entrance Requirements:  If you are considering attending an American institution, you need to be aware that they need to have your application completed by early December.  You also must have taken either the SAT or the ACT assessment so you have your score when you apply.  Considerable information is available at the Studying in the USA Section of the WGSS Counselling & Careers Website under the Post-Secondary heading.
 
  • SAT Exam:  Register for the SAT (collegeboard.com) [or ACT (act.org)} if you are considering studying at a US post-secondary institution or if you will be applying to an NCAA or NCIA school on a sports scholarship.  Our school code is 821-161.
 
  • PSAT Exam:  The PSAT is a standardized test which provides first-hand practice for the SAT.  It is offered every fall by R.E. Mountain Secondary School.  Students register before the last week of September by bringing a cheque made payable to Mountain Secondary School to one of the WGSS Counsellors. There is limited space.  The test date is Wednesday, October 14, 2019 at 3:30 pm.   Students generally write the PSAT in Gr. 10 and/or 11.
 
  • LPI Entrance Exam:  Most post-secondary institutions require that you have written the LPI if you do not have an “A” in Language Arts 12.  You can register on-line at www.lpitest.ca  
     
  • Language Challenge Exam:  Students who came to Canada before completing Grade 9 and who cannot claim Grade 11 and/or 12 External Language Credit are encouraged to consider taking the Language Challenge Exam.  The Delta School District, in collaboration with the Coast-Metro Challenge Consortium, offers students the opportunity to write Language Challenge Exams.  For additional information, see the “Language Challenge Exam Section” of the WGSS Counselling & Careers website or speak to a counsellor.  You must register by October 7th to write this exam.  The exam takes place at the end of January in Delta. 
 
  • Scholarships:  The District Scholarship Handbook has important information for all students interested in applying for scholarships.  The District Scholarship Website has a searchable database.  This website is accessible through the WGSS Counselling & Careers website – Scholarship Section.   There will be a Scholarship Information Presentation for Gr. 12 students around the last week of September.  The Presentation will provide information about the high achievement national leadership awards which require a school nomination (Loran; TD Leadership Award; U of T National Book Award) and BC scholarships that require school nomination (BC Excellence; Cmolik). All students interested in applying for scholarships, should begin preparing the following documents: 
 
  • C.U.E. Langley:  In the past, Langley District hosted the Canadian University Event at the Langley Event Centre in late September.  Approximately 50 post-secondary institutions from across Canada were available to meet with students and parents.  Unfortunately, it has been decided that it would be unwise to hold an in-person event this fall. The CUE Planning Committee has decided to move the CUE 2020 tour to a virtual format.
    • Monday September 28              4-8 pm
    • Tuesday September 29             4-8 pm
    • Wednesday September 30         4-8 pm
    • Thursday October 1                  4-8 pm
    • Saturday October 3                  10 am -2 pm
    • Tuesday October 6                   4-8 pm
    • Thursday October 8                  4-8 pm 
 
  • The C.U.E. committee will share more details as they become available and we will share information with WGSS families through Grad News and @GatorFutures and on Instagram: wgsscareers.   Additional information may be available on the CUE website:   www.cuebcevents.ca
 
  • S.I.N. Many scholarship applications ask that you include your S.I.N. when you claim the award.  If you do not already have a Social Insurance Number, you should apply for a S.I.N. before December 5th.  Apply for S.I.N.
 
 
October

  • Post-Secondary Plans:   
    • Carefully review the program options for 2-4 institutions you are considering attending
    • Make a list of the requirements and deadlines (e.g. high school courses and marks, essay, etc.)
    • Note the dates/times of information sessions about your program or view/visit days at the institution
    • Tentatively decide when you (and your parents) will visit the institution and speak to an advisor.
  • The WGSS Counselling & Careers website – Post-Secondary Section has direct links to institutions in the BC Colleges/Universities Section or to other Canadian Universities Section
 
  • Applications:   A number of post-secondary institutions allow you to apply for their programs on or before Oct. 1 (e.g. UBC, UVIC, UNBC, SFU, UFV, TRU, TWU, Douglas, McGill, etc.).  You can create an account to apply to BC public Institutions through:  https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/   (Alberta and Ontario have similar application services)
    • Limited Enrolment Programs – KPU and UFV applications open on October 1st. Some limited enrollment programs fill within the first couple of days; nursing often is filled within the first hour.
    • October 1 is the date that BCIT allows students to submit their application and transcript. Many of BCIT’s programs fill on a first-qualified first-accepted basis; once the available spaces are filled, all other applicants will be on a waitlist.  Students applying to BCIT should have requested a PDF of their unofficial transcript from the counselling department before October 1 so the morning the portal opens for applications, students can upload their transcript with their application.
   
