We’re now at the mid-way point of the academic year. The following are some things we think you should be thinking about (or doing) over the next few weeks and months. Grade 12 students Tip: Talk with parents about finances Autumn is typically intense for seniors. It must be satisfying to know applications are a…
Universities typically require reference letters from a counsellor and/or a teacher. Each serves a different purpose. The counselor’s reference provides background on the student’s personal growth and role within the high school community. On the other hand, the teacher’s reference describes the student as learner; it should be about what the student is like in…
Graduate and professional schools typically require a written statement as part of the application process. Generally there are two types of application essays for graduate school – “statement of purpose,” or “letter of intent,” and the “personal statement” – but the purpose for you remains the same: to persuade the admissions committee of your qualifications,…
The competition to get into highly selective universities is getting tougher each year. This past year Stanford accepted 5% of the 42,497 students who applied for undergraduate admission. Harvard admitted only 6% of 37,307 applicants. The number of applications to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) surpassed 100,000 in 2017. Still, in general, admission…
Overshadowed by internationally recognized research-intensive institutions, Canada’s liberal arts universities are often overlooked in discussions on Canadian post-secondary options. Why are Canada’s liberal arts universities overlooked? One reason is that university rankings often emphasize the importance of research and publications – factors that favour larger universities – rather than teaching. Location also plays a role….
It is common to hear North American parents complain about the complexity of the university search and admission process. Recent meetings with families in Istanbul reminded us that finding the right university is especially difficult for international students. While many students in Turkey choose to focus on domestic and/or American institutions, a significant number consider…
Spring is the season for renewal and regrowth. In the field of university admissions, it is also a time to prepare for a new group of students and to reflect on topical issues and trends of the day. Each year Ontario’s universities host Regional Dialogues to update counselors on new programs and changes to admissions…
Canada’s attractiveness as a study destination is on the rise. According to Canadian Bureau for International Education, the total number of international students in Canada grew by 92% between 2008 and 2015, and by 8% between 2015 and 2016 alone. Given reports on increased international traffic to university websites and attendance at admissions presentations, there…
When applying to American universities, demonstrating interest is important. According to a National Association for College Admissions Counselling (NACAC), about 50 percent of universities claim that a student’s demonstrated interest is either highly or moderately important in the admissions process. The university admissions process may be likened to dating. Universities want applicants to show them…
