The University Transition Program

The University Transition Program, often called the Transition Program, UBC Transitions, UTP, or simply Transition, is an early college entrance program funded by the Vancouver School Board, the University of British Columbia and the BC Ministry of Education that is based in the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Each year, the program accepts around 20 new students between the ages 12 and 15,[1] half of which are from outside the Vancouver School District. This is out of approximately 200 applicants; rigorous testing must be performed to select acceptable candidates.[2] Over the course of two years,[3] students aim to complete the required high school curriculum along with some university level coursework.[4] When they graduate from the program, the students usually are accepted into UBC earlier than they would if they had graduated from a regular high school (aged 14–17 instead of 18–19). The program was first established in 1993 by the Vancouver School Board, British Columbia Ministry of Education and the University of British Columbia.[5] Students of the program have access to most UBC facilities and possess UBC undergraduate student cards.[2] The program held its 20th anniversary on May 15–17, 2015.[6]

University Transition Program
University Transition Program, building (visible on the far right of image), Oct 2014
Address
240D - 1924 West Mall

Vancouver
,
British Columbia
,
V6T1Z2

Canada
Information
School typeEarly college entrance program
Established1993
School boardSchool District 39 Vancouver
School number03995051
Grades11–12
Enrollment40 (November 2019)
LanguageEnglish
AreaVancouver, British Columbia
Websiteuniversitytransition.ca

Location

The Transition Program is located in the heart of the University of British Columbia, on 240D 1924 West Mall. The building the Transition Program resides in is the Auditorium Annex located on West Mall. It is above the Math Graduates office, across from the Pacific Institute of Mathematical Sciences building, and behind the Walter C. Koerner Library.[7]

Work load

The University Transitions Program's student workload is much higher than that of most regular high schools. It compacts the five year high school curriculum into two years.[8] The curriculum compacting is effectively achieved due to the demonstrated high-level of learning ability and motivation of the students.

The program requires students to work hard and take responsibility for their learning outcomes while offering a supportive learning environment. The students are supported by the Transitions Program staff, parents, and themselves to ensure a positive and productive learning environment. [9]

Achievements
  • The Transition Program is the winner of the 2008 Grades 8 and 9 Math Challengers, the 2009 Grade 9 Math Challengers, the 2011 Grade 9 Math Challengers, the 2012 Grade 8 Math Challengers, the 2015 Grade 9 Provincial Math Challengers, the 2018 Grade 8 and 9 Regional Math Challengers, and the 2020 Grade 8, 9 and 10 Regional Math Challengers. Students from the Transition Program have held top placements in the Provincial Math Challengers competitions.
  • Students have been invited to Seattle for the Northwest Intramurals Math Competition.
  • The Transition Program has won awards at numerous Model United Nations Conferences.
  • The Transition Program has won a Reach for the Top Junior Championship in 2003.
  • The Transition Program has won a bronze medal in a Reach for the Top Junior Championship in 2014.
  • The Transition Program has won a silver medal in a Reach for the Top Junior Championship in 2018.
  • The Transition Program has won a silver medal in a Reach for the Top Junior Championship in 2020.
  • The Transition Program is the winner of the 2009 Investja investment competition.
  • Four students from the Transition Program won the physics competition, B.C.'s Brightest Minds, in 2009 and 2010 (Allen Zhang and Yin Shu Yang in 2010, Karlming Chen and Angus Lim in 2009). Two students, Jessica Qiu and YJ Shin, came third place in 2011.
  • Students from the Transition Program have won many awards in the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair competitions.
  • Students from the Transition Program have been invited to the Canada-Wide Science Fair competitions as Finalists and won awards.[10]
  • Cheng Xie, a student from the Transition Program, won the 2014 Schulich Leader Scholarship.[11][12]

Staff

The teaching staff at the program consists of:[13]

  • Mr. David Wilkie: Teacher of Biology 12, Chemistry 11 & 12, and Recreation.
  • Mr. Dean Sheardown: Teacher of Pre-Calculus 11 & 12, History 11 & 12 and Recreation.
  • Ms. Amy Safarik: Teacher of English 11 & 12, and Social Justice 12.
  • Dr. Ludmila Shepelev: Teacher of Physics 11 & 12 and the newly appointed program coordinator.

Transition students also have two courses taught by UBC professors: Philosophy by Dr. Michael Griffin (who previously graduated from the program and attended Oxford University for his degree for philosophy immediately after UBC)[14] and Calculus in Year Two by Dr. Lauchie MacDonald. Previously, Dr. Chris Waltham taught Physics, but since the 2007–2008 school year, he has declined to continue to teach in the program. Dr Eric Nellis, Dr Michael Ward[15], Mr Jamie Zagoudakis[15], and Mr David Coopersmith were also former instructors in the program. Daria Danylchuk was the former program coordinator.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Gifted students may find support in new school board". thethunderbird.ca. UBC Journalism 2013. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  2. "VSB: University Transition Program". Vancouver School Board. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  3. "Even most gifted kids need nurturing". canada.com. 2010-2015 Postmedia Network Inc. 18 November 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  4. "The Vancouver Sun: Grade 7 Pupils Turn Undergrads at UBC". Postmedia Network Inc. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  5. "VSB/UBC Transition Program Hones Brilliant Minds". Vancouver School Board. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  6. "20 Year Reunion". University Transition Program. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  7. "Contact". University Transition Program. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  8. "What is UTP?". University Transition Program. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  9. "Student Responses". University Transition Program. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  10. "Achievements of Transition Students". 2015 University Transition Program. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  11. "Schulich Leader Scholarships: Cheng Xie". UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  12. "15-year-old entering UBC this year wins $80,000 scholarship". Shaw Media Inc. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  13. "Staff". universitytransition.altervista.org. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
  14. "Michael Griffin, UBC Faