1. Undergraduate Admissions Tracy Swierenga Admissions Officer Guidance Counselor Day

2. Undergraduate Admissions Navigating the Admissions Process U – WHO? U – HOW?

3. Admissions Navigating the Admissions Process Deadlines Process What’s new Words of caution Q&A

4. Important Dates As students consider university options: January 12 – Application deadline February 4 – recommended deadline for application changes April 15– ABS Forms due April 15 – Entrance Bursary Application due April 1 – Special Case/Special Needs documentation April 1 – Evidence of English proficiency, if required. April 1 – Transcripts: international high school, if applicable April 28 – Deadline for high schools to submit grades to OUAC May 30 – Admission decision deadline

5. Important Dates Confirming an offer decision and next steps: June 2– Deadline to accept an offer June 2– Deadline for residence application.  both offer and residence guarantee expire at midnight! May 1 – Registration opens June/July – Headstart info sessions September 5 – Residence move-in day September 12 – Classes begin

6. Communications E-mail = primary mode of communications Information packages – January and May/June Updates on website. Importance of valid email address and checking email regularly. If you’re not hearing from us, let us know!

7. Additional Documentation Entrance Bursary Form – decision in April Applicant Background Summary (ABS) form Special Case and Special Needs supporting documentation Evidence of English proficiency Prior international high school?

8. Timing of Offers Phase 1 – December to February (Grade 11) - best 5 11U/M + registration in 12U pre-req’s Phase 2 – March/April (Grade 11 & 12) - best six – minimum 3 grade 12U/M Phase 3 – May (Grade 12) - best six grade 12U/M ** NOTE: Business and Concurrent Ed programs include prerequisite courses in Admission average.

9. Assessment Process Primary Assessment (updated grades from OUAC targeted for Jan 27, March 10 and May 10 from both semestered and non-semestered schools) Special Reviews –Extracurricular Activities (ABS) 3% –Special Case/Special Needs 5% Alternate Offers Entrance & President’s Centennial Scholarships ESL options

10. Status of Applications On-line application status & decision viewing (LORIS) Electronic vs. hard copy offer of admission Read offer carefully! Conditions must be met. Allowing 12-24 hours for changes through OUAC Implications for amendments after offer issued

11. Confirmation Process Deadline to confirm is June 2 Offers expire at midnight Confirmation number = transaction complete Laurier will send email verifying receipt of offer confirmation and next steps. Laurier e-mail address should be assigned within 24-48 hours Last acceptance voids any previous confirmation. Residence guarantee deadline: June 2@ 11:59 p.m. sharp! Course registration opens May 1.

12. On-Line Response Allow one business day grace period for OUAC processing OUAC site includes video tutorials on process. Keep copy of all communications with OUAC OUAC monitors 11 th hour changes to applications OUAC sends email to applicants who have not confirmed anywhere within one week of deadline University must be contacted to reactivate declined or expired offer, subject to space availability

13. Finalizing Admission Status Admission status finalized at end of July Conditions matter! Offers can be revised or rescinded if conditions are not met by the required deadline Summer School – used to meet conditions; must ensure grades received by mid-August; not applicable to scholarship eligibility.

14. New Programs SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS: BBA / BA Financial Math double degree BBA (Laurier) / BCS (U Waterloo) DD Requirement change: BBA/B Math – 4 th U course

15. New Programs FACULTY OF SCIENCE: BSc Computer Science & Psychology Articulation Agreements with Conestoga :  BSc Computer Science (WLU) with SW Engineering Tech Diploma (CC)  BSc Biochem/Biotech (WLU) with Biotechnology Technician Diploma (CC)

16. New Programs FACULTY OF ARTS: Program code: BA Communication Studies – UKL BRANTFORD CAMPUS: BA Youth and Children’s Studies Bachelor of Business Technology Management Bachelor of Arts and Science (pending approval) Transfer Credit Agreements with Brantford Campus and all Ontario CAAT’s

17. Pathways Program New partnership with Conestoga College A second chance at admission to Honours Arts at the Waterloo campus 1 year General Arts and Science program with a minimum average of 75% with no repeats or failures Up to 2.5 transfer credits at Laurier

18. Competitive Programs Business Concurrent Education Kinesiology Second Year transfer options

19. Frequently Asked Questions Repeated Courses – no penalty! Fifth Year – no penalty! Ranking Schools – all schools treated equally Private Schools – ensure recognition by MOE Choice selections – all choices treated equally Confidentiality – regulated by FIPPA

20. Frequently Asked Questions Enriched Programs - AP's, IB's & transfer credit Specialist High Skills Major – U or M courses New 3-credit Tech courses – assessment implications under review Co-op Codes – ensure credit applicability Financial Assistance – scholarships, awards, bursaries

21. Centennial Scholarships Purpose, Passion, Achievement http://www.chooselaurier.ca/100

22. Frequently Asked Questions Missing pre-requisites – option to ‘parallel’ and transfer in 2 nd year Alternate offers – automatic if unqualified for first program choice Multiple program requests –can only make one offer per applicant at a time Deferrals – considered for medical/extenuating reasons; application & supporting doc. required

23. To Wrap Up … Deadlines Process What’s new? –New programs –Prerequisites in admission calculations –OUAC Tutorials on process Watch out for … –Offer conditions –Summer school grades –Alternate offers –Confirmation process

24. Visit our website: www.wlu.ca/admissions Call us: (519) 884-0710 Ext. 3351 Email: admissions@wlu.ca Open House: Brantford – March 16 Open House: Waterloo – March 18 Thank you for supporting Laurier! Questions?

25. Financial Aid Ruth MacNeil Manager, Student Awards

26. Types of Financial Aid Scholarships Bursaries Government Funding Part Time Employment

27. Scholarships Scholarships – Awards based on academic achievement Entrance Scholarship Grid (Value of Awards: $500 to $5000*) In-Course Scholarships (Value of Awards: $500 to $1500)

28. Scholarships

29. Other Scholarships/Awards Donor Supported Scholarships provided by alumni, corporations and other individuals who recognize the costs associated with a post-secondary education. Applications, if required for entrance scholarships are generally due at the end of July.

30. Bursaries Bursaries – Awards based on proven financial need Entrance Bursary – Value of up to $2000 Application available online starting in mid December Application due date: April 15, 2011 In-Course Bursaries for returning students.

31. Government Funding OSAP Main source of Government Funding: (Ontario Student Assistance Program). Online applications available in late spring through web site: http://osap.gov.on.ca Estimate of funding available once application has been submitted Sources of funding: Loans and/or grants based on financial need.

32. Government Funding Determination of funding based on several factors: Parental/Spousal Income Student Income Student Assets

33. Government Funding Funding distributed in 2 installments: Fall semester – 60% Winter semester – 40% Minimum course load requirement: 60% (3 half credit courses per term) 40% (2 half credit courses per term for students identified with a disability

34. Government Funding Queen Elizabeth II Scholarships: Apply on OSAP application $100 - $3,500 renewable scholarship Based on academic merit & financial need 9.5 GPA renewal requirement

35. Bursaries for Students with Disabilities Must be eligible for OSAP funding Must be registered with Accessible Learning Office Funding for note takers, tutors, assistive technology

36. Ontario Work Study Program Part-time work opportunity on campus. Approximately 70 students participate each year. Needs based – be able to show financial need on the application. Contact Student Awards in September for an application.

37. Student Awards Questions? Location: 202 Regina Street Our Web Address: www.wlu.ca/studentawards Email: studentawards@wlu.ca Telephone: 519-884-1970 Ext. 4592