Tag: University Counselling

2018 grad Aysha Emmerson talks to the Saanich News about her Zonta International scholarship and her work in the community

Director of University Counselling, Alison McCallum, responds to some questions asked by parents about university prep

Head of University Counselling Ms. Alison McCallum provides resources from the Course Information Evening and info on how to make course selections

University counsellor Ms. Kate Knight details how she and her colleagues support students in achieving their post-secondary goals

Ms. Alison McCallum, Head of Universtiy Counselling, outlines a number of great opportunities for summer holiday experiences

January at SMUS means a focus on course planning for the next school year to help students make informed decisions about their high school courses

37 students, 4 chaperones, 7 nights, 9 cities, 12 university campuses*, dozens of SMUS alumni, countless questions asked and application decisions made. This was...

Ms. Alison McCallum writes about her visit to École Hôtelière de Lausanne, a university dedicated to business studies through the hospitality industry

University Counsellor Ms. Kate Knight explains how having no letter grades at the Middle School can have a positive impact down the road at university

We break down the whens and whats of university applications so students and parents don't stress as deadlines approach

Early application to U.S. colleges can be a confusing subject for Canadian students. We break down the details to help you understand the admissions process to American schools

A recap of this week's University Counselling Parent Info Evening about post-secondary planning. And download the useful slideshow from the presentation!

Ms. Alison McCallum, head of University Counselling, offers some great advice for how to spend some of your time off in the summer

Senior School students will soon pick their classes for next year. Find out everything you need to know to help you choose the right high school courses

I had the great fortune to be in the UK this past summer for nearly two weeks, touring a dozen university campuses from London...

SMUS University Counsellor Ms. Kate Knight visited universities on the east coast of Canada to learn about studying at schools in the Maritimes

Asking a high school teacher for a letter of reference is a crucial step to help make your university or scholarship application stand out

Earlier this week, the CUE (Canadian Universities Event) came to Victoria. This annual event is a fair format with representatives from about 50 Canadian...

We hosted our annual Grade 12 Student and Parent Information Evening last week to help students and parents prepare for the year ahead. If...

Alison McCallum, Head of University Counselling, offers advice to Grade 12 students looking ahead at their post-secondary options

We all know that lounging at the beach is great way to spend your summer vacation. But what else can you do that is...

There was a fabulous array of colours, university names, and accessories in assembly yesterday! We invited the Grade 12s and the school faculty (K-12)...

We hosted two events on Tuesday, May 24 with the goal of helping grade 12 students and their parents prepare for the next phase...

The Fitbit monitor read 20,805 steps. It was one very full day of walking – walking to subway stops, through train stations, around university campuses,...

University decisions are being finalized as I write; students are making plans about residence life and starting course selections for their first year at...

Studying at a university in the United Kingdom is highly specialized. Students focus on one specific area (for three years in England or four...

If you are looking to complete one of your Grade 10-12 courses this summer at summer school in Victoria or Vancouver, you have options....

It’s decision time. Students know the results of many, but not all, of their university applications and they may experience a whole range of...

It was the week leading up to Spring Break, and they were knocking on my door in the University Counselling office with increasing regularity....

One of the best parts about the work I do is the privilege I have to get to know so many incredible young people....

Standardized testing is a component of a student's application that some universities use to properly compare applicants from vastly different high school settings and...

On January 27, the Senior School hosted its 7th annual Career Day. Students in Grades 9 through 12 had the opportunity to learn about a...

There may be a chill in the air, but the crocuses are blooming and days are staying lighter longer, all key signs prompting us...

As we look back on all that we accomplished in 2015, it is hard to believe that it is also the time to begin...

Many of our grade 12 students are now in a new place: the waiting room. Last fall, there was a flurry of tasks to...

On a blustery Scottish day, I took the train from Edinburgh to St. Andrews to have a wee visit with my former advisee and...

Fingers dog ear pages of an academic calendar. Eyes squint at the computer screen as the mouse clicks, scrolling through program choices and admission...

If you were unable to attend our information session held in the Chapel on Tuesday night, please visit the webpage below to view a...

My University Counselling colleague, Timio Colistro, and I spent 4 days in San Diego last week attending the 'National Association of College Advising and...

