Thursday, June 6, 2013

---- ACA what? ---- Understanding "credit types"

Welsh Terrior, Dewey Davies is more than just a ball of fur, he has dreams...big dreams...His current dream is to become the first canine airline pilot.

"Okay...I know I am taking Math 12 next year....but which one? Math is math, right? It costs a lot of money to become a pilot and I'm pretty sure they don't offer Canine Pilots 101 at university or college. There is a private pilot school; I think I'll work after graduation next year to pay for the flying lessons and ground-school. I'm not going to university or college so I guess I'll take Math12 Graduation...well that was easy...."


If only it were so easy! I recommend that Dewey read the information below before making his final decision about this math class.

Knowing the type of credit is just as important as the course itself. Taking the right course but the wrong credit type can determine whether or not you gain admission to university or college.

Courses are given a title, a grade level and a credit type and each piece of information is important when choosing the course you want to take.

Most high school courses fall under one of these credit types:

ADV = Advanced – These courses are designed for students expecting to enter university, college, and other post-secondary institutions. Students taking courses at an advanced level, will demonstrate a higher level of academic ability or achievement. Some post-secondary programs require one or more high school courses be taken at advanced level as part of the admission requirements.

ACA = Academic – These courses are designed for students who expect to enter university, college, or other post-secondary institutions. Courses taken at an academic level meet the admission requirements for many programs.

GRA = Graduation – Courses coded "graduation" are designed for students who wish to obtain a high school graduation diploma and go into the workforce. Graduation level credits are not generally accepted as part of entry to university programs, however, they may be suitable for some community college and private post-secondary school programs. 

OPN=  Open – Open level courses are not designed to meet the specific entrance requirements of post-secondary programs, individual courses may meet entrance requirements of some institutions. The Nova Scotian mandatory physical education requirement is coded as "Open".

Note:  While the Duke of Edinburgh Program's Bronze, Silver and Gold, are all coded as Open level credits, they are highly regarded by universities and other post-seconday institutions. Students who are successful within this program demonstrate a wide variety of skills and strengthens scholarship applications.

So...hopefully, this helps to shed light on those little letters found after the course you want to take.  Academic level courses will meet many of the admissions requirements. As for Dewey...

There are a number of university programs which pair aviation with another degree program. In New Brunswick, it is possible to study Business Administration and earn your commercial pilot rating by the time you graduate. It is also possible to join the military through the Registered Officer Training Program and earn a university degree as well as becoming a pilot. I strongly recommend that this future pilot consider taking at a minimum, MATH12ACA to ensure entry to the Business Administration program and, should the Armed Forces ever allow our four-legged friend to apply to RMCC, he should take MATH12ADV, which leads to CALCULUS12ADV; both are required for their engineering program. Have fun Dewey!


Saturday, May 4, 2013

This Summer I need to earn some money...Student employment suggestions.

For some students summer is a time to relax, go to camp and perhaps do some volunteer work. Other students have found paid employment at a camp or even through Halifax City Recreation.

Some students have just decided they would like to work this summer while others find they need to cover additional costs for their post-secondary education after grade 12.

Pay close attention to the job description, the requirements and also ask yourself if you think you could do the job for the whole summer. There are jobs that look great on the surface...do extra research before considering a job that sounds too good to be true...some companies recruit students to sell products and services are paid a commision (amount of money) rather than an hourly wage. The ad promoting the job may tell you that you can make a lot of money in a very short amount of time; in reality, these kinds of student summer jobs are very demanding and have very unrealistic expectations.

Ready?

Here are some links to help get you started:

The Canadian Government has a site, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) where you can do a specific search and focus in on student summer employment opportunities. Be sure to look closely at the requirements and closing date for applications as they will be different for each job.

Follow the link below to begin:

http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/rch-eng.aspx?ProvId=02&OpPage=50&Stdnt=Only

INDEED is another site listing many opportunites for student employment:

http://ca.indeed.com/Summer-jobs-in-Halifax,-NS

WORKOPOLIS lists many student employment opportunities:

http://www.workopolis.com/EN/students/student-jobs

If you like the idea of re-creating history and helping others to learn about Halifax's Citadel Hill you may want to consider being part of the
LargeRibbon fade

Check it out:     http://www.regimental.com/employment-opportunities/

Look around your community and you may be surprised to find a summer job around the corner from your home...if you live in Enfield this could be a great job.... the closing date is May 10th - apply now!
http://www.enfieldfire.ca/events/SummerJob2013.pdf

Finally...there are also folks you see in church and neighbours who may need child-care and others who require ongoing help with yard work or lawn-mowing. If you find a need and can provide a solution you may be headed toward self-employment...it could be the start of something great!

Happy Summer!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Dalhousie...the school known around the world found here at home.....

