Tag: university prep
Should I Take the SAT Now That It’s Optional?
University Counsellor explores the pros and cons of writing the SAT now that submitting a score isn't required when applying to many universities
Making the Most of Summer 2021
Ruth McGhee highlights different programs and ways for high school students to work ahead on planning for post-secondary
How Do I Get Into My Dream School?
Ruth McGhee, Director of University Counselling, shares how students can stand out as leaders when applying for their dream school
Course Planning: All Eyes on September
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
Another Great University Tour in the Books
37 students, 4 chaperones, 7 nights, 9 cities, 12 university campuses*, dozens of SMUS alumni, countless questions asked and application decisions made. This was...
Learn the Ins and Outs of Hospitality at a Hands-On University in Switzerland
Ms. Alison McCallum writes about her visit to École Hôtelière de Lausanne, a university dedicated to business studies through the hospitality industry
How to Get a Great Letter of Reference from a Teacher
Asking a high school teacher for a letter of reference is a crucial step to help make your university or scholarship application stand out
Marching Toward Grad 2017
We hosted our annual Grade 12 Student and Parent Information Evening last week to help students and parents prepare for the year ahead. If...
University Prep: Our Top 10 Tips for Summer!
We all know that lounging at the beach is great way to spend your summer vacation. But what else can you do that is...
University Preparation for the Class of 2016: Beyond the SMUS Bubble
We hosted two events on Tuesday, May 24 with the goal of helping grade 12 students and their parents prepare for the next phase...
Beyond the Bubble: Making a Successful Transition to University Life
University decisions are being finalized as I write; students are making plans about residence life and starting course selections for their first year at...
University Pre-Requisites: The Devil is in the Details
It was the week leading up to Spring Break, and they were knocking on my door in the University Counselling office with increasing regularity....
A panoply of choice!
As we look back on all that we accomplished in 2015, it is hard to believe that it is also the time to begin...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … to be in Grade 12!
Fingers dog ear pages of an academic calendar. Eyes squint at the computer screen as the mouse clicks, scrolling through program choices and admission...
Post-Secondary Information for Parents
If you were unable to attend our information session held in the Chapel on Tuesday night, please visit the webpage below to view a...
Grad 2016, Start Your Engines!
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...
The perfect addition to summer vacation!
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...
Getting Ready for USA Applications
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...
A day at the beach or 5 hours in an exam room?? Know 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...
Summer study opportunities
AP season is upon us now and there is ever increasing talk of exams in June, but many students are also turning their minds...
University Counselling Parent Information Evening
On Tuesday evening, there were over 80 parents and students in the Lecture Theatre listening to our University Counselling team talk about the myriad...
Helping your Child Transition to University
Written by Matthew Gardner, M.Ed, RCC , who is one of our SMUS personal counsellors.
The stress of adjusting to university or college is...
Ready, set, apply!
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...
Post-Secondary Transition Talk Without the Fluff
The evening began with an intentionally playful process using a panel interview format à la Jimmy Fallon: there was no preparation of questions but...
Sending our chicks out into the world
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...
PRA, SAT & ACT on our campus
'Tis the season for sharpening pencils, filling in bubbles, and reasoning your way through problems! Many students applying to a US college or university...
Update on UBC Admissions
Wednesday I attended a meeting of independent school counsellors in Vancouver with Andrew Arida, VP for Enrollment at UBC, to gain clarity on the...
Which path will YOU choose?
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...
Cracking the SAT/ACT Code
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...
Parents and Students Learn About The Admissions Game
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...
Cracking the SAT/ACT: How to Get Your Best Score
Jay Rosner, Executive Director of The Princeton Review Foundation, will be speaking to Senior School students and parents (Grades 9 - 11) on "Cracking...
Special Speaker on US Admissions January 25th
Peter Van Buskirk, Author, Motivational Speaker, and Former Dean of Admission will be presenting on “ The Admission Game”, a lively interactive evening for:
Middle...
Myths about Preparing for Medical Schools
“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...
iSearch options for US Colleges
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,...
Why a Liberal Arts Education
In an economic downturn, the instinct is to turn towards “practical” courses that provide a student with a certain skill set. I would argue...
Contemplating the Ivy League
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...
The ACT Comes to SMUS
How much do you like to take multiple choice tests (especially when – gasp – you think your ENTIRE FUTURE DEPENDS UPON IT!!)?
A. I...
Scholarships – Getting Started in 2011-12
You will already know that the 2011 grads from SMUS earned a HUGE amount of scholarship money. Read on if you would like to...
How to Obtain Final Transcripts
The University Counselling Centre works hard to make sure that students’ final transcripts get to their respective universities at the end of each school...
Ahh! Summertime!
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...
Let’s talk about TOEFL
It is Advanced Placement (AP) season around here and that has me thinking about all the different kinds of tests students take. Some are...
Finding your inner zagger at CUE
There was excellent chi in the gym last night for the Canadian University Event (CUE): free flowing energy from the admissions representatives, the parents,...
Investigating the Ivy League
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...
