Questions about University of Calgary specifically and more generally about US students applying

Student Lounge International Students
1

D (HS junior) has been looking for affordable schools with specializations in renewable energy. Calgary seems to have an amazing energy and environment program. D has also met reps at her school a couple of times and was impressed. She plans on applying, as it seems she meets their requirements. It’s a bit harder to tell with just a “minimum” rather than the nice middle 50% scale I’m used to. She will be an EE major and want to go into the energy and environment program.

Another issue is that they recommend 3 SAT II tests, but there seems to be a way to substitute AP classes. I’m not quite sure this would work for us. D only had one AP (Chem) as a junior and the other important two will be senior year (AP Physics 1 and AP Calc BC). All those subject tests sound pretty overwhelming, especially with more SAT’s and ACT’s to come (yes, D is retaking in the manner of those chasing merit.

I’m interested to hear anything from answering specific questions to general thoughts on Canadian vs. US college.

2

At Canadian universities if you are comfortably above the minimum requirements it is a safety. Admissions is not holistic.

3

While the University of Calgary seems to have a straightforward, non-holistic admissions process, many Canadian universities now have holistic admissions, especially in their STEM programs. University of Waterloo, University of Toronto and University of British Columbia are holistic in certain programs.

4

@TomSrOfBoston, thanks, that’s good to know!

@bouders, D had a couple of other Canadian schools on her list (including Waterloo), but no more so one less thing to worry about.