Options Solutions Educational Consultants

Mastering the Essay Bootcamp
2022-03-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2022-03-22 10:00 - 13:00, 2022-03-23 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Format, Online
Want to brush up on your reading and writing skills over spring break? Options Solutions is here 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 11 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, 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

Intro to Canadian Supplement Writing
2022-04-30 09:00 - 12:00, 2022-05-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This three-hour session introduces grade 11 students to the 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. 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.

What to Expect In Grade 12 (Free Webinar)
2022-05-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Thinking about the post-secondary application process? Join us for an informative and interactive presentation on navigating this journey! Our popular What to Expect in Grade 12 event will be hosted virtually through GoToWebinar.
Don’t miss out on your chance to learn more about ever-changing post-secondary trends and what to expect as a grade 12 family, facilitated by Melinda Giampietro and the Options Solutions team. Join us to hear from our panel of current grade 12 students who, having just completed the admission process, will share what they have learned first-hand.

Why UK? Presentation
2022-05-07 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual Format, Online
With the opportunity to gain a bachelor’s degree in just three years while gaining international experience valued by employers, the UK is becoming an increasingly popular destination for students from Canada and around the world. Join us to learn more at our Why UK? presentation featuring Sarah Jamieson, Regional Officer for the University of Warwick. The presentation will aim to cover:

Key features of UK university study
Cost of attendance and funding
How to apply
Academic requirements
Stand out personal statements
How to find the ‘best-fit’ UK university for you

This session will include a brief presentation with ample time for Q&A. If you’re keen to learn more about UK university study, navigating choices, and submitting a stand-out application to a highly selective UK university, this is the session for you!

Intro to University Level Writing
2022-05-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-05-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-05-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-05-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Format, Online
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.
The session will be interactive and dynamic. Students are encouraged to attend all sessions as each day will build on the next.

ACT/SAT Mock Exams and Debriefs
2022-05-19 | Virtual Format, Online
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:
Oct 7 – Mock Exam emailed (returned by Oct 11 at 10am)
Oct 15, 4pm-7pm – Debrief (ACT only)
Nov 18 – Mock Exam emailed (returned by Nov 22 at 10am)
Nov 26, 4pm-7pm – Debrief (ACT only)
Jan 27 – Mock Exam emailed (returned by Jan 31 at 10am)
Feb 3, 5pm-8pm – SAT Debrief; Feb 4, 4pm-7pm – ACT Debrief
Feb 24 – Mock Exam emailed (returned by Feb 28 at 10am)
March 4, 4pm-7pm – Debrief (ACT only)
May 19 – Mock Exam emailed (returned by May 23 at 10am)
May 26, 5pm-8pm – SAT Debrief; May May 27, 4pm-7pm – ACT Debrief
Cost:
ACT or SAT mock exam and debrief: $250+ applicable taxes, includes 4-hour exam, exam marking and 3-hour debrief session.
ACT or SAT mock exam only: $150 + applicable taxes, includes 4-hour exam, exam marking.

Video Interview Workshop
2022-05-21 10:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This three-hour session prepares students for the video interview components of university applications.
The session will include a presentation that outlines the main components of video interview requirements, as well as a practical guide for successfully completing those videos. During the session, students will learn how to answer typical interview questions and have the opportunity to tackle some sample questions as a group. They will then practice in pairs and give each other feedback, as well as record their responses for analysis. Programs that require the video interview include Commerce at UBC, the University of Toronto, and York University, as well as Engineering at the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo.
The workshop covers topics such as:

body language and appearance
technical set-up
coping strategies for nerves
tips on answering prompts

SAT Debrief
2022-05-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Format, Online
If your student has completed our SAT mock exam at home, join us for a three-hour virtual debrief to go over and analyze the results. Each student is given a cover sheet to help them understand their successes and their areas needing improvement. Going over the results can help your student understand where they went wrong, what they did right, and how they can improve before their test day.
Cost:
SAT mock exam and debrief: $250+ applicable taxes, includes 4-hour exam, exam marking and 3 hour debrief session.
SAT mock exam only: $150 + applicable taxes, includes 4-hour exam, exam marking.

ACT Debrief
2022-05-27 16:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Format, Online
If your student has completed our ACT mock exam at home, join us for a three-hour virtual debrief to go over and analyze the results. Each student is given a cover sheet to help them understand their successes and their areas needing improvement. Going over the results can help your student understand where they went wrong, what they did right, and how they can improve before their test day.
Cost:
ACT mock exam and debrief: $250+ applicable taxes, includes 4-hour exam, exam marking and 3 hour debrief session.
ACT mock exam only: $150 + applicable taxes, includes 4-hour exam, exam marking.

US Parent Night (Free Webinar)
2022-06-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This presentation is for grade 11 US-bound students and their families who want to learn about recent changes in US admission, what to expect when going through the process, and what students can do this summer to have smooth sailing in the fall.

Launching Your Post-Secondary Student: A Discussion for Parents
2022-06-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Join us for an interactive discussion about what to expect as the parent of a new first-year post-secondary student. This year, we’ve brought back our popular (and free!) parent event, Launching Your Post-Secondary Student: A Discussion for Parents. This event will cover what to expect and how to prepare as well as how to set yourself and your student up for success when it comes to the first six weeks, communication, and dealing with unfamiliar situations.

US Admissions Boot Camp
2022-06-27 16:00 - 19:00, 2022-06-28 16:00 - 19:00, 2022-06-29 16:00 - 19:00, 2022-06-30 16:00 - 19:00
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. Students will leave the 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.

Intro to University Level Writing
2022-07-11 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-07-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-07-13 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-07-14 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.

How to Rock Your First Semester
2022-07-12 10:00 - 12:00
These intensive study skills sessions are designed to help students be academically prepared for post-secondary.
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.

Writing for Self Expression (Grades 11 & 12)
2022-07-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-07-19 10:00 - 12:00

Canadian Admissions Boot Camp
2022-07-19 10:00 - 13:00, 2022-07-20 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.
Topics will include:

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 the 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 12 academic goal setting
