Graduation can be a complicated time.  Use the following timelines to keep track of everything you need to know leading up to and even following your big day.

As always, contact your counsellor if you have any questions regarding anything in this timeline.

Download a printable version of your graduation timeline here.

Download Timeline

September

  • Grad Newsletter:  Ensure that the main office has your e-mail address so that you and your parent will be receiving the WGSS Grad Newsletter and other important Grad related e-mails
  • WGSSCareers: Join  com/wgsscareers    Join this Instagram account, which is managed by our Careers department, to learn about upcoming opportunities and events
  • GatorFutures Twitter:  Join @GatorFutures to receive up-dates on career, post-secondary opportunities and scholarship information
  • High School Grad Requirement:  Be sure you meet BC graduation requirements. See your counsellor if you have ANY questions.  Ministry Graduation Requirements  Additional information is available in the Graduation Section of the WGSS Counselling & Careers website.
  • Canadian Post-Secondary Entrance Requirements:  Spend time checking that you have the correct high school courses needed for the post-secondary institution(s) or program you are considering. There are both ‘general entrance requirements’ (e.g., whether or not a language 11 is needed or minimum 70% in academic Math) and ‘specific entrance requirement’ (e.g.  English 12 plus Pre-Cal 12 and at least one science 12 for a B.Sc. program at UBC). Use either:  www.myblueprint.ca  or www.educationplanner.ca as a starting place but then be sure to go to the specific post-secondary sites to verify the information  (Post-Secondary Section of the WGSS Counselling & Careers website)
  • US Entrance Requirements:  If you are considering attending an American institution, be aware that institutions need to have your completed application by early December.  You may also have to provide a SAT or ACT assessment score as part of your application.  Considerable information is available at the Studying in the USA Section of the WGSS Counselling & Careers website under the Post-Secondary heading.
  • SAT Exam:  Register for the SAT (collegeboard.com) [or ACT (act.org)] if you are considering studying at a US post-secondary institution or if you will be applying to a NCAA or NCIA school on a sports scholarship.  Our school code is 821-161.
  • Language Challenge Exam:  Students who came to Canada before completing Grade 9 and who cannot claim Grade 11 and/or 12 second Language Credit are encouraged to consider taking the Language Challenge Exam.  The Delta School District, in collaboration with the Coast-Metro Challenge Consortium, offers students the opportunity to write Language Challenge Exams.  For additional information, see the “Language Challenge Exam Section” of the WGSS Counselling & Careers website or speak to a counsellor or ISP Coordinator.  You must register before the end of September to write this exam.  The exam takes place at the end of January in Delta.
  • BC PSI Day:  Approximately 15 institutions come to WGSS every fall. Their visit is often the last week of September.  Grade 11 students have the opportunity to sign-up for two information sessions; Grade 12 students (and their parents) are strongly encouraged to plan to attend the Post-Secondary Institution Fair in one of our gyms during REP time.  You will have an opportunity to double-check important information about your eligibility and receive program up-dates. Generally, UBC does not participate in this event.  Grade 12s may submit a request to attend the WGSS mini-sessions; these requests will be accommodated if the student has teacher permission, and as space permits.  The PSIBC website will advertise other open house and visit day opportunities.  psibcinfo.com/
  • S.I.N. Many scholarship applications ask that you include your S.I.N. when you claim the award.  If you do not already have a Social Insurance Number, you should apply for a S.I.N. before December.  Apply for S.I.N.

 October

  •  Post-Secondary Plans:  
    • Carefully review the program options for the 2-4 institutions you are considering attending
    • Make a list of the requirements and deadlines (e.g., high school courses and marks, essay, etc.)
    • Note the dates/times of information sessions about your program or view/visit days at the institutions
    • Tentatively decide when you (and your parents) will visit the institution and speak to an advisor.
  • The WGSS Counselling & Careers website – Post-Secondary Section has direct links to institutions in the BC Colleges/Universities Section or to other Canadian Universities Section
  • Applications:   A number of post-secondary institutions allow you to apply for their programs on or before Oct. 1 (e.g. UBC, UVIC, BCIT, UNBC, SFU, UFV, TRU, TWU, Douglas, McGill, etc.).  You can create an account to apply to BC public Institutions through:  https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/   (Alberta and Ontario have similar application services)
    • Limited Enrolment Programs – KPU and UFV applications open on October 1. Some limited enrollment programs fill within the first couple of days; nursing often is filled within the first hour.
    • October 1 is the date that BCIT allows students to submit their application and transcript. Many of BCIT’s programs fill on a first-qualified first-accepted basis; once the available spaces are filled, all other qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist. Students applying to BCIT should have requested a PDF of their unofficial transcript from the counselling department before October 1 so the morning the portal opens for applications, students can upload their transcript with their application.
  • C.U.E. in Langley:  Each fall, Langley District hosts the Canadian University Event at the Langley Event Centre.  Approximately 50 post-secondary institutions from across Canada participate in this fair.  Representatives are available to meet with students and their parents. Students can sign-up through our Career Advisor to attend this afternoon event at the Langley Event. There are also community events, in the evening for students and parents if they cannot attend the Langley event.  The schedule is on the CUE website:  cuebcevents.ca.  Watch the Grad Newsletter, WGSSCareers Instagram and  @GatorFutures for additional information. 
  • UBC:  UBC does not participate in PSIBC. UBC does participate in CUE at the Langley Event Centre.  UBC will only be doing virtual presentations, not school visits this year.  Here is a link to the virtual opportunities. 
  • National Portfolio Day: is hosted by KPU:  Wilson School of Design in mid-November Approximately thirty art colleges and universities participate.  nationalportfolioday.org
  • Grad Info + PSI Info:  Capstone teachers will be providing their students with information on how to check graduation credits and apply to universities/colleges, and help students create an account with the Student Transcript Service.
  • Scholarships:
    • Students are encouraged to keep checking the District Scholarship Database for information about scholarships that they may wish to apply for:  District Scholarship Database
    • Unlock Your Future District Scholarship Information Evening – Brittany Palmer is a recognized leader in the Lower Mainland who assists students and their parents with the scholarship application process.  One of the Langley high schools hosts this opportunity each year.  WGSS will advertise the event in Grad Newsletter and @GatorFutures
    • GrantMe – Madison Guy, Brookswood Secondary graduate (and UBC Sauder School of Business graduate) started GrantMe – a scholarship service for Canadian students.  