From throughout Nova Scotia, across Canada and around the world, 18,220 students make Dalhousie their campus home. They bring an incredible array of interests and talents, and every one contributes to making this one of the country’s leading universities.

With 3,700 courses in over 190 degree programs, Dalhousie offers a wealth of choice, attracting students from around the globe.Over 110 countries are represented within the student population. (dal.ca)

The link below will take you to DAL ONLINE where you can set up an account allowing you quickly and easily apply for admission to Dalhousie.


https://dalonline.dal.ca/

This link takes you to the 2012/2013 undergraduate calendar's listing of the current scholarship awards. In addition to general scholarships, there is a wide listing of other entrance scholarships available to students.

http://ug.cal.dal.ca/AWRD.htm

Many of our graduates have called Dalhousie home. Here are profiles of Amarea and Rebekah, HCA graduates of 2004.

Amarea Greenlaw - 
"I have two degrees from Dal - Bachelor of Management (2008) and Master of Public Administration (2009). I'm currently working as the Assistant Registrar (Records and Registration) in the Registrar's Office." 

Rebekah Zee -
 Rebekah is in her third year at Dal Medical School, "it's definitely busier than the first two"; she is balancing her studies with lots of physical activity, eating (and blogging about recipes and restaurants), travel and time with her family and friends.

All the best to Amarea, Rebekah and our many other Halifax Christian Academy alumni who have chosen Dalhousie University for school and work.



DREAM BIG - scholarship contest

As dawn was breaking today, the sun appeared to have a difficult time deciding how to greet the world. I waited patiently; curled up in my overstuffed chair, sipping a mug of caramel vanilla cream coffee and munching on a cookie I purchased from the HCA Elementary Winter Carnival. Would I be greeted with a bright and cheery "Good morning!", or a subdued and cloudy "Hello...." Early on a Saturday morning, really early, before the sun has made its decision and the birds have chirped hello to all in the neighbourhood, I often find myself reflecting and dreaming about anything and everything... New York City...when will I get to go there...I really want to go to New York... I hope I have one more cinnamon bun left in the freezer... I wonder what it would take to get to make a TED talk... I love stickers... I think I will draw a picture today - of a... The sun has arrived with an amiable "Good morning, have a lovely day." 

At this point of the year, many grade 12 students are in the process of applying to post-secondary schools, exploring funding options and dreaming about what it will be like when they are finally finished school in June. 

Here is a scholarship "contest" sponsored by: http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/dreambig/ 

...it has a short deadline (March 1st) and the opportunity to win up to $1000....

Take a few minutes to Dream... BIG and then make a video... who knows what may come of it... $1000?


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Scholarship opportunities.....

There are scholarships available to fit almost every student....

"But only students who have consistently high averages get scholarships...."

This is not true. Marks count...for some scholarships. There are many more opportunities than one would first think. Here are other ways to think of a scholarship you may qualify for:

Community Service
Interest and participation in Environmental Issues
Human Rights

Some employers (think Burger King and McDonalds) has a scholarship program

Churches often have bursary programs
Some of the larger employers of parents have scholarship and bursary opportunities

Check out the big sites like ScholarshipsCanada.com have fantastic opportunities.

Here are a few local opportunities you may not have heard of...

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia has listings for unique grants and other funding opportunities for students... Here is their link...

http://www.cfns.ca/pages/for_grant_programs.html

Various universities, local away have scholarships and bursaries available but are left untouched ($500.00+) only because students don't check in to them or because they think they won't qualify - Here is an example of one offered by Saint Mary's University...

Jim Pineo Scholarship: Awarded annually to a full-time student living at a permanent address in Nova Scotia, wishing to study at Saint Mary's University. Diagnosed with a disability and verified through the Atlantic Centre for Students with Disabilities and based on financial need. If there is no eligible student the award may be given to a continuing student.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

NSCC has a lot to offer...including...entrance scholarships!

Halifax Christian Academy's Class of 2012 graduate, Krysten Stevens, was recently featured on "Live at Five" as part of her Baking and Pastry Arts Program. One of the highlights of the program gives students an opportunity to create stunning gingerbread villages. Krysten's group created a beautiful Fishing Village complete with little tiny lobsters in their traps. The creations are then donated to various non-profit groups around the city. She said that their "Christmas Cove" will be taken to Ronald McDonald House. Way to go Krysten!




Here are two links to NSCC.... look around at what they have to offer.... if you are considering NSCC for next year, apply now. Many of their programs fill up early.

http://nscc.ca/sites/highschool/

http://nscc.ca/admissions/cost_and_financial_aid/scholarships_and_bursaries/index.asp

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Oh the Places You'll Go!

Here it is.... this is the place to find information, links, ideas, and other information to help students as they get ready for life after grade 12.