Choosing a university is a big decision that can be financially and emotionally costly if taken too lightly.
But what if you could try on a university just like you try on a new outfit? If it fits, you keep it; if it doesn’t, you are free to try something else on for size.
This is exactly the concept behind The University of Western Ontario’s Initiative for Scholarly Excellence (WISE) program.
High achieving students in Grades 11 and 12 can take one credit course for free at Western during their academic year. Students selected for the program only have to pay the cost of texts and materials; the tuition cost is waived for all participants.
Rebecca Smith, Coordinator of Scholar’s Programs for the Centre for New Students, says the program helps students better understand the expectations of university life, including learning expectations of professors and course assignments, taking on new academic challenges and expanding social networks.
“Many students involved in the program take this opportunity to explore a new subject area and gather insight to help determine their academic path,” she adds.
Each year, 100 high school students blend in with the 4,300 first-year students and enroll in courses on Western’s main campus, at the affiliated colleges or through Distance Studies.
WISE students may enroll in any first-year course for which they have satisfied the prerequisite. Program co-ordinators provide students assistance with course selection.
Emily Fister, a WISE student in the 2008-09 school year from St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School student, says the program was “an experience I will never forget.”
“My first day was challenging and intimidating, but the professor and students were very welcoming,” she says. “My professor was more like a coach than an instructor and I continued to develop confidence week after week.
“Soon I discovered that I thrived in the university; my passions for learning and writing translated extremely well to my class.”
Students in the program are invited to participate in many academic, social and volunteer events scheduled throughout the year to further their involvement in the university community.
In many cases, getting a taste of university life has led to Western climbing the ranks for choice of university students in the WISE program. Smith says about 40 to 50 per cent of students from the program chose Western for their post-secondary education.
To qualify:
A full-time student with a high school diploma in progress
Completed one or more Grade 12 U or M level credits and have a minimum overall 80 per cent in grades 10, 11 and 12 or have not completed any Grade 12 U or M level credits, but have a minimum overall 85 per cent average in Grades 10 and 11
Registered in sufficient courses to fulfill admission requirements of the university
Have met Western’s requirements for English proficiency
Completed a minimum of 22 credits
Nominated by the principal, guidance counsellor or teacher of the secondary school.
Be WISE
Top senior high school students can take a Western course for free. To learn more visit www.registrar.uwo.ca/cfns/WISE.cfm or e-mail wise@uwo.ca.