Question #2:
Can I use TOEFL to get into university instead of taking English courses?

Answer:

Students who apply to university as Secondary students can use TOEFL or IELTS and/or some other standardized test results to demonstrate English proficiency. Students who apply as transfer students can also satisfy English proficiency with test results, but various faculties at different universities require that students complete specific English courses before they are admitted to that faculty. For example, the Business/Commerce faculties at B.C.’s three largest universities require students to complete the following “English” courses before they are admitted to the faculty: UBC – English 100 or 101 plus one of 108, 110, 121, 131; SFU – two of English 101, 108, 110, 121, 131, Philosophy 101, 102; UVIC – English 100, 101, 108, 110, 121, or 131.

Question #3:
Do the courses I take at Columbia College transfer to UBC, SFU and UVIC?

Answer:

Yes. All university courses offered at Columbia College transfer to BC universities. Sometimes, however, transferability is sometimes dependent on the faculty you plan to enter. For example, Math 100 transfers to UBC in the faculty of Arts, but the faculties of Business and Sciences give only 6 credits for the combination of Math 100, 111/113, and 112/114. In addition, some universities treat courses differently. For example, UBC gives transfer credit to only one of English 100 and 101. SFU, on the other hand, transfers English 100 as a Writing course (not an English course). Notice also that transfer may not be for an equivalent course (for example, Sociology 210 transfers to UBC as 3 unassigned credits of Sociology). You can check transferability within B.C. by going to the B.C. Transfer Guide website at www.bccat.bc.ca

Question #4:
Do the courses I take at Columbia College transfer to universities in other provinces and the U.S.?

Answer:

In most cases, yes, but because there is no formal transfer agreement between educational institutions in different provinces in Canada, transferability of courses between provinces is worked out on a case by case basis. Generally speaking, if an institution in another province (or country) grants transfer standing to a course taken at one of B.C.’s universities, it will grant the same transfer standing to an equivalent course taken at Columbia. Out of province institutions frequently ask for a course outline when determining transferability. Course outlines are available from your instructor or from the Columbia College website. Once you have applied to a university, it will assess your transcript for transferability and advise you accordingly.

Question #5: What is the purpose of course planning?

Answer:

Course planning provides the opportunity for you and your counsellor to choose the most appropriate courses for your field of study. Course planning also assigns you a time at Early Registration, thereby providing you with your best opportunity to get the courses you want. For continuing UT and Secondary students, registration priority is given to students with semester GPAs > 3.3, followed by students who have studied at Columbia for multiple semesters, but to take advantage of your multiple semester history, you need to course plan early: only a limited number of spaces are reserved for students who have attended 5, 4, 3, and 2 semesters. After course planning, you do not need to see a counsellor to change your course plan, though it is a good idea to discuss your proposed changes if you are unsure of how they may affect your academic goals. Your actual course selection at registration may vary from your course plan due to several factors, such as your academic success in the previous semester, a desire to change your major, or the unavailability of a particular course. Even after registration, and up until the fifth day of the first week of classes, you may change courses.

Question #6: How do I extend my study permit?

Answer:

A sheet describing all the steps is available in Student Services.
Step 1: go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp and download the application form (form IMM 1249) and the document checklist (form IMM 5555).
Step 2: see a counsellor and obtain a letter confirming registration and pick up the fees receipt form (IMM 5401).
Step 3: gather all documents and fill in the forms.
Step 4 (optional): see a counsellor again to check all documents.
Step 5: send your application from and all documents.

Question #7: How do I renew my visa?

Answer:

The visa is a different document from the study permit. The visa allows you to enter and leave Canada as you wish until it expires, but it doesn’t allow you to register in a college or university for programs lasting more than 6 months. The study permit is the document you need to register in programs lasting more than 6 months, but it doesn’t allow you leave and enter Canada as you wish. To renew your visa through the CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) office in Seattle, follow the instructions on the sheet available in Student Services.

Question #8: My study permit expired 2 months ago. What should I do?

Answer:

If your study permit has expired, CIC rules stipulate you are not allowed to stay in school and must leave Canada. However, CIC may grant you an extension if you apply to renew your temporary resident status within 90 days of the expiration and pay the extra $200 (plus $125).

Question #9: When am I eligible to study part-time?

Answer:

CIC requires students with a study permit to be registered full time for eight months before taking a holiday or doing part-time studies. At Columbia, “full-time” is defined as registering in at least 3 courses. The College allows students who have registered full-time for two consecutive semesters to register part-time in the subsequent semester.

Question #10:
How early should I apply for an extension of my study permit?

Answer:

You can send in your application up to 90 days before expiration of your study permit. Your application will take at least 4 weeks, so if you plan to travel out of the country between semesters, you are advised to send in your application at the appropriate time. Do not leave Canada during the application process or your application will be denied.

Question #11: Why do I need medical insurance while studying in Canada?

Answer:

The law requires you to have medical insurance to assist you in the event that you become seriously ill or are injured. Medical fees for people without medical insurance who visit a doctor or hospital can be very expensive, sometimes costing thousands of dollars per day if the medical condition is serious. Some medical plans from other countries and some private medical plans do not provide adequate coverage for serious and/or ongoing medical treatments. You are strongly advised to obtain coverage from the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP) to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage.

Question #12: How do I apply for MSP and/or extend my MSP coverage, and how much does MSP coverage cost?

Answer:

For an application form, visit the website at www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp or see the college nurse, a counsellor, or the student activities coordinator. You should apply for MSP coverage when you arrive in B.C., though you will not be eligible for coverage for the first three months of your stay in B.C. In the interim, you can buy private medical insurance for the first 3 months. Several months after applying you will receive a bill. You can buy coverage up until the date that your Study Permit expires. Currently, the fee is $54 per month ($648 per year). The Ministry does not always send a notice of renewal, so if you do not receive a bill prior to your coverage expiring, you must send in another application.

Question #13: What is academic probation?

Answer:

Academic probation (AP) refers to a one semester trial period for students who have failed to achieve satisfactory academic standing. A student on AP will be permitted to continue at the College only if significant improvement is shown. A student is placed on AP if his/her GPA falls below 1.7 for students in the University Transfer Program (including 098/099) and below 1.3 for Secondary students. ELC students who receive an unsatisfactory (U or NI) Progress Report are also considered to be on AP. A limit is placed on the number of courses/credits a student on AP takes, and a student on AP may withdraw from only one course. In addition, a student on AP who requires a school letter for the purpose of extending his/her study permit will find that counsellors will not normally indicate a period of acceptance beyond the duration of the semester in which the student is currently registered.

Question #14: What is double probation?

Answer:

A probation student who fails to achieve a semester GPA of 1.7 in the probationary semester will be put on the double probation list and have his/her eligibility to register reviewed by Administration.

Question #15: What is the difference between semester GPA and cumulative GPA?

Answer:

Semester GPA is based on all the courses a student has taken in a specific semester. Cumulative GPA is comprised of all the courses – over multiple semesters - that could transfer to university, or, in the case of secondary students, that could satisfy secondary credit. For example, a “B” in ENGL 099 will be included in the calculation of semester GPA, but not in the calculation of cumulative GPA. Notice that an “F” (fail) in a UT or Secondary course earns no credit but is included in both the semester and cumulative GPAs.