University Application Advice From Teachers
Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Baker via Unsplash
As grade 12 students begin to navigate the new world of university applications, it’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed by the entire process. However, Hamber’s experienced teachers and counselors have great advice for struggling seniors to help calm their jitters and reach their application deadlines.
Large Canadian universities often receive over 50,000 applications from December through April every year. Although many universities do not require supplemental writing, UBC requires students to submit personal profiles in their applications. Ms. S. Leechik (Languages) believes that students need exceptional essays in order to have their application stand out.
To create a good quality essay, she says that students should purposely organize the flow of their ideas and use strong, thoughtful language to share their thoughts. “The content of your responses is very important, but the way in which you present that content is just as important,” said Ms. Leechik.
She also highlighted the importance of beginning the whole application process early. “Starting early allows you to breathe, to reflect, and to take your sweet time with your application process,” she said. She continued that it allows time for students to “get organized and work through the pivotal stages of the writing process: prewrite, plan, draft, revise, and edit.”
Grade 12 counsellor Mr. C. Smith (Counselling) advises students to get involved in their community in order to improve their applications. “It's important that students don't just get totally hung up on marks,” said Mr. Smith. He added that universities are looking for “well rounded student[s] who can collaborate and work well with others.” Some forms of community involvement include joining school clubs or volunteering for non-profit organizations.
Deciding where to apply can be one of the hardest decisions seniors have to make. Most universities and colleges have application fees, ranging from $50 to $250 per application. According to Ms. N. Sandhu (Counselling), these fees can add up fast, and at the end of the day, students will only ever attend one university. One of the best ways to decide which school to go to is to experience your university options in person.
“Go on campus and talk to students there. That's something you can do even before you do your applications,” said Ms. Sandhu.
She also emphasized the importance of following your passions when choosing your future university.
“As you do the applications, you should also be thinking about what place is going to make you the most happy,” said Ms. Sandhu. “Keep your focus on that and what you want to study, rather than if they will accept you or if your grades are good enough.”
Along with that, Mr. Smith recommends students use EducationPlannerBC when narrowing down their post-secondary options, calling it a “good place to start looking if you’re not sure what you want to do.”
EducationPlannerBC is a website that provides students with the ability to plan, search, and apply to public post-secondary institutions in BC. Mr. Smith highlighted the search feature on the website, which allows students to explore various university programs based on location, desired area of study, type of degree granted.