Plan B, Open Admissions and Getting a Head Start at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC

Looking for a plan B because your plan A didn’t come through? Or maybe you’re just now thinking about university for the fall? Either way, at TRU, students can continue to apply for a wide variety of programs right up until September.

In our three major programs, Bachelor of Arts, Business and Science, TRU has an Open Admission policy. Open Admission might sound like a strange term, but in reality it simply reflects TRU’s commitment to flexibility. It acknowledges that sometimes a high school GPA is not a direct indicator of university success, and therefore, the result at TRU is greater university access to a range of high school students.

While Open Admission doesn’t look at your GPA, it does mean that TRU will be looking for specific program admission requirements that vary from program to program. And if you meet those requirements for the program of your choice, you’re in! For more on these requirements, visit the TRU Calendar at www.tru.ca/calendar.

Even if students don’t meet all of the admission requirements their program of choice, Open Admission allows students to start in these programs while simultaneously upgrading any required high school courses they lack.

For example, Math 12 is required for the Bachelor of Business, but a student lacking Math 12 can still be accepted. In their first semester while starting their first year courses, they would also enrol in a university preparation (U-Prep) course equivalent to Math 12. Visit www.tru.ca/dsd/prep.html for U-prep info.

Upgrading is also available in summer session, or at any time through TRU-Open Learning (distance/online courses). Visit www.tru.ca/summer or www.truopen.ca.

The flexibility of Open Admission also benefits students applying to limited enrolment programs. Students applying to programs like Natural Resource Science, Animal Health Technology, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Tourism, or Fine Arts, don’t have to look far for a plan B if they don’t get in. They can do a year in Arts, Science, or Business then re-apply, getting a year’s worth of university experience and credit in the meantime.

And while some Grade 12 students are still on the fence, some Grade 11 students want to plan early. For a head start, TRU has a Grade 11 Early Application for 2012/2013. Students can apply to one of six programs a full year before they graduate. Applications at http://www.tru.ca/new_students/grade11earlyapp.html (deadline is June 15th).

Whatever your plans, it is smart to have a plan B, both in terms of school and program choice. And at TRU, students are welcome at any point. For more information on TRU and our programs, check out our website at www.tru.ca or call the Welcome Centre at 250-828-5006.  We look forward to seeing you on campus this fall!