University & Career Counselling Centre

WPGA graduates, now totalling over 1,400, consistently enroll in their universities and schools of choice in Canada and across the globe. We are tremendously proud of our graduates and their 100% university acceptance rate, with 100% of students accepted to their school of choice. In 2023, over 80 percent of WPGA graduates received scholarships totaling $1 million, with most students receiving multiple offers. Click here for our school profile and alumni universities. 

To steward this process, our University and Career Counselling Centre (UCCC) guides students through strategic course selection and the postsecondary planning process starting in grade 10. In grades 11 and 12, students and parents continue to meet with the university counselling team to ensure prerequisite courses are on track for university admission in the grade 12 year.

UCCC faculty facilitates numerous opportunities, such as university fairs, information sessions, and university admission representatives, throughout the year for families to explore university programs, campus life, residence choices, and varsity sport. Students and parents are encouraged to participate in these sessions to ensure the school is the best fit for them.  

University Fairs 
The UCCC hosts two university fairs annually for WPGA students and for students across the Lower Mainland: the Canadian Universities Event featuring Canadian schools and the Vancouver Area Independent Schools Fair (VAIS) featuring US schools. Both fairs take place in early fall at WPGA. Our UCCC faculty also helps to coordinate the Vancouver International University Fair at the Vancouver Convention Centre in the spring. 

Work Experience Program 
WPGA's highly popular Work Experience Program offers grades 10, 11 and 12 students the opportunity to explore their career interests and develop practical skills by assisting in a professional work environment. The short-term placements, which can be in person, remote or hybrid, occur during school holiday breaks and comprise both observational and hands-on learning in a variety of fields, such as business, science, engineering, medicine, film production, real estate and marketing.

For more information on work placements, contact Braden O'Donnell, Work Experience Coordinator. 

School Transcripts: For WPGA graduates who would like an official school transcript, click here. Postsecondary institutions will only accept a transcript directly from the BC Ministry of Education.

University & Career Counselling Faculty

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Kel McDowell

    Kel McDowell 

    Director, University & Career Counselling
  • Photo of James Smith

    James Smith 

    Assistant Director, University & Career Counselling
  • Photo of Braden O'Donnell

    Braden O'Donnell 

    Career Education Teacher; Work Experience Program Coordinator