Wilfrid Laurier University | 100 years inspiring lives of leadership and purpose.
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Fall edition
guidance Counsellor Newsletter
2010
Laurier has student exchange partnerships with institutions in 22 countries
Allie Gadula visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, India as part of her international study tour. She graduated in April 2010 with a BBA, International Business stream.
2010/2011 Admission updates
Offers of Admission
Laurier will only extend one offer of admission to each applicant. If a student applies for multiple programs at Laurier and qualifies for the first program listed, we will not proceed with further assessments. Normally, students who do not receive an offer of admission for the program to which they applied will automatically be considered for admission to an alternate program if space permits.
Admission average calculation
Laurier calculates admission averages by taking the average of the top six 4U and/ or 4M courses (or equivalent). All other required courses must be at a minimum of 60 percent unless otherwise specified. Many programs also require a special minimum average for science courses; this average is calculated based on the prerequisite math and science courses for each program. The two exceptions to this are our Concurrent Education and Bachelor of Business Administration programs which will calculate the required courses into the admission average.
Applicant Background Summary
ABS forms will be mailed to students after they apply. The ABS form is optional and gives students the opportunity to talk about extra curricular involvements, leadership opportunities and any extenuating circumstances that may have affected their grades. Students who fall within 3% of the admission cut-off will still be considered for admission into their program of choice if they have filled out the ABS form.
Accessible Learning
We encourage students who are considering attending Wilfrid Laurier University to contact us to inquire about services and
facilities for students with disabilities. Prospective students and their families or teachers may direct their inquiries to (519) 884-0710, ext. 3086, or email accessible_ learning@wlu.ca. Brantford inquiries may be directed to 519-756-8228 ext. 5759 or email accessiblelearningbrantford@wlu.ca Staff in the Accessible Learning Centre are also pleased to meet with prospective students to discuss their needs in relation to support services provided at Laurier. Students might want to consider arranging a campus tour in conjunction with their preliminary visit with us. Students with learning disabilities, ADHD or acquired brain injury should be prepared to provide current psychoeducational or neuro-psychological documentation. Students with sensory, mobility or medical disabilities should provide the centre with current medical documentation of the condition.
IB (International Baccalaureate)
Applicants who have successfully completed the IB diploma will be considered for admission upon presenting passes with an acceptable standing in a minimum of six subjects, of which three must be at the higher level. The minimum overall total score requirement is 28. Some programs are more competitive and may require a higher minimum overall score. Laurier will accept IB predicted
grades for early admission. For programs requiring Calculus, Higher Level Mathematics or Mathematical Methods will be considered equivalent. Advanced standing is considered for up to a maximum of 3.0 credits for applicants who have completed the IB Diploma and who present a minimum of three subjects at the higher level, with a minimum score of 5 in each course. Applicants completing individual IB courses in conjunction with another educational system will be assessed on the basis of their entire academic record.
Advanced Placement
The following courses, with a minimum grade of 4, will be considered for transfer credit assessment: • Biology • Calculus AB/BC • Chemistry • Computer Science A/AB • English Lit/Comp and Lang/Comp • Environmental Science • European History • French Language/Literature • Government & Politics Comparative • Human Geography • Microeconomics/Macroeconomics • Music Theory • Physics B/C • Psychology • Spanish Literature`
Application Timelines – 2010 Admissions Cycle October 5, 2010 January 12, 2011 February 4, 2011 March 16, 2011 March 18, 2011 April 15, 2011 April 15, 2011 June 2, 2011 June 2, 2011
OUAC site opens Deadline for 101 applicants to apply Recommended last day for students to submit all information Laurier Brantford Open House Laurier Waterloo Campus Open House Applicant Background Summary Form due Entrance Bursary application deadline Confirmation deadline Residence application deadline
New Programs & Options
Financial Mathematics BA + Business Administration New Double Degree This new double degree program, which has successfully begun its first class, provides students the opportunity to gain expertise in business models and management practices, as well as the theory and quantitative methods fundamental to the financial and related sectors. The program consists of a minimum of 26.0 credits and will take less than five years to complete, and includes three co-op work terms.