  • PSIBC Day:   PSIBC is a consortium of approximately 30 BC Post-Secondary institutions.  As a group,  PSIBC made the decision to cancel all in-person fairs for the fall of 2020.  They are working to plan virtual fair events. There will be a 'booth' which will be open to all students and parents who sign into the event. Along with the expectation that most institutions will create pre-recorded information for their booths, most will also have live presentations and live-chat access with their recruiters during fair times. They will always keep their platform open so between fair events students and others who have registered can go back and access resources from all institutions and view pre-recorded presentations.  If it happened that WGSS students were not in school on the scheduled days [if the fall is a combination of some days in school and some at home by distance] the schedule will still allow all students no matter where they are to access information and ask recruiters questions.   Families will find it helpful to bookmark this website:  postsecondarybc.ca/
    • At this time, the 2020 Langley times are: 
      • November 2  2:00 - 6:00 pm     
      • November 3  3:00 - 7:00 pm 
    • A "Community Event" is scheduled for:
      • November 14: 12:00 - 4:00 pm
     
  • UBC Afternoon:  UBC does not participate in PSIBC.  WGSS had scheduled an after school event with UBC, but they have informed us that they will instead be giving us a 'virtual presentation' date and time in November – likely November 9 at 3:00, after the regular school day, which will allow students and parents to participate on-line.  Please watch Grad News and @GatorFutures for confirmation of the date and time of this event if you are interesting in knowing more about UBC.
 
  • Grad Info + PSI Info – Capstone teachers will be providing their students with information on how to check graduation credits and apply to universities/colleges, and help students create an account with the Student Transcript Service. 
                                                                                     
  • Scholarships: 
    • Students are encouraged to keep checking the District Scholarship Database for information about scholarships that they may wish to apply for:  District Scholarship Database
    • Unlock Your Future Scholarship Workshops:  Langley District has hosted Brittany Palmer in the fall of each year for those families who would like to learn more about the scholarship process.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to host a gathering of more than 50 people this fall.  Therefore, families may want to consider being part of one of Brittany's virtual presentations which will be advertised on her website:  www.keytoscholarships.com/
    • GrantMe – Madison Guy, Brookswood Secondary graduate (and UBC Saunder School of Business graduate) started GrantMe – a scholarship service for Canadian students.  
 
November
  • StudentTranscriptService – is a Ministry of Education website which allows students to order transcripts
    • All Grade 12 students must create a BCeID account.  Counsellors will show students how to do this during their Grad Trans class in mid-October. 
    • Once students have an account, they are able to indicate to the Ministry of Education which institutions they have submitted an application to attend in September.  Interim grades will be available to post-secondary institutions in BC and Ontario in May and final transcripts will be send to those institutions indicated through the StudentTranscriptService in late July/early August.  It is each student’s responsibility to indicate their choice on the STS site by May 1.  See a counsellor if you need help with completing your transcript release request(s).   Student will be able to login at the end of July to see their final transcript (a copy will NOT be mailed to the student).
   
  • ELL Students:  Students need to apply to write the IELTS www.ielts.org or the TOEFL www.ets.org/toefl early so they will have an opportunity to write it a second time if necessary.  Check the post-secondary website to review the institution’s English Language Requirement if you have not been in Canada for all of your high school education.
 
  •  Application Documentation:  Double check if the program you have applied for requires additional information – e.g. portfolio, letter of reference, essay, etc.  Once you have been given a student number with the institution, they expect that you will be logging in regularly to check the status of your application. 
 
