Recently, Options’ consultants Sara Lopez and Amanda Halliday attended the Simon Fraser University Counsellor’s Day presentations at the SFU Burnaby campus. Set atop Burnaby Mountain, the campus provides splendid views and fall colours on full display.
The first session focused on SFU Admissions. Here are some of the highlights:
- You can apply to SFU through Apply BC, at a cost of $75 for two choices of programs. The basic requirements are: English 11, a Language 11, a Science 11, Pre-Calc or Foundations of Math 11 PLUS English 12 and 3 approved academics. There are program specific requirements as well for all faculties.
- The deadline for applications is February 28.
- Competitive admission average for SFU is 80-90%, depending on the program. All students must have a minimum of 75% in English 12 to apply.
- If you are applying to the Beedie School of Business, it must be listed as your first choice. There is a required supplement for this program, at an additional cost of $76.50.
- If you are applying to the School for the Contemporary Arts (SCA), there is also an audition, interview and/or portfolio requirement.
- There is a new deadline of January 31 for Scholarship Applications.
- SFU has a degree partnership with Douglas College and Langara College which allows you to take courses at either of their campuses!
- You can also transfer to SFU after completing a minimum of 24 units from any BC College.
Next, we attended breakout sessions on the different faculties:
Beedie School of Business:
- 400 spots available each year; 90% of students get jobs after graduation!
- 8 concentrations, many joint majors available, 5 certificate programs.
- You can also do a Business Minor.
- Tips on the Beedie supplement: It’s very important! Quality of extra-curriculars is more important than quantity. SFU is looking for students that will fit into the school community and succeed. Read the essay question carefully and review your response. Make sure your references know you are using them.
Faculty of Environment:
- New degree this year: Environment and Business (Apply to Beedie first).
- You can do a BA, BSc or BEnv specializing in areas such as Environmental Resource Management, Global Environmental Systems, Geographic Information Systems.
- The “Environment One” program is a great first-year option that introduces a wide variety of subjects and allows you to choose your major in second year.
- Many certificates are available – the most popular of which is SIS (Spatial Information Systems) – a great technical skill to add to your degree.
Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology:
- 3 areas: Contemporary Arts, Communications, School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT)
- Courses in the SIAT stream take place at the Surrey Campus. SIAT streams: Interactive Systems, Design, Media Arts.
- The School of Contemporary Arts (SCA) is housed in the downtown Vancouver campus. It offers studio classes in Dance, Theatre and Film with lots of performances.
- Communications offers specializations in: Media and Culture, Technology and Society and Globalization/Political Economy and Policy.
- You need an audition for Contemporary Arts and a Portfolio for SIAT, but admission to the Communications stream is grades based only.
Faculty of Health Sciences:
- SFU’s Health Sciences is the only internationally accredited school of Public and Population Health in North America.
- This program is not intended as a pathway to Medical school or Physiotherapy, but rather for those wishing to pursue a career in public health. (Although all the pre-requisites for Med School can be met through this program).
- There are two streams available: BA which focus more on the social sciences, business and marketing of public health, studying “why” people get sick; and a BSc which focus more on lab work and “how” people get sick.
