This Week In University Counselling: Grade 12
september 22-October 2
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!
Grade 12 University Counselling Orientation presentation
If you missed the Grade 12 University Counselling Orientation presentation, please take time to review the presentation slides. It is VERY IMPORTANT that ALL Grade 12s are aware of the messages about University Counselling processes, timelines, and deadlines.
Even if you were present last Monday, please take time to review the presentation slides again. In addition to being shared below, you can always go to the Presentations page on this website to find and review those slides.
Grade 12 UC Orientation 2023.pdfcourse changes
Now that we are well into the rhythm of the academic term, we hope you are feeling settled in your classes, and any course changes that you needed to make were taken care of last week.
If you still need to make changes to your courses, please make an appointment to see one of the University Counselling. You will need to go through a process whereby permissions from teachers, your Advisor, and your parents will need to be confirmed.
The deadline for all course changes will be October 6.
ALL Grade 12s Need to ‘Check-In’ with University Counselling by Thanksgiving... if not sooner!
We need to see all 159 of you by Thanksgiving to check-in and get an update of your post-secondary plans. It might be a quick meeting that confirms that your plans are exactly the same as they were in the spring of Grade 11, but more likely it will be a somewhat more detailed meeting during which we are able to discuss plans that have been refined over the summer. It is critical that this check-in happen so that we can ensure that you are on the right track with respect to course requirements, the application process, etc.
A good number of you--nearly ONE-THIRD of the class--completed this task this past week... Well done!
The following Grade 12s still need to come in for their Check-In:
Max A.
Yvonne B.
Martin B.
Luca B.
Samuel B.
Juan B.
Frazer C.
Isha C.
Blake C.
Aysha D.
Estelle d.
Xavier D.
Amy D.
Sebastian E.
Quentin E.
Joshua F.
Alvin F.
Etienne F.
Cleo F.
Alex G.
Jed G.
Coco G.
Tedra G.
Aiden H.
Sophia H.
Luce H.
Zachary H.
Kennedy H.
Serena H.
Dhruvi K.
Ella K.
Max K.
Lexi L.
Emily L.
Davis L.
Katie L.
Ryan L.
Jake L.
Morgan M.
Annika M.
Dylan M.
Kiara M.
Nirva M.
Cassidy N.
Chinecherem O.
Koko O.
Romeo O.
Luke P.
Eliza P.
Harper P.
Jordyn R.
Clare R.
Ben R.
Mariana S.
Edoardo S.
Simret S.
Sophie S.
Elliot S.
Haru S.
Christopher S.
Florence T.
Ava T.
Max v.
Suhana V.
Ashleigh V.
Neha V.
Isaac W.
Finn W.
Spencer W.
James W.
Mychael W.
Jonathan W.
Ginger W.
Hinano Y.
Maggie Z.
Katja Z.
William Z.
You might be thinking... "wait, I've been into University Counselling to discuss this or that..." Perhaps you have been to deal with a very specific application matter or a course change, for example, but we did not take the opportunity to capture the big-picture plan. Do us a favour and come back to confirm that we have the information we need; please go back to the University Counsellor you met with to discuss the matter.
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.
canadian university event - Tuesday, September 26 @ SLS
In addition to the University Visits listed below, a special event is finally returning to the schedule: the Canadian University Event (CUE).
This classic university fair event brings post-secondary institutions from across the country into one place for you to gather material and connect with representatives of the institutions you are exploring.
This year, CUE is being hosted at Shawnigan Lake School on Tuesday, September 26, and we are invited to access the fair starting at 6:00 pm. We are inviting any interested Grade 11 and 12 students to head up to Shawnigan for CUE.
The following Canadian university will be in attendance at CUE:
Acadia University
Alberta University of the Arts
Bishop's University
Brescia University College
Brock University
Capilano University
Carleton University
Concordia University
Dalhousie University
Emily Carr University
Huron University College
King's University College
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
MacEwan University
Marine Institute
McMaster University
Memorial University
Mount Allison University
Mount Royal University
Nipissing University
Ontario Tech University
Queen's University
Royal Military College
Saint Mary's University
Simon Fraser University
St Francis Xavier University
St Thomas University
St Jerome's University
The King's University
Thompson Rivers University
Trinity Western University
University Canada West
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of Fraser Valley
University of Guelph
University of Guelph-Humber
University of King's College
University of Lethbridge
University of Manitoba
University of New Brunswick
University of Northern BC
University of Ottawa
University of Saskatchewan
University of Victoria
University of Waterloo
Vancouver Island University
Western University
York University
In order to arrange for transportation, we need to know our numbers, so we need you to SIGN-UP for CUE. Please fill out this simple form to sign up for the event (please do NOT email University Counselling):
You must sign up by 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 23 so that we can confirm plans for transportation.
