1. 2016 Grad Parent Information planning for graduation and beyond
Mr. von Matt
Ms. Matthews
counsellors
2016 Grad Parent Information planning for graduation and beyond

2. Courses needed to graduate
Must have completed these 13 courses: English 10 Socials 10 Science 10 Math 10 – FPC or A/W PE 10 Planning 10 A Fine Art OR Applied Skill 10,11 or 12 English or Comm.11 Socials 11 Science 11- BI/Chem/Phy/ESC Math 11- PREC / FDN / AW English or Comm. 12 Graduation Transitions 12 All are 4 credits each = 52 credits
Plus at least 7 other courses:
THREE of which must be grade 12 level courses.
7courses x 4 credits =28 credits.
= 80 credits.

3. Plus… 5 Gov’t exams must be written: To check exam results: English 10
Science 10
Math 10
Socials 11
English 12 or Communications 12
Last year for these exams
To check exam results:
Create an account by using your PEN (personal education number) which is on report card. IMPORTANT TO CHECK IN THE SUMMER

4. Graduation transitions course
Graduation Transitions is a mandatory course required for graduation
Students attend a seminar to receive course booklet and instructions
Completed booklet is due in April

5. Graduation process
Counsellors check to see if grad is possible based on courses students are registered in- October
Audience Participation
After each reporting session counsellors check to see if there are any grads in jeopardy of not graduating based on current marks.
Letters sent home to parents for students in danger of not graduating

6. Graduation process contined
Grad photos – January 9th-13th
Parent tributes, toddler photos and grad write-ups due January 15th.
See page 76 in the planner for detailed information
April/May – Grad fees to be paid, gown sizing
Grad marks cut-off (approx.) May 15th
Be sure to read Haney Happenings daily and check Thss.ca to ensure that announcements pertaining to grad aren’t missed!

7. Graduation week Wednesday, June 7th
7:30 am – Grad Breakfast and rehearsal –all grads must attend rehearsal
Thursday, June8th
Grad at QE Theatre this year – 7pm
Friday, June 9th
5:30 pm- Dinner/Dance Meadow Gardens
11:30 pm to 5 am - Dry THSS
Detailed info on schools.sd42.ca/thss/ website under “grad”
June 9/10th
Dry Grad at THSS

8. After graduation Working Trades (apprenticeship programs) “Gap” year
Volunteering (buyer-beware)
Travelling
College
University

9. Info for college/university
Almost everything you need to know about college/university…

10. General Admission College Entry is usually first come, first served.
Some specific requirements depending on school and program.
Many schools open registration Oct. 1, but Apply BC site is open now.
University
Must complete FOUR academic courses- En12 plus 3 Approved, and a second language to grade 11.
TRU and UFV differ. Check their websites.
Admission based on grades in grade 12 courses required for entry.

11. Changes to UFV BA Program!
While admissions do not require 2nd Language to grade 11 for entrance, the BA Program now has a requirement for degree completion.
Contact an advisor at UFV for details.

12. How and when do I apply for post secondary school?
Most university and college websites are open for applications at the beginning of October. Early application deadlines are usually the end of February
Make sure you have the pre-requisite courses for your desired program, then apply on line at :

14. University admission averages
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 used broad-based admissions. UBC has moved to this method. This means admission is based on marks, school and community service, and extra-curricular activities. This is an additional part of the regular admission application. Five written parts- very important to do this well.

15. University contacts Self-reporting of grades
Make sure you are following the deadlines in your provided to you by the university/college you applied to.
Admission may be tied to self-reported grades. Do not self-report a grade that is not on a report card or a transcript.

