STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

APPLYING TO CANADIAN POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS

STEP 1: Select those institutions of interest and apply before the deadline dates. It is advisable to submit applications at least 2-3 days prior to the deadline as computer servers tend to crash and applications are not always received. If applying to programs at colleges, their policies are based on a first qualified, first admitted basis. If college is your first choice or a backup plan to transferring to a university, it is advisable to submit applications soon after the application dates open and not wait until the deadline dates.

For BC Institutions (both Colleges & Universities): Use the online Post-Secondary application service – Education Planner BC at http://www.educationplannerbc.ca/

Students will need their 9-digit P.E.N. and a credit card. Fill in the Common Form once, then apply to any institution you choose (payment for each institution selected is required and fees will vary). You should have your login information easily available so that you can log back into your account at any time.

Note: BCIT is the exception, you must apply directly through that institution’s website.

For Alberta Institutions (both Colleges & Universities): Use the website  ApplyAlberta

For Ontario Institutions:  

BC students must apply on-line through the Ontario Universities Application Website (OUAC). Use the website Ontario Universities' Application Centre

For Ontario Universities it is advisable to submit your application in the fall (one year) prior to the intended start of the program and not wait until the new year.

Apply to Ontario Colleges using the following website https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply

For US Institutions:

Use EducationUSA they give a lot of useful information on applying to the US

https://educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study#lop

The Common Application is a application site to over 600 US institutions: https://commonapp.org/

For UK Institutions:

Use UCAS, it is the application service for UK post-secondary institutions https://ucas.com/

For all other Institutions best to check the post-secondary website for details.

STEP 2: Additional Information often required for applications. This includes: Broad Based Applications (BBA), Supplemental Applications, Resumes, and Portfolios. Some institutions may require students to write additional entrance exams (like SAT/ ACT for US post-secondary institutions). Or other assessment tests for language proficiency such as TOEFL or IELTS. Please check deadline dates for submission of these extra application materials as dates will vary.  

STEP 3: Submitting your grades. This is a task that the student must complete. Grades are often submitted online via the post-secondary institution portals or Official Transcripts must be downloaded. Some schools will require students to self-report early in the year before the end of December, while others will want the students to wait until the end of 2^nd term grades. While other institutions will want the students to regularly update grades from December to February. Students must check with each institution’s specific requirements on their specific student portal.

*Grade 12 students taking distance/distributed/online learning courses. If a mark is required for the purpose of applying to a Post-Secondary Institution, then the course must be completed or a final mark must be available by a certain time. Typically the deadline is Feb 1. Students are responsible for checking with each Institution regarding the rules on using online courses for the purpose of admissions.  It becomes challenging to determine admission status if that distance/ distributed/ online course is required in the admission calculation.

STEP 4: Student Transcript Services. The Ministry of Education has launched the Student Transcript Services (STS), an online service for students to review their marks, scholarships, and transcripts. Students must create an account so that they can send transcripts to the Post-Secondary Institutions they are applying to. In some cases it also allows provincial institutions the ability to access the student’s grades on an ongoing basis. A handout on setting up the account is available at the SLSS Career Centre.

To access the service, visit the Ministry of Education’s Order Transcripts and Certificates website at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/transcripts-and-certificates

STEP 5: Check University Student Service Centre Portals. Grade 12 students who have applied to a university/ college for fall entry are reminded to regularly check the secured student service portal for new messages from their post-secondary institutions. Most institutions will require students to use their new student number along with a password to visit their portals. Messages will contain important information regarding registration, admission deadlines, course prerequisites, contact information, grades and admission offers.

STEP 6: Offers – Accept or Decline. Conditional offers begin arriving after all necessary documentation is received and reviewed. Offers are time sensitive and require students to pay a deposit to secure their place at the post-secondary institution. It is important to check the institution's deadline for “Offer of Admission” and indicate your response on the student portal before the deadline. It is recommended to pay your deposit one week before the deadline as it usually takes several days to process payments and deadlines can be easily missed.