If you are considering studying natural or applied sciences, your post-secondary planning process should begin as early as high school. These science programs can be competitive and are rigorous. Thus, it is important to plan your high school courses accordingly: load up on math and natural sciences classes along with English/communications to ensure that you are well prepared for the schools that make your list.
If you are still in high school, and are thinking about taking natural or applied sciences, there are several additional things that you can do to prepare and increase your chances for being accepted:
- Consider how you can develop leadership skills while you are still in high school. Admissions committees value school applicants who can demonstrate leadership potential. You can acquire leadership in school clubs, volunteer programs, and through an internship or summer job.
- Undertake to read and study independently. This is a good way to develop interests, expand your knowledge and improve your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills needed for school. This will also help you if admission requirements include an interview, since you will be able to impress the committee with the knowledge you have built up of terms and issues specific to this area of study.
- Admissions committees are often interested in a student's extracurricular activities. Consider joining school clubs, athletics, musical activities, and arts and drama, especially if you have excelled in one or more of these areas.
- Work experience - paid or volunteer - can also increase your chances of being admitted and is an achievement often regarded highly by schools.
