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Applying to Post-Secondary - A Step by Step Guide

HOW TO APPLY TO POST-SECONDARY - A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

STEP 1. Fill-In Application before the Deadline,  or earlier for schools that have programs with first come first served policies

BC, Institutions: (Colleges & Universities)

Students  apply   via  BC's on-line Post-Secondary Application Service: https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/

This service allows students to apply for admission to most public post-secondary institutions in BC. Students will need their P.E.N. and  a credit card. Fill in the Common Form once, then apply to any institution you choose (payment for each institution chosen is required). You may also save and log back into your account at any time.

Alberta Institutions: (Colleges & Universities) https://www.applyalberta.ca/

Ontario Universities: B.C. students must apply on-line through the Ontario Universities Application Website: https://www.ouac.on.ca/guide/105-about/  It is recommended that BC students apply in fall.

Apply to Ontario Colleges: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply

Applying to American Institutions:

Education USA: Information on the application process: https://educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study#lop

The Common Application: Application Service to over 600 American Institutions: https://www.commonapp.org/

Applying to UK Institutions:  UCAS; Application service for UK Universities: https://www.ucas.com/

All Other Institutions: Varies-please check their website

 

STEP 2. Send Additional Information: Broad Based Application (BBA), Supplemental Application, Resumes, Portfolio. As well, some institutions may require students to write additional entrance/assessment tests such as TOEFL, or IELTS. They will have deadlines so check carefully!

 

STEP 3. Submit Your Grades. Online via university portals or send Official Transcripts’. Some schools require students to self-report early in the year while others want students to wait for their 2nd term grades. As, well, some schools may not provide a self-reporting option at all and require transcripts to be mailed at certain times throughout the year. Students must check with each institution's specific requirements.

*Grade 12 students that are taking a distance/distributed learning course - If a mark for the purpose of applying to a Post-Secondary Institution is required, the course must be either 50% complete or a final mark may be required by a certain deadline. *Check! Most Online/distance education courses must be 100% complete by January 31.

Students need to check with each institution's specific requirements and rules around using online courses for the purpose of admission

 

STEP 4,  Fill-in the Student Transcript Service (STS) Form for Post-secondary schools applied to, so they can access your Interim and Final Grades.  (This is necessary in order to receive an offer.):

To access the service, visit the Ministry of Education's Order Transcripts and Certificates website at  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/transcripts-and-certificates

 and follow the instructions found there.

  1. Register for a BCeID if not already done. (a BC Government account that provides you with access to BC Government online services)
  2. Register  for the Student Transcript Service using your BCeID number
  3. Log in to your Student Transcripts Service using your BCeID.
  4. Follow the steps in order to have transcripts sent electronically to post-secondary institutions.

 

Step 5. Check University Student Service Centre Portals: (accept offer - confirm registration date & time)

Grade 12  students who  have  applied  to  a university/college for  entry  In September  are reminded to  regularly check the  iinsitution’s secured student service website/portal  for new  messages.  The post-secondary schools require  students  to  use  the identification number that was noted  on their confirmation  letter along with a password. These  sites  contain important details regarding  admission offers, course  pre-requisites, registration, deadline dates, contact information, grades, etc.

 

Step 6. Offers - Accept or Decline: Conditional offers begin arriving after all necessary documents received. They are time sensitive and require students to pay a deposit.  It is important  to  check the institutions  deadline regarding  your 'Offer of Admission' and indicate your response on your student   portal at the university/college before the deadline. Also, pay the acceptance deposit before this important deadline. Most institutions require time to process your deposit/payment before your course registration date.       GOOD LUCK!