Kids applying to university? How to help them stand out
Applying to post-secondary programs is a stressful experience – for both students and their parents. One of the best ways to calm anxieties is by working hard to put together a strong application. If you’re a stressed but supportive parent, here are some tips you can share with your child.
Brush up on grammar. Special programs and scholarships often require a personal letter, and a polished piece free from grammar errors can make an impact. Take advantage of the Language Portal of Canada, a free website from Public Services and Procurement Canada
that anyone can access to improve their writing. Resources on clear communication, syntax, punctuation and more can help your teen craft an eloquent statement. Get help with special components. Certain programs, such as architecture, graphic design and most of the fine arts, have a more robust application that goes beyond grades to include a portfolio. This part of the application can be challenging to put together, especially if your child isn’t taking related courses in high school. Fortunately, many universities and colleges have portfolio days, where faculty review student portfolios and offer constructive criticism – even for students applying to other schools.
Highlight unique skills. Sometimes when prospective students have similar grades, the deciding factor can be extracurricular activities or special skills. If your child is on student council, takes part in an academic activity or sports team, or can speak an additional language, encourage them to call attention to it if possible. Need to boost their French writing for an award or supplementary application? The Language Portal can help with this too, with translation, vocabulary and grammar resources in both official languages.
For great tools and resources that both you and your kids can use to create a stronger post-secondary application and more, visit canada.ca/our-languages