PARENTS & FAMILIES 2016 17 HANDBOOK

PARENTS & FAMILIES 2016 17 HANDBOOK

IT IS DEEPLY REWARDING TO SEE MY CHILD BECOME AN ADULT AT UNIVERSITY. IT STARTS WITH YOU As a parent or family member, you play an important role in helping your student make the right choices and get the most out of their university experience. This publication contains tips and information on how you can support your student as they begin their university journey. WE RE PARENTS TOO Maltide Ashton is a fourth-year Arts student at the University of Alberta, majoring in French. Lisa Collins is the Vice-Provost and University Registrar. She s also Maltide s mom so she knows as well as anyone what it s like to have a child enrolled in university.

WHY UALBERTA? OUR COMMUNITY The University of Alberta is a diverse and welcoming community of students, professors, and staff from across Canada and around the world a thriving city within a city that still retains a small campus feel. Did you know? We are ranked as one of the Top 5 universities in Canada and Top 100 in the world. PROGRAM OPTIONS As a top-tiered, research-based university, we are able to offer students a wide range of programs suited to a variety of career goals and aspirations, including 200+ undergraduate program options across 16 faculties and three teaching campuses. The best way to explore all of our undergraduate program options and requirements is to search online:» ualberta.ca/programs CUSTOMIZED EXPERIENCE Your student s university experience is what they make of it! From work experience programs, to Honors and certificate programs, to study abroad opportunities, there are hundreds of ways that students can tailor their degree to their interests. ASK AN EXPERT Basic questions, such as What program should I take?, What are the requirements?, and What can I do with that degree?, are quite common. Fortunately, our expert staff are here to help! We can put you in touch with faculty and program advisors, and we also offer admissions advising at our many events throughout the year. HOW YOU CAN HELP Encourage your student to explore their options and keep an open mind. Some programs begin with a general first year of studies, giving students time to discover their aptitudes and interests. It s also quite normal for students to change majors and programs during their first few years. The most important things you can do for your student as they prepare to enter university are to empower them to make informed decisions and to encourage their curiosity. LEARN MORE ONLINE admissions.ualberta.ca Our admissions website is your one-stop shop for information on program options, requirements, dates, deadlines, and more!

DATES & DEADLINES OCTOBER 1, 2015 OPENING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS ualberta.ca/apply OCTOBER 17, 2015 OPEN HOUSE 9am to 4pm at the Butterdome DECEMBER 15, 2015 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT AWARD APPLICATIONS FIRST YEAR & BEYOND MANAGING EXPECTATIONS University is a life-changing experience that will expand your student s horizons and set them up for a lifetime of success. It also represents a significant investment in terms of time, money, and effort. As a result, there can be a lot of pressure from parents, from professors, and from students themselves. Be sure to mutually discuss expectations about grades, extra-curricular involvement, and work hours outside of school, beginning as early as high school. WORKLOAD & TIME MANAGEMENT Encourage your student to build study time (and breaks) into their schedule, maintain a manageable workload, stay on top of their assignments, and access the many services and supports that are available to them. TYPICAL STUDENT SCHEDULE 20 HOURS / WEEK attending lectures & labs 20+ HOURS / WEEK studying & completing assignments 40+ hours / week HOME AWAY FROM HOME For many students, especially those who have grown up in smaller communities, living in residence is a great way to meet fellow students and get a head start. Our Lister Hall residence, on North Campus, is designed especially for first-year students and offers many services to help them successfully make the transition to university life including BaseCamp orientation, prior to the beginning of term. Explore all our dorm room and meal plan options and apply for residence online:» uab.ca/residence April 30, 2016 is the deadline to apply for residence and be guaranteed housing. STUDENT SUCCESS From tutoring and academic advising, to health care and mental wellness, to business and mentorship networks, student success at the University of Alberta is everyone s goal.» studentsuccess.ualberta.ca

