We encourage our students to really think about what they are looking for in their education and how they will put their tuition dollars to work.  Usually when we ask students at this time of year, “Why do you want to attend University X?” or “Why is University X your first choice?”- the answers we receive are overly general and tend to be about the university’s aesthetics (“It is a pretty campus.”) or location (“It is close/far from home.”).  Additionally, we find many of our students pick a faculty randomly or by feedback from friends.   We tease them at this point and encourage them “to defend their decision in an educational court of law”- to which they usually smile and respond, “Melinda, I know nothing about the academics there.”  We then set on a mission to change this in two steps.

One we make a list of values or priorities for their education and their post-secondary search.  Values need to be educationally related- such as class size, quality of instruction, range of majors offered, opportunities for coop or internship, international study options, and/or specialized features of the university curriculum.

We then enter a period of research.  We encourage students to move away from the admissions pages of the websites; because at this point, they have selected their courses and have a solid understanding of what marks they need.  Instead, we want them on the FACULTY pages learning more about what it means to study a particular major at a specific university.  What courses will they have to take?  What special opportunities are available?  What values does the site portray?  What students are highlighted?

If you are a Lower Mainland student and you want to live on campus at UBC, remember to apply to UBC EARLY, so you can complete your housing application.  UBC does not guarantee housing to Lower Mainland students.

http://www.housing.ubc.ca/rez_guide/guide_main.htm      

If you are interested in the University of Alberta, also apply early as they do not guarantee first year residence.  It is best to complete your housing application as early as possible.

http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/residences/Prospective.cfm

Many Canadian universities have early deadlines for competitive programs.  BE SURE TO DOUBLE CHECK ALL DEADLINES.  For example, the University of Western Ontario’s full time application deadline is June 1^st, 2010, but the Ivey School of Business deadline is January 13^th, 2010 and the Bachelor of Fine Arts deadline is February 1^st.  Be constantly double checking admission deadlines.