16. Choosing the Right School
Treat it like buying a car…

17. In order to make an informed choice
Visit campuses - do a tour
Attend information sessions, open houses
Sit down with an advisor
Talk to students who are there
There are people on every campus who are hired to talk to prospective students. They are the experts, not us.
SHOP AROUND

18. Thss.ca
Our website has links to virtually every post secondary school in BC.
Counselling/career center website is
There you can find dates and times for campus tours etc.
Explanation of application processes, scholarship opportunities, trades and apprenticeship options, job search help

19. How much does it cost??

20. Approximate college costs
2 years – at home
Tuition $5,356
Expenses 5,760
Interest on debt 244
Total: $11,360
2 years – on campus
Tuition $5,356
Expenses 22,760
Interest on debt 1,991
Total: $30,170

21. Approximate university costs
4 years- living at home
Tuition 21,464
Expenses 11,520
Interest on debt 2,451
Total: 35,435
4 years- on campus
Tuition 21,464
Expenses 45,520
Interest on debt 11,833
Total: 78,817

22. How to pay? Personal savings- parent/student
District/Dogwood Scholarships
Other Scholarships/bursaries
BC/Canada Student Loan Program

23. Scholarships/Bursaries
Bursaries based on financial need and are not to be paid back.
Scholarships are applied for and awarded. Community involvement is very important.
Local scholarship process begins in January. (consistent in district)
Workshops held at noon hours in January, 2017.
Post-secondary scholarships on web-sites.
All awards have their own criteria.
Begin the gathering of information early. Lots of help available in Career Center.

24. District Dogwood Awards
$1000 awarded to grade 12 students who excel in Applied Skills, Languages, Athletics, Community Service, Technical and Trades Training and Fine Arts.
Students present skills to a committee who determine awards based on a set criteria.
Number of winners vary each year, usually around per school. BEST ODDS
Must have a grade 12 course in subject area!!

25. District Scholarships
Community donated money
Criteria varies by donor
District committee chooses all winners, although some donors choose their own winners.
All awards are offered to all high schools in the city.
Booklet will be available in the new year.
3 noon hour sessions to walk students through process.
Application deadline in March before Spring Break for most awards.
Winners announced on Grad Day in June.

26. Marks-based Entrance Scholarships
Scholarships awarded automatically by the post secondary institute. These awards are based solely on GPA gathered through final grade 12 academic courses. Students do not apply for these.
Minimum average around 85%

27. Major Entrance Scholarships
Based on overall % average and extra curricular activities.
Every post secondary school has their own criteria.
Be sure to check their websites for criteria.

28. Please be aware: Two great sites for “scholarship surfing”:
Scholarshipscanada.com
Studentawards.com
Ms. Sekhon here Tuesdays and Thursdays and some Fridays.

29. What about bursaries? Monetary awards based on financial need.
% average and extra-curricular are considered.
Will be required to submit documentation of family finances.

30. Other important information
Post Secondary Day – October 4 from 9-11 am.
UBC information session TBA
PSI forms in the spring for students going to post-secondary school. We will explain what these are and why they are very important at that time.
marks for universities based on second term report card and final report. Universities consider grade 12 academic marks only (with a few exceptions).

31. So much to do…
Use a checklist of things to do for your post-secondary plan.
Create a folder to collect info.
Record all deadlines.
Scholarship/bursary information.
Send transcripts or self-report grades on-line and send in other required documents (resumes, essays) as required.
Keep a copy of all documents.
If you talk to someone at the post-secondary school about a problem on the phone, get the name of the person you talk to.
Thinking of the trades: tradestraining.ca and itabc.ca are two good sites.

32. And if You Do NOTHING Else
Have a Plan A, Plan B and a Plan C
Check the post secondary websites frequently
Attend campus Open Houses – FREE
Be well aware of deadlines and give yourself lots and lots of time for submissions.

33. Did you know?
A recent study showed 2 out of 3 jobs now require some level of Post Secondary Education.
Also, the same study showed employment rates as follows:
Adults with a post secondary degree % employed
Adults with only a high school diploma- 61% employed
Adults without a high school diploma- 33% employed.
Please share these figures with your children!

34. Final thoughts
Apply to a college early to ensure you have somewhere to go.
If a student is getting behind or getting poor marks here, what will happen at university?
University professors do not use the words “deal” or “plan” when it comes to students who fail to hand in work on time.
Unless your child has a high “B” or “A” average in academic grade 12 courses, the chances of being accepted in a major university (UBC, SFU) are virtually zero. Local colleges or smaller universities are a great option for a year or two (and cheaper).
PICK UP REPORT CARDS EACH TERM, CHECK ALL GRADES, AND DON’T FORGET ON-LINE COURSES.

35. In conclusion…
Any further questions, one of the counsellors or career planning assistant: