• Double-check your ED/EA deadlines: Some fall as early as October 15. Note that some school-based scholarships require that you apply by the early deadline.

• University of California and CSU: Applications are due on November 30.

• FAFSA + CSS PROFILE: Start filling out these forms to meet the deadlines set by the colleges on your list. 

• Demonstrated interest: Remember that it’s important to let colleges on your list know you’re really interested in attending their schools. Keep connecting with college representatives when they visit our school, your community or via virtual sessions online.

• Research scholarships: Continue to research scholarship opportunities, making special note of requirements and deadlines.

As of fall 2024, Canadian students from outside Quebec who come to study at a university in Quebec will pay twice as much in tuition. The Quebec government made the announcement on Friday, Oct. 13, framing it as a move to stop subsidizing students from the rest of Canada who come to Quebec's English-language universities. The minimum cost for out-of-province students to study in Quebec is currently set at $8,992. With the change, it will go up to approximately $17,000, said Pascale Déry, the province's minister of higher education. 

University tuition to double for out-of-province students in Quebec starting next year | CBC News

Applications are now open on Education Planner B.C.

Deadline to apply for students seeking first-round offers of admission and consideration for major entrance scholarships: December 1, 2023 

Final admissions application deadline: January 15, 2024

The UBC personal profile is a crucial section in your application. This is your chance to tell them about the things that are important to you, your significant achievements, what you’ve learned from your experiences, and the challenges you’ve overcome. It’s UBC’s chance to determine whether you’re a good fit and if you’ll receive an entrance scholarship. Click here for more information.

Applications are now open. Apply here.

What: Study STEM programs at the University of Guelph

When: Saturday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. EST (Ontario time)

Where: Zoom

Register here

Meet current students and faculty members to discuss any student life and program-related questions. 

Saturday, November 4:  Waterloo Campus Open House

Saturday, November 18: Brantford Campus Open House

Maclean’s has unveiled its university rankings for 2024, which evaluates Canadian universities based on their performance in five areas: students, faculty, resources, student support and reputation. Rankings are divided into three lists—primarily undergraduate universities, comprehensive universities and medical doctoral universities—which are determined by a university’s size and speciality. The top five universities in the primarily undergraduate category in order were Mount Allison University, University of Northern British Columbia, Saint Mary’s University, Bishop’s University and Acadia University. The most highly ranked comprehensive universities in order were Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, University of Waterloo, York University and Carleton University. The top five institutions for Medical Doctoral universities in order were McGill University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McMaster University and University of Ottawa.

• Maclean’s (primarily undergraduate): Universities in this category are largely focused on undergraduate education, with relatively fewer graduate programs and graduate students

• Maclean’s (comprehensive): Universities in this category have a significant amount of research activity and a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs

• Maclean’s (medical doctoral): Universities in this category have a broad range of PhD programs and research, as well as medical schools

• Maclean’s (Methodology)

Researching Scholarships
Scholarships and academic awards abound for Year 12 students. All students can research the UCO's curated list of scholarships by using Naviance. Log in to your account and select COLLEGES > SCHOLARSHIPS. 

Researching and planning your scholarship applications is a process that takes time. The dividend can be quite rewarding. As always, meeting with your counsellor to get direction and support is an important resource to use.

Queen's University Chancellor's Scholarship

Students interested in Queen's University are encouraged to explore The Chancellor's Scholarship and the other major admissions awards. 

The Chancellor’s Scholarship requires a nomination from our school; Upper Canada College is permitted to nominate one candidate. Candidates for the Chancellor’s Scholarship are expected to demonstrate:

• Academic excellence (a minimum average of 90% based on all high school grades from Grade 9 on)

• Proven leadership qualities

• Creative and original thinking.

Please read more about this scholarship and preview the actual Queen’s major admission award application here.

We ask that you only apply to be nominated for this scholarship if you intend to take up the award if it is offered. In other words, Queen’s University is your first choice destination.

If you plan to apply early decision to a US college, you are not eligible to be nominated for this award as you are prepared to make a binding commitment elsewhere.

If you are interested in being nominated for the Chancellor's Scholarship, please send Ms. Lopez a one-page letter explaining why you would make an excellent nominee for the scholarship and outlining how you meet the criteria that the scholarship is looking for by Monday, Oct. 30 at 8:30 a.m. 

We encourage you, whether you are interested in this scholarship or not, to submit your OUAC application as soon as possible.

