About the Preparation for University and College Program

Preparation for University and College is what both Trudy and Stephanie are doing for their first year.

There are many amazing programs to study at Grant MacEwan University. Upgrading is required before entering many of these programs. Sometimes this is because Moose Kerr School does not offer the high school courses needed to get into the program. And sometimes it is needed because your marks at Moose Kerr are not high enough. Upgrading at Grant MacEwan University is done in the Preparation for University and College Program .

INAC will fund you to go to MacEwan to do the Preparation for University and college program. (SFA will not fund you to do the Preparation for University and College Program because they do not fund upgarding.

I think that the Preparation for University and College program is actually quite a nice way for Moose Kerr students to spend their first year at University because it allows you to ease into the life of University student more slowly then if you started directly ina program. The pace of school in the south is much faster than in the north and also it takes a while to just get used to living on your own. It is nice to do this while taking upgrading instead of trying to do it in a more demanding program. Also, the Preparation for University and College Program will improve your English writing skills, your research skills, and your math skills to make you ready one year later when you start your program. It is important for you to know that the majority of students at Grant MacEwan college have stronger English, math and resarch skills than the students at Moose Kerr.

Here is how Preparation for University and College works:
You live in Residence. You choose three classes from Sept to Dec. You have three other classes from Jan to April.

Here are the classes you can choose from:
Eng 30-2
Eng 30-1 (Ask to be put in the special section of Eng 30-1 with all aboriginal content - all the books you read will be written by Canadian Aboriginal authors you can better relate to)
Computers and Internet Research Part 1 (CMSK 11)
Computers and Internet Research Part 2 (CMSK 15)
Math 10 Prep
Math 10 Pure
Math 20 Pure
Math 30 Pure
Science 10
Chem 20
Chem 30
Biology 20
Biology 30
Physics 20
Physics 30
Socials 30

For most graduates coming from Moose Kerr School, I would recommend that you take ENG 30-2 in your first term and ENG 30-1 in your second term. The reason for this is that strong writing and reading skills will be required to succeed in any MacEwan program and most graduates from Moose Kerr School are reading and writing at a few grade levels below what is needed at Grant MacEwan. The extra time repeating English 30-2 and doing Eng 30-1 will really help you be effective the following year in your program.

I also recommend that most Grads from Moose Kerr take Computers and Internet Research Part 1 course (CMSK 11) in the first term, and Computers and Internet Research Part 2 course (CMSK 15) in the second term. I recommend this for two reasons. The first reason is that most Moose Kerr graduates have internet research skills that are below the skills of the average first year student at MacEwan. The second reason I reccommend you take these two courses is that they are relatively easy courses to do well in. Your first year in Edmonton is going to be hard enough with trying to live on your own and move about at a fast pace. It will be good for you to have an easier course like this one. This will also allow you to spend more time on your other courses.

The third courses I recommend you take are up to you and your MacEwan advisor to figure out. Together you will make those decisions based upon your Moose Kerr marks, and the requirements of the program you want to go into after your first year of Preparation for University and College.