Why is the system so slow?

If you’ve been having problems logging into You@UBC or the Student Service Centre, it’s because there’s currently an issue with the CWL. UBC IT Services is investigating the problem. Check out their IT Bulletin.

If you encounter any technical problems, please email our Student Systems Web Support team: sswebsupport[at]exchange.ubc.ca. Email is the only way to reach them and they’re usually pretty fast with dealing with issues.

Sometimes, issues are not technical problems but how information is entered in the system. One of the common problems that we’ve noticed is that Secondary applicants have been entering the same specializations in their First and Second Program Choice entries. Please leave the Second Program Choice blank if you only wish to apply for one program option. The system will also allow you to proceed with only one specialization entered.

If you’re unsure about whether your problem is a technical problem or a user issue, feel free to email me (dilys.chiew[at]ubc.ca) with your questions. You can also find one of us online throughout the day to assist you.

Remember, the deadline is a month and a half away so you have lots of time. Thanks for your patience.

Questions we’ve heard so far

Q. Can I select one specialization for the Secondary option?
A. Yes, you may select only one specialization (e.g. Major Art). Make sure that it is a Major (Specialization).

Q. I don’t meet the requirments for a second program choice. Can I submit only my first program choice?
A. Yes, the system will allow you to submit only the first program choice.

Q. I am currently completing my program. What should I put down as the end date for my program?
A. Please include the anticipated/future end date of your program.

Q. I previously applied to UBC and was offered admission, but I never registered for courses and attended. Do I still have to click on “I attended UBC” in question 1 in General Information?
A. Yes. If you were admitted to UBC, you were given a student number that applies to this session as well. For some reason, the system isn’t allowing users to simply click “Yes” and “I don’t know my UBC student number.” This matter is being looked into presently.

Feel free to post more questions in the comments. And if you’re having technical problems in the B.Ed. application or supplemental application forms, please email sswebsupport@exchange.ubc.ca and let us know as well so we can inform other users.

Application Opens Dec. 8!

Hi everyone,

Due to a couple of unexpected delays, the testing has just started for the modified B.Ed. online application. As a result, we won’t be opening the online application until Monday Dec. 8. Apologies for the slight delay. We want to ensure that the application system is free of bugs (or close to it) before it’s released to users. In the meantime, keep working on your essay and references and check back here often for updates.

Thanks for your patience.

One more week to go!

The B.Ed. online application is poised to make its appearance on Dec. 1st so look out for it. We’re going to reviewing the modifications to the online application next week. The new NITEP supplemental application form will enable students to submit their entire application online.

Other newsworthy items:

• The French Competency Test is now known as the French Language Appraisal (FLA). The new website offers information about the structure of the FLA and the registration process. Link: French Options.
• How many students did you admit to the B.Ed. program last year? What’s a typical entrance GPA? Answers to these common questions will soon be available. Link: Selection Information.
• Want more information about careers in BC education? Link: Career Info.

Happy reading.

So, you want a job, eh?

This week, our guest blogger, Gary Rupert, discusses the market trends for the teaching profession. As a Program Coordinator, Gary provides support to current B.Ed. students.

The number of teaching jobs in BC, as in other jurisdictions, increases and decreases as a result of many influences. Provincial financing, new curriculum, retirement incentives and local economies in our communities all have an impact. The majority of teaching positions are in the Lower Mainland, but there are positions throughout the province in public schools and independent schools, especially in specialized teaching areas.

In general terms, the average age of teachers in BC, especially in the Lower Mainland and Victoria is relatively high. This suggests that there should be a significant cohort of teachers retiring in the next 5 years. If the BC economy remains strong, there will also be significant immigration, typically including families with school-age children. This suggests that there will be increasing numbers of teaching positions in the communities involved.

On the other hand, where communities are resource based and the economy is working against growth as in the forest industry, there have been school closures as families move to new communities seeking work.

Finally, when planning where to look for teaching jobs, new teachers have to consider demographic trends. New families with young children have been priced out of some housing markets by the dramatic increase in home costs in the last 5 years. This suggests that while it is attractive to stay in the centre of the Lower Mainland due to the sports, shopping and entertainment options, the growth in schools is likely to be in the suburbs.

There are places in the world with teacher shortages including the UK, parts of the US and a number of countries that are requiring children to learn English along with their native language. It does not appear likely, however, that there will be a major shortage of teachers in British Columbia even though some growth in total teacher numbers is expected. The only possible exception is the possibility of the Provincial Government instituting all-day kindergarten as that will cause a short-term demand for primary teachers.

