Three Secrets Just For You

So I'll let you in a on a few secrets about finding the right university for you and what the Mount's really all about. I have been working at the Mount for almost five years and am also an alumni so I've got some cred behind me in discovering these secrets. But I'll share them with you because I wish I had known them myself.

Secret Number One

Every university's viewbook makes it look like the best school to go to. They all have pretty pictures, and everyone is having fun, and the information is all there. Same with the websites. And posters, and advertisements, you get it. But the ONLY real way to find out if a school is right for you is to visit it. Seriously. You have to get on campus and walk around and do some serious visualization. Play pretend for a day. You don't have to tell anyone you're doing it - just pretend you're a Mount student when you're at our Open Campus Day on Friday. Pretend you live in Assisi or The Birches and walk around like you own the place. If it feels right, then you're one step closer to finding that fit that is right for you.



Secret Number Two

We have candy at our Open Campus Day on Friday. Yep. It's on Halloween this year so that means we get to dress up and give away candy. In fact our tour is really Trick or Treating so make sure you don't miss that. You also get to sit in on mini lectures to see what our profs are like and what the programs are all about, along with an information fair and a few surprises we'll keep under our hat until you get here (can't give away all the secrets!!). We also have some pretty great prizes so when you leave you will not only have a much better idea of what the Mount's all about, but you will also have candy and maybe a prize. Not too shabby.


Secret Number Three

Okay, so our slogan this year is "Independent Thinking Lives Here". What does that mean? That means that our school is the place that the people who don't just do what everyone else is doing go to. If you are the type of person who lets their true colours show (or just wish you could), the Mount is the place that will let you do that. And it's not just a "slogan", it was created by current and past students, staff, and faculty who thought long and hard about what the Mount is all about and realized this is it. This is a truly special school unlike no other - just ask any student who goes here or has gone here. There will be lots of them at Open Campus Day on Friday to talk to and will be happy to tell you their stories.

So what do you need to do now? Register for Open Campus Day at this link: http://www.msvu.ca/admissions/opencampusday/ - do it now so we buy enough candy for everyone!!

See you then!

Heidi

Tales from the Newbie...

Hi everyone,

I would like to introduce myself to you: my name is Shannon Kehoe and I am the newest member on the Mount Admissions team. Over the last few weeks I have been traveling through communities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia talking to students about coming to the Mount for university – in fact you may have met me at your school!

The Mount mobile in front of the world's largest

illuminated fiddle in Sydney, NS. (55 feet tall)

I have had an awesome time meeting new people and going new places, and I think I have more in common with some of you than you may think. Sure, I have a degree (Bachelor of Public Relations) and I have a job in my field, but I still don’t always know where I am going in life. For instance, on my first week on the road I let my GPS take me down a back road used for logging. According to Daniel (the GPS) this road was the best way from Chipman, NB to Halifax, NS. I am here to tell you that it was not the quickest and at times was scarier than the highway would have been. But I believed that the choice I had made would work out, and I was right. Forty five minutes later than planned, the Mount mobile emerged from the woods, unscathed, and I emerged a little wiser. What does this have to do with being in high school? My point is that we don’t always know where we are going in life – and you don’t have to know exactly what you want to do out of high school. Just like my GPS gave me a couple options of routes to take, university is giving you options about what you can do in life. It’s still early in the year. Take this time to learn about schools – do research and ask questions, and when you do choose a program, choose something that will interest you. The decision you make should be based on what you want to do in your life. Remember to follow your passion and to enjoy the scenery life hands you along the way.

Taking in the scenic route along Kelly's Mountain in Cape Breton

:)

I did it!!! And you can too!

Hi Everyone!

Well it was a big weekend this past weekend for me because I became an official Mount grad! Woo Hoo! Such a celebration!

'Why am I telling you this?' You might ask... well one of the big questions I got today and have received in the past is "How do I decide what to program to take in University?" There are so many cool programs sometimes it's hard to decide what will be best suited to lead you to the right career path. One thing that worked for me and that I would suggest to all students trying to choose a program, is to look at the courses offered in programs you are interested in. You don't have to stress about what you will do when you are finished if you are loving the courses you're taking. For example if you see a program with courses that really interest you, then you will enjoy them, do well, and find it easier to decide what to do with your degree. If you aren't sure, try a general arts or science degree and see what some of your favourite courses are and then decide from there.

When I look back at my choice to take Public Relations (PR) I did so because I wanted to take courses in Media Relations, Crisis Communication, Public Speaking and Persuasive writing among MANY others. The degree looked so cool I wasn't even sure what a PR person did, but I knew if it involved all those things then I would love it! =)

You can apply this lovely philosophy to ANY program!

This tip and others brought to you by the letter "M" and the "Brilliant" mind of Melanie LeBlanc!

Psych!

Hi everyone,

I'm back in Halifax this week visiting schools at lunch hour! I had the first school today and had a grrrreat question! "Does the Mount offer a degree in psychology through the arts program?" The answer is "YES!" we do offer it through the arts and science program. So come, learn, enjoy...and have no fear psych is here!

Ciao 4 now!

I'm Famous!

Hi again Everyone!

