Skip to main content

How to Apply to Post Secondary Schools

The information below provides students with the necessary steps in how to begin their Post Secondary applications. 

Applying to a Post Secondary institution requires several important steps you need to follow. Before you begin your first application, you will need to visit https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/ and create an account. From this site, you will be able to choose your Post Secondary schools; it is recommended to apply to more than ONE school (at least 3 ) to ensure you get into one school. If you're unsure how many schools to apply for, please contact me.   Even if you're university bound, it is always a good idea to apply to a public college (Langara College, KPU, Douglas to name a few) as a back up. Once you've created your personal account on the educationplannerbc website, you will be able to begin your application to your selected PSIs (Post Secondary Institutions). If you scroll further down from this page, you'll see that I've also attached a guide on those important steps to your Post secondary application.

Application Process
Step 1: Apply online.
Apply early! Many schools begin accepting applications as early as September. Langara
College, BCIT fills several programs on a first qualified, first admitted basis. Universities like
UBC, SFU, UVic will open up their application portal October 1st.
Visit websites of the post-secondary schools of interest to confirm the application process and
deadlines. Deadlines can be as early as December.  To be sure, please check their website to confirm the dates.

  • BC Post-Secondary Schools: Several BC post-secondary schools, including UVIC and
    Camosun, offer online application through the Education Planner BC website.
  • Alberta Post-Secondary Schools: Several Alberta post-secondary schools offer online
    application through the ApplyAlberta website.
  • Ontario Post-Secondary Schools: Application for Ontario post-secondary programs
    may be completed online at the Ontario Universities Application Centre website (OUAC- Ontario Universities Application Centre).
  • U.S.A.: Application for many universities in the United States may be completed online
    at the Common Application website.
    Check your email regularly after you have applied. Some post-secondary schools will have you
    sign up for an college/university applicant account that includes an email. Be sure to check that
    account and email often as well for messages regarding your admission status and lists of things
    you need to do.
    Step 2: Arrange to have your marks forwarded to the post-secondary school(s) on the
    Student Transcripts Services (STS) website.
    To register for STS, you will first need to register for a “basic” BCeID (BC Electronic ID). Be
    sure to make note of the BCeID and password you create.
    Then log in to the Student Transcripts Services site using your BCeID. Once you are logged
    in, select the post-secondary schools you’d like to share your transcript with.
    Helpful Videos from the Ministry of Education
  • Students in the IB Diploma program will need to contact Mr. Miller (dmiller@sd38.bc.ca), the IB Co-Ordinator to have their high school transcripts forwarded to their Post Secondary schools.  
  • STS Help Videos:
    – Registering for a BCeID and Accessing Student Transcripts Service
    – How to Order and/or Send a Transcript to a Post-Secondary Institution
    – How to Send a Transcript to an Employer, Yourself, or Anyone
    Step 3: If you plan to apply to a university in the U.S.A., plan to write the S.A.T. or A.C.T.
    More information at:
    S.A.T.: https://sat.collegeboard.org/home
    A.C.T.: https://www.act.org/

Step 4: Self-report your grades.
Many schools (UBC, SFU & UVIC) require that you “self-report” your marks. A request to "self-report" grades will occur sometime in January (when the Self reporting Portal opens). Be sure to check your email messages!   Other schools require you to send a paper transcript. Be sure you understand the requirements of the schools for which you are applying.
 

Step 5: Apply for scholarships, bursaries, and student loans.
Visit the Financial Aid or Student Services website of the post-secondary school you plan to attend.
Be sure to check out their Scholarships, Bursaries, and also read their criteria/requirements to see
if you meet them before you apply. If you’re applying for a student loan, visit the studentaidbc
website. If you require any assistance, you could either make an appointment with me (Mr. Ng) or send me an email @ hng@sd38.bc.ca

Updated: Friday, November 8, 2024