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…
How can I make the most effective use of my summer holiday? As high schools in the northern hemisphere close for the summer, this is a question on the mind of many students and parents. Many families choose summer camps to help student explore interests as well as to grow socially and emotionally. If…
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…
Over the course of my career, I’ve done hundreds of presentations on post-secondary education. One the biggest concerns families express relates to cost. Almost immediately after discussing fees, the conversation turns to financial aid. Need-based and merit-based aid In Canada and the United States, the two major sources of funding for financial aid are the…
Getting recruited to play varsity sports requires a certain amount of hustle. Athletic talent alone will not get you noticed. As a student-athlete, you need to quickly learn to promote and market yourself. You also need to become expert at relationship building. Why do you need to promote yourself? In short, because there is a…
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…
Campus visits are the best way to experience first-hand what it’s like to be a student at your preferred universities. You can meet current students, speak with staff and faculty, and even attend a lecture. There is not better way to gain a sense for the distinct personality of a university. For students considering Ontario…
