The University of Victoria (UVIC) is ranked 11th globally and first in Canada among universities less than 50 years old by Times Higher Education. It is branded as a national and international leader in critical research and creative endeavour. It is desirably located on British Columbia’s beautiful west coast. So now the question, how to get into University of Victoria?
I distinctly remember my own university application process. I narrowed my scope, first geographically to British Columbia, and second by ranking, leaving SFU, UVIC and UBC. Although varied in ranking, each institution had its unique appeal to me. Ultimately I decided on SFU, where I graduated class Valedictorian in 2012. However, being accepted to all three, I gained significant insight on how best to navigate the application processes. See my admission guides for SFU and UBC for more information or hit contact on my profile.
UVIC and its Peter B. Gustavson School of Business outline clearly the varying requirements relative to your application status. To aid you in the process I’ve put together a simplified UVIC application guide, including my own insights. This is a great starting point to ensure your application is heading in the right direction and help you understand how to get into University of Victoria..
Quantitative
It’s straight-forward. If you are considering an academic career with UVIC, then you know the bare minimum is academic achievement in the approved courses. Review your course work and grade averages. Ensure you are not only meeting, but exceeding their requirements. UVIC admissions require a minimum of 80%. Take initiative and self-report grades for early admission and scholarship opportunities. Reporting occurs over two phases (Phase I: October 1st to November 30th; Phase II: February 1st to March 31st). Gustavson requires self-reporting in Phase II.
Qualitative
This is the extra mile. This is what will distinguish you from other candidates. UVIC is explicit with the culture of students they are recruiting. There are two supplementary documents provided to communicate your uniqueness: (1) Supplemental Application Form and (2) Resume Template.
The UVIC Supplemental Application Form is divided into three categories: Resume, Other Experiences and Goals. I recommend utilizing their provided template for the resume – making their review process easier. Other Experiences is your opportunity to briefly elaborate on your relevant and unique experiences. This is divided into four specific categories: (1) Leadership, (2) Extra-Curricular, (3) Initiative and Creativity, and (4) Achievements.
Obviously formal participation in extra-curricular activities and achievement in institutional organizations is valued. This can include anything from athletics and volunteerism to religiosity and the arts. However, UVIC also values your personal experiences and achievements. Leadership and creativity can be demonstrated from unconventional channels such as household responsibilities and hobbies. Reflect on your experiences and clearly communicate how you are a fit for UVIC.
Finally, you have 350 words to describe your goals. Answer the following:
“Our Commerce degree program has features which characterize it from others. Please describe your interest in our program. Include how the Gustavson differentiating features, international focus and experiential education, might contribute to your personal learning and future career goals.”
Simply put, you must demonstrate how you will utilize the opportunities at UVIC to grow both professionally and personally. Education is an investment on both yours and the universities behalf. This question requires you to critically reflect about which direction you want to take your professional life – and whether UVIC, with its “international focus and experiential education,” is the channel to accomplish this. Do not take this lightly. You won’t have all the answers now, but that is what university is for.
If you’re still uncertain, here’s a portion of my supplemental application to Queen’s Commerce in 2011, where I completed my Master’s in International Business. The application’s question-wording is different, but the premise is the same: Effectively communicating my interest in this specific program.
“I must differentiate between my inspiration and the development of my passion to attain an internationalized education. I am inspired by my unique primary socialization achieved from my private school education. This was defined by an environment of first generation immigrant peers. The exposure at an early age to a culturally diverse demographic opened my childhood eyes to the values of tolerance, nonconformity, debate, and even disagreement. I developed this inspiration into passion through the diversification and internationalization of my undergraduate Bachelor in Business Administration. Within my years of attending the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University (SFU) I sought out not only to broaden my cultural horizons, but to gain a deeper understanding into the world of international business.
Now, I intend to move forward on this journey and advance my knowledge in this specialization by pursuing a graduate degree. The global marketplace emphasizes substantial premium on individuals who dedicate the time and effort to appropriately train themselves in International Business. For me, pursuing the Double Degree program through the Queen’s Master of International Business is the ideal training ground.
The component of the program I am most attracted to is the distinct and innovative team structure. This sophisticated approach to education accumulates the skills and knowledge of a highly driven team of students. This learning atmosphere, coupled with Queen’s dynamic options to broaden international opportunities, have solidified my interest in this specific program. I have experienced an internationalized degree and thereby have aligned my capabilities with the caliber expected for this program. The competitive platform of relevant experience I bring forward to the graduate student community is in (1) academic accomplishments, (2) participation in business case competitions and (3) work integrated learning…”
Other than these requirements there are still opportunities to take initiative. I’ve worked with students both formally and informally – providing guidance on how to get into University of Victoria. To take your application to the next level and hear more insights, visit my profile and hit contact.
Key Dates:
Information Session: September 9th
Information Session: September 29th
Information Session: October 24th
Information Session: November 14th
Self-Reporting Phase I: October 1st – November 30th
Information Session: January 9th
Information Session: February 4th
Self-Reporting Phase II: February 1st – March 31st
UVIC Application Deadline: February 28th
Transcript: March 15th
Submit Documents to:
Email Address: bssclerk@uvic.ca
Postal Address:
Admission Services
University of Victoria
PO Box 3025 STN CSC
Victoria, BC, V8W 3P2
Canada
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