1. Looking Ahead to Graduation

2. Your Grade 12 Year is ALREADY 20% COMPLETE!!
Get organized, and, if you don’t know, ask. (your parents, teachers, counsellors, administrators, or even helpful websites!)

3. High School Graduation
check with your counsellor to confirm that you have taken, or are taking, the courses necessary for:
graduation
career options
admission to post-secondary programs.
Our first at risk letters will be mailed out at the beginning of November.
Graduation Transition Plan (GTP)
Workshops organized by work experience

4. University Admission Requirements
The rule of thumb for university admission in BC (it will be similar elsewhere!) is four academic Grade 12 courses:
English 12, plus three others, with the minimum mark for any one course being 67%, C+
sometimes a fifth, non-academic Grade 12 course
Admission averages are usually in the % range, depending upon the program for which you’re applying.
Most universities now calculate the admission average and scholarship scores based on the final mark for the courses required for admission to the program (not all marks)
High school graduation is required.
Specific course pre-requisites, including mathematics and second languages, vary from university to university and program to program. Check calendars and/or websites for specifics.

5. College and Trades School Admission Requirements
admission requirements vary from program to program and institution to institution.
University Transfer programs require English 12 (C or C+) and other program-specific requirements.
You must consult the appropriate institution’s calendar or website for specific current information.

6. Planning Ahead The following will be required in the next few months:
A Finalized Post-Graduation plan. Will you be applying to post secondary? What are the deadlines for application?
Create letters of introduction and academic resumes, in anticipation of their use in applying for scholarships, bursaries, programs, or jobs.
Obtain at least two letters of reference (at least one from a teacher or administrator) to include with #2.
Gather information on financial support for your post-secondary plans. Check out or for scholarship information, as well as other sources of funding. Student loan information can be found at:

7. University and College Admission Deadlines
Usually the end of February or beginning of March
Some colleges and universities allow for year-round application (eg. NIC, Camosun) or early application (eg. VIU, UVIC).
Some college programs have numerous start dates.
Most Post Secondary Institutions have a deadline for completion of online courses
Check the calendars in the Counselling Office, or, better yet, the school’s website for specific dates and requirements (application forms, fees, etc.).
To apply to university and college programs in BC go to:

10. University Transfer
But you can combine the best of both worlds through university transfer programs such as NIC’s transfer program to UVIC. PSIs have worked hard to create partnership agreements among institutions so that you can begin at one institution and transfer seamlessly to another. Thus, if you are not ready to head to a large urban centre to begin your post secondary experience, you can begin with us and be guareenteed to complete your degree program elsewhere.

11. DUAL ADMISSion
What is dual admission?

12. University Transfer Let’s talk about money:
North Island College students spend roughly $10,000 less per year in books, accommodation, tuition, and transportation. That’s more than enough money to pay for a field school to Greece or, graduate with less debt.
What would you do with $10,000 extra dollars in your first years of university?
Spend six-months backpacking in South East Asia or three months in Europe
Buy a used car
Purchase a season’s pass to Mount Washington, add a new snowboard, boots and all the gear to go with it
Buy a new computer, phone, TV, stereo, and clothes
Fewer student loans. Need we say more?
Milena on the right is now at UVIC pursuing an Biomedical Engineering Degree. Milena did one year at NIC with the intention of getting her science prerquisites in order to transfer to UVIC Bachelor of Science and eventually apply for medical school. However, she took a calculus course and realized her passion for mathematics and engineering. Thanks to an open mind, excellent faculty, sound transfer agreements, Milena was able to change her focus from science to engineering and save a tremendous amount of money. She credits her instructors and small class sizes with her ability to explore and excel.

13. Students Should Consider All Possible Sources of Funding
How are we going to pay for this?
Students Should Consider All Possible Sources of Funding
Parent and family support
Savings from part-time & summer jobs
Loans (government; financial institutions)
Entrance Scholarships
Bursaries
Affiliation (parents, relatives, 1st Nations Status, etc.)
Work Study / other part-time work

14. Scholarships and Bursaries
Scholarship awards are primarily determined based upon G.P.A.
Bursaries will usually use a number of criteria (often including G.P.A. and financial need, plus others) to determine eligibility.
Be aware that financial awards may have restrictions as to when they can/must be used.
These may be offered throughout the year, and application deadlines and eligibility criteria will vary.

15. Entrance Scholarships
These are not awarded until after your application for admission to the specific institution has been approved.
If the institution requires special application, deadlines are usually prior to the end of March, but check to be sure.

16. Vanier Bursaries
Information about the scholarships and bursaries offered through the school can be accessed through the Vanier Website at:
and click on “Graduation”, then the “Bursaries” link.
Bursary packages will be available in early February and due just prior to Spring Break

17. Finally
Start NOW to make decisions about your future, to get organized, and to take steps to make it happen.
Good luck!