US Admissions Bootcamp
2021-07-06 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-08 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Format, Online
This series of sessions will help students understand and tackle the US admissions process.
The goal of this boot camp is to relieve the stress students feel about the application process and to kick start the process in July. Students will leave the July boot camp with a solid start to the Common Application and other applications. Students are encouraged to attend the full series, as each session will be unique and valuable.
Topics will include:

Comprehensive overview and simulation of the US admissions process
Generating individualized timelines and accounts
The Common Application
Activities list and data entry
Essay writing
University of California Personal Statements
Requesting Letters of Recommendation

*All workshops are virtual via GoToMeeting

Intro to University Level Writing
2021-07-07 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-07-14 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-07-21 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-07-28 09:00 - 11:00
Grade 12 students heading to post-secondary programs in the social sciences, humanities, arts, sciences, and business will be expected to have the skills necessary to write at the university level next year.
This course prepares students bound for post-secondary for the challenges of writing for different disciplines at the university level. It discusses strategies for successful research, critical thinking, and writing while giving students a chance to practice these skills and receive individualized feedback. Materials will be provided.

ACT/SAT Mock Exams and Debriefs
2021-07-12 10:00 - 14:00
Join us for a 4-hour exam, exam marking (including customized essay marking), and a 3-hour debrief. Each student is given a cover sheet to help them understand their successes and identify their areas needing improvement. In order to get an accurate estimate of a student’s abilities, we use only officially released ACT and SAT exams. Taking practice tests helps students prepare for the stamina required on test day.
We recommend EVERYONE (even those who have completed a PSAT) take a practice exam for the ACT and/or SAT. This is the best way to get a baseline score early.

English 101 Workshop
2021-07-13 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-27 09:00 - 12:00
These weekly two-hour workshops are designed to give students in grades 9-11 ongoing English and writing support, so they don’t lose their momentum due to online learning. Students will learn essential skills to improve their writing and build on these fundamentals each week to become more confident and better equipped to deal with any writing task they may encounter throughout high school and ensure they don’t backslide. Materials will be provided.
This course will cover:

Active reading and annotations
Planning and outlining
Essay organization
Analytical essay writing
Synthesis essay writing
Research essay writing
Writing creatively
Editing

Each student will leave with a better understanding of different essay writing genres and expectations. Students are encouraged to join all days of each session.

How to Rock Your First Semester Workshop
2021-07-13 10:00 - 12:00
These intensive study skills sessions are designed to help students be academically prepared for both in-person and online educational models.
The sessions are instructional as well as practical, hands-on work sessions. We will explore organizational strategies and understand the resources available to post-secondary students. We will also address how to communicate with professors and teaching assistants, how to make use of a course outline, and how to set goals and practice effective time management. Students will leave the workshop armed with the knowledge, skills, and strategies required to prepare them for academic success.
Topics Include:

Goal setting
Organizational systems (both digital and physical)
Creating a productive at-home workspace
Learning how to learn
Effective note-taking (both digital and physical)
Time management
Strategies for managing procrastination
Universal test/exam taking skills for various subjects
Active reading techniques for better comprehension and retention
How to study efficiently, save time, and do well academically

*Please have your school notebooks, binders, and agenda easily accessible for the session.

What do our students have to say?
“I liked the suggestions about active reading and note-taking strategies and the support I received in creating my own roadmap for important resources like the add/drop deadline and counselling resources.”

ACT/SAT Mock Exams and Debriefs
2021-07-15 10:00 - 13:00
Join us for a 4-hour exam, exam marking (including customized essay marking), and a 3-hour debrief. Each student is given a cover sheet to help them understand their successes and identify their areas needing improvement. In order to get an accurate estimate of a student’s abilities, we use only officially released ACT and SAT exams. Taking practice tests helps students prepare for the stamina required on test day.
We recommend EVERYONE (even those who have completed a PSAT) take a practice exam for the ACT and/or SAT. This is the best way to get a baseline score early.
Dates:
Apr 4th – 10am – 2pm (Mock Exam)
Apr 9th – 4pm – 7pm (ACT Debrief)
Mar 7th – 10am – 2pm (Mock Exam)
Mar 12th – 4pm – 7pm (ACT Debrief)
May 16th – 10am – 2pm (Mock Exam)
May 20th – 5pm – 8pm (ACT Debrief

Pre-Calculus 11 Bootcamp
2021-07-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-22 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-23 09:00 - 12:00
This boot camp is a one-week course introducing the concepts of Pre-Calculus 11 for students entering grade 11 math (this course is preparatory and not for credit). Materials provided during the session, including course notes, assignments, homework, and a final exam, will function as resources for students during the week, as well as resources students can use during the school year. To get the maximum benefit from this course, it is recommended that students study at least one hour outside of class for every hour spent in class.

