1. Mr. von Matt Ms. Matthews counsellors

2. 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.  52 + 28 = 80 credits.

3.  5 Gov’t exams must be written:  English 10  Science 10  Math 10  Socials 11  English 12 or Communications 12  To check exam results:  www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams  Create an account by using your PEN (personal education number) which is on report card. IMPORTANT TO CHECK IN THE SUMMER

4.  Scholarships are awarded based on the five mandatory exams. Students must achieve a final mark of 73% or higher in English 12, and…  Score in the top 5,000 students in the province based on the average of all five exams. $1000 voucher for post-secondary school awarded.  Students can re-write exams one time per course within 12 months of their first attempt. But if you are re-writing English 12 this year must re-write by Aug 31.

5.  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

6.  Counsellors check to see if grad is possible based on courses students are registered in- October  Students can figure out if they have enough credits by looking at grade 10 and 11 report cards, and factoring in courses they are registered in now.  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

7.  Grad photos – January 11 th -13th  Parent tributes, toddler photos and grad write-ups due January 15 th.  See page 78 in the planner for detailed information  April/May – Grad fees to be paid, gown sizing  GRAD INFO IN PLANNER- PAGE 76  Be sure to read Haney Happenings daily and check Thss.ca to ensure that announcements pertaining to grad aren’t missed!

8. Wednesday, June 8 rd, 2013  7:30 am – Grad Breakfast and rehearsal –all grads must attend rehearsal Friday, June 10 th, 2013  7:30 am - Grads arrive in Grad Cap & Gown – meet in Rotunda  9:00 am - Grad Ceremonies begin @ THSS in the gym  4 tickets to ceremony per graduate. Not many extras!!  5:30 pm- Dinner/Dance begins @ Meadow Gardens  11:30 pm to 5 am - Dry Grad @ THSS  Detailed info on schools.sd42.ca/thss/ website under “grad”

9.  Working  Trades (apprenticeship programs)  “Gap” year  Volunteering (buyer-beware)  Travelling  College  University

10. Almost everything you need to know about college/university…

11. 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, and a second language (to grade 11). Not UVIC  TRU and UFV differ. Check their websites.  Admission based on grades in grade 12 courses required for entry.

12.  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 : https://applybc.ca

14.  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.  Self Reporting of Grades  Make sure you are following the deadlines in your email provided to you by the university/college you applied.  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.  Treat it like buying a car…

17.  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.  Our website has links to virtually every post secondary school in BC.  Counselling/career center website is http://schools.sd42.ca/thscareer/  There you can find dates and times for campus tours etc.  Explanation of application processes, scholarship opportunities, trades and apprenticeship options, job search help

20.  2 years – at home  Tuition $5,356  Expenses5,760  Interest on debt 244  Total: $11,360  2 years – on campus  Tuition$5,356  Expenses22,760  Interest on debt 1,991  Total:$30,170

21. 4 years- living at home  Tuition21,464  Expenses11,520  Interest on debt 2,451  Total:35,435  4 years- on campus  Tuition21,464  Expenses45,520  Interest on debt 11,833  Total:78,817

22.  Personal savings- parent/student  Provincial Exam Scholarships  District/Dogwood Scholarships  Other Scholarships/bursaries  BC/Canada Student Loan Program

23.  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, 2016.  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.  $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 15-20 per school. BEST ODDS

25.  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.  Scholarships awarded automatically based on GPA on final grade 12 academic courses. Students do not apply for these.  Minimum average around 85%

27.  Based on overall % average and extra curricular activities.  Courses considered will vary with institution  90-95% for highest $$ awards  80-85% average for other awards based on leadership and school, community involvement.  Often require personal essay, and references.  Some top awards need nomination from THSS  Students need to apply to the institution to be considered for the award.

28. Two great sites for “scholarship surfing”:  Scholarshipscanada.com  Studentawards.com  Ms. McGrath here Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY

29.  Monetary awards based on financial need.  Administered by post secondary institutions- check on line for applications and details.  Some district bursaries available as well.  % average and extra-curricular are considered.  Will be required to submit documentation of family finances.  Often must qualify for a student loan to be eligible for a post-secondary bursary.

30.  Post Secondary Day – October 6 from 6-8 pm.  UBC information session November 25 at 6:30pm  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.  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.  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- 72% 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!

33.  Have a back-up plan. Counting on getting into the ONE university can be very stressful for the entire family.  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).  The story of the missing grades

34.  Any further questions, email one of the counsellors or career planning assistant:  ematthews@sd42.ca ematthews@sd42.ca  pvonmatt@sd42.ca pvonmatt@sd42.ca  mmcgrath@sd42.ca