Editor’s note: This piece was written collectively by local teens Ivanna Gomez and Calvin Winter.
Calling all Grade 12 students—now is the time to prepare for your future.
Whether you’re aiming for university, vocational training, or specialized skills programs, start by researching schools, gathering required documents like transcripts, and paying close attention to application deadlines.
As a current grade 12 student, I understand firsthand the significance of submitting applications early, navigating the stress of researching ideal programs and finding the right school fit.
I also relate to the challenges of balancing applications during the school year and the anxiety that comes with making decisions that could impact future career paths, especially when it comes to hitting “submit.”
I have already received a letter of acceptance to the university of my choice, and I would like to help others as there is still lots of time for admissions.
This is a step-by-step guide to help with the process, as we want to facilitate you taking the first step towards your future. Most schools offer online portals for easy submission, so make sure you apply to at least three institutions to maximize your options.
To apply for post-secondary schools in B.C., use EducationPlannerBC.ca. Here you can search for the school you would like to apply to. You can start your application at any time and come back to it later, as your progress is saved on your account.
It may seem like a lot, but for most universities, it is much easier than one would think as most post-secondary schools in Canada will only ask for programs of choice, personal information, what classes you have taken and your grades in them, sometimes even less than that! UBC is one of the only schools that asks for more information on extracurricular activities, a mini-essay on who you are/what you are most proud of, and why you want to study your selected program. Each university has an application fee to submit your application, but do not let the cost of application fees be a barrier—if it is an issue, then please ask your school counsellor or principal to fund it or ask community members—guaranteed it can be fully funded.
A few weeks after you have sent in your applications, you will get an email asking to have access to your transcript. To get your transcript and send it to a post-secondary institution, go to BCeID.ca and create an account with your PEN (personal education number). Then you can send an electronic copy of your transcript to up to 25 schools for free.
If you have already applied, you may be asking yourself, now what? Now it is time to think about funding your education.
Scholarship applications can be made at the same time as your university application. Applications should also be made both to the schools you apply to and directly to community organizations. There is an incredible amount of funding out there, just for asking, including full tuition and accommodation scholarships! To find scholarship opportunities, simply search online using terms like “university scholarships in B.C.”
This will provide you with a list of various local and provincial organizations that offer scholarships with diverse eligibility requirements. Ensure you use your grades and extracurricular activities to apply for as many scholarships as possible.
If you aren’t very academically inclined, no need to worry, as many of these scholarships do not require exceptionally high grades or extensive extracurricular involvement.
If you have any questions or are feeling overwhelmed with the application process, make sure to ask your older peers, recently graduated students, teachers, counsellors, and family members for support, as they likely have all gone through similar situations.
We hope that reading this letter has helped you feel more at peace, and has encouraged you to get those applications in.
Ivanna Gomez & Calvin Winter
Squamish
