Year at a Glance for
WGSS GRADS

 
 
Timeline for WGSS Graduates
Considering Post-Secondary Study
 
 
September

  • Grad Newsletter:  Ensure that the main office has your e-mail address so that you and your parent will be receiving the WGSS Grad Newsletter and other important Grad related e-mails
 
  • GatorFutures Twitter:  Join @GatorFutures to receive up-dates on career, post-secondary opportunities and scholarship information
 
  • Join REMIND:  WGSS Grad [your grad year] for reminders on your phone (or email) of events we are hosting; or, for the counselling team to be in touch with you.
   
  • 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 60% 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: www.aucc.ca or Post-Secondary Section of the WGSS Counselling & Careers Website)
 
  • US Entrance Requirements:  Students who are considering attending an American institution, need to be aware that they need to have their application completed by early December.  They also must have completed an SAT or ACT exam as part of their application.  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 (www.collegeboard.com) [or ACT:   if you are considering studying at a US post-secondary institution or if you will be applying to be under the NCAA.  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 generally a Wednesday in mid-October.  The test starts at 3:30.  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 English 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 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 before the end of September to write this exam.  The exam takes place at the end of January.
 
  • 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 Meeting for Gr. 12 students during FLEX during the last week of September.  Student will learn about the high achievement national leadership awards which require a school nomination (Loran; TD Leadership Award; U of T National Book Award). All students interested in applying for scholarships, should begin preparing the following documents:
   
  • C.U.E. in Langley:  At the end of September, Langley District hosts the Canadian University Event at the Langley Event Centre (Field House Building).  Generally.  This is an afternoon event and students will sign up through our Career Advisor to attend.  (https://www.cuebcevents.ca/)  There is also an evening mini-fair for students and parents often in Burnaby or Vancouver.  Generally about 50 post-secondary institutions from across Canada participate.  Watch the Grad Newsletter and @GatorFutures for additional information.
 
  • 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.
   
  • 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)
 
  • BC PSI Day:  A number of BC Post-Secondary Institutions tour the Lower Mainland to give students (and parents) an opportunity to learn more about the programs they offer.  Approximately 15 institutions come to WGSS every fall. Their visit is often the first week of October.  Grade 11 students have the opportunity to sign-up for two information sessions; Grade 12 students (and their parents) are strongly encouraged to plan to attend the Post-Secondary Institution Fair in our new gym which takes place during FLEX.  You will have an opportunity to double-check important information about your eligibility and receive program up-dates. UBC does not participate in this event.  Grade 12s may complete a request to attend the WGSS mini-sessions; these requests will be accommodated if the student has teacher permission, and as space permits.  The PSIBC website will advertise other open house and visit day opportunities.  psibcinfo.com/
 
  • UBC Afternoon:  UBC does not participate in PSIBC but comes for an afternoon information session starting at 3:00 in our library.  UBC does participate in CUE at the Langley Event Centre. Please watch the Grad Newsletter and @GatorFutures if you are interested in attending this event.
 
  • Grad Info + PSI Info – Counsellors will do presentations to Grade 12s during Grad Trans classes.  Students will receive a copy of their Diploma Verification so they can check their courses and credits.  The presentation will also give information about application deadlines, scholarships and transcripts.
                                                                                     
  • 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
    • District Scholarship Information Evening – Brittany Palmer is a recognized leader in the Lower Mainland who assists students and their parents with the scholarship application process.  Tickets will be $5.00 through Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ 
    •  Information about tickets will be available in the WGSS newsletters.
  

November

 
  • 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 applied to for the following 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 complete the form by May 1.  See a counsellor if you need help with completing your transcript release request.   Student will be able to login at the end of July to see their final transcript (a copy will no longer be mailed to the student).
 
  • Admissions:  The majority of public post-secondary institutions are now open to receive applications; apply on-line through https://applybc.ca; or  www.applyalberta.ca; or www.ouac.on.ca or the post-secondary institution’s website.  November 1 is the date that Kwantlen and BCIT allows you to submit your application; some their limited entry programs fill on a first-qualified-applicant is given an available spot; all other applicants will be on a waitlist.
 
  • ESL Students:  Apply to write the IELTS www.ielts.org or the TOEFL www.ets.org/toefl early so you will have an opportunity to write it a second time if necessary.  Check the post-secondary website to see the institution’s English Language Requirement.
 
  • Application Documentation:  Double check if the program you have applied for requires additional information – e.g. portfolio, letter of reference, essay, etc.
   
  • US Applicants:  US post-secondary institutions generally have an application deadline of Dec. 1 (but some institutions have a Nov. 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: sponsored by Emily Carr – is usually the first Saturday in December.  Twenty-six art colleges and universities participate.  www.portfolioday.net/
 
  • TVR (Transcript Verification Report):  Counsellors visit during one of your Language Arts 12 classes in December to verify that your courses and credits with the Ministry of Education records are correct.  You will also be asked to verify your mailing address.
 
  • 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. Keep a copy of your student numbers in your phone and somewhere else as well. If you need any help applying, please see your counsellor.
 
  • Scholarships: 
    • Prepare for Major Entrance Scholarships now
    • Local and District Scholarship Application and the District Authority Awards Application will be available on the WGSS website the first week in December
    • Continue to check the WGSS Counselling & Careers website and the Grad Newsletter and @GatorFutures for scholarship opportunities

January

  • Applications:
    • If you have not already applied to your post-secondary institutions of choice, you should do so.  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 that 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 that 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 that 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. 

 
 
February

  • Early Application Deadlines:   Every institution has a different Early Admission deadline; some are December (e.g. UBC – December 1; U of Alberta – December 15; and others are after Christmas: (e.g.  SFU – January 15; U of Toronto – February 1; UFV – March 1; UVIC – March 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 stay 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:  It is common for BC Institutions to ask you to report Term 2 marks (e.g. SFU, UBC, UVic); transcripts do NOT need to be mailed to the institution unless specifically requested for the program for which you have applied.  Example from UBC:  http://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/applied/bc-yukon-selfreporting/
 
  • DL (Distributed Learning) Courses:  Check whether the institution you are applying to will accept DL course marks.  For example, UBC will only accept interim marks reported directly by the Ministry of Education (not from WGSS); for UBC 100% of the course must be completed by Feb. 1 in order for that mark to be used in the calculation of your admission average.  (SFU = 100% completed by Jan. 31)
 
  • 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 one of your Language Arts 12 classes to verify that your address and personal information is correct in the Ministry records. On the bottom on 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.
 
 
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; 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.

  • 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 may wish to go to an orientation session at a post-secondary institution if you have not already done so.  Local & District Scholarship Recipients: 
    • If you have won a local or district scholarship from WGSS you will receive an invitation to attend a Scholarship Recognition Afternoon. This ceremony takes place the first week of June.  At the Scholarship Recognition Afternoon you will have received an envelope which contains information about the award you won and provides instructions on how to claim the award. The District Scholarship Committee requires that you provide proof of tuition payment and a copy of your thank you card.
    • If you win a District Authority Award, a tuition voucher will be mailed to you in the Fall of your graduation year.  You will then likely use it for the second semester tuition at the institution you are attending

November (after Graduation)
  • Dogwood Diploma/Evergreen Certificate:  Will be available to be picked up from the Counselling Centre.
     
     
     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Updated August 2018