November

  • StudentTranscriptService – is a Ministry of Education website which allows students to order transcripts
    • All Grade 12 students must create a BCeID account. 
    • Once students have a BCeID account, students are able to indicate to the Ministry of Education which institutions they have submitted an application to attend in September.  Interim grades will be available to post-secondary institutions in BC and Ontario in May and final transcripts will be send to those institutions indicated through the StudentTranscriptService in late July/early August.  It is each student’s responsibility to indicate their choice on the STS site prior to May 1.  See a counsellor if you need help with completing your transcript release request(s).   Student will be able to login at the end of July to see their final transcript (a copy will NOT be mailed to the student).
  • ELL Students:  Students need to apply to write the IELTS www.ielts.org or the TOEFL www.ets.org/toefl early so they will have an opportunity to write it a second time if necessary.  Check the post-secondary website to review the institution’s English Language Requirement if you have not been in Canada for all of your high school education.
  • Application Documentation:  Double check if the program you have applied for requires additional information – e.g., portfolio, letter of reference, essay, etc.  Once you have been given a student number with the institution, they expect that you will be logging in regularly to check the status of your application.
  • Letter of Reference:  If you require a reference letter from your teacher, coach or counsellor, please be respectful and provide them with at least 3 weeks’ notice and a copy of your Student Profile.   [Request for Reference Form is available on the District Scholarship Site]
  • US Applicants:  US post-secondary institutions generally have an application deadline of December 1 (but some institutions have a November 1 deadline).  US institutions start offering admission confirmation by January 15; therefore, research early and get all your documents in order well before the deadline (e.g., you will need a transcript of your Gr. 9-12 marks and possibly a SAT or ACT score); allow a minimum of two weeks’ notice for counsellor’s report and letters of reference from the counsellor for your US application.  Please do not leave this to the last minute and ask your counsellor to be writing the recommendation just before the Christmas break.

 

December

 Application:

    • UBC – Personal Profile and application deadline of December 1 to be considered for scholarships.
    • OUAC application services opens in September.
    • You are strongly encouraged to apply early if you are thinking about going to Queen’s or McGill, or other schools in Ontario or Quebec.
  • TVR (Transcript Verification Report):  In December, you will be provided with a copy of your TVR.  You will be asked to verify the correctness of your courses, credits, and your home mailing address with the Ministry of Education records. 
  • Student Number(s):  As you hear back from institutions, make note of the student number assigned to you by each institution.  Once you have been accepted, the institution will give you information about your e-mail account with their institution.  Regularly check your e-mail as this is how the university will inform you about your application status.  Keep a copy of your student numbers in your phone or another secure location. If you need help applying, please see your counsellor or our career advisor.
  • Scholarships: 

 

January

 Applications:

    • If you have not already applied to your post-secondary institutions of choice, you should do so now.  In order to apply for scholarships, you must indicate where you have applied
    • Be sure to have a back-up plan if you do not get into the institution you applied to attend.  See our career advisor or a counsellor to talk about your options
  • Distance Education:  If you are completing a course on-line or at another location, be sure that you check the completion date requirements of the post-secondary you have applied to attend.  For example, UBC requires the course is 100% finished with the mark reported to the Ministry of Education by February 1 for that mark to be used in your competitive admission average.
  • Graduation:  Ensure you are in a position to graduate (marks/courses/credits).
  • Post-Secondary Plans:  Recheck that you have all the requirements for the program(s) you are considering
  • Reminder about StudentTranscriptService:  If you have not completed the Student Transcript Service online the Ministry will not release your marks to the post-secondary institution and this will result in a delay in the consideration of your application or could jeopardize admission. 
  • Transcript:  Some institutions (e.g. U of T, Queen’s) require a transcript of your first semester marks.  Please allow one week for this to be prepared. See further: wgsscourseguide.ca/info/graduation/transcripts

