Update from BCIT Information Day

The BCIT Counsellor's Day proved to be a very fruitful experience for me, and I hope it will be for you as well, especially if you don't know too much about BCIT to begin with.

First off, some pieces of information about BCIT that you may not know:

• Trades programs at BCIT have a non-competitive admission process. What that means as: as long as you meet the application requirements, you will be admitted into the program or into the program's waitlist.
  
• Some trades programs have a pre-entry test that you need to write. Sample tests can be found by clicking here.
• The technology programs at BCIT offer certificate, diploma, and degree options. Certificate programs usually last a year, diploma programs take two years to complete, and degree programs take 3/4 years to complete.
  
• Many technology programs allow you to enroll first into the "lower" option to start. Following its completion, you can choose to leave the program (but receive the certificate/diploma based on what course work you have completed) or to proceed to finish the "higher" option(s). For example, after a year in the certificate program, you can choose to stay one more year to finish your diploma, or you can graduate with your certificate - no time would be wasted!
• The successful employment rate for BCIT graduates is well renowned. For its degree programs, 98% of its students are successful in finding a job in the related field. Diploma graduates have a 82% successful employment rate in their area of study.
• Salaries for BCIT graduates are very competitive.
  

A lot of people have this notion that BCIT is not a post-secondary institution for high school graduates. While BCIT has a large proportion of students who did not enter straight out of high school, mature high school students who are willing to work hard can be very successful at BCIT as well. The recruiting officers describe a successful BCIT applicant (from high school) as one who is:

• a hard worker
• involved in campus communities
• willing to interact with staff/students
• willing to collaborate in learning
• knows how to use library and student resources
• has good supporting network
• has good mental activities (exercises, sports, hobbies)

I have a bunch of resources from the various BCIT programs for you to look through. Please pop by my office if you are interested.