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KEY’s expert admission’s consultants are here to support you in finding the institution and program that best suit you. University programs and policies evolve constantly. At KEY, we follow the dynamic nature of the admissions process to assure accurate information and effective advising sessions with our students. Furthermore, we have contacts at almost every admissions office in Canada in order to speak with officers regarding any of your questions.

Whether you are interested in applying within Canada or the United States, our commitment is to ensure you are submitting an application that sets you apart from the status quo. We assist you through drafting personal statements to highlight strengths and create a compelling story as well as prepare you for interviews and school tours.

university admissions at KEY

  • Unique insight from our insider perspective.
  • Our team has work experience at a number of top private schools including St. George’s School, Upper Canada College, Shawnigan Lake School, and West Point Grey Academy.
  • Past experience as Harvard University and Cornell University alumni interviewers.
  • All of KEY’s co-founders are graduates of St. George’s School.
  • We take a lifelong learning and strategic approach, working with students through their formative educational years from early childhood to university.
  • We promote deep learning with students.

The admissions process is becoming more competitive for top-tier universities. University applications can be overwhelming and stressful. KEY personally works with each applicant to create a customized plan to meet his/her goals, guiding you through the process with accuracy and clarity.

Our admissions experts provide:

  • Guidance for the process to ensure a strong application that stands out from the competition by effectively telling your unique story (Grade 12)
  • Application-based consulting
    • Support with application forms
    • Personal statements guidance
    • Interview coaching
    • Reference letter preparations
  • Comprehensive strategic University planning to prepare you for the application process in the future (Grade 9-11)
  • Discover your passions and career choices with the Career and Academic Skills and Interest Assessments (CASIA)
  • SAT test score improvement with our partner Your Score Booster

We offer these services individually or as a personalized package for your need.

Canada is the home of some of the world’s leading universities including the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto and McGill University. Admissions to these universities is becoming increasingly competitive. However, at KEY we provide support through exploring programs, the application process, and the transition to lead to a successful first year at university. KEY has well-equipped knowledgeable staff and integrated networks providing you with insider’s knowledge to competitive University programs.

We provide:

  • University Planning (Grades 9 -11)
    • Searching for the right school and best program
    • Strengthening academic and extracurricular profiles
    • Stimulating deeper engagement with top universities during high school
  • Application Year (Grade 12)
    • Selecting the universities and programs
    • Organizing the application and transcript reporting process
    • Developing effective and competitive admission essays
    • Helping students prepare for online interviews
    • Advising students on the transition to first year at university and the course selection process
  • Strategic Gap Year Program (Between Grade 12 and First Year University)
    • Gap year application planning
    • Improving academic standings
    • Independent field study in an area of interest
    • Academic skills coaching
    • Strengthening extracurricular profiles
    • Monthly private gap year coaching sessions
  • Graduate Program Planning (First Year – Fourth Year University Students)
    • Finding the right graduate school for specific career choices
    • Planning out an integrated work experience
  • Graduate Program Application
  • Career and Academic Skills and Interest Assessments (CASIA)

Universities to which our students have received admission include:

  • Bard College
  • Barnard College
  • Boston University
  • Bryn Mawr College
  • Carleton University
  • Carnegie Melon University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • DePaul University
  • Dickinson College
  • Emory University
  • New York University
  • Northeastern University
  • Parsons The New School
  • Rutgers University
  • Smith College
  • Syracuse University
  • The New School of Design
  • University of California at Berkeley
  • University of California at Davis
  • University of California at Irvine
  • University of California at Los Angeles
  • University of California at Merced
  • University of California at Riverside
  • University of California at San Diego
  • University of California at Santa Barbara
  • University of California at Santa Cruz
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Washington
  • Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania
  • Wellesley College
  • University of British Columbia
  • Emily Carr University of Arts and Design
  • McGill University
  • Queen’s University
  • Simon Fraser University
  • University of Toronto
  • Western University
  • University of Waterloo

Art and Design Schools:

  • California Polytechnic State University Architecture
  • Pratt Institute
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Southern California Institute of Architecture

KEY’s expert admission’s consultants are here to support you in finding the institution and program that best suit you. University programs and policies evolve constantly. At KEY, we follow the dynamic nature of the admissions process to assure accurate information and effective advising sessions with our students. Furthermore, we have contacts at almost every admissions office in Canada in order to speak with officers regarding any of your questions.

Bryan Ide

Education Director

Master of Arts in Political Science, Columbia University

Bachelor of Arts in Government, Cornell University

First-Year Undergraduate Studies, McGill University

Bryan believes in the transformational power of education and is passionate about helping students and families make the right educational choices. He graduated from St. George’s School and holds a BA from Cornell University and an MA from Columbia University. He has spent most of his professional life in education having worked in institutional advancement for both St. George’s School and the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia.

Bryan is the past chair of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network Committee for British Columbia. He is also a member in good standing with the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the Higher Education Consultants Association, and he is nearing completion of his Associate Certified Academic Life Coach certification. He has been featured on CBC Radio and Fairchild TV and in the Vancouver Sun, Our Kids Media, North Shore News, Sing Tao, 24 Hours, West Canada Weekly, Global Chinese Press, New Leaf Weekly, World Journal, Lahoo, and Westca. As a thought leader in the industry, Bryan is able to customize each family’s needs, helping them set realistic and achievable goals.

Dr. Whitney Laughlin

Associate Education Consultant

Doctor of Education in Educational Administration, University of California at Berkeley

Master of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Master of Arts, Goddard College

Bachelor of Arts, Roger Williams College

Dr. Laughlin, is an award-winning and long-time university counselor with over 30 years of experience in college, university, and graduate school admission counselling. She has acted as a consultant to individuals, schools, colleges and nonprofit organizations. She has been Director of College/University Counselling at St. Michaels University School, Albuquerque Academy, Native American Prep School and Verde Valley School, and has been in private practice since 1996. She has also worked in the Harvard College Admissions Office in Cambridge, MA.

She specializes in admission to US, European/UK and Canadian colleges and universities for students with a wide range of interests, talents and abilities. She has a wealth of experience working with students who go on to highly selective schools, those with financial need, special talents (including athletes and artists) and special needs, including learning differences. Dr. Laughlin also founded and ran a non-profit helping Native American students prepare for and apply to college. In 2005, she was the recipient of NACAC’s (National Association for College Admission Counseling) “Human Relations Award,” given to the individual who is “instrumental in making postsecondary educational opportunities available to historically underrepresented students.” She has published numerous articles and given many presentations on university admissions.

In 2007, Dr. Laughlin was named an Ashoka Canada Foundation Fellow Finalist and she was also recognized as a 2009 “Counselor That Changes Lives” (from Colleges That Change Lives). In 2011, she received the PNACAC (Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling) “Sister Shawn Marie Barry Distinguished Service to Youth Award” given to the independent or secondary school counselor or college level admission officer who has “given outstanding and faithful service to youth.” She is a member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), PNACAC, OACAC (Oversees Association for College Admission Counseling) and National Association for College Admission Counseling.