This Week In University Counselling: Grade 12
October 20-30
Appointments to see a university counsellor
To see one of the University Counsellors, you must make an appointment using our on-line booking system.
To book an appointment, you need to be logged into the Brentwood system through your school email account. Also, you must ensure that you have opened your Google Calendar at least once to ensure that the times between the two systems are in sync.
To access our on-line appointment system, click HERE to go to the correct page on the University Counselling website...
Although we shouldn’t have to tell you, do not make an appointment during a class—academic, arts or athletics—you cannot skip to attend a University Counselling appointment!
University Counselling/CLC Blocks
Your University Counselling blocks continue! You are responsible for checking your My Schedule on MySchool to know when your University Counselling block is scheduled.
Do dates/Due Dates
A reminder to your about our Application Policy: For any application that requires supplementary writing of any kind, you must have the application completed (your DO DATE) ONE MONTH BEFORE THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE (the DUE DATE).
Here are some key DO DATES/DUE DATES coming soon:
US Early Decision/Early Action (Nov 1st)
DUE DATE = November 1st / YOUR DO DATE WAS October 1st
If you were thinking about any Early Action applications where the deadline is November 1st, BUT YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE WORK... then we CANNOT support your application.
To try and complete the application now is an ill-advised plan; there is a reason why we have the DO DATE/DUE DATE policy. Plan on Regular Decision instead.
US Early Decision/Early Action (Nov 15th)
DUE DATE = November 15th / YOUR DO DATE WAS October 15th
University of Washington
DUE DATE = November 15th / YOUR DO DATE WAS October 15th
University of California/California State Universities
DUE DATE = November 30th / YOUR DO DATE = October 31st
University of British Columbia Early Admission/Scholarship Consideration
DUE DATE = December 1st / YOUR DO DATE = November 1st
University of Texas, University of San Diego
DUE DATE = December 1st / YOUR DO DATE = November 1st
MOST US Regular Decision (Jan 1st)
DUE DATE = December 15th - January 1st / YOUR DO DATE = November 15th
University of British Columbia
DUE DATE = January 15th / YOUR DO DATE = November 24th
Richard Ivey School of Business HBA Application
DUE DATE = January 15th / YOUR DO DATE = November 24th
University of Toronto Engineering Supplement
DUE DATE = January 15th / YOUR DO DATE = November 24th
University of Waterloo Admission Information Form (AIF): Early Consideration for Engineering Applicants
DUE DATE = January 15th / YOUR DO DATE = November 24th
UK
DUE DATE = January 31st / YOUR DO DATE = December 8th
University of Victoria Commerce Application
DUE DATE = January 31st / YOUR DO DATE = December 8th
University of Toronto Supplements for Commerce, Computer Science, Architecture, Kinesiology
DUE DATE = Ferbuary 1st / YOUR DO DATE = December 9th
canadian university applications
Now that we have seen nearly all of the 12s, University Counselling is ready to assist you with getting your applications submitted to Canadian universities. In most cases (UBC is a notable exception), the application is straightforward and involves the submission of biographical and academic information, along with the application fee. While that sounds simple, it is still critical that it be done accurately and thus why it is non-negotiable that ALL applications be submitted with one of the University Counsellors.
There are almost no application deadlines that fall before your December holidays for Canadian universities, although we would like to get the bulk of applications submitted by then.
Notable exceptions:
Toronto = U of T recommends that applicants submit their OUAC application form by November 7 for Early Consideration. Although their regular application deadlines vary somewhat by program, most fall on January 15.
Queen's = November 20 if you are selected as the school's Chancellor's Scholarship Nominee or if you plan on applying for another Major Entrance Scholarship.
UBC = December 1 for Early Admission and Major Scholarship consideration.
Royal Military College of Canada = AS SOON AS POSSIBLE... if you plan on applying for Admission to ROTP at RMCC, you need to get on with the application process, which involves connecting with a Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre, AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
If you were not present for your scheduled University Counselling/CLC block and the process of establishing your Education Planner BC and/or OUAC Application account, please find the links below to get this done:
ApplyAlberta
All universities in Alberta use the ApplyAlberta application.
Click HERE to access the ApplyAlberta.
Sign Up for your ApplyAlberta account.
Once you have established your OUAC account, please submit it to us using the UC Logins Form.
British Columbia Universities - Education Planner BC
ALL universities in British Columbia have now adopted the Education Planner BC application.
Click HERE to access Education Planner BC.
Sign Up for your Education Planner BC account IF YOU DID NOT DO SO ALREADY IN YOUR CLC BLOCK!
Once you have established your Education Planner BC account, please submit it to us using the UC Logins Form.
Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC)
All universities in Ontario use the OUAC application.
Click HERE to access the OUAC application registration page IF YOU DID NOT DO SO ALREADY IN YOUR CLC BLOCK!
Once you have established your OUAC account, please submit it to us using the UC Logins Form.
ALL Other Canadian Universities Applications
The application systems for other Canadian universities are either:
straightforward enough that we can easily get the applications set up (and even completed) during a regular University Counselling appointment, or
complicated enough that it is inadvisable for you to do any set up of it on your own; we must work through the process carefully with you during an appointment (or probably two).
IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR GRADE 12 CHECK-IN APPOINTMENT, we are happy to assist you with moving along with all Canadian applications at any time!
Scary emails from ouac
If you have applied to OUAC, you may have received an email from OUAC soon after submitting the application that says something is wrong/missing involving your BC Ministry transcript or PEN. OUAC will eventually be handling and distributing your BC Ministry transcript to the universities to which you have applied.
You need not worry about the email; it just means you did not order your transcript to be released to OUAC before you applied. You can order your transcript any time once you have created your BCeID (in CLC), and we are happy to assist you, if required.
UC Logins Form
While you are always advised to protect your login credentials for websites on which you establish accounts, it is vital that you share those credentials with University Counselling so that we can fully support your applications. We do promise absolute discretion in protecting your credentials... you can put your trust is us!
To easily share your Application Account Login Credentials, please use this Form:
US Applicants
Early Applications: THE HEAT IS ON!
US Applicants, particularly those who are applying ED/EA, your DO DATE WAS October 1 (or October 15)... so you should be done and ready to have your application material reviewed OFTEN!
If you have NOT been in regularly to review your writing and discuss your application, we CANNOT support an ED/EA application from you.
US Applicants Appointments
Mr Rodrigues will be running US Applicant appointments again on Sundays (because he loves you that much!). ED/EA applicants need to make booking a priority!
These appointments will run in Mr. Rodrigues' Kitchen in Ogden House on Partridge Road! It will take you less than 10 minutes to walk up to his place! Here's an easy map to 2660 Partridge Road (come in the back door):
Current US Applicants List
Presently, this is our official list of US Applicants:
Max A.
Nathan C.
*Isha C.
*Estelle d.
*Xavier D.
Amy D.
*Mimi D.
*Gillian D.
Nicolas E.
Taylor E.
Thomas F.
*Paolo F.
*Jed G.
Eshwaan G.
Aiden H.
*Sophia H.
Ko H.
*Serena H.
Ezgi K.
*Annika M.
Nathan K.
Fareena K.
*Sam K.
*Morgan L.
*April L.
*Nicholas L.
Jake L.
*Katelyn M.
*Cassidy N.
*Eliza P.
*Anya P.
Hana R.
Hugo S.
*Sophie S.
*Indira S.
*Charli S.
*Florence T.
Mea T.
Mason W.
*Edith W.
*Hinano Y.
*Maggie Z.
*Yude Z.
* = Applying Early
If you are No Longer Applying Early, then you need to let Mr. Rodrigues know IMMEDIATELY.
If you ARE Applying Early, and you do not have a * beside your name, you need to SEE Mr. Rodrigues IMMEDIATELY to discuss!
Are you no longer applying and should be removed from this list? Are you missing from this list because you are new to 12 or have decided to apply to US colleges? Whatever the reason, if this list needs to be corrected, please email Mr. Rodrigues immediately.
Counsellor Invitation on the CommonApp
Anyone submitting an application through the CommonApp MUST invite Mr. Rodrigues as Counsellor in order for key elements of your applications to be submitted:
School Reports/Transcripts
Counsellor Early Decision Agreements
Counsellor Recommendations
Please add Mr. Rodrigues as Counsellor to your CommonApp (on the Recommenders page of any of the schools you are applying to) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, particularly if you are submitting an ED/EA application! Only the following students have done so:
Isha C.
Estelle d.
Mimi D.
Gillian D.
Nicolas E.
Taylor E.
Paolo F.
Jed G.
Sophia H.
Ko H.
Serena H.
Nathan K.
Morgan L.
April L.
Katelyn M.Cassidy N.
Eliza P.
Hana R.
Sophie S.
Indira S.
Florence T.
Mea T.
Mason W.
Maggie Z.
Yude Z.
Please take note of the size of this list compared to the full US Applicants list above... do you notice something? If you're not on this list yet, GET ON WITH IT!!
Recommendation Letters
Most US schools will require the submission of Recommendations Letters from Teachers and a Counsellor.
Come into University Counselling to discuss which teachers you would like to ask for a Recommendation Letter. We can then discuss the process of requesting and inviting them to do so. You will need to fill out a Student Request Form for EACH Teacher from whom you are seeking a Recommendation Letter, and you will see those teachers IN PERSON to make you request, offer this form, and discuss what the information you provided. The form is below or hard copies are available in the University Counselling office.
Student Request Form_Teacher Recommendations.pdfIn the CommonApp, please Invite Mr. Rodrigues for the Counsellor Recommendation and Invite and Assign the Teachers who agree to provide Letters. Come into University Counselling for assistance if you need it.
There are no Recommendation Letters required for your UC application... that is the notable exception!
Applicant Autobiography
All applicants who must have a Counsellor Recommendation Letter submitted will need to complete the Applicant Autobiography process.
The CommonApp
Your Common Application should be almost completely filled in by now, and you certainly have added schools and discovered what supplemental writing you need to complete. Get on with scheduling the tasks ahead!
