What’s New at Canadian Post Secondary Institutions?

On Friday, November 23^rd the Options Solutions team attended the 2009 Canadian Universities Event.  Following is some interesting and updated information:

UBC – UBC has changed its requirements regarding the LPI for students entering the faculty of Arts.   These students are now exempt.  Instead, students must take a newly introduced English Arts course as part of their program.  For all other faculties, the LPI is still a mandatory requirement.  However, where a student has already completed English 12 or English Literature 12 and, provided their final mark (including the Provincial exam) is 75% or higher, they no longer need to write the LPI.   For those submitting interim English grades of at least 80%, this requirement will also be waived.   Nevertheless, in the latter instance, since their final grade is still to be determined, we strongly recommend that the LPI be written.

UVic – The University of Victoria guarantees residency to all applicants who have applied for admission, submitted a Housing application, and have been admitted prior to June 30^th.  They offer incoming secondary students direct entry into approximately 50 programs such as: Business, Engineering, Fine Arts, Human & Social Development, Humanities, Science & Social Sciences.  Details are available at www.uvic.ca/academic.

U of Calgary – The University of Calgary has introduced a number of new recognition programs:

1. 1.       SUCCESS – for high achieving students.  See www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/success.
2. 2.       AP+ – for AP students.  See www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/ap.
3. 3.       IB Matters – for IB students.  See www.ucalgary.ca/admission/ibmatters.

In addition, the Faculty of Arts now consists of an amalgamation of Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Communication & Culture.   Financial Aid at U of Calgary has also seen some changes.  Go to www.ucalgary.ca/awards for information on their current renewable guaranteed scholarships.

Queen’s – Queen’s has 16 direct entry programs for secondary students. Some examples include: Concurrent Education with Arts, Fine Arts, Music, Science or Computing Science; Business (Commerce); Kinesiology; Engineering; and Nursing.  As well, opportunities for dual degrees and internships exist for many of the above programs.  Queen’s has also just opened the Queen’s Centre – a brand new facility that consists of an aquatic centre, gymnasiums, cardio and weight areas, dance studios, squash and racket ball courts and more.

Western – The University of Western Ontario has launched a number of new programs.  Bachelor of Engineering Science students can now specialize in Software Engineering (Embedded Systems Option), and, for those interested in pursuing studies in green technologies, Green Processing Engineering is available.  In addition, many new Honors Specialization programs have been introduced.  In Kinesiology, for instance, students may now choose a concentration in Sports Management, Fitness & Exercise Management, or Physical Education for Teaching.    Honors Specialization programs are also available in Global Economics, Economics, Politics & Philosophy, and a Major and Minor Honors Specialization in Medical Cell Biology.

McGill – Students looking to get into residence must apply to McGill online, but only after they have been admitted to McGill’s Student Information System, Minerva (see www.mcgill.ca/applying/).  McGill has eased the strain on student housing with the relatively recent purchase and conversion of the former Sheraton Hotel into a new residence hall.  They have also added a Pharmacology major to the 300+ they already offer.