How to Rock Your First Semester
2026-08-17 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Format, Online
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.

Intro to University Level Writing
2026-08-17 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-18 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-20 17:30 - 19:30 | 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.

Canadian Admissions Boot Camp
2026-08-18 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-19 10:00 - 13:00 | South Granville Office, 3195 Granville Street, Suite 203, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3K2, Canada
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

Preparing for University Application Essays
2026-08-18 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-20 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-31 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This interactive workshop is geared towards preparing students to develop the fundamentals for university application responses and essays. Whereas Options’ other English programs focus on developing students’ technical writing skills, this three day course will help expand students’ ability to express their authentic voice through writing.
Students will build confidence and develop their unique style through brainstorming, reading a selection of prose and poetry, and receiving feedback on their written work. Throughout the course, students will write a personal narrative essay that responds to a reflective prompt. After this course, students will be well-prepared to write in the genre of essay required for university applications.

Foundation for Video and Online Applications
2026-08-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Are you ready to start building the skills that top universities and employers look for? This interactive workshop is designed specifically for younger students who want to gain a competitive edge early in their high school years. Whether you’re preparing for future university applications, scholarships, or part-time jobs, this session will give you the video interview and timed-writing skills, practice, and foundational tools to stand out with confidence.

Video Interview Workshop
2026-08-25 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-02 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

Foundation for University Application Essays
2026-08-26 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Want to gain confidence in your ability to express yourself through writing? Options Solutions is here to help!
This interactive workshop prepares students to develop the fundamentals for Canadian and American university application responses and essays. While Options’ other English programs focus on developing students’ technical writing skills, this two-day course will help expand students’ ability to express their authentic voice through writing. Students will build confidence and develop their unique style through reading a selection of prose, brainstorming, and receiving feedback on their written work.
Throughout the course, students will write a personal narrative essay that responds to an application essay prompt. After this course, students will be well-prepared to write in the essay genre required for university applications.

Post-Secondary Search Lab
2026-08-26 16:00 - 18:00 | South Granville Office, 3195 Granville Street, Suite 203, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3K2, Canada
Choosing where to apply is one of the most important decisions in the admissions process, yet many students build their lists based on rankings, reputation, peer reviews, or limited information.
This workshop guides students through thoughtful research to help them finalize a strategic application list that is the right fit for them.
We encourage students to come ready to do a research DEEP DIVE and go beyond general, surface information.
In this hands-on workshop, students will:

Identify their academic interests, faculties, majors, and priorities.
Effectively research post-secondary institutions and specific faculties and programs that align with their priorities
Understand what they will be studying from 8:30-2:30 in each of their chosen programs over a four-year scope
Identify similarities and differences between different institutions in terms of academic majors and requirements.
Build a balanced list of facilities and programs by institutions (reach, target, and safety options)
Construct a list of application requirements and make a targeted timeline for the fall of grade 12

While this is a group setting, the course is designed for students to follow their own interests and research, and Options Solutions consultants will offer individualized feedback.

University of California Application Workshop
2026-08-27 17:30 - 20:30 | Virtual Format, Online
The University of California application opens August 1 for Fall 2026 applications.
Applicants to the University of California too often work hard on their essays but leave the personal, family and academic information and activity descriptions until too late – resulting in incomplete information and missed opportunities. Our discussions with UC admissions officers have affirmed the importance of each part of the application in their holistic assessment process, so we want to get our students off to the best start, shortly after the application opens.
The University of California Application Workshop will allow students to become familiar with the three main components of the application: data entry, activity and honors descriptions, and the Personal Insight Questions. Participants will have time to review every application component, ask questions, and start to complete the application well, and early!

Mastering the Essay
2026-08-31 14:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-01 14:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-02 14:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Want to brush up on your reading and writing skills over summer 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 12.

Preparing for the “Why Us” Essay
2026-09-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Format, Online
The “Why Us” essay is an important and often misunderstood part of U.S. applications. This workshop will help students craft tailored, persuasive essays that demonstrate genuine alignment with specific institutional priorities at individual universities to help them stand out in the application pool and increase their chances of admission.
This workshop will include a presentation teaching students how to:

Understand admissions officers are really evaluating in a “Why Us” response.
Conduct focused, strategic research across multiple platforms to provide more depth in their response.
Connect their academic interests, extracurriculars, and long term goals to specific campus resources.
Avoid common missteps like generic praise or repeating a school’s website

After the presentation, students will have the opportunity to start brainstorming and receive feedback from Options Solutions consultants.

Canadian Admissions Boot Camp
2026-09-02 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-09-03 10:30 - 13:30 | Virtual Format, Online

Intro to Canadian Supplement Writing
2026-09-03 15:30 - 18:30 | Virtual Format, Online
This three-hour session introduces students who are going into Grade 12 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.

Intro to Canadian Supplement Writing
2026-09-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This three-hour session introduces students who are in Grade 12 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.

Canadian Admissions Boot Camp
2026-09-13 10:00 - 17:00 | South Granville Office, 3195 Granville Street, Suite 203, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3K2, Canada
This one-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

Please note, this workshop runs from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.

Back to School Study Skills
2026-09-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Virtual Format, Online
This intensive study skills session is designed to help students be academically prepared for their educational futures.
The session is an instructional as well as practical, hands-on work session. It is offered at the start of the school term to help students thrive. Students will leave the workshop armed with the knowledge, skills, strategies, and reference material required to prepare them for academic success. They will also leave the workshop with a concrete understanding of their own executive functioning strengths and weaknesses and with an individualized plan to help them succeed in academic environments.
