University Counselling Office SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
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THIS WEEK AT THE UCO
THIS WEEK AT THE UCO
SAVE THE DATE | U.S. and U.K. university application process presentation
SAVE THE DATE | U.S. and U.K. university application process presentation
A virtual workshop and information session for parents and students will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
Join on Zoom here.
Year 12 | Applying to U.S. colleges
Year 12 | Applying to U.S. colleges
This is a critical time of the year for our Year 12 students. At this point, students should have a close-to-final university/college list and be working on their college applications (specifically U.S. college applications).
Letters of recommendation —This is a good time to check in with your recommenders to make sure they know your deadlines. You will need to formerly request this using Naviance. Please meet with your counsellor to complete this if you require help.
College applications are live — The Common Application, University of California, and UCAS are open for business. Students applying to Ontario universities will have to wait for the Ontario University Application Centre to open later in September. This will also be the case for most other non-Ontario university applications in Canada and Europe.
Your College Essay (also known as The Personal Statement) is well under way if not complete. Be sure to work with your counsellor on this important piece of writing.
Decide whether to apply Early Decision or Early Action — Get answers to the most common questions and make sure you understand the limitations and the financial implications. ED/EA deadlines fall as early as October 15. Work with your counsellor when making this decision.
Financial Aid for U.S. colleges/universities —Use the CSS PROFILE. These forms are critical to your financial aid process. The CSS PROFILE is only required by some schools and scholarships. Submission windows open on October 1.
Connect with college admissions reps when they are visiting our school or online. These sessions are important opportunities to let colleges know you’re considering attending their institution, which in some cases can help your chances.
Keep track of application deadlines, number of required recommendation letters, scholarship deadlines, portfolio requirements, etc. all in one organized spot. Your go to spot is Naviance.
Year 12 | Upcoming workshops
Year 12 | Upcoming workshops
The UCO will be hosting a variety of post-secondary planning workshops over this term.
As we get the ball rolling, the following student workshops are coming up soon. Students need to bring their laptops and questions.
Students who are applying to U.S. universities should make every effort to attend the following workshops:
Thursday, Sept. 21 in Room 140 at 3:45 p.m.
Common app — Accepted by more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
Learn how to apply to multiple colleges at once, creating your profile and filling out details that most schools require such as name, address and extracurricular activities.
Thursday, Oct. 5 in Room 140 at 3:45 p.m.
Applying to the University of California system (UC's)
Students who are applying to U.K. universities should make every effort to attend the following workshop:
Thursday, Sept. 28 in Room 140 at 3:45 p.m.
Applying to U.K. universities — Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS)
Year 12 | Scholarships
Year 12 | Scholarships
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. Login 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.
The Morehead-Cain Scholarship
The Morehead-Cain Scholarship is an exciting opportunity that is available to students who wish to pursue their education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
This is a four-year, fully-funded educational experience for students of the highest calibre. It is so much more than tuition and room and board — it sets scholars’ potential free. It offers life-changing summer enrichment and Discovery Fund experiences as well as immersion in a dynamic student body at a world-class university.
The Morehead-Cain Scholarship chooses scholars based on four criteria:
1. Leadership: Morehead-Cains influence, energize and inspire others to work together to make an impact. It’s more than titles held or roles played. For scholars, leadership is about courage and action.
2. Scholarship: Morehead-Cains thrive in an academically rigorous environment, yet are able to contribute to their communities in other ways. They are ready to take full advantage of UNC’s academic excellence.
3. Character: Courage, humility, integrity, maturity, perseverance, self-awareness, generosity and empathy — these are the core values of the Morehead-Cain community. Morehead-Cains embrace the fact that they are growing and learning.
4. Physical vigour: Morehead-Cains demonstrate a sustained commitment to fitness and wellness. They value what is gained — collaboration, sportsmanship, discipline, stamina and persistence — by preparing for and engaging in competitions and performances. (Due consideration is given to those with physical limitations.)