In the end, obtaining a teaching job is a combination of networking, being well-prepared, doing good teaching, remaining positive and good luck.

Making ‘Cents’ of the Cost of Education

There’s no getting around it: a university education isn’t cheap.

You might be tempted to put off looking at the numbers for now, but the truth is, if you start your financial plan earlier, you’ll be much better off. Otherwise, you may end up delaying your teaching career for another year.

• Start by taking a look at the cost of tuition and books for the B.Ed. program.
• Do you qualify for a student loan? Remember to apply by April 1for Summer Session entry or by June 30 for entry in the Winter Session.
• If your student loan application has been approved but you still have a shortfall, you might qualify for a bursary. Bursary applications are due June 1 for entry in the Summer Session and September 15 for entry in the Winter Session. Eligibility determined by student loans and unmet need.
• Scholarships in the Faculty of Education are granted based on academic performance and require a nomination by a faculty member. The awards are presented to the recipients at the end of the year.
• Thinking about creating a budget? Look no further than here for a budget template.
• Need extra financial guidance? Student Financial Assistance and Awards is available to help you on a one-on-one basis. Call 604-822-5111 to make an appointment or drop by Brock Hall for more information.

Don’t let finances get in the way of becoming an educator!

Housing Options

Many of you will be starting to think about your options for housing while you are attending the BEd program at UBC.

One option that some BEd students choose is to live on-campus in a UBC residence. BEd applicants can apply online for on-campus housing through the UBC housing website at http://www.housing.ubc.ca/. The important thing to remember about UBC housing is that you should APPLY EARLY. You should not wait for an offer of admission before applying for on-campus housing as there are normally waitlists for residence at UBC. You will need a UBC student/reference number in order to apply online for UBC housing. Therefore, applicants who are new to UBC will need to submit their BEd application before applying online for housing.

Many students live off-campus while attending the BEd program. All UBC students receive a bus pass as part of their student fees, which also helps to make this a good option. Some resources for finding off-campus housing include the AMS Rentsline (604-714-4848 or online at http://www.amsrentsline.com), craigslist (http://www.craigslist.com) and the local newspapers, The Vancouver Sun and The Province.

Feel free to post any suggestions you may have for your fellow applicants for finding housing in the comments.

Beyond the Academics

Contrary to popular hype, you need more than the right courses to get into the B.Ed. program.

We advisors are just as guilty for harping on academic requirements, so this post is an effort to shift the attention to the “softer” aspects of the B.Ed. application. In other words, we’re going to focus on the personal essay, experience summary, and references.

First off, the personal essay: it’s no secret that the prevailing essay topic has remained the same from year to year. And I can guarantee that this year, you will be asked to reflect on your experiences with children and youth and their potential to prepare you for the teaching profession. Don’t underestimate the impact of a cogent, thoughtful, and readable composition. It personalizes your application and also demonstrates your ability to write effectively and correctly. Use examples or illustrations to make a point. Academic-style essays are not de rigeur; but try to avoid a casual tone. And please — please proofread and edit your essay before submitting it.

If your personal essay is like a cover letter, think of the experience summary as your resume. Here’s where you give us the bare-boned details of the related experiences you’ve had interacting with kids and teens. You’re not beholden to report every single related experience . Think of the most suitable ones; be choosy. And yes, please be accurate when reporting the number of hours per activity (I know high school babysitting was a long time ago — if so, perhaps under-report your hours to be on the safe side.)

And lastly, references (CLICK HERE to find a reference report template): it may seem early, but I would suggest that you start thinking about possible referees. Make sure that you’ve taken a look at the reference report before approaching individuals. Do they know you well enough to comment on your skills and abilities? Are they prepared to assess you based on your experiences with children and youth? When it comes time to request a reference, your referees will appreciate early notice. Starting the process in advance means that if the reference you were counting on isn’t available, you’ve still time to pursue plan B.

What are you doing right now to prepare for your application? Feel free to share your to-do list, ideas, and plans in the comments.

Welcome, world.

Hi everyone!

Stick close to this blog for all things admissions-related. We’ll be posting on everything from tips on pre-admissions preparation to what to do if you encounter technical problems submitting your application — basically, anything that helps you make your way through the cycle. We’ll try our best not to duplicate our fantastic website.

Let us know what you would find helpful — leave a comment!