GRADING STUDENTS
Getting into university isn't easy these days. The University of B.C., for example, gets more than 30,000 applications for undergraduate programs annually. Last year, 5,913 students were accepted.
But UBC is deviating from past practice where typically only marks-usually extremely high marks-determined entry. Students are now being assessed through what's been dubbed broad-based admissions, a process that examines grades and personal experiences. Applicants have to answer four to six personal profile questions, in which they talk about their learning, experiences and goals, as well as submit high school marks.
The rationale is that while a strong academic background is important, it's not the only predictor of success.
"We'll use the personal profile to gather a broader range of indicators to assess an applicant's potential for success," said Paul Harrison, associate dean for students in the Faulty of Science.
The Sauder School of Business has used broad-based submissions since 2004.
"By allowing us to consider the full range of our applicants' accomplishments, broad-based admissions has allowed Sauder to build a more diverse and engaged student body," said Daniel Muzyka, dean of the Sauder School of Business. "The feedback from the business community about the calibre of our graduates has been tremendous."
In 2011, 25 per cent of all new first-year UBC students were admitted with broad-based admission.
The university has a video on its site to help students understand how to complete the personal profile questions, which require them to reflect on the lessons they're learned from their life experiences.
UBC is the largest Canadian university to include non-academic criteria for its application process on this scale. The application deadline for the 2012/13 year is Jan. 31.
ANTI-POVERTY FORUM
Reminder: An End Child Poverty Now! forum takes place between 7 and 9: 30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Langara College. Panelists include Dr. Clyde Hertzman, director of Human Early Learning Partnership at UBC, Seth Klein, B.C. director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Vancouver elementary school teachers Carrie Gelson (Seymour) and Janey Lee (Thunderbird).
Other panelists include Adrienne Montani, provincial coordinator for the First Call B.C. Child and Youth Coalition, who is also a former COPE school trustee.
The event is in lecture hall A130 and is sponsored by Langara's Social Service Worker Program. Panelists will address why B.C. doesn't have a poverty reduction plan and other problems affecting poor children.
The event was precipitated by an open letter to the public from Gelson last year, which outlined the problems facing her impoverished students, as well a subsequent child poverty forum at the central library. Gelson's letter generated an enormous response from Vancouverites who donated thousands of dollars in cash and goods to Seymour elementary school.
Twitter: @Naoibh