Today I went to my old high school...it was awesome! The year I left, they also built another high school nearby the old one and i got to visit my old teachers at both....and even some who went to other high schools. It was so nice to catch up and speak to students about my experience in high school and university. I talked to two leadership classes about how their leadership skills can be applied to post-secondary education. One of the main things I learned and wanted to share was that "You are not a leader because people follow you...but instead people follow you because you are a leader."

I had lots of questions in these sessions...one of the most popular was about how high school prepared me for university. I think that it prepared me well. Lots of the things I learned that I thought I would never use became very valuable. Things that I thought were small skills were actually invaluable assets in my degree and since then. One of the best skills I learned from my leadership class was an ability to interpret my audience. If you want to know more about what I mean e-mail me...it's helpful in everything from applications to essays!

Also check out the attached pictures! It's ME! I'm a celebrite in the Kawartha Pine Ridge Distric School Board...these posters are in each school in the board! (I'll be handing out autographs upon request)

Ciao 4 now!

Independents Begin

Hello Everyone!
I'm just about to start 3 weeks of independent visits for the Mount!
I will be in Courtice, Brampton, Kitchener and then Mississauga this week.
I look forward to meeting with interested students and I hope to see some students I have already met in the last two weeks. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...I hope it was delicious.
Know what I'm thankful for? That I have the best and easiest job in the world! I get to travel and meet great people while promoting the best* university around.

Also enjoy the pic...this is what you might see if you encounter me at your school. =)

Have a good one, and again feel free to contact me with any questions!
Ciao 4 now

*Opinions above reflect Melanie LeBlanc and although she believes if you attend you will agree, they do not necessarily have any scientific basis.

Ontario Student Applications

I've had a lot of questions the last few days about how to apply to The Mount if you are an Ontario student. Since we don't operate under the Ontario application process it is a bit different. For students who want to apply to The Mount, you actually apply directly through our institution.

1. Click on the tab at the top of our homepage (msvu.ca) called "Apply Online".
2. Click on 'Undergraduate Programs' and follow the directions.
3. You will be prompted to pay a $30 application fee which you can do by credit card or by mailing the amount to The Mount.
4. After this you will have to send high school transcripts as they become available. Just ask your guidance office or whoever is in charge of transcripts to do this for you.

Hope this was helpful!

Also today I was in Oakville, Mississauga and Brampton... there were some great questions and I met some really cool students! I'm about halfway through my Ontario time and just loving being back where I lived for my 'formative years' (grade 7-12 haha). I hope to talk to more interested students this week and next!
Ciao 4 now!

Introducing The Mount to the World

So this week I've received the challenging assignment of visiting high schools and the college in Bermuda. I know, rough life, ha ha. Mount Saint Vincent University actually has a long relationship with Bermuda - we have been coming here for over twenty years and the Sisters of Charity who founded the Mount so long ago also founded a high school in Bermuda - Mount Saint Agnes - where I was at today.

I love coming to Bermuda not only because of the obvious reasons (it's stunningly beautiful, the people are as friendly as they are in the Maritimes, and, of course, it's hot almost all year round!!) but also because of the opportunity to introduce the Mount to a new generation of students and meet all sorts of Mount Saint Vincent University Bermudian alumni who have come back home after their degree.

One of the great things about the Mount is that we don't differentiate between Canadian and international students as far as admissions to limited enrollment programs, and scholarships. That means that if you meet the admissions and scholarship requirements you will not be penalized against because you're not Canadian - you get the exact same consideration and advantages. This also means that every year more and more international students get to experience life in Canada and all of the benefits of a great Canadian education!

I am also managing to squeeze in a bit of recreation when I've finished working for the day. I have gone for some walks and taken lots of pictures of palm trees - and me with palm trees (as you can see!), and another day I got to spend a couple hours snorkelling off the coast of Bermuda - I saw tonnes of fish, coral and shipwrecks - and one barracuda!! Luckily he was more interested in the other fish than us but it kept us all awake and paying attention for the rest of the trip that's for sure! :-)

Opening Lines

Hello again everyone!

The first week in Ontario was great! It was awesome to see so many students interested in looking into the East Coast and the Mount as an option for their post secondary education. I realized I didn’t mention what exactly it is I’m doing on the road. For those who haven’t seen me yet I thought it would be good to let you know what I mean when I say I’m on the road visiting high schools.
Well generally when I’m on the road I set up a table with the other university recruiters and answer your questions. What might you encounter when you come up to my table?
I thought I would share some of my great opening lines:
1. Howzit going? (Yes I say it like it’s one word)
2. Looking for any program in particular?
3. Go ahead and take a book.
4. Let me know if you have any questions.

Now that I see them all written out I’m thinking I might need to come up with a better opening line… any suggestions?

Sometimes I think that maybe I’m intimidating to students…but I really hope I’m not! Please come talk to me and ask questions. I love meeting potential students and telling them about why I love the Mount. Why do I love the Mount? Well I will share my top 3 reasons with you right now:
Small campus – Big city… best of both worlds.
Professors care about your success and know you by name
Programs so great that students on campus come from over 60 different countries

I will post again soon with some of my favourite questions from the road.
Ciao 4 now!