*

A Counsellor’s Perspective *

*Welcome to !

*Comparing Canadian and American

*Researching Canadian Universities

*Applying to Canadian Universities

*Q & A *

*A bit about us and our purpose

*Some fun facts, eh! *

GEOGRAPHY

*Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world but one of the most sparsely populated with about 9 people/sq. mile

*The vast majority of Canadians live within 100 miles of the Canada/US border

*The southern tip of Canada is farther south than the northern border of California *

Culture

*While Canada’s official languages are French and English, New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province. More than 200 mother tongues are spoken in Canadian homes.

*Canada is one of the four most multicultural countries in the world. is the most multicultural city in the world. is the largest French speaking city outside of France. *

Currency

*Canadian dollar is known as the “loonie” due to the loon pictured on the coin

*As of early 2013, Canada doesn’t use the penny

*Currency exchange rate ~$1.00 CA = $0.79 US * FOOD

*Canada produces over 80% of the world’s maple syrup

*A favorite dish of French fries and cheese curds covered with gravy is known as “poutine”

*Nanimo bars were invented on Vancouver Island in * SPORTS

*James Naissmith, a Canadian, invented the game of basketball *Until 1994, lacrosse was Canada’s national sport , not hockey! *Now hockey is Canada’s national winter sport and lacrosse is Canada's national summer sport. *

SOME SUBTLE (or not so subtle) DIFFERENCES *We spell some words differently… colour, humour, neighbour, centre, grey, theatre, metre, counsellor…. *We use the metric system *

*Number *Size *Terminology *Cost *Pre-requisites *Distribution requirements *Standardized Testing *Funding NUMBER

*There are about 2,300 four-year colleges in the US compared to approximately 60 English-speaking universities in Canada (almost 100 if including affiliates and French universities) of , AB * Size * Canadian enrollments range from the U of Toronto with more than 60,000 full-time undergraduates to several Canadian American universities hovering around 1,000 60.0 full-time undergrads. 50.0

Over 50% of US colleges have 40.0 * % enrollments less than 2,000 30.0 compared to 10% of Canadian 20.0

10.0

* About 2% of US colleges have 0.0 enrollments more than 20,000 <2000 2000 - 4999 5000 - 9999 10000 - 19999 20000 +

compared to 24% of Canadian % of universities by enrollment * TERMINOLOGY

*In Canada, the term “college” is not used to describe a degree granting institution.

*US 2-year colleges are more similar to Canada’s community colleges which typically offer diplomas versus degrees

*Canada does not have any true “Liberal Arts” universities * COSTS

* Typical annual expenses for a year of university for Canadians range from $12,000 -$15,000.

* For international students, annual costs for a year at a Canadian university typically range from $20,000 - $30,000

* More than 80% of Canadian universities offer merit scholarship to qualified U.S. students. * PRE-REQUISITES

*Canadian universities are more likely to have strict high school subject requirements for entry into university programs

Program Pre-requisites Engineering Eng., Pre-Calc. or often Calc., Chem., Physics Science Eng., Pre-Calc. or often Calc., 2 of Bio., Chem., Physics Business Eng., Pre-Calc. or often Calc. Architecture Eng., Pre-Calc. or often Calc., Physics Arts English Social Science English

* Standardized Testing

*About half of Canadian universities require the submission of SAT or ACT test results for US applicants

*Other universities may use standardized testing results to support an application

* DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS

*Most Canadian universities and program have no or minimal distribution requirements for degree completion.

* FUNDING

*Only two of Canada’s universities are privately funded versus 67% of US 4- 120% year colleges 100%

80% *Canada’s two private 60% USA universities are Trinity Canada Western University and 40% both 20%

located in British Columbia 0% Public Private * *

Quest University, BC *International experience close to home *Relatively inexpensive *Many high quality institutions without insane competition *Predictable admissions *Canadian cities known for their safe environments *Multicultural student populations * Print Resources

*Directory of Canadian Universities * www.univcan.ca

*Considering Canada! * www.PeirceEducational.com

*Canadian Universities Guidebook * www.MacLeans.ca *

NATIONAL WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description www.universitystudy. The site sponsored by Universities Canada ca/* (formerly the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada) provides a comprehensive searchable database of Canadian universities and their programs.