Queen's University also has a number of other major admission awards that do not require a nomination. Many of them have a financial need component.

Schulich Leader Scholarships

Schulich Leader Scholarships are the largest and most prestigious undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholarships in Canada, with a value of up to $120,000 per award. This scholarship was established to encourage the best and brightest students to be the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators. Launched in 2012, 800 students have received this celebrated award.

UCC can nominate one student for the Schulich Leader Scholarships. In a future Heads Up, we will include details on how students can apply to be nominated. In the meantime, interested students are encouraged to explore the Schulich Leader website and speak with their University Counsellor.

Boston University Trustee Scholarship

Year 12 students applying to Boston University are encouraged to explore the Trustee Scholarship. In addition to exceptional academic credentials, Trustee Scholars are intellectually and creatively adventurous and demonstrate viewpoints, experiences, or achievements beyond the usual. They are, in other words, not just top students, but extraordinarily well-rounded individuals. At BU, Trustee Scholars become part of a unique campus community that offers many intellectual, cultural, and social opportunities. Trustee Scholars rank at the top of their classes and demonstrate exceptional leadership in their schools and communities. The Trustee Scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition plus orientation and mandatory undergraduate student fees for four years. To be considered, students must submit their application for admission to BU with one Trustee Scholarship essay by December 1, 2023. More information about the Trustee Scholarship can be found on the website. Interested students are encouraged to speak with their University Counsellor.

Emory College Woodruff Scholars Program 

Students who are in Year 12 and planning to apply to Emory University should consider the Emory College Woodruff Scholars Program. Applicants must submit their application to the university by Tuesday, Nov. 15 (unless they are applying for Early Decision, in which case it is due Tuesday, Nov. 1) and have indicated on their application an interest in being considered for Merit Scholarships. No additional nomination forms, essays, or materials are required to be considered and all students, regardless of citizenship, can be considered for the Scholar Programs. The Scholar Programs seek individuals who are motivated to be agents of positive social change across the broad spectrum of society — research and discovery, arts and culture, policy and justice work, and innovation and entrepreneurship. They select applicants who demonstrate significant promise in developing the Scholar Qualities and who show aptitude for and interest in working to improve their communities. The Scholar Qualities include a forceful and unselfish character, creativity and leadership and intellectual and personal vigour. The scholarship includes full tuition, fees, and on-campus room and meals. Interested students are encouraged to speak with their university counsellor to learn more.

Ted Rogers Legacy Scholarship 

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident interested in studying computer science, computer engineering, data science or software engineering at any of the following institutions starting in 2024–25, Polytechnique Montreal, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of New Brunswick or the University of Waterloo, we encourage you to consider applying for the Ted Rogers Legacy Scholarship. 

The Ted Rogers Legacy Scholarship will provide full financial support to help foster a new generation of technology leaders. Through this program, they aim to empower exceptional students with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to drive technological innovation and tackle complex challenges to ensure a more sustainable and resilient Canada.

Ten scholarships are available and are valued at $25,000 CAD per academic year. Within this allocation, $10,000 is specifically to cover tuition expenses, while the remaining $15,000 is designated as a stipend. Only 500 submitted applications will be accepted for review.

You can find further information about The Ted Rogers Legacy Scholarship on their website. Please reach out to your counsellor if you have any questions.

Robertson Scholars 

Students who are in Year 12 and planning to apply to either Duke University or the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill should consider the Robertson Scholars Program. No nomination is required so any interested and qualified UCC student can submit an application. 

Robertson Scholars are curious and conscientious leaders who think deeply and embrace innovation. They get into action in large and small ways to change the current reality at the level of the self, the group, and the system. Robertson Scholars understand that systems change requires collaborative effort, and as such, are always aware of the ways in which their actions affect others. They're committed to building community and see transformational leadership development as a practice. They're open to deep introspective work and continuous conversations necessary to develop new perspectives. Robertson Scholars act with integrity and align their choices to their values. 

The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program provides eight semesters of full tuition, room and board, and most mandatory fees for Scholars at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Scholars also have access to generous funding for up to three summer experiences, funding for conferences throughout the academic year, and for two semesters of study abroad. The Robertson application portal is currently open, and applications are due Nov. 15, 2023. Interested students can sign up for an online session called Exploring the Robertson at Duke and Carolina or speak with their university counsellor to learn more.

See here the most updated calendar for university visits.