Bachelor of Business Technology Management (pending Senate approval) Brantford Campus
Laurier Brantford’s new Bachelor of Business Technology Management will prepare graduates for a business world where technology is key to success. Graduates will understand how various technologies work, the value that they bring to a particular organization and how they can best be integrated into existing systems. They will also have the ability to seek out and assess new technologies in creating business solutions. Combining the program with Laurier Brantford’s strong interdisciplinary teaching style and leadership courses will allow BTM graduates to fully understand the world around them.
Youth & Children’s Studies Brantford Campus
This unique program, offered at our Brantford campus, offers a balance of Social Science and Humanities courses and provides students with an opportunity to develop a strong understanding of all of the factors influencing children’s development in the modern world. This approach will put the Children’s Studies Honours program on the progressive
edge of teaching in this area. The program includes an interdisciplinary introduction to the study of children and youth, a history of children and youth, and a Community Service Learning placement.
Financial Math and Financial Management New Program The new Honours Financial Math and Financial Management Bachelor of Arts degree program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain expertise in financial management practices and the theory fundamental to the analysis of investment and risk. Through this unique combination of business, economics and mathematics courses, successful students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the practical financial issues facing business and industry, and a solid knowledge of financial mathematics and econometrics. This is a four year program that incorporates co-op work terms.
Legal Studies Option New Option The Legal Studies Option is designed to give students an opportunity to study legal topics, theories and method. Students will take course from faculty members from a wide variety of academic disciplines. The Legal Studies option is ideal for undergraduate students interested in pursuing law school and other legal related careers. This Option consists of 4.0 credits.
Biochemistry and Biotechnology and Biotechnology Technician Diploma College Partnership
This program combines Laurier’s honours BSc in biochemistry and biotechnology with Conestoga’s biotechnology technician diploma. Students will complete the first two years if the honour biochem-
istry/biotechnology BSc program at Laurier, where they will develop knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, chemistry and biochemistry. Students will then complete one year of special study at Conestoga in the biotechnology technician diploma program to gain 180 laboratory hours in plant and animal cell biotechnology, immunology and fermentation biology. They will then return to Laurier for the final two years of the BSc degree.
Program Restructuring
Women’s Studies becomes Women & Gender Studies Our Women’s Studies program offered by the Faculty of Arts has been renamed “Women & Gender Studies”. This change reflects a broader scope of study.
Administration Option becomes Management Option The Administration Option offered through the School of Business & Economics has been renamed the “Management Option.” The Management Option gives nonbusiness student a basic understand of the principles of business while completing their degree in another faculty. Some of the required courses include: Introduction to Business Organizations, Functional Areas of the Organization, Fundamentals of Finance, and Introduction to Marketing Management.