 

February

  • Early Application Deadlines:   Every institution has a different Early Admission deadline; some are December (e.g. UBC – December 1 and others are after Christmas: (e.g.  SFU – January 31; UFV – January 31; UVIC – January 31)
  • Residency:  Applications for housing are usually due soon after your Admissions Application so be careful that you don’t miss this deadline if you were wanting to live on campus
  • Confirmation of Application:  Check your e-mail; you will be given a student account with the institution; they will want you to login into their email system to receive up-dates on the status of your application; keep checking the email account you are given to ensure that the institution has received all the required documentation and marks.
  • Scholarships:

 

March

  • Self-Report Grades:  Some institutions may ask you to report Semester 2 marks; transcripts do NOT need to be mailed to the institution unless specifically requested for the program for which you have applied. 
  • DL (Distributed Learning) Courses:  Check whether the institution you are applying to will accept DL course marks. 
  • Transcripts:  You may need to mail your transcript to out-of-province post-secondary institutions.  Complete the Transcript Request Form and allow at least one-week for processing.
  • Scholarships: 
  • Campus Visit:  If you and your parents have not already done so, Spring Break is a good opportunity to visit the campus and meet with an advisor
  • Disability:  If you have a disability, you should meet with the Disability Resource Centre at the post-secondary institution and provide them with a copy of your Psych-Ed Assessment and your IEP (Individual Learning Plan) so they can discuss ways to support you when you are on their campus.  Be sure to ask about specific scholarships and bursaries you might qualify for at their institution

April

  • StudentTranscriptService: This must have been completed by April 30 in order for your marks to be available for the post-secondary institutions to consider your application for early admission.
  • Offers of Admission:  You will start to hear from the institutions you applied to and they will communicate through the institution’s e-mail about the status of your application.

May

  • TVR (Transcript Verification Report):  You will be asked to verify that your home address and personal information is correct in the Ministry records. On the bottom of the May TVR, you will see a list of the institutions who can access your final marks.
  • “Interim” Marks:  will be available for the post-secondary institutions in BC and Ontario to access from the Ministry of Education (these marks will be your Semester 1 marks).
  • Conditional Offers of Admission:  You will receive notification that you have been accepted contingent upon your final grades at the end of July.  To accept the offer, you will be required to pay an admission deposit by a deadline, and you will then receive notification of your course registration date.
  • WGSS / District or District Authority Award: If you have won a WGSS or District or District Authority Award, you will receive notification to come to the WGSS Scholarship Recognition Afternoon which will be in early June.  You may bring two adult guests with you.

 

June

  • Scholarships: As you receive notification that you have been awarded a scholarship, please let Ms. Kifiak (Counselling Centre) know as this information is shared as you cross the stage at the graduation ceremonies.
  • Student Loans:  Apply for Student Loans in early June. The BC/Canada Student Loan application is available at:  www.studentaidbc.ca
  • Confirmation of Plans:  Accept your offer and pay your registration deposit; then courteously decline offer(s) from the other post-secondary schools so your reserved spot can be given to another applicant.
  • Course Registration:  Be working on a draft of your timetable and course requests so that when you are able to register, you will be ready and have the greatest chance of getting the courses you would like to take.
  • Course Planning Workshops/Student Orientations:  The institution will provide you with opportunities to meet with an advisor and tour the campus.  You can ask questions about your program. It is a good idea to take advantage of this opportunities as it will increase your chance of success in September.  Some institutions will not meet with you individually until you have been part of a small group session.
  • Do your best in all of your Grade 12 classes’ right until the end of the year:  The marks in your courses will still be reviewed by the institution in early August!
  • High School is finished!!!  Congratulations and good luck!

                      

July and August (after Graduation)

  • Course Registration: You will receive a date and time when you may choose your courses for the fall.
  • Transcript: Your final transcript will be sent to the institution you released your marks to through the Student Transcript Service.  You will need to log in to see your final transcript as the Ministry will not be mailing you a copy.
  • Confirmation of Admission: You will be sent an e-mail (or letter) from the post-secondary institution confirming your offer of admission based upon the final grades on your July transcript. You will then need to make your tuition payment.
  • Orientation: You may wish to go to an orientation session at a post-secondary institution if you have not already done so.

November (after Graduation)

  • Ministry Scholarship Recipients: In November, the Ministry announces winners of the BC Achievement Award and provides a tuition voucher for this award and all other Ministry awards. You will then use the voucher for the second semester tuition at the institution you are attending
  • Dogwood Diploma/Evergreen Certificate/Fral Diploma: Your diploma(s) will be available to be picked up from the Counselling Centre.  We are not able to mail certificates to graduates.