FAQ for Students

1. What kinds of programs are offered at Selkirk College?
2. What if I do not know what program to take? Is there someone I should talk to?
3. Am I eligible to apply? How do I apply?
4. When should I apply?
5. Can I switch programs after I apply?
6. What Grade 11/12 courses should I be taking to get into the college program I want?
7. Can I upgrade my high school courses at Selkirk College?
8. Can I take college courses while I am still in high school?
9. What is a prerequisite?
10. How much does it cost to attend Selkirk College?
11. What kinds of scholarships and bursaries are available and how do I apply?
12. Is housing available on campus?
13. Why should I choose Selkirk College?
14. Does Selkirk College offer an extended health plan for students?
15. Do you have any personal testimonies about Selkirk College?
16. Any other questions?

1. What programs are offered at Selkirk College?

Selkirk College offers a wide array of academic, career, vocational and technical programs to assist learners interested in bridging into university degree programs or attain the skills necessary to enter or upgrade their position in the workforce. Get a list of all programs offered at Selkirk College.

2. What if I do not know what program to take? Is there someone I should see?

You may want to see a counsellor regarding career and educational planning. Counsellors are located in the Student Services/Administration areas on all main campuses, and are normally available between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. Please phone the campus where you would like to make an appointment.

• In Castlegar, phone (250) 365-1273
• In Nelson, phone (250) 352-6601
• In Trail, phone (250)368-5236

3. Am I eligible to apply? How do I apply?

General admission to Selkirk College is open to anyone who:

• has graduated from a British Columbia Senior Secondary School or equivalent, or
• is 19 years of age or over at the time of registration, or
• is under 19 years of age but has the written recommendation of their secondary school principal, or
• is considered by the Admissions and Standards Committee to be capable of succeeding in college courses in view of the applicant's particular circumstances. Get a full description of Admission Requirements at Selkirk College
  

All programs offered at Selkirk College have established academic pre-requisites that must be satisfied by students seeking admissions. These requirements are listed within each program section:Get a list of all programs offered at Selkirk College.

4. When should I apply?

The Admissions department at Selkirk College accepts applications for admission up to 12 months prior to the start of any program.

Some programs outline a specific time schedule for the application procedure that includes a last date for submission of application and supporting documentation. Get a list of all programs offered at Selkirk College.

Late applications to all programs will be considered, subject to availability of spaces.

5. Can I switch programs after I apply?

Once you have been accepted into your program of choice you may still change into another program as long as you meet the admission requirements specific to that program and there is still space available. Prior to the program start date, contact the Admissions staff.

If the program has already begun and you wish to switch programs, you will need to go to the main Admissions office and fill our change forms for each course you are registered in.

6. What Grade 11/12 courses should I be taking to get into the college program I want?

For course selection, other than what is required for general admission, high school students should refer to the academic chart which lists secondary school level course prerequisites.

All programs offered at Selkirk College have established academic pre-requisites that must be satisfied by students seeking admissions. Any additional admission requirements are listed within each program section.

7. Can I upgrade my high school courses at Selkirk College?

Our Adult Basic Education programs are designed to allow individuals, through self-paced or lecture-based delivery, to upgrade to the Grade 10, 11, or 12 level or to complete the prerequisites for high school graduation, provincial certification, or entry to post-secondary studies, with no tuition cost to the student.

Adult Basic Education courses are offered in all Selkirk College campuses and learning centre communities.

8. Can I take college courses while I am still in high school?

Yes you can! Transitions is a program that allows students enrolled in secondary school programs within the West Kootenay/Boundary the opportunity to earn college-level course credits while still attending high school.

Students must be enrolled in a West Kootenay/Boundary Region secondary school, be deemed to be prepared for college-level work by an appropriate secondary school official and meet the prerequisites listed for each course to be eligible to enroll.

Students can participate in Transitions on a full-time basis in a designated program, or on a part-time basis in one or more individual courses.   

9. What is a prerequisite?

A prerequisite refers to the course and/or courses that meet the academic requirements necessary to aptly complete the course and /or program. Prerequisites must be completed prior to the student taking a course to ensure that the student has the required background.

10. How much does it cost to attend Selkirk College?

Tuition at Selkirk College can be substantially lower than at university even though the credentials you receive are just as much in-demand.

11. What kinds of scholarships and bursaries are available and how do I apply?

Selkirk College strives to make post-secondary education accessible and affordable to its students through entrance scholarships, awards, bursaries and a work study program. See a complete list of Scholarships and Bursaries at Selkirk College

Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office in Castlegar or may be downloaded from the Financial Aid website.

Application deadlines:

• Entrance scholarships and awards – March
• Scholarships – April
• Bursaries - October

12. Is housing available on campus?

Kekuli House Residence - Your home away from home
Conveniently located on the Castlegar Campus, with spectacular views of the Columbia River valley, The Kekuli House Residence offers private accommodations for up to 100 students each academic year, and summer stay opportunities for students and the public.

You can contact the Residence Manager by email or by phone at 1.888.953.1133 ext. 227.

For information regarding student housing in Nelson, please contact the main switchboard at (250) 352-6601.

13. Why should I choose Selkirk College?

Our students consistently rank Selkirk College well above 90% in the top 10 areas of satisfaction, including level of instructional expertise, quality of instruction and amount of knowledge gained.

Along with the spectacular scenery - mountains, rivers, trees, wildlife – and world class recreation, our campuses offer exemplary instruction, small class sizes, free tutorials, competitive tuition and a learning lifestyle that attracts students from around the world.

14. Does Selkirk College offer an extended health plan for students?

As of August 1st, 2008, full time students will be covered under the extended health plan. For more information, email David Lubbers, Health and Dental Coordinator or visit the Selkirk College Student Union website.

15. Do you have any personal testimonies about Selkirk College?

Our alumnUS Newsletter provides you with acurate, unbiased opinions about our programs their experiences with us, and the success they are enjoying after graduation.

16. Any more questions?

If you have any other questions, please contact our Educational Liaison.