Len (SMUS Grad ’12) is in his fourth year of study at the University of California, San Diego, in the Jacobs School of Engineering....

In the world of education, September really is like everyone else's January: it's when we set new directions, make resolutions, and fine tune our...

One of the many reasons I love my job is because I get to live vicariously through my students as they find out about...

Wondering how to fill your time this summer? Want to get a jump start on narrowing that list of university choices? Why not combine a visit...

Grade 11 - Most applications to USA colleges and universities will be completed using the Common Application (https://www.commonapp.org). This is where you create your...

Standardized testing is a component of a student's application that some universities use to properly compare applicants from vastly different high school settings and...

Ah, June. There is so much to do this month, and also so much promise for the two months that lie in wait. Some...

I had the opportunity to meet with one of our '09 grads, Colin,  this morning to talk with him about his path from high...

AP season is upon us now and there is ever increasing talk of exams in June, but many students are also turning their minds...

On Tuesday evening, there were over 80 parents and students in the Lecture Theatre listening to our University Counselling team talk about the myriad...

Some record low temperatures were set in the Toronto area this winter (2015). On my visit to the University of Guelph-Humber on the west...

by Jake Humphries, University Counselling Students graduating from high school today face a world of unparalleled opportunity that requires careful navigation and constant attention to...

Life at Cambridge University has been an incredible experience so far. Any initial fears about moving to a new country and attending one of...

Written by Matthew Gardner, M.Ed, RCC , who is one of our SMUS personal counsellors. The stress of adjusting to university or college is...

In addition to beginning work on university applications, many Grade 12 students are also currently deep in the throes of researching scholarship opportunities. This...

Next week will be a busy week for students looking at their post-secondary options south of the border. Details about all university visits are included...

Whitman College is a top Liberal Arts choice for SMUS students.  Located in the southeastern corner of Washington state, close to the Columbia River,...

Representatives from both Admissions and the Faculty of Law were here this morning to talk about the merits of this university 45 minutes outside...

http://youtu.be/eBE1isCvKyw?list=UUmtp7zgg7HYTtns7ySiXOmA On Thursday, September 4, University Counselling hosted an information evening for Grade 12 students and parents to disseminate important information about what this year...

Admission representatives from universities near and far have started their annual pilgrimage to Victoria, armed with viewbooks and information to give to prospective students. Here...

Rochester and Syracuse are just an hour by air from Toronto, and Cornell and Colgate are both an easy drive from either of these...

The UCAS (University and College Admission Service) has activated its apply system (Apply 2015) much earlier than usual.  Just go to this link: http://www.ucas.com/apply/undergraduate  Make sure...

by Kaeleigh Fletcher '10 This past Tuesday marked the third year of SMUS’s “Beyond the Bubble” evening, a night dedicated to giving students and parents...

The evening began with an intentionally playful process using a panel interview format à la Jimmy Fallon: there was no preparation of questions but...

As University Counsellors, we delight in our students’ successes and excitement about their post-secondary plans, but sometimes it is tinged with a little bit...

When I was invited in April to visit NYU Abu Dhabi for a weekend, my first reaction was 'absolutely', thanks to my strong adventurous...

Ryerson University in Toronto has just published its list of university programs that are not yet filled. If you were hoping to be selected...

The website CanadianBusiness.com includes various lists and rankings of future employment opportunities. Their recently published list, “Canada’s 100 Best Jobs” demonstrates some interesting trends....

Sometimes students want to use the summer months to get ahead in some coursework, preview a course, or take advantage of a unique learning...

Applying to University is a stressful, yet exciting time. The process provides you with the opportunity to explore your personality and identify a place...

Colgate University, nestled in the heart of central New York, is an ideal school for students who love the close-knit and vibrant campus life...

The annual Course Selection Information Evening covers a range of topics related to everything from graduation requirements to special co-credit options for AP classes....

I had the good fortune to listen in on the Career Day session offered by SMUS alum, Susie Wall, last Wednesday. Officially, she was...

Career Day is still a relatively new event on the SMUS campus, but one that is definitely growing in scope and interest. This Wednesday,...

Sitting on the high plains at an elevation of 7,000 feet and just to the west of the sangre de Christos mountains, Santa Fe,...

Les Roches, Marbella If students who are interested in studying business want a programme in which they can learn to specialize in an industry while...