Campus updates
Around Campus Putting Students First: Laurier’s newly appointed Dean of Students Leanne HollandBrown comes as part of a strategic change to enhance Laurier’s innovative approach to student-centered education. The newly created Dean of Students position in Brantford will also enable each dean to focus more directly on students and on the student-life needs of their respective campuses. National Secondary School Stock Market Competition: Laurier offers two computerized investment competitions each academic year open to high school students across Canada. Each group, participant or team will begin with a virtual $100,000 and will work to increase their portfolio value. A Teacher’s Centre, which features investment-related quizzes, sample lesson plans, teaching activities and much more, ensures the online competition can be easily used in class or as an extra-curricular activity. Visit invest.wlu.ca for more information. Specialist High Skills Major: Laurier is excited to offer a number of on and off-campus opportunities for specialist high skills major schools. Partnering with departments and student groups across campus, the following is a list of opportunities for a customized visit: Mini-lecture series, mock case workshops, Student Leadership Center workshops, campus tours, the Link Conference, National Second School Stock Market Competition (offcampus), student success presentations, lab demonstrations, career services workshops, usic master classes/concert rehearsals. For more information please contact cdaoust@wlu.ca or gsong@wlu.ca Learning Services: Learning Services support and enhance the student academic experience. The centres include:
Laurier Brantford Since 1999, Laurier Brantford has provided a quality, interdisciplinary liberal arts education in a close-knit, campus community. Enrolment in September 2010 was over 2,600 students, and despite the rapid expansion of the campus, we have maintained the same student experience, centred around small classes and engaging and accessible faculty. The campus continues to develop new and innovative programming to meet the needs of today’s student. In addition to the previously mentioned Bachelor of Business Technology Management (BBTM), other new programming includes: • Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Health Studies – Designed to provide students an integrated core of social sciences and hard science courses, the BASc Health Studies will focus on health and is strong preparation for further study in fields as diverse as medicine, chiropractic, physiotherapy, health policy and community health care. • Masters of Arts, Criminology – The first graduate program available at the Brantford campus is scheduled to begin in September 2011, and will allow students to specialize in International Crime and Justice, Media Criminology, or Culture, Crime and Policy. More information is available online at www.laurierbrantford.ca/criminologyMA
• • • •
Accessible Learning Centre Central Academic Advising Office Mathematics Assistance Centre Study Skills and Supplementary Instruction Centre • Writing Centre
Class sizes*
1-45 46-90 91-125 126-170 171+
53% 31% 11% 4% 1%
*Winter 2010
• The Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education option now offers a Frenchteaching option, allowing students to add French as a teachable subject. Laurier Brantford is also continuing to develop partnerships with colleges for students looking to transition to university after completing a diploma. Our full transfer credit policy, including college and program specific details can be found online at: www.wlu.ca/ brantford/collegegrads . Our newest agreement combines Laurier Brantford’s innovative program in Human Rights and Human Diversity with Conestoga’ College’s post-graduate certificate program in Human Resources Management. Students can complete the post-grad certificate as part of their program, graduating after four years with an Honours Bachelor of Arts and a postgraduate certificate. Upon completion, graduates will have completed all the required coursework for the Canadian Human Resources Professional designation. More information is available online at www.wlu.ca/brantford/hrhd
New Toronto office: Laurier is expanding its presence in the heart of Toronto’s financial district with a new office on the main floor of the Exchange Tower building at 130 King St. West (at York street). You and your students are welcome to visit anytime to ask questions about Laurier.
Points of interest
Guidance Counsellor Day
Come and experience Laurier for yourself! Join us for lunch. Talk to faculty and staff. Attend sessions on admissions and student life. Hear students talk about their Laurier experiences.
Wednesday, November 17 from 9 am – 2 pm Optional tours of the campus will follow from 2 p.m.– 3 p.m. More information and a registration form can be found at www.chooselaurier.ca
Campus Tours Waterloo campus
Tours are typically 90 minutes in length and are available Monday through Saturday. Please contact the Student Recruitment Office at (519) 884-1970 ext. 3385 or online at www.chooselaurier.ca to book a tour.
Brantford campus
Tours are offered throughout the week, and can be booked online at www.wlu.ca/brantford/tour or through the Brantford Recruitment Office at (519) 756-8228 ext. 5777 or by email at chooselaurierbrantford@wlu.ca.
