University Guidance

Shawnigan Lake School’s experienced college counselling team is on-hand to guide students preparing for their post-secondary journey. By creating strong relationships between students, parents and universities globally, the Guidance Office (GO!) encourages students to seek innovative, personally challenging and engaging post-secondary opportunities. Our experienced team of counselling specialists offer unparalleled service that provides students with the tools to navigate the world of Canadian, US and international university applications, selecting a course of study that aligns with their values and goals, while preparing them for an exciting and fulfilling future.
 
In the GO!, university and career counselling forms an intentional part of our unique and intentional Grade 8 to 12 Shawnigan Journey. Shawnigan advisors, teachers and counsellors work individually with students starting in Grade 8 and 9, helping them discover, explore and pursue their passions. The GO! staff have a more visible role in supporting Grade 10 students as they manage the choices available in course selection and begin to carve their own path forward. Students in Grade 11 work closely with a GO! counsellor throughout the process of preparing to apply to university or exploring non-tertiary options such as athletics, volunteer, travel or government service. 
 
The GO! assists with all aspects of university applications including essay writing, interview preparation, and university selection. Shawnigan Lake School is a popular destination for college visits. Several information sessions are also offered annually on relevant topics such as scholarship applications and university applications (by country).
 
A university preparatory experience is more than one single factor. At Shawnigan, it encompasses a number of aspects specifically designed to promote curiosity, initiative and ambition, including the rigorous AP Capstone diploma program and a Soul Seeking project, our inquiry-based student-led projects. This comprehensive intellectual and psychological preparation is supported and complemented by a holistic and progressive focus on social and emotional wellness.
 
Once a student at Shawnigan Lake School, students and parents have access to dedicated resources for applying to university domestically and internationally. Due to the large number of athletes who go on to play sport at the local, national , international and collegiate levels, the GO! offers the services of an athletic advisor specialist to assist students in navigating the world of recruitment. 
 
Our mandate to combine specialized support with student personal initiative ensures that our graduates are thoroughly prepared for the wealth of exciting local, national and international post-secondary opportunities that await them beyond Shawnigan’s gates.

2024 Acceptances

SAT Testing Centre

Shawnigan is an accredited SAT Testing Centre that offers testing opportunities for our students and the local community several times a year. For information about the SAT or to register for the exam, please visit here.

University Guidance Updates

List of 1 news stories.

Admission Officers/College Visits

Please contact us at go@shawnigan.ca to schedule a visit.

Downloads

UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE OFFICE

Contact the GO! at go@shawnigan.ca or 1-250-743-5516

List of 6 members.

  • Photo of Michelle Flood

    Michelle Flood 

    Director of University Guidance
  • Photo of Alison Dewis

    Alison Dewis 

    University Guidance Counsellor
  • Photo of James Pollock

    James Pollock 

    House Director - Lonsdale's, Athletic Advisor, Head Hockey Coach Varsity
  • Photo of Vicki Heywood

    Vicki Heywood 

    University Guidance Counsellor
  • Photo of Sheena Matthews

    Sheena Matthews 

    University Guidance Counsellor
  • Photo of Greer Bevel

    Greer Bevel 

    University Guidance Counsellor

  • Chika K. ’24

    Even though university applications were a journey of discovery, GO! provided me with the path to go through to ensure that I was on the right track. I'm especially thankful for their wide knowledge since they recommended universities to me that have great programs that I was interested in learning about. - Chika K. ’24

  • Ella R. ’24

    At first glance, the university application process can appear daunting. However, the Shawnigan Guidance Office has offered tremendous support throughout my application process...Not only do they ensure that students have the opportunity to meet with a variety of different universities, but they also plan specific events to help students prepare for the interview process...I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from the entire Guidance Office; their encouragement and experience made all the difference in my application journey.” - Ella R. ’24

  • Harry M. ’24

    Right from the get-go, the guidance office made it very easy for me to narrow down my future university options, even months ahead of application season. One on one sessions with my counsellor made my experience feel personalized and minimized stress levels, whilst also motivating me to apply for programs that I had previously thought were out of my reach. When it came time to write essays and supplemental applications, their expertise in the area gave me a sense of confidence in the work I was submitting, ultimately leading to multiple great offers. - Harry M. ’24

  • Jenson W. ’24

    The Guidance Office provided resources such as guidance counselors, university visits and workshops to guide me throughout my Grade 12 year. The most helpful resource was definitely the essay writing workshops. As I’m not the strongest writer, the Guidance Office helped me to truly express myself and show what I have to offer. Another resource that helped me were the university visits. They helped tremendously in helping me understand what my student life would be like at different universities. - Jenson W. ’24

  • Kate M. ’24

    I am so grateful for the Guidance Office we have here at Shawnigan. They were knowledgeable about a variety of application processes including the UK where I applied. The GO! staff were always friendly, available and willing to help me. I am excited to have been accepted to my dream university and I appreciate all the support I received from the GO! during this process. - Kate M. ’24

  • Zoe B. ’24

    I’m very grateful to GO! for helping me achieve my goal of attending one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States where I can study and play hockey in the NCAA. My guidance counsellor was supportive and knowledgeable throughout the university application process, keeping it as stress-free as possible, and ensured that I had several options for post-secondary education. - Zoe B. ’24

Scholarships

Our University Guidance, Academics and Athletics Departments are well-poised to support and connect senior students to diverse scholarships; every year many Shawnigan graduates receive academic and/or sports scholarships to universities around the world.

Here are a few student profiles of recent scholarship winners:
Schulich Leader Scholarship 2023
Mark X. '23
"As a Schulich Leader Scholar – and if in the future I am going to be an entrepreneur and start my own company – I need to have leadership skills and confidence. Sport and 360 and all of the activities that I had at Shawnigan have really helped me a lot in this capacity."
The Governor General’s Academic Medal Recipient 2024
Josef J. '24
For nearly 150 years, the Governor General’s Academic Medals have recognized the outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a high school, as well as from approved college or university programs.

    • Global Citizen Award

      Yangchen T. '24

    • House of Commons
      Page Program

      Harry M. '24

    • NCAA Hockey

      Morgan J. '24

Our Students are Attending

We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
1975 Renfrew Road
Shawnigan Lake, BC V8H 2G7
250-743-5516
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.