University of Northern British Columbia, BC *

NATIONAL WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description can-am.gc.ca/washington The website of the Canadian Embassy in * Washington maintains an excellent section on university . The site also provides many practical links pertaining to the transferability of US educational funds, tuition fees and immigration permit details.

Bishop’s University, QC *

NATIONAL WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description www.educationau- The Council of Ministers of Education in Canada incanada.ca maintains this useful website which provides many * valuable links including information on study permits, cost of education, program search and life in Canada.

Trent University, ON *

NATIONAL WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description The Globe and Mail provides this web site www.globalcampus.ca allowing students to compare universities based * on the finding of their annual publication "The Canadian University Report". *

NATIONAL WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description These sites allow students to register, submit a www.scholarshipscanada.com profile and will let students know of or scholarships that they might want to consider. www.studentawards.com These are invaluable resources for students looking for financial solutions to their post- secondary education.

McGill University, QC *

NATIONAL WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description www.PeirceEducational My consulting site has a series of pages with the .com/Links.html web links for Canadian, US and UK universities * which I have found most useful in post-secondary research.

Dalhousie University, NS *

ATLANTIC REGION WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description www.atlanticuniversities.ca The Association of Atlantic Universities provides information about the universities on the eastern coast of Canada including the Atlantic Common University Data Set which has valuable statistical information.

Acadia University, NS *

ONTARIO WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description www.ouac.ca The Universities’ Applications Centre (OUAC) * is the central clearinghouse of application to universities located in Ontario. The site provides details about many application procedures as well as links to university home pages. Students can apply to Ontario Universities directly from this website.

Western University, ON *

ONTARIO WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description www.electronicinfo.ca The eINFO site provides information about Ontario * universities, admission requirements along with search engines for program and institutional searches.

Queen’s University, ON *

ONTARIO WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description www.cou.on.ca The Council of Ontario Universities provides * information about the universities on Ontario including the Common University Data Set for Ontario providing valuable statistical information.

University of Toronto, ON *

ALBERTA WEB RESOURCE

Weblink Description www.ApplyAlberta.ca This site is the starting point for application to many universities and community colleges.

University of Alberta, AB *

BRITISH COLUMBIA WEB RESOURCE

Weblink Description www.learnlivebc.ca This site contains information regarding applying * to, studying at and living at British Columbia post-secondary institutions.

University of British Columbia, BC *

BRITISH COLUMBIA WEB RESOURCE

Web link Description www.ApplyBC.ca This site is the starting point for application to many British Columbia universities and community colleges.

University of Victoria, BC *

*Procedures for applying to university vary from province to province

*No equivalent to “The Common Application”

*No Early Decision or Early Action programs

*Very few universities require application essays, personal profiles or references

Lakehead University, ON *

*Most universities base admission on academic preparation of the applicant, often requiring specific pre-requisite courses for programs

*Some universities require the submission of SAT or ACT results but expectations are clear

*A few programs/universities require information such as personal statement, reference and/or supplementary application

*If a candidate has appropriate academic credentials, they will be admitted in most cases *

*Alberta, British Columbia & Ontario have centralized provincial application processes although not all BC universities use the system *www.applyalberta.ca *www.applybc.ca *www.ouac.on.ca

*Other provinces, each institution has a unique application, process and deadlines. *

STUDY VISA REQUIREMENTS

*Acceptance by an educational institution in Canada *Proof of access to sufficient financial resources to cover tuition fees, return transportation costs and living expenses *No criminal record or are a security risk That you must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination. *Agree to leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. *Don’t wait to apply for visa. It can take up to 17 weeks *

Michael Peirce Michelle Frigo Peirce Educational Consulting Appleby College [email protected] [email protected] www.PeirceEducational.com www.appleby.on.ca 905-849-4623 905-845-4681