Each year, Options Solutions team members visit many, many post-secondary institutions. These visits allow us to learn beyond what is readily available on the internet and in print materials. While on campus, we often meet with admission staff and Options alumni who attend the institution. We love learning about the nuance and vibe of each place and about all the hidden opportunities that exist there.
Our Options on Tour series highlights some of our recent adventures and shares them with you. We’ll feature what we saw, who we met, and what neat things/hidden nuggets we learned.
Bishop’s University – Sherbrooke, Quebec
Last fall, Melinda visited Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Read her highlights below.
The Basics
- Bishop’s is a primarily undergraduate, English-language university in Quebec.
- It has five faculties, 21 departments, and over 100 programs.
- Roughly 2,800 students attend full-time, many of whom live right on campus.
- Bishop’s is the smallest of Quebec’s English-language universities and one of the most close-knit university environments in all of Canada.
- There are 25 social and academic clubs and 9 varsity sports teams at Bishop’s.
- Students can take advantage of exchange opportunities in 26 countries.
- The entire 550-acre campus is carbon neutral.
- Bishop’s boasts a 23:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Featured Academic Programs
- Bachelor of Arts in Sports Studies
- Bachelor of Science – Pre-Medicine Double Major
- Pre-Law Certificate
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Technology and Analytics
Interesting Facts
- Bishop’s University began as a humble campus with only one building and ten pupils.
- Founded in 1843, Bishop’s is one of the smallest and oldest universities in Canada.
- Bishop’s boasts some of the smallest class sizes in the country, an average of 40 for first and second years, compared to hundreds in larger institutions.
- Bishop’s is the only English-language university in Quebec outside of Montreal.
- Over 50% of Bishop’s students graduate with more than one concentration.
- Most universities have a President, but Bishop’s is one of only three Canadian universities that still use this British title for the head of the university. Students meet the Principal at least once during their first week at Bishop’s, as they serenade the Principal with the school song (a long-standing school tradition).
- Winterfest occurs in mid-February to welcome all Gaiters back to Bishop’s. The weekend includes concerts, a day of winter festivities on campus and around Lennoxville – with street hockey in the Quad, and the famous B.U. Rail Jam (ski and snowboard trick competition).
Check out our Admissions category for all our Options on Tour posts!