Australia is optimistic. Its people are positive and forward-looking. Business is good. And the weather’s great! International students would be lucky to study in...

Did you know that we had 5 university representatives on campus today, and we have 12 more coming in the next 4 days? It's...

Ms McCallum and I have recently returned from a trip to the centre of the universe, Toronto, where we attended the National Association for...

I spent a day at Carleton University for a rapid-fire update about the Ontario universities.  At the end of the day, a few counsellors...

Tomorrow (October 8) universities from across the country will crowd into the SMUS gym to meet the students they hope will join their schools....

With 41,000 students (36,000 undergrads) on a campus that is only 0.5 km by 1 km, you would think that it would feel squashed....

by Ana Maria Fernandez, Grade 12 With the end of high school approaching, it becomes inevitable to start thinking about our post-secondary plans and what...

Minnesota’s Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) are alive with arts and athletic activity – The Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves, (baseball, football, hockey,...

by Greg Marchand The University Counselling presentation for Grade 12 students and their parents that was held on September 12th was a great success with...

Do you think fungus is only mushrooms, blue cheese, and beer? Representing one of the most diverse kingdoms in taxonomy, fungi encompass everything from brewers’...

When I was a teenager, I spent my summer vacations babysitting and bussing tables. Summer school was the furthest thing from my mind and...

Career Week was a busy one this year, with two events running each lunch hour. Students had the opportunity to attend panel discussions of...

Sciences Po is an internationally renowned university in France composed of seven campuses, each with its own geographical focus area and dominant language on...

In early February, Rea Casey and I spent a week in Southern California visiting colleges with three other University Counsellors from BC independent schools. With...

I have to admit that by the end of our tour, we thought we might have seen all that Southern California had to offer...

Back to California road trip: 11 college campuses in 5 days

What a bargain!  Seven colleges for the price of one!  Welcome to the Claremont Consortium located in the beautiful town of Claremont just 56...

Occidental College is located 8 miles from downtown LA, though I have to admit that we were never really sure where downtown LA actually...

Located about an hour and a half drive on the freeway from Los Angeles, Chapman was a real gem of a place. The people...

UCLA is located very close to Beverly Hills and the campus visit was the first one on our itinerary. The campus itself is vast...

Imagine getting credit towards your university degree for a course that entails listening to a talk given by a theatre critic followed up with...

Each year, SMUS is able to award one Governor General Award Bronze Medal to the graduating student with the highest academic average of the...

The University of Toronto is one of Canada’s finest post-secondary institutions. Three campuses spread across the greater Toronto area serve more than 70,000 students...

Keiler Totz is still a little in shock. Even though he submitted a very strong application to the Blyth Cambridge Commonwealth Trust scholarship competition,...

It’s a new year and things are cooking in the University Counselling Centre! To date, 37% of the graduating class is on record as...

It is estimated that the number of jobs available in the Hospitality Industry will reach 303 million by the year 2020.  When you see...

Here at SMUS, we are committed to preparing students for higher learning, whatever shape that may take. In this article printed in the Globe...

We were pleased to welcome more than 50 parents who attended the University Counselling Department's presentation on Thursday October 11, 2012. We gave an...

For students applying to US colleges this fall, or thinking of it for next year, you have the chance to take part in a...

University of British Columbia New this year - UBC's scholarship application process has changed! There is no restriction on the number of applications coming from...

They all attended University College London! UCL visitor, Travis Edwards, popped by for a noon hour visit today.  While acknowledging that university rankings should be...

Last week, SMUS hosted three university events: our annual IvyPlus Presentation, an Australian Universities Presentation and a Scottish Universities Presentation. Below, one of the...

Following up on the blog last week about testing, it was interesting to hear one of the Ivy League presenters at SMUS last week...

'Tis the season for sharpening pencils, filling in bubbles, and reasoning your way through problems! Many students applying to a US college or university...

Palm trees, salsa, sunshine, sandy beaches are all obvious attractions at a Florida university but the University of Miami has much more than that...

The week of September 17-21 will see visits from three wonderful groups of universities. These will be evening visits; all students and parents are...

The Honors College focuses on expanding our base of education and exposing us to new ideas. The freshman year is based on two different...

