Every parent wants to see their child succeed, and getting into their dream university is one of the most critical milestones during the high school years.
Like many parents, you’re probably worried that your teen’s grades aren’t competitive enough to secure a spot at a top university – or, even if they are, that they’ll get lost in the shuffle.
But we’re here to let you in on a little secret:
Your child can have an “unfair advantage” if you guide them to stick to a tried-and-true process. It involves developing a deep understanding of the application process and playing it smart.
And it’s not just about good grades. Instead, you can support your child in becoming a well-rounded, passionate, and engaged student who's ready to thrive in a university environment.
In this guide, we'll break down how to unlock this unfair advantage when it comes to university applications and explore how you can support your child in being competitive for the top universities in Canada.
Building a Strong Academic Base
It’s true that good grades are the starting point for any university application.
Most top Canadian universities look for a GPA of at least 85% – and this is even higher for highly competitive programs, like business and engineering. But think of grades as just the foundation. Your child’s personality and accomplishments are what add colour and separate them from other applicants.
At AdmissionPrep.com, we’ve seen countless students with perfect transcripts fall short in the admissions process. That’s because top universities are looking for more than just academic smarts. They want students who are genuinely passionate about learning, challenge themselves, and have a clear vision for their future place in the world.
This is where you come in as a parent.
You can support your child in elevating their academic profile by encouraging them to:
- Take on academic challenges. AP and IB classes can add further rigor to your child’s academic resume. They demonstrate that your teen is willing to go above and beyond to challenge themselves.
- Pursue passions. Schools want to see that your child loves learning – even when no grade is attached. Support your child by giving them opportunities to pursue their academic curiosities, whether that be studying above and beyond the curriculum or joining competitions. Not only will they develop new knowledge but also showcase their dedication to learning.
- Join after-school programs. Assist your child in researching which programs their high school offers. Is there a debate team, science fair, Model UN or other unique program they have an opportunity to join? The right experiences can further develop crucial skills that top universities are looking for, including communication and leadership.
As a parent, your support means the world to your child – even if that means showing you’re there for them by driving them to after-school activities or asking how you can help.
Through building a strong academic base and demonstrating their knack for learning, your child can start to set themselves apart. The earlier you can support them in starting, the better.
Discovering Activities Outside the Classroom
At this point, you might be scrambling to enroll your child into every extracurricular you can find – but that isn’t the right route, either.
First of all, admissions committees don’t want someone who can’t commit. They want students who know their passions and pursue them with enthusiasm. It really is quality over quantity.
And secondly, no child wants to feel pressure to do things they’re not truly connected to.
As a parent, the best thing you can do to support your child is to sit down and have a chat with them. Ask them questions from a place of genuine curiosity and desire to help them uncover their deep-seated passions. Then encourage your child to demonstrate commitment to a few of these activities or niches rather than dabbling.
We developed the 2-2-1 formula so parents and students can have a clear roadmap to follow when it comes to creating a profile the top universities in Canada are looking for.
Here are the roles you can support your child in demonstrating:
- 2 Initiator roles: These roles are how your child can showcase their resourcefulness by spearheading passion projects, clubs or other initiatives.
- 2 Leadership roles: These roles involve your child stepping up to lead already-existing teams, clubs or organizations.
- 1 Member role: This role involves demonstrating clear contribution to a community or club.
Grade 9 is the best time to start, and you can play a major supporting role as a caring parent.
At AdmissionPrep.com, we’re so confident in our approach that we offer a guarantee: your child gains university acceptance, or you don't pay. Does your child qualify for our admissions guarantee? Pre-qualify them today by taking our Program Assessment Quiz.
Crafting a Strong Admissions Essay
Once your child is ready to start the application process, the biggest hurdle they’ll likely face is the admissions essay.
As a parent, you can support by providing guidance and direction.
A good essay starts with the strong foundation you’ve helped your child carve out, weaving in all those personal interests, activities and accomplishments to paint an overall picture to the admissions committee.
Remember those roles we discussed? The key is demonstrating them through the essay.
This is also a great opportunity for students to tie the values of their target universities into their unique story. If they can connect their own values with the university’s goals and initiatives, they’ll show that they would fit in seamlessly on campus.
You might spend time helping assist your child in researching the values of the universities and brainstorming overlap with their unique experiences and roles.
Remember: the essay is a story. The admissions committee has heard the generic cliches like “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor because I love helping people” thousands of times. Personal reflections, detailed and captivating anecdotes, and compelling questions that help demonstrate key roles are a much more powerful way to keep the committee engaged.
And if you’re looking for support with essay writing and other personalized guidance for your child’s specific goals, AdmissionPrep.com is here to help. Our expert mentors work alongside your child, crafting strategic approaches for their personal essays and applications, and providing comprehensive essay editing and detailed feedback. Take our Program Assessment Quiz to get started.
How to Get an Unfair Advantage
The entire admissions process is a long journey. It’s going to require a lot of effort, and you could go at it alone if you don’t mind getting lost along the way or ending up somewhere you don’t want to be.
But wouldn’t it be better to have a guide who knows the exact process to follow?
Our expert mentors are invested in your child’s success. We've helped tens of thousands of students get into top Canadian universities and unlock scholarships along the way. AdmissionPrep.com students earn $11,700 in funding on average and have 5x the odds of winning a major entrance award.
We understand that every student has a different story full of unique strengths, weaknesses, and dreams. That’s why our mentorship is highly personalized, so we can guide your child toward the best outcome available. We know that cookie-cutter solutions don’t work, because every university’s requirements are different, and no two students have the same background.
With AdmissionPrep.com in your corner, your child will have an unfair advantage. We’ll give them the support, guidance, and encouragement they need to navigate the admissions process with confidence.
The Journey Starts Now
As you can see, getting into a top Canadian university requires a lot more than just good grades. You can support your child in demonstrating the required roles and crafting a compelling narrative that tells their story in a way that aligns with the university’s values.
Are you ready to give your child the admissions advantage they deserve? Take our free Program Assessment Quiz and discover if they qualify for guaranteed entrance into their top choice universities.