  • Letter of Reference:  If you require a reference letter from your teacher, coach or counsellor, please be respectful and provide them with at least 3 weeks’ notice and a copy of your Student Profile.   [Request for Reference Form is available on the District Scholarship Site] 
 
  • US Applicants:  US post-secondary institutions generally have an application deadline of December 1 (but some institutions have a November 1 deadline).  US institutions start offering admission confirmation by January 15; therefore research early and get all your documents in order well before the deadline (e.g. you will need a transcript of your Gr. 9-12 marks and your SAT or ACT score); allow a minimum of two weeks’ notice for counsellor’s report and letters of reference from the counsellor for your US application.  Please do not leave this to the last minute and ask your counsellor to be writing the recommendation just before the Christmas break.        
 
December

  • Application:
    • UBC – Personal Profile and application deadline of December 1st to be considered for scholarships.
    • Be aware that institutions, like Queen’s begin making offers on December 1st.  The OUAC application services opens September 15.
    • You are strongly encouraged to apply early if you are thinking about going to Queen’s or McGill, or other schools in Ontario or Quebec.
     
  • National Portfolio Day:  The National Portfolio Day Association has made the decision for the 2020 year to move the event online. Generally, twenty-six art colleges and universities participate.  Students have the opportunity to have their portfolio reviewed.   Those students who are applying to Art Schools will want to keep checking the NPD website for additional information.  Students can also talk with Mr. Gordon, WGSS Art teacher, to obtain additional information on how best to prepare for this event.  https://nationalportfolioday.org
 
  • TVR (Transcript Verification Report):  Counsellors visit during one of your Language Arts 12 classes in December and provide you with a copy of your TVR to verify the correctness of your courses, credits, and mailing address with the Ministry of Education records. 
 
  • Student Number(s): As you hear back from institutions, make note of the student number that is assigned to you.  Regularly check your e-mail as this is how the institution will inform you that your application has been accepted. Once you have been accepted, the institution will give you information about your e-mail account with their institution. Regularly check your e-mail as this is how the institution will inform you that your application has veen accepted.  Keep a copy of your student numbers in your phone or another secure location. If you need any help applying, please see your counsellor.
 
  • Scholarships: 

  
January

  • Applications:
    • If you have not already applied to your post-secondary institutions of choice, you should do so now.  In order to apply for scholarships, you must indicate where you have applied
    • Be sure to have a back-up plan if you do not get into the institution you applied to attend.  See a counsellor to talk about your options
 
  • Distance Education:  If you are completing a course on-line or at another location, be sure that you check the completion date requirements of the post-secondary you have applied to attend.  For example, UBC requires the course is 100% finished with the mark reported to the Ministry of Education by February 1 for that mark to be used in your competitive admission average.
 
  • Graduation:  Ensure you are in a position to graduate (marks/courses/credits).
 
  • Post-Secondary Plans:  Recheck that you have all the requirements for the program(s) you are considering
 
  • Reminder about StudentTranscriptService:  If you have not completed the Student Transcript Service online the Ministry will not release your marks to the post-secondary institution and this will result in a delay in the consideration of your application or could jeopardize admission. 
  • Transcript:  Some institutions (e.g. U of T, Queen’s) require a transcript of your first term marks.  Drop into the Counselling Centre and pick up a “Transcript Request Form”.  Please allow one week for this to be prepared. See further: WGSS Counselling & Careers website: >  Graduation -> Transcripts
 
 
February

  • Early Application Deadlines:   Every institution has a different Early Admission deadline; some are December (e.g. UBC – December 1; U of Alberta – December 11; and others are after Christmas: (e.g.  SFU – January 31; UFV – January 31; UVIC – January 31)
 
  • Residency:  Applications for housing are usually due soon after your Admissions Application so be careful that you don’t miss this deadline if you were wanting to live on campus
 
  • Confirmation of Application:  Check your e-mail; you will be given a student account with the institution; they will want you to login into their email system to receive up-dates on the status of your application; keep checking the email account you are given to ensure that the institution has received all the required documentation and marks.
   
  • Scholarships:
    • Local/District Scholarship and the District Authority Award application is due before the end of February. Applications will not be considered after the deadline
    • Check the WGSS Counselling and Careers Website:  Scholarship Information for more information about this application and the deadline

 March

  • Self-Report Grades:  Some institutions may ask you to report Term 2 marks; transcripts do NOT need to be mailed to the institution unless specifically requested for the program for which you have applied. 
 