Our travels took us from Sackville to Antigonish to Halifax, where the average age of a Haligonian is 28, thanks in large part to...

I’ll admit it. I was totally taken with St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The campus is beautiful, the facilities are all...

Sackville is a very small town nestled in rural New Brunswick, about thirty minutes from the Moncton airport. The town doubles in population when...

by Shayla Baumeler, Grade 10 This past week, the SMUS campus was flooded with returning alumni and community members. After weeks of planning and a...

Over the past four graduating classes, we have had an average of 47 students apply to McGill University each year (that’s a little less...

If your parents are concerned about you getting enough vegetables while at university, let them know that Concordia University offers a free vegan lunch, Monday to...

What do Johnny Reid, the premier of PEI and the inventor of the "smart board" all have in common? They all went to the...

Catching a sturgeon Vancouver Island University is full of surprises! Located in Nanaimo, it has a quite a large campus and a total student population...

For many SMUS students, the transition to university can be a jarring experience. After years of enjoying small class sizes, strong support from teachers...

Dr. Whitney Laughlin, Director of University Counselling, will talk to Middle School parents 7 – 8 p.m. Monday May 7 in Copeland Lecture Theatre...

Next week, SMUS is hosting a series of career events over lunch. The timetable has been extended to give students a chance to attend...

Wednesday I attended a meeting of independent school counsellors in Vancouver with Andrew Arida, VP for Enrollment at UBC, to gain clarity on the...

Riding the ferry across Sydney Harbour to Manly beach on a warm July day, it is hard to believe that it is winter.  But...

In this past Saturday’s edition of the Globe and Mail, I came across an advertisement for the “Quantum Crytography School for Young Students”. I...

Phil Jarvis thinks that a “Perfect Storm” is coming in the career and jobs market in Canada and the world. Jarvis, one of the...

In our roles as University Counsellors, Grade Advisors, and Planning/HCE teachers, particularly at this time of year, we have many conversations with students and...

by Zeyn Sen, Grade 10 student When I heard that the director of the Princeton Review was coming to SMUS to talk about the SAT...

  For years, SMUS students have been hearing me say that one factor in deciding which university to apply to is their tolerance for Winter: ...

by Christine Wenzel, parent This week, our University Counseling Department hosted Peter Van Buskirk, a dynamic motivational speaker and founder of The Admission Game. His...

Jay Rosner, Executive Director of The Princeton Review Foundation, will be speaking to Senior School students and parents (Grades 9 - 11) on "Cracking...

With a possibility of snow flurries being forecast for this weekend, there is a corresponding flurry of scholarship possibilities for the winter term at...

Peter Van Buskirk, Author, Motivational Speaker, and Former Dean of Admission will be presenting on “ The Admission Game”, a lively interactive evening for: Middle...

Dual degree programs and cross-registration work very well for students who have multiple interests. Wilfrid Laurier University and Waterloo University offer dual degrees in...

“We are looking for great students, not great doctors.” Many people assume the following about preparing for medical school: 1.You need to take a mostly science...

The St Andrew's/Edinburgh/Alberta International Medical Program:  An exciting new program is now available which allows applicants hoping to practise medicine in Canada to study...

Late October in Ontario: crisp, sunny days, frost at night, and the leaves still turning. Wilfred Laurier, Waterloo, Queen's & OCAD: four very different universities...

Like millions of others, I spend a little time with an iPhone and/or an iPad in hand. Okay, maybe more than a little. But,...

This summer the Ministry of Education rolled out new eligibility requirements for Provincial Scholarships.  The most notable change for SMUS students is that AP...

In an economic downturn, the instinct is to turn towards “practical” courses that provide a student with a certain skill set. I would argue...

by Zachary Santella, Grade 12 Unlike many, the Ivy League schools haven't always been my dream post-secondary institutions. In fact, I hadn't considered them as...

If you are considering applying to one of the University of California schools, you might consider registering for one of upcoming U of California...

There are some excellent universities in Australia and New Zealand.  I recently visited two universities in Melbourne, Australia.  Victoria University is an 11-campus technical...

This past Monday, I was interviewed on CBC’s “On the Island” on why, especially with a comparatively weak US Dollar, Americans would want to...

How much do you like to take multiple choice tests (especially when – gasp – you think your ENTIRE FUTURE DEPENDS UPON IT!!)? A. I...