The application is due on October 1. UCC has nominated 3 students for this scholarship but any UCC student is welcome to apply. We have had scholars who were and were not nominated. Previous Morehead-Cain Scholars from UCC include Randy Chang ’23, Kene Ochuba ’21 and Kimathi Muiruri ’17.
You can find further information about this incredible opportunity on their website. Please reach out to your counsellor if you have any questions or for support with your application.
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.
Loran Award
The Loran Award is one of Canada’s most prestigious honours paying particular attention to a young person’s character. To find the next generation of leaders for Canada, they look beyond the transcript and find the promise of character: integrity, courage, compassion, determination and a high level of personal autonomy. Tenable at 25 Canadian partner universities, the Loran Award is valued at $100,000 over four years, including mentorship, funding for summer work experiences, and participation in an extensive network of past and present scholars. This year, up to 36 Loran Awards will be offered. In addition, the Loran committee is granting up to 124 finalist and provincial/territorial awards ($6,000 or $2,000 each, respectively) to promising candidates.
All interested and eligible students are welcome to apply by filling out the application, uploading a transcript, and naming a reference. School sponsorship is no longer required. Previous Loran Scholars from UCC include Toni Agbaje-Ojo ’21 and Vlad Chindea ’18.
The deadline for all applications is Oct. 11, 2023, before 8 p.m. (Eastern Time)
To learn more about the Loran Award, the eligibility criteria and the application process, visit the Loran Scholars website. Please reach out to your university counsellor for support and any questions you may have about your application.
To learn more about the Loran Award, the eligibility criteria and the application process, please register to one of their webinars and hear from Loran alumni firsthand.
Or visit the Loran Scholars website. Please reach out to your university counsellor for support and any questions you may have about your application.
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.
SAVE THE DATE | University visits 2023
SAVE THE DATE | University visits 2023
Please be advised that the university visits calendar link is updated every week. See here the most updated calendar for university visits.
Please note that Johns Hopkins University will no longer have an evening presentation. The presentation will be on October 5 at 1:30 p.m.
Register here for the Carnegie Mellon University evening presentation on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.
U.S. College Expo Fair @ UCC Student Centre
September 28 at 1:30 p.m.
All UCC students are invited to attend!
Representatives from Brown University, Dartmouth, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University are visiting Havergal College for a presentation about academic programs, campus life and the admission and financial aid processes at each institution.
Monday, September 25 @ 7–8:30 p.m. Register here.
Virtual Presentations
Virtual Presentations
The directors and deans of eight highly-selective liberal arts colleges join forces to provide college-bound students and their families with information about some of the most celebrated colleges in the United States. This 90-minute program provides valuable insights on the distinctions of the individual colleges and the opportunity to speak with eight of the best national liberal arts colleges in the United States.
You are invited to hear from admissions officers representing each of the Ivy+ institutions. This group includes Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.
Admissions officers will address issues of particular concern to students applying from Canada. Topics to be covered include highly selective holistic admissions, liberal arts institutions, the financial aid process, and changes in the application process for the coming cycle. They will be welcoming questions from attendees during the program.
Year 10 | PSAT (Preliminary SAT)
Year 10 | PSAT (Preliminary SAT)
This year, the PSAT exam will be digitally administered on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, before school from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. and will continue after school from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for students who wish to write it (it is not mandatory for Year 10 students to write). More information to come to Year 10s emails.
Why would I take the PSAT exam?
The PSAT is a great way for students to get a good idea of what it is like to write either the SAT and/or ACT standardized tests that are used for US university admissions. It is helpful preparation for understanding the style of questions that are used on standardized tests. Additionally, for some students who are being recruited as an athlete, this can give coaches an early “preview” of a possible test score during the recruiting process.
American citizens can use their PSAT results as the qualifying exam used by the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Please note that deadline has changed. All students who wish to write the PSAT exam at the college, are required to email Ms. Lopez in the University Counselling Office by Friday, September 29, 2023.
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