  • DL (Distributed Learning) Courses:  Check whether the institution you are applying to will accept DL course marks. 
 
  • Transcripts:  You may need to mail your transcript to out-of-province post-secondary institutions.  Complete the Transcript Request Form and allow at least one-week for processing.
 
  • Scholarships: 
  • Majority of entrance scholarship applications are now DUE
  • Continue to check the District Scholarship Database for other scholarship opportunities ​
 
  • Campus Visit:  If you and your parents have not already done so, Spring Break is a good opportunity to visit the campus and meet with an advisor
 
  • Disability:  If you have a disability, you should meet with the Disability Resource Centre at the post-secondary institution and provide them with a copy of your Psych-Ed Assessment and your IEP (Individual Learning Plan) so they can discuss ways to support you when you are on their campus.  Be sure to ask about specific scholarships and bursaries you might qualify for at their institution
 
April

  • StudentTranscriptService: This must have been completed by April 30 in order for your marks to be available for the post-secondary institutions to consider your application for early admission.
 
  • Offers of Admission:  You will start to hear from the institutions you applied to and they will communicate through the institution’s e-mail about the status of your application.
 
May
  • TVR (Transcript Verification Report):  You will be asked during your Language Arts 12 class to verify that your home mailing address and personal information is correct in the Ministry records. On the bottom of the May TVR you will see a list of the institutions who can access your final marks. 
 
  • “Interim” Marks:  will be available for the post-secondary institutions in BC and Ontario to access from the Ministry of Education (these marks will be your second-term marks). 
 
  • Conditional Offers of Admission:  You will receive notification that you have been accepted contingent upon your final grades at the end of July.  To accept the offer, you will be required to pay an admission deposit by a deadline, and you will then receive notification of your course registration date.
 
  •  ​WGSS / District  or District Authority Award: If you have won a WGSS or District or District Authority Award, you will receive notification to come to the WGSS Scholarship Recognition Afternoon which will be the first week of June.  You may bring two adult guests with you. 

June

  • Scholarships: As you receive notification that you have been awarded a scholarship, please let Ms. Kifiak (Counselling Centre) know as this information is shared as you cross the stage at the graduation ceremonies.
 
  •  Student Loans:  Apply for Student Loans in early June. The BC/Canada Student Loan application is available at:  www.studentaidbc.ca
 
  •  Confirmation of Plans:  Accept your offer by paying your registration deposit; then courteously decline offer(s) from the other post-secondary schools so your reserved spot can be given to another applicant.
 
  • Course Registration:  Be working on a draft of your timetable and course requests so that when you are able to register, you will be ready and have the greatest chance of getting the courses you would like to take. 
 
  • Course Planning Workshops/Student Orientations:  The institution will provide you with opportunities to meet with an advisor and tour the campus.  You can ask questions about your program. It is a good idea to take advantage of this opportunities as it will increase your chance of success in September.  Some institutions will not meet with you individually until you have been part of a small group session. 
 
  • Do your best in all of your Grade 12 classes’ right until the end of the year:  The marks in your courses will still be reviewed by the institution in early August!
 
  • High School is finished!!!  Congratulations and good luck!
                
 
July and August (after Graduation)  

  • Course Registration:  You will receive a date and time when you may choose your courses for the fall.
 
  • Transcript:  Your final transcript will be sent to the institution you released your marks to through the StudentTranscriptService.  You will need to log in to see your final transcript as the Ministry will not be mailing you a copy.
 
  • Confirmation of Admission:  You will be sent an e-mail (or letter) from the post-secondary institution confirming your offer of admission based upon the final grades on your July transcript. You will then need to make your tuition payment.
 
  • Orientation:  You may wish to go to an orientation session at a post-secondary institution if you have not already done so.

 
September (after Graduation)  

  • Ministry Scholarship Recipients:  In November, the Ministry announces winners of the BC Achievement Award and provides a tuition voucher for this award and all other Ministry awards. You will then use the voucher for the second semester tuition at the institution you are attending

November (after Graduation)  

  • Dogwood Diploma/Evergreen Certificate/Fral Diploma:  Your Diploma(s) will be available to be picked up from the Counselling Centre.  We are not able to mail these to our graduates each year.