MARCH 1, 2016 DEADLINE TO APPLY for admission from high school APRIL 2016 ATTEND A REG 101 WORKSHOP Learn more online at uab.ca/reg101 APRIL 2016 COURSE REGISTRATION OPENS for students who accept their offer MONEY MATTERS VALUE OF A DEGREE A university degree is an investment in your student s future and one that will more than pay for itself over time. Did you know? Bachelor s-degree graduates have a 75 per cent lifetime income advantage ($1.4 million) over those with other types of trades certificates and diplomas. SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS Scholarships can significantly offset the cost of a degree. The University of Alberta administers over $22 million in student awards each year, including major entrance awards.» uab.ca/awards STUDENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT We offer many financial support services for students, including money management workshops, one-on-one advising sessions, and emergency loans and bursaries.» uab.ca/financialsupport PAYMENT OPTIONS & DEADLINES For information on when and how to pay the $125 application fee, the $500 tuition deposit, and final tuition fees, go online:» uab.ca/moneymatters FIRST-YEAR COST ESTIMATE TUITION FEES $5,321 NON-INSTRUCTIONAL FEES $1,513 BOOKS & SUPPLIES $1,600 TOTAL CAD $8,434 RESIDENCE & MEAL PLAN $7,034 TOTAL (IN RESIDENCE) CAD $15,468 See the breakdown of this estimate online at the link above. ONLINE COST CALCULATOR Make a custom estimate based on your student s program choice, living arrangements, and more» uab.ca/costcalc

APRIL 30, 2016 DEADLINE TO APPLY TO RESIDENCE for guaranteed housing JUNE 1, 2016 DEADLINE TO ACCEPT ADMISSION OFFER if offer received by May 1 JULY 2016 FAMILY ORIENTATION CONNECT WITH US UPCOMING EVENTS VISIT CAMPUS Open House Saturday, October 17, 2015 Open House is the best way for prospective students and their families to discover everything the U of A has to offer. In addition to the many exhibits in the booth fair, there are dozens of workshops, presentations, and campus and residence tours to attend many of which you can register for in advance.» uab.ca/openhouse Registration 101 Reg 101 workshops teach students how to register in courses and build a schedule that works for them. It s also a great opportunity for students and parents to come with questions and get advice.» uab.ca/reg101 In Your Community We host many events for prospective students across Canada throughout the year. Go online to see when we ll be in your area.» uab.ca/recruitmentevents Campus Visits Campus Visits are an excellent way for students and families to explore our beautiful campuses and first-year residences, speak with an advisor, and experience the U of A in person. Visits are available at all three of our teaching campuses: North Campus, Campus Saint Jean, and Augustana. BOOK YOUR CAMPUS VISIT ONLINE We offer a range of options that allow guests to customize their campus visit, depending on your program choice and your interests.» uab.ca/visit Augustana Preview Days Augustana Campus in Camrose, AB, offers Preview Days, where students and families can meet with admissions advisors, take a tour of campus, and have lunch in the cafeteria.» aug.ualberta.ca/visits

AUGUST 1, 2016 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTS AUGUST 31, 2016 ORIENTATION SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 DEADLINE TO PAY TUITION MAKE THE TRANSITION WORKSHOPS & RESOURCES Transition to University (T2U): T2U is an online workshop designed for newly admitted students and their parents, to be taken before their first semester. T2U covers all the basics of academic and campus life, as well as University policies, how to support your students in their first year of studies, and more.» uab.ca/t2u Orientation: All students entering university from high school are encouraged to sign up for Orientation it s a great opportunity for students to meet fellow first-year students, find their way around campus, and learn how they can get involved.» uab.ca/suorientation Family Orientation for Parents: Family Orientation programs are available to parents, guardians, and any student newly admitted to the U of A.» uab.ca/suorientation COMMUNICATIONS POLICY All official correspondences regarding awards and admissions will occur online, in Bear Tracks, with key notifications sent via email. Few, if any, correspondences will be sent via regular mail. The University holds students responsible for ensuring that messages sent to these accounts are reviewed and acted on promptly. Therefore, it is imperative that students monitor their Bear Tracks and UAlberta email account on a regular basis.» ualberta.ca/beartracks PRIVACY POLICY Official correspondences between the University and students are privileged. The University is unable, by law, to disclose a student s personal or academic information to anyone else, including parents or family members, without the student s prior written consent even if the student is under 18.» uab.ca/parents

FURTHER READING ualberta.ca/publications Pick up a copy of the Viewbook, as well as our other publications, at the Student Connect office on North Campus, or download the PDFs online. QUESTIONS? CONTACT US University of Alberta Student Connect W T E uab.ca/parents 780.492.3113 Toll-Free: 1.855.492.3113 parents@ualberta.ca