Please share your login credentials by entering them into the UC Logins Form.
Other Applications
If you are applying to one or more University of California campuses, you need to complete their own application: My UC Application. Get registered and start filling it out ASAP!
There are many other separate applications to think about... you should already know what application platforms you need to set up accounts with and be completing.
Please share your login credentials by entering them into the University Counselling Logins Form.
English Proficiency
If your first language is not English, regardless of your citizenship, you inevitably will have to do a test of English Proficiency as part of the admissions process. That would be TOEFL or IELTS... but it might be the much better, cheaper, and easier-to-access Duolingo. Regardless, it is critical that we review the English Proficiency requirements of EACH of your schools to ensure that you have a plan to meet their requirements.
International Certification of Finances
Any non-US citizen will, at some point, have to demonstrate that they have financial resources to pay for at least a year's expenses to attend school in the United States. Some schools require you to submit an International Certification of Finances (official proof of available funds from a financial institution) as part of the admissions process, while others only require it after you are admitted. It is critical that we review the requirements of EACH of your schools to ensure that you have a plan to meet their requirements. Your parents need to stand by to acquire and provide that financial documentation.
applicants to UK universities
The application deadline for courses in the United Kingdom is January 31.
The main component of the UCAS application is your Personal Statement, thus following the DUE DATE/DO DATE Policy, you need to have it and the rest of the application ready for review by December 8.
Please take time to register for your UCAS application. There is a complete guide on our Moodle page to starting up your UCAS application. As well, there are lots of resources out there to help you begin your Personal Statement. Get to work!
You must also complete the Applicant Autobiography process whereby you fill out the Applicant Autobiography and meet Mr. Rodrigues to be interviewed, all in anticipation of the School Recommendation that must be submitted WITH YOUR APPLICATION BY JANUARY 31.
university visits
We are excited to welcome our colleagues from universities to present to Brentwood students this fall!
Here are some UPCOMING visits that have been scheduled. Click on the School Name links for more information about them and their programs:
These and more presentations are scheduled, as you can see in the Calendar below:
For university presentations, you MUST SIGN UP to attend...
Procedure for Signing-Up for University Presentations:
If they occur during a sport or fine art, you MUST get permission from your coach/instructor to attend the Presentation. You must do this AHEAD OF TIME.
Once you have permission from your coach/instructor, if required, Email University Counselling to request to be signed up for a presentation, and be specific about which one it is.
You must Email University Counselling with your request no later than the night before the day of the presentation. Last minute requests are not permitted.
International Students whose First Language is Not English
Students whose first language is one other than English, you may very well have to prove your English proficiency to universities by means of a test like TOEFL or IELTS. If you have been at Brentwood since Grade 9, that is often enough for many Canadian universities. If you have been at Brentwood for 3 years or less, and/or you are planning to apply to universities outside of Canada, you must come in to review the Proof of English Proficiency policies of your universities of choice. These policies can vary wildly, and if require a test at even one university on your list, then we need to make plans for you to write TOEFL or IELTS sooner rather than later.
TOEFL and IELTS tests are available locally in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Vancouver, as well at locations around the world. Please come in to discuss options. If you are in doubt about whether you will need to write, come in. IF ENGLISH IS NOT YOUR FIRST LANGUAGE, COME IN TO CONFIRM REGARDLESS!
Major Scholarships
There are some major scholarship programs that require work to be done and application submitted early this fall. Here is a list of scholarship opportunities, and information about the work you need to do to apply.
Queen's University Chancellor's Scholarship
Queen’s University’s major entrance scholarship is the Chancellor’s Scholarship. To apply for the Chancellor’s, you must be nominated by the school. The selection of our nominee is done through a competitive process: you need to complete and submit your application to us to determine who the nominee will be.
The deadline for the Chancellor’s Scholarship application is December 8, so students must submit a completed application for review by University Counselling in order for us to select the Chancellor nominee by November 8.
(Note that to be able to access the online application for either, you have to ensure that your OUAC application is submitted by November 20.)
There are other Major Awards at Queen's that require an application to be submitted by December 1, but take note that all awards beyond the Chancellor's have Demonstrated Financial Need as an eligibility criterion.
Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
Values at $28,000, the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award is one of Canada's most established and prestigious awards.
The award is highly competitive, but is open to students of all abilities and all fields of study.
Terry Fox Humanitarian Award recipients are selected for their dedication to the humanitarian ideals of Terry Fox, their courage in overcoming obstacles, and definite marks of distinction and persistence in the pursuit of excellence in academic, athletic, and civic life. We are looking for humanitarians, those who improve human welfare, make a difference, and have a positive impact on community and others. While Terry faced many obstacles, and quite clearly a physical one, candidates may face different types of obstacles. A myriad of obstacles exist, and we consider any adversity that calls for a demonstration of courage, compassion, and fortitude. Financial need is not in itself a criteria of our Award. It can, however, be included as an obstacle.
For more information about the Award and how to apply, click here. The application opens November 1 and the submission deadline is December 1.
British Columbia Scholarships
Click HERE to see what scholarship/award/grant opportunities are available to students who attend a school here in British Columbia.