Applying to Post-Secondary Programs

There are many different types of programs available at institutions across BC – EducationPlannerBC is a fantastic place to start your search. Talk to your school counsellor or career advisor if you want advice on choosing a program. Explore your options while you’re still in high school to make sure you have the courses you need.

When you look at post-secondary school programs, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Admission requirements: Before you apply for any program, look at the admission requirements. Some programs require that you have taken certain classes, have a certain grade point average (GPA), have volunteer experience or other requirements. If you don’t meet the requirements that does not mean you will never get into the program. You might have to upgrade your courses, which means taking additional or retaking previous courses,  or spend some time volunteering.
• Location: consider how far away the post-secondary institution is from where you are planning to live, if you need to live on campus, the cost of transportation, the amount of time it would take you to get to school each day, etc.
• Finances: Schooling is often expensive, but don’t let that discourage you. The school you choose will often have a section on their website estimating your costs as a student. Make sure you have a plan in place to pay for tuition fees and costs of living as a student. Some options are:
  • work while you are in school,
  • take out student loans,
  • apply for scholarships or bursaries.There may be specific funding opportunities, programs or grants available to you through StudentAid BC or the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program
  • ask for support from family

• Co-op, work placement and opportunities for international exchange: Many post-secondary schools offer opportunities to get work or other important experiences. If this is something you are interested in, make sure the programs you are considering have options for you.

There are several things you need to consider when you apply for a post-secondary program. Below are a few tips to remember when applying to programs:

• Check what you need to include: Most programs require an official transcript sent directly from your school. Read through all requirements and ensure you make arrangements for all the necessary documents you need, well in advance of the deadline.
• Deadlines: Look into when applications for post-secondary schools are due. Deadlines are usually strict and programs may only admit students once per year. Take the time to consider what documents and information you will need for your application and when you need to submit it to meet the deadline. This can vary based on the program and school but you should know the dates and have a plan.
• Finances: It often costs money to apply to post-secondary programs. Have a plan in place for how to pay for each application fee.
• Back-up options: Some schools and programs have a limited number of spots for students. It is a good idea to research and apply to multiple schools and programs in case you don’t get into a particular program.

• Take time preparing your application: Before you start, make sure you read what the specific program is looking for and keep it in mind. For some programs, you may need to write a letter of intent to explain why you want to enter the program. Other programs may want you to answer specific questions prepared by the school. Help your application stand out by filling up your resume with volunteer/work opportunities. Have a friend or adult read over your application to make sure it’s complete and doesn’t have any errors.

• Ask an older friend/sibling/relative about their experience: It can be helpful to speak with someone who may have recently gone through the application process to share their experience, and talk about lessons learned.