Canadian Colleges

SccHarpGirl · 10-18-2002, 11:21 PM

Hi all my canadian friends

As I'm starting to have to make some decisions and look at colleges and all that fun stuff, I'm really interested in canadian colleges. Preferably in the western part of Canada (British Columbia, Alberta etc), but really, anywhere in Canada is great.

What I'm looking for: A school with a good music program, preferably a harp program, but not *absolutely* necessary. A good business/academic program would also be nice. I am not looking for an exclusive music conservatory type school, just a more normal school where I could get a good education and a music minor.

I'm looking in Canada because our dollar goes further there (heh heh), and also because my mom said something about the fact that since I have New Zealand citizenship, it may be cheaper for me to attend a Canuck college than if I was just a US citizen. Since NZ is also a member of the british commonwealth or something like that, I'm not all to sure. Anyone know if this is true/false?

So basically, if anyone has any suggestions of places where I could look, it would be very very much appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless,
Noelle

Grasshopper359 · 10-19-2002, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SCCHarpGirl
Hi all my canadian friends

As I'm starting to have to make some decisions and look at colleges and all that fun stuff, I'm really interested in canadian colleges. Preferably in the western part of Canada (British Columbia, Alberta etc), but really, anywhere in Canada is great.

What I'm looking for: A school with a good music program, preferably a harp program, but not *absolutely* necessary. A good business/academic program would also be nice. I am not looking for an exclusive music conservatory type school, just a more normal school where I could get a good education and a music minor.

I'm looking in Canada because our dollar goes further there (heh heh), and also because my mom said something about the fact that since I have New Zealand citizenship, it may be cheaper for me to attend a Canuck college than if I was just a US citizen. Since NZ is also a member of the british commonwealth or something like that, I'm not all to sure. Anyone know if this is true/false?

So basically, if anyone has any suggestions of places where I could look, it would be very very much appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless,
Noelle

I've never heard that. Since you have citizenship to another Commonwealth nation, it will probably be easier to get a student visa, although, coming from the US it's not that hard anyway. I can think of a few colleges - one is called Rocky Mountain College. It's a Christian college that specialises in performing arts. You might also look at Simon Fraser University, and the University of British Columbia. Just a few that I cn think of.

Kyle

eldestofvic · 10-19-2002, 09:58 PM

Hey SCC

My vote goes in for Red Deer College. My wife went there for her pharmacy training and really wishes she had taken music instead. It has a fantastic fine arts and music programme. Great location as well - half way between Calgary and Edmonton, Red Deer itself has about 40-60,000 (been a while since I was there). The best thing though (at least when my wife was there a few years ago) there was a really lively Catholic parish there. The nun running the music ministry was really into it.

SccHarpGirl · 10-20-2002, 08:27 PM

oh awesome...thanks guys, both of those schools are on my hit list of schools to investigate

The catholic parish is a big plus though...because I go to such an awesome church here that leaving it to go away to college is really going to be hard...

perhaps · 10-20-2002, 11:40 PM

Just a friendly reminder that the word "college" is different in Canada than it is in the U.S. In Canada, Universities are where you deal with the philisophical viewpoint (not necessarily, but I can't describe it otherwise) and Colleges are more "Hands-on" places. Both can have "hands-on" approaches though...such as laboratories, etc.

What path you choose will be up to you. Since you are going with music, I would suggest a University (Honours 4 year program).

I'm not applying to Universities out of province so if you are serious about attending a university in Ontario, then feel free to ask me any specific questions.

Jay42 · 10-21-2002, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by perhaps
Colleges are more "Hands-on" places.

Yah. I think in America we call those 'Trade Schools'.

Also known as 'Professional Unemployment' schools.

happygrrl · 10-21-2002, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay42
Yah. I think in America we call those 'Trade Schools'.

Also known as 'Professional Unemployment' schools.

In Canada, no one is going to become a docter or a lawyer by going to college. The college route has always struck me as one in preparation for a career where you generally need less training and less education.
For example, my friend's mother had to take college courses to become a Teaching Assistant. If she had wanted to pursue a career in teaching (that is, becoming a teacher) she would have to go to University.
Some of the programs offered at the local college near me are; Finance, Registered Nurse Refresher, Electronics Engineering Technology, Crafts and Design (Tiles, Glass, Textiles), Computer Programming, Early Childhood Development.
See what I mean.

SccHarpGirl · 10-21-2002, 07:15 PM

okay then....so where would you suggest I should look? Any good websites or places for information or anything?

I'm totally unsure of myself in this whole college/university (

) search thing. I'm the oldest in my family, so my parents are going throuhg htis for the first time. Neither of them are very musical, and both went to Washington State University, which is out of the question for me (music program absolutely sucks).

But thanks for pointing out the language difference to me...it would really be unfortunate to get top SAT scores, graduate high school with a 3.95 GPA, and then go to a trade school......

Noelle

timio · 10-23-2002, 09:30 PM

A Bible College in BC that I'm looking at as a possibility for next year is Pacific Life Bible College. They have a music program there... I'm not sure how much that delves into the finer instruments such as harp, but you could always check it out.

Tim

sanzi · 10-23-2002, 09:34 PM

Be aware of the double cohort happening in Ontarioin 2003. Its going to be brutal if you find one you really like in Ontario.

happygrrl · 10-24-2002, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sanzi
Be aware of the double cohort happening in Ontarioin 2003. Its going to be brutal if you find one you really like in Ontario.

Very good point. Let me elaborate.

Recently in Ontario the government changed the highschool curriculum so that students graduate in 4 years instead of 5. 2003 happens to be the year in which 5 year students are graduating under the old curriculum and 4 year students are graduating under the new curriculum (I happen to be one of the 4-years). This will create an estimated double the amount of students applying to the same colleges and universities. Financially, it puts strain on the schools (although they have recieved an extra 40,000 dollars from the government) and will possibly create more competition for spaces. Since you may possibly be looking for a university in Ontario, it would be good for you to be aware of this.

I wonder... would Canadian students get favor over an international student? Just curious.

http://homer.aucc.ca/dcu/ - this website has some stuff for International Students. Might be helpful.

I would suggest that you look on www.altavista.ca (make sure to click the little button that says, "Canada" and not "Worldwide") and search on what you're interested in. I put in "university music programs" and got quite a few hits... but I don't know how to sort them for you because I don't know what you're looking for.

Yeah.
:kduh:

CanadianChick · 10-31-2002, 02:18 AM

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA all the way, baby. Great music programs, all on fabulous Vancouver Island. (sigh...there's no place like home) You could also check out the Victoria Conservatory of Music -- I have no idea what they offer for harpists though. The piano (classical) program is harsh. . . can anyone say tendonitis?! You'd also get great music programs at UBC (in Vancouver); there's also lots going on in the classical world in Vancouver.

My vote's for UVic. Hip hip Horray!

10-31-2002, 11:43 PM

A great christian university in BC is Trinity Western, it is probably a very good school for what you are looking for. It is close to vancouver, and very close to the US border, I don't know where u live, but that could be a plus. I found their website:

http://www.twu.ca/

That is my suggestion, there is also a good music collage in Nanimo, which is on Vancouver Island, but that is another suggestion.

10-31-2002, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by happygrrl

I wonder... would Canadian students get favor over an international student? Just curious.

I think the whole, wow!, US currency! would probably be a large jump up the ladder to get in.

therks · 11-07-2002, 05:53 PM

Incase anyone is interested there is something called the 'Canadian Christian College Tour.' Happening over the next little while. It's really informative. Check it out. I'm going this month

http://www.ccctour.com/