Took yesterday off, and I still have today off. So far I've written up and sealed in envelopes my formal request for transcripts from the PSBGM in Montreal (for my High School transcript), and the University of Ottawa as well. Unfortunately, since yesterday was a holiday in Quebec, I couldn't find out how to make such a request from Marianopolis College, where I went for CEGEP. Interestingly, they do not have enough information on their web site to enable you to write them for a transcript without phoning. Odd. Well, at least I got their address and phone number, gave them a call at 8:30am, and now I have the ammo I need to write them up a formal request for a transcript. The daunting task I put off yesterday was writing the Waterloo application - check it out for yourself!

(Complete form here http://www.dce.uwaterloo.ca/de/PDFs/admission.information.form.pdf)

Question 1:
"Please describe your reasons for wishing to attend university and your educational goals. At this point, your interests and aspirations may not yet be very firmly defined. We would nevertheless like to know why you want to attend university and the University of Waterloo specifically, and what you think you would like to attain by doing so."

Question 2:
"Briefly reflect upon your significant interests and activities. You may want to include information on your recent participation in educational organizations, athletics, community, religious or social activities, volunteer work, travel, or employment. If you have been away from school or university for more than two years, please submit a résumé in addition to this form."

Question 3:
"The Admissions Committee often puzzles over an applicant’s previous academic record, especially the most recent, whether it be secondary school, university or college. The Committee is most interested in explanations of a marked rise or drop in marks in one or more subjects, sudden changes in performance between secondary or post-secondary as well as in high school or in university or college, discrepancies in marks in the same or similar subjects, apparent shifts in academic goals or repeated courses. Please explain any features such as these in your academic record."

Question 4:
"If you wish, please let the Admissions Committee know of any factors (e.g., medical, personal or financial) which you think may have affected your past academic performance."

Question 5:
"In the space below, please let us know something about you that we might not learn from the rest of your application. If you are a mature applicant, you may wish to tell us what other attributes you feel have prepared you for university study."

My reasons for going back to university? Well, to sum up, I want a BA so some future pencil necked manager doesn't pass me up for something I'm fully qualified for solely on the basis of not having a degree. Now I need to gussy that up so it sounds a little more appealing across the table to the review committee.


Idle thought of the day:
Ever wonder if stapling a dollar bill to your forehead constitutes "fun"?

-Stef