Guaranteed Residence
Laurier guarantees a space in residence to all first-year students. Students who have an average of 90 percent or better have their choice of residence building style and/or room style (Brantford offers room style choice only), providing their application and $400 deposit are received by the Residential Services Office by 4:30 p.m. on June 2, 2011. The Waterloo campus offers both apartment and dormitory-style buildings, while the Brantford campus offers only apartment-style buildings with single and double rooms. Studentsmay choose to live in a Living Learning Community (LLC), a themed residence environment designed specifically for first-year students. These communities are founded upon a specific set of interests that are structured to give students a high level of involvement in their first year at Laurier. In Waterloo, the Leadership Community and the Global Engagement Community extend opportunities for learning and growth beyond the classroom to a select group of students
NEW!
who share common residential and personal interests. Laurier Brantford is pleased to present an Academic Focused Learning Community for Concurrent Education (Con-Ed) students entering their first year of study. This community is a unique residence environment designed for motivated, energetic students enrolled in the Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education Program. Students will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in their academic program through peer connections, academic and career based programming. The Don will be an upper year Concurrent Education Student who will help engage students academically and tailor their programming and community development to the life of these students. All students living in this community must be registered in the Concurrent Education program at the Brantford Campus. To Apply and for more information, please visit: http://brantford.mylaurier.ca/ residence/info/living/LC
100 Centennial Scholarships. One life-changing decision.
For nearly 100 years, Wilfrid Laurier University has been inspiring students with an exceptional university experience.
Eligibility Criteria
In celebration of our centennial, Laurier will be awarding 100 new scholarships to cover tuition for one year for students entering their first year as a full-time student at Laurier.
• Be entering their first year at Wilfrid Laurier University as a full-time student
These scholarships will be offered to the most well-rounded students, selected according to criteria established by Laurier.
www.chooselaurier.ca/100
In order to be eligible for a Laurier Centennial Scholarship, the student must:
• Demonstrate leadership, passion and achievement • Have a minimum cumulative average of 80% at the time they are applying
For more information, check the student recruitment website at www.chooselaurier.ca/100. Applications must be received online no later than February 28, 2011.
Notes
Contact information
Laurier Switchboard: 519-884-1970 | Automated Attendant: 519-884-0710 Recruitment:
Glennice Snyder
ext. 3100
gsnyder@wlu.ca
Recruitment:
Lindsay Lawrence
ext. 4165
llawrence@wlu.ca
Campus Tours:
Lauren Osborne
ext. 3385
losborne@wlu.ca
Housing:
Chris Dodd
ext. 3236
cdodd@wlu.ca
Accessible Learning Centre:
Marybeth Phillips
ext. 3086
mphillip@wlu.ca
Visit us!
Fall Open Houses Waterloo campus Friday November 5, 2010 Brantford campus Friday November 12, 2010 More information available at
Laurier BRANTFORD: 519-756-8228 Recruitment:
Holly Cox
ext. 5709
hcox@wlu.ca
Recruitment:
Craig Chipps
ext. 5777
cchipps@wlu.ca
Campus Tours:
Alison Nigra
ext. 5816
anigra@wlu.ca
Student Services:
Laurie Fosty
ext. 5716
lfosty@wlu.ca
Housing:
Christopher Eley
ext. 5856
celey@wlu.ca
Accessible Learning Centre:
ext. 5871
lbaccessiblelearning@wlu.ca
www.chooselaurier.ca www.chooselaurierbrantford.ca
Any laurier campus: 519-884-1970 Laurier International:
Peter Donahue
ext. 6842
pdonahue@wlu.ca
Scholarships:
Nancy Helmond
ext. 2358
nhelmond@wlu.ca
Student Awards:
Ruth MacNeil
ext. 6094
rmacneil@wlu.ca
Admissions:
Lois Wood
ext. 6099
admissions@wlu.ca
ext. 3101
dmcguire@wlu.ca
international Recruitment: David McGuire
WATERLOO CAMPUS
75 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5 Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3385 | Fax: (519) 747-2106 Email: chooselaurier@wlu.ca www.chooselaurier.ca
BRANTFORD CAMPUS
73 George Street, Brantford, Ontario, Canada N3T 2Y3 Tel: (519) 756-8228 ext. 5777 | Fax: (519) 759-2127 Email: chooselaurierbrantford@wlu.ca www.chooselaurierbrantford.ca
While every effort has been made to ensure this publication is accurate at time of printing, the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.