You will already know that the 2011 grads from SMUS earned a HUGE amount of scholarship money.  Read on if you would like to...

The University Counselling Centre works hard to make sure that students’ final transcripts get to their respective universities at the end of each school...

Summer Doldrums?  Consider prepping for September 2011 As we are finishing another year, it may seem impossible that we should be considering September 2011, but...

There is an international educator’s conference in Vancouver in early June and this has given us the opportunity to invite a number of university...

It is Advanced Placement (AP) season around here and that has me thinking about all the different kinds of tests students take. Some are...

by Madison Hadfield The SMUS career event was a really cool afternoon that let SMUS students get in touch with professionals and learn about careers...

For only the second time in the school’s history, an SMUS graduating class has surpassed the $2 million level in entrance scholarship offers. The...

In all areas of research, business, and institutional services, specialization is becoming more and more common.  Universities are responding to stated demand from students...

Alumni Weekend has a new addition this year: an afternoon devoted to careers. Over 35 speakers – many of them alumni – will be...

  The University of Edinburgh is located right on the edge of the Royal Mile, a stretch of road that goes from Edinburgh Castle, perched...

At the celebrations in February for the 600th anniversary of the University of St Andrews, Prince William said, “It is the greatest university on...

If you have some time over the break, why not take advantage of a campus tour for one of more of the universities you...

There is little distinction between the University of Oxford and the town of Oxford. The academic buildings are strewn throughout the historic town that...

While visiting the University of St. Andrews in Scotland last week, I had the chance to catch up with Alicia P. (Grad 2010) who...

Every year, SMUS sends many students to Vancouver and the University of British Columbia. Last year, more students entered UBC than any other university....

It used to be that students would rush home every day to see whether an admissions decision had arrived by mail, and decide when...

Between now and the end of October, there are 15 university visits planned, in only 11 school days. If you are a SMUS student,...

There was excellent chi in the gym last night for the Canadian University Event (CUE): free flowing energy from the admissions representatives, the parents,...

Applying to the University of California system as a non-California resident There are 9 undergraduate campuses and one graduate school campus (UC San Francisco) that...

by Olivia Krusel, Grade 12 student When one mentions the Ivy League, it automatically evokes images of prestigious higher-learning institutions, dark wood-paneled libraries, and secretive...

With programs ranging from medicine (including nursing) and biomedical science to radiography and physiotherapy, St. George's, University of London (SGUL) is a top-notch place to go....

University visitors from two of the sunniest places in North America U Miami (Juan Alverez) and U San Diego (Maria Malloy) kicked off our university visits...

SMUS is delighted to once again be the only stop on Vancouver Island for representatives from the “Ivy Plus” group of universities, which includes...

A few weeks ago, SMUS students auditioned and were interviewed for the Dogwood Scholarships, which arehanded out to students who excel in a variety...

After touring the University of Western Ontario (London, ON) last week, I came away with an enhanced understanding of the university as a whole,...

For the fourth...

Situated in the largest centre in Wales, where we also find the Millennium Stadium (premier rugby facility), the Millennium Centre for the Performing Arts...

Situated a short bus ride from Dublin's busy city center, UCD is a vibrant, comprehensive university buzzing with activity; the general tone is Up...

My recent visit to RHUL convinced me that this college in the UOL collection is superb in every way!  Royal Holloway boasts the top...

A student who'd just been accepted at McGill came into my office the other day to ask for my opinion about the different residences...

I had the opportunity last week to sit down with Nina Davies, Head of Undergraduate Student Recruitment, at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), located in...

There are a number of events organized by the University Counselling Department this month. There will be annoucements to keep you in the loop but...

The answer to this question really depends on the student. It's important for students to research their choices and be aware of their goals...

If you are thinking of pursuing post-secondary studies in the UK, there are many considerations to be made. How long does the "course" (degree...

Checking out university and college admissions videos has become as much a part of the student process in researching prospective post-secondary choices as leafing...

The Grade 12 class is entering a most exciting phase of their graduation year.  The class as a whole has sent off 900 applications...

How little I knew about the 2010 version of Camosun College! Although the new information has been readily accessible, my understanding of what they...

Students who wish to enter a business programme in Canada have a number of choices. Many university business programmes are direct-entry from high school,...

