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Jan. 25, 2019

Choosing the Right University for You

Process and considerations when applying to University

When choosing a University there are many things you need to take into consideration; The community, city and country where the school is located, the support system available in the school, The viability and opportunities for Careers in your field, the reputation of the program and university, and the costs of tuition and housing. It is important to recognize what you want to do in the future and reconcile it with the opportunities your chosen university can and will afford you.

You should also talk to your upperclassmen, friends, family and teachers to get some ideas about which schools they enjoyed or experienced, and get a more realistic picture than brochures and websites can give you. Don’t be afraid to ask your School Counsellor to help you get in touch with alumni, if you are really interested in a particular school.

When choosing a university, it is also important to look carefully at the admission requirements. Some universities only require your grades, others require essays and statements. Some even require external tests (SAT/ACT) or local assessments given by the university. In many cases, your IB Diploma will exempt you from these local tests, but if you are pursuing the New Brunswick Diploma only, you need to carefully check to ensure that you have all the qualifications necessary to apply. Countries with universities that usually accept the New Brunswick Diploma without additional assessments are Canada, UK, Australia, and Hong Kong. If you take the SAT/ACT, USA is also a great option!

To show your English Proficiency, all students MUST take an IELTS or TOEFL test before they get to Grade 12 so that they can recognize whether or not they meet the requirements of their chosen school. Even if you don’t meet the minimum standard, however, that does not mean you should give up! Many universities offer English Language support or Foundation Programs that will help you bridge the gap between your English Level and the required minimum. Furthermore, some schools will waive the English Requirements for Students taking Language A/B in English with the IB Diploma Program if you meet a certain minimum score (usually 4 or 5)!

Once you have a country and program in mind, to ensure you are successfully accepted to university, there are three types of schools you should be applying to: Reach, Match and Safety. “Reach” refers to schools slightly outside of your grade or English level boundaries, but that you may still be accepted into when your extra curriculars/essays are taken into consideration. “Match” Schools are where their admission standards and your grades are at the same level and you have a good chance of being a competitive candidate for that school. Finally, “Safety” schools are universities where your Grades and Qualifications EXCEED the university expectations, so you have a very high chance of being accepted (80% chance or higher).

Once you have chosen your school and filled out your application, you have to organize and send in your TRANSCRIPTS. If you are an IBDP student, these will be Predicted Grades based on your achievement at the end of Grade 11. They will help you get a conditional offer, but you will have to wait until July 5th to send your official results to the University. If you are a New Brunswick student, in November, February and June, you will get updated marks that will be sent to your universities. You will get your final transcripts on the last day of school.

Final Advice:

Apply to at least 5-10 schools – keep a wide variety of options open to you

Be realistic in your applications (Ex. If the student has a predicted score of 28, they should not be applying to a University with a cut off of 34.)

Look at University AND Program requirements carefully (Ex. some schools ask for a minimum grade of 27, but your program within that school requires a 30)

BEFORE applying, ensure you have the needed pre-requisite courses and complete all the paperwork, or your application will not even be processed.

English Language Acquisition or Foundation programs can be a great way for students to transition to university

Start Early, Try Hard

Take the time to really think about which schools and programs are right for you! Even if an application is detailed and requires a lot of work, do not give up or let it deter you, it may be your dream school!

If you have any questions about finding, choosing or applying to university, email Ms. Thompson at Jennifer.Thompson@cishefei.com

Good Luck and Happy Applying!