US College Fair - Tuesday, October 3 @ SMUS
We will be making arrangements for interested students to attend the Vancouver Island College Event, "VICE", a US college fair hosted at St. Micheals University Schools in Victoria on Tuesday, October 3.
A bus will run at 3:00 pm from Brentwood so that students can attend the fair between 4:00-5:00 pm. We are inviting any interested Grade 10, 11, and 12 students to attend.
The following US colleges will be in attendance at VICE with more registering still (BOLD = recent additions):
American University of Paris
Boston University
California State University, San Bernardino
College of the Holy Cross
Columbia College Chicago
Illinois Wesleyan University
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Northeastern University
NYU Shanghai
San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley
Sarah Lawrence College
Smith College
Syracuse University
Tulane University
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Merced
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of Oregon
University of Rochester
Washington University in St Louis
In order to arrange for transportation, we need to know our numbers, so we need you to SIGN-UP for CUE. Please fill out this simple form to sign up for the event (please do NOT email University Counselling):
US Applicants
We're back at school, so it's time for US Applicants to get back in the swing of things!
We hope the summer has been a productive time for you during which you have completed much of the CommonApp and drafting many application essays. (If you haven't, then, frankly, you are WAY behind...)
September 17th's USA Sundays Workshop
If you were not in attendance at the USA Sundays Workshop on September 17, please let Mr. Rodrigues know why (if you haven't already). We need to know that our US Applicants list (see below) is 100% accurate.
You should review the elements of the presentation slides that were shown.
Applications! 2023.pdfED/EA DO Dates!!!
A reminder that your DO Date for any November 1 Early Application Deadline, whether that's ED or EA, is October 1. That means you need to have all the elements of your application ready for review. We will take the month to carefully refine and polish everything to submission-ready condition! If you're lucky enough to be applying ED/EA to a school withe a November 15 deadline, then your DO Date is October 15. Stick to the Schedule!!
Confirm Your Plans!
As Mr. Rodrigues outlined during the last USA Sunday workshop, you need to share your plans for any ED/EA applications. You MUST NOT surprise us with an application before the deadline. To support you fully, we need to know well ahead of time.
See Mr. Rodrigues as soon as possible to confirm your ED/EA plans if you have not already.
Appointments for US Applicants
A disappointingly small number of US applicants took advantage of the Sunday appointments Mr. Rodrigues ran on the 17th... There will not be any Sunday appointments until after Thanksgiving, which is beyond your DO DATE for ED/EA applications. Plan ahead and get your butts into University Counselling early and often!
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.
Joshua F.
Thomas F.
Paolo F.
Jed G.
Eshwaan G.
Aiden H.
Sophia H.
Ko H.
Zachary H.
Kennedy H.
Serena H.
Ezgi K.
Nathan K.
Fareena K.
Sam K.
April L.
Jake L.
Bern M.
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.
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.
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 University Counselling Logins Form.
Early Decision/Early Action
If you are planning on submitting an Early Decision or Early Action application that has a November 1st as its Due Date, then make sure your DO DATE for completing all of your application material is October 1st. Then you will have plenty of time to have it all thoroughly reviewed in the University Counselling office before we submit it with you.
And ED/EA applications with a November 15th Due Date will have a DO DATE of October 15th.
You MUST ensure that Mr. Rodrigues knows about your ED/EA plan by your DO DATE, otherwise University Counselling cannot support your application properly!
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.
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:
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:
A "MINI" US College Fair - Monday, October 2 @ 2:00 pm - Foote Field House
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.
Applicants to UK Medicine/Dentistry/ Veterinary Medicine & OxFORD/CAMbridge (a.k.a. "OxBridge")
The Due Date for submitting your completed application is October 15, thus your DO DATE to have all of your application material completed and ready for a thorough review WAS September 15!