Intro to Canadian Supplement Writing Workshop
2021-07-19 10:00 - 13:00
This three-hour session introduces students to writing components for Canadian applications.
The session will include a presentation that outlines the typical essay and supplemental writing prompts required by major Canadian universities and programs (e.g. UBC, Queen’s, Western). During this presentation, session leaders will also provide writing and time management strategies and sample essays from previous years’ successful applications. Students will then be given time to brainstorm and engage in practice writing exercises. Options Solutions writing coaches will give students one-on-one feedback on their drafts.
Beginning the application process early will give students the opportunity to make the most productive use of their summer and enter grade 12 with more clarity and direction.

What do students have to say?
“I really liked the tips, exercises and examples of past students’ responses and what was good about them and what could’ve been improved. This allowed me to take good notes and implement what I thought was good into my applications.”

Core Test Skills
2021-07-19 10:00 - 13:00, 2021-07-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2021-07-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2021-07-22 10:00 - 13:00, 2021-07-23 10:00 - 13:00
These intensive sessions focus on helping students master the ACT or SAT exam. Topics will cover every portion of the test, including test-taking strategies, time management tips, and crossover skills for the ACT/SAT exam. Materials will be provided.
How is test prep at Options different?
Test prep at Options is unique because it combines test preparation with the teaching of fundamental academic skills. With many years of experience, Options instructors ensure that students understand the higher-level reading, writing and math skills that will prepare them for the ACT and SAT but will also help them succeed in high school and beyond. Options doesn’t just teach “test-taking tricks” like other test prep organizations. Instead, students receive a strong grounding in how the test works and strategies for attaining a high score, combined with an opportunity to increase their overall academic performance.
What do our students have to say?
“I really liked that the instructor had everyone participate because it made it feel more like an actual class. I also liked they gave us lots of extra practice after the course was even finished.”

Canadian Admissions Bootcamp
2021-07-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2021-07-21 10:00 - 13:00
This two-day intensive preparation will help students understand and tackle the Canadian admissions process. The goal of this boot camp is to relieve the stress students feel about the application process and to get a head start.
This course will cover:

Comprehensive overview of the Canadian admissions process
Introduction to university or college – choosing a major, minor, or concentration
Finding a field of study & matching a field of study to the best post-secondary options
Exploration of curriculum covered in expected major
Factors to consider when choosing a university (location, size, class size, access to services, etc.)
Introduction to essay writing and supplement applications
Extra-curricular summary
Generating individualized timelines
Grade 11 and 12 academic goal setting

What do our students have to say?
“I liked how much knowledge about very specific courses the instructors were able to supply right away on demand. It was more helpful than I expected, and my difficult questions were all answered with helpful details.”
*All workshops are virtual via GoToMeeting

Pre-Calculus 12 Bootcamp
2021-07-26 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-27 09:00 - 12:00
The Pre-Calculus 12 boot camp is a one-week course introducing the concepts of Pre-Calculus 12 and is intended for incoming math 12 students. The Pre-Calculus 12 boot camp addresses all the Ministry Prescribed Learning Outcomes for Pre-Calculus 12. The course is
preparatory and not for credit. Materials provided during the session, including course notes, assignments, homework, and a final exam, will function as resources for students during the week, as well as resources students can use during the school year. To get the maximum benefit from this course, it is recommended that students study at least one hour outside of class for every hour spent in class.

Mastering the Essay Bootcamp (Gr. 10-12)
2021-07-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2021-07-27 13:00 - 16:00
Want to brush up on your reading and writing skills over spring break? Options Solutions wants to help!
This interactive, fast-paced workshop is aimed at providing students with the theory and practice to succeed in their English studies at the grade 10 to 12 level. It will give students the skills and confidence they need to succeed, making their future English courses easier and more enjoyable.
Furthermore, the active reading, planning, and essay writing skills are a great way to prepare for the Graduate Literacy Assessment (GLA), a new provincial exam for students in grades 10 and 12.

Topics will include:

Active reading
Synthesis essays
Argumentative essays
Narrative essays

What do our students have to say?
“I enjoyed that the instructors provided valuable feedback on my essays and they answered all the questions I had. I also enjoyed practicing writing specific types of essays.”