Architecture is a key area of interest for many young adults considering a professional career path in a growing field.  In order to train...

The Evans Caddie Scholarship, administered locally by the Victoria Golf Club is a very lucrative and generous tuition award ($50,000 over 4 years) tenable...

During my recent visit to the Bay area, I had the chance to spend a morning at Mills College, a women’s college located in...

In 200 years, one of your relatives is going to be digging in what is now your backyard.  They are going to find something...

  Well if you are, you have a lot of choice! Yesterday I visited U California Berkeley in the morning, and Stanford University in the...

McGill still requires that students take the credit for a first year course if they receive a 4 or a 5 on an AP...

If you are wandering (or wading) through college or university websites, you might want to add a different approach to your virtual touring. There...

Well, after two months in the University Counselling office, I have had the opportunity to sit in on many university presentations. Most visits are a whirlwind...

One of the great things about working in University Counselling at SMUS is that during visits to great universities, I am repeatedly inspired and...

by Priya Mulgaonkar, Grade 11 student and editor of The Ivy Upon stepping into the gym, the crowd of eager parents and students was rippling...

Now that all Grade 12 provincial exams, except English, are optional to write, the question of whether to write or not is a tricky...

With 90,000 students studying an all-inclusive variety of subjects on 19 self-governing campuses, the University of London is a fascinating institution of higher learning. ...

I recently returned from a trip to New York having attended a counsellor session hosted by NYU Abu Dhabi. Along with over 50 other...

If all that mattered was how large a university is, then any top 100 list would read much differently than it does now.  Simply...

Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, is one of the many smaller universities chosen by SMUS students.  For several years now, one or two...

WUSTL is a university of high ideals for high achievers with high hopes.  Set in the fascinating hub city of St. Louis, at the...

The APEGBC offers a number of university entrance scholarships to graduating high school students who are entering UBC, UVIC, SFU and UNBC and are pursuing a...

Bonjour de Montreal!  Je m'excuse de n'écrivant pas. Okay, so maybe my French hasn't gotten much better... but at least I'm trying right? It's been far...

Dr. David Lane Periodically, the school is fortunate enough to have alumni visit the school and make presentations to the student body...

If you’ve seen “Chariots of Fire”, you’ll recognize the beach. Behind the photographer is the town of St. Andrew’s, the centre point of which...

The purpose of the Miller Thomson Foundation National Scholarship Programme is to encourage and promote the attainment of higher educational goals for individuals who...

...September.  That’s pretty unacceptable.  I'm sorry for neglecting to write for such a long time. I hope to share much that’s happened since then, for...

Coast Capital Savings is offering 32 Citizenship Awards valued at $2000 each to students who take a leadership role in their community while successfully...

The purpose of the Dogwood District Awards is to acknowledge superior achievement in four specialty areas:  Fine Arts, Physical Activity and Leadership, Second Languages...

Recently I presented these interesting facts about Harvard applications to one of my Planning 12 classes.

With several dozen post-secondary institutions in the greater Boston area, “Beantown” is a student-oriented city. With a great transport network, featuring the ‘T’ line...

Last week, hundreds of Senior School students and their parents spent an evening exploring their post-secondary options, as representatives from almost 40 Canadian universities...

I had spent the end of August and much of September hearing exciting stories from my friends who had all headed off to university...

Hey guys, hope everythings going well back home!  Sorry that I haven't posted anything in over a month, but I've been crazy busy over...

So I'm here.  It's unreal. Sorry it's taken me so long.  September is a crazy month.  I came during the last week of August for...

Complete first week: check!  Meet new people: check!  Prepare for classes: check!  Download Skype (completely free way to video call worldwide): check!  Sleep: not...

Hey everybody, so I came over to England two days ago for vacation with my family (my school doesn't start here until Sept. 3)...

Well, I suppose I'll be the first to post... I moved to Montreal exactly a week ago.  I'm living in a condo two blocks away...

With scholarship notifications still coming in daily, the class of 2008 has already earned over $1.4 million, the third year in a row that...

by Greg Marchand, Head of University Counselling This Monday, over 400 students and parents came together in the Senior School gym to meet representatives from...

For the past few weeks, SMUS has had even more going on during lunchtime than usual, as universities from around the world are paying...