If you have not identified yourself as one of these applicants, you are already behind and putting yourself and us in University Counselling in a challenging position!
So, you need to be getting things done:
UCAS application - if you haven’t already, go to the UCAS site to establish your account. Be sure to use our Guide to assist you through the registration steps and in filling out various sections: please find the Guide on our Application Guides page on this website.
YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT should be ready!
Choosing the schools to which you will be applying.
The other elements of the application process might include:
Writing the UCAT, if applicable.
Planning for other admissions tests... the Registration Deadline for those is September 30.
We look forward to seeing you in University Counselling to assist you through the process and to review your application material!
New Grade 12 Students
If you are new to Brentwood this year, it is critical that you take time to see a University Counsellor as soon as possible. The meeting is required to ensure that we are able to confirm that:
We have your complete and official Academic Record on file, or work to acquire it ASAP.
Plan for completing any required testing for international students, such as TOEFL or IELTS, for university applications.
These matters can take time to deal with, so please ensure that you come in to review your situation ASAP.
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.
Loran Scholarship
From the Loran Scholars Foundation website:
"The selection of a Loran Scholar is unique in its attention to a young person’s character. We believe that integrity, courage, grit and personal autonomy are better indicators of overall potential than standard academic measures. To discover these traits, we administer the most comprehensive and thorough scholarship selection process in Canada. Tenable at 25 partner universities, the Loran Award is valued at more than $100,000 over four years, including mentorship, funding for summer work experiences and participation in an extensive network of past and present scholars. This year, we are offering up to 36 Loran Awards. In addition, we are granting up to 124 Finalist and Provincial & Territorial Awards ($6,000 or $2,000 each, respectively) to promising candidates.
In 2022/23, we conducted 1,604 interviews with students from across the country and invited 90 finalists to participate in national interviews. Students describe the process as an opportunity to reflect on their motivations and to imagine the lives they want to live. Whether or not they are selected for an award, many students come away from interviews with new connections, friendships and ideas.
The Awards are renewable for up to four years, with a total value of $100,000, each Loran Award includes:
An annual stipend of $11,000
A tuition waiver of up to $11,000 annually from one of 25 partner universities
Personal mentorship from a Canadian leader
Experiential learning through summer work experiences in three different sectors with funding up to $14,000
An orientation expedition through Algonquin Park
Annual retreats and scholar gatherings
Lifelong membership in a community of values-driven individuals
We also grant up to 124 finalist and provincial awards to promising candidates who are not selected as Loran Scholars. Read more about our different awards."
The Due Date for submitting a complete Loran Scholarship is October 11 @ 5:00 pm.
“Unique in Canada, the TD Scholarships for Community Leadership are designed to recognize the achievements of youth who are making a difference and help them realize their educational goals. After all, today’s community-minded students are tomorrow’s leaders. Have you made your community a better place? Then we want to hear from you. You may qualify for one of our Community Scholarships.”
The Due Date for submitting a complete application for the TD Scholarship, which includes a letter of recommendation from the School, is November 15, thus students must submit a completed application for review by University Counselling by the DO DATE of October 15.
The National Scholarship rewards original, creative and committed Canadian secondary school students. These are students who demonstrate superior academic performance, original and creative thought, and exceptional achievement in a broad context. They excel in academic pursuits, demonstrate enthusiasm for intellectual exploration and have a strong involvement in the lives of their schools and communities. Each year approximately ten students are named National Scholars (winners) and ten are named Arbor Scholars (runners-up).
Eligibility Criteria:
an original and creative thinker committed to school and community
a high achiever in academic and creative pursuits
enthusiastic about learning and intellectual exploration
a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person currently in your final year of Canadian secondary school or first-year CEGEP intending to begin university the following academic year
a National Book Award nominee or self-identify as meeting the criteria above
Deadline to Apply: October 19
Value/Amount: The National Scholarship covers tuition, incidental and residence fees for up to four years of study. Finalists not designated as National Scholars receive Arbor Scholarships at a value of $7,500 in the first year and $1,500 per year for three additional years of undergraduate study. The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto.
How to Apply: Click here to apply to the 2024 National Scholarship Program. You will be prompted to create an account before proceeding to the application form. Please remember your username and password.
British Columbia Scholarships
Click HERE to see what scholarship/award/grant opportunities are available to students who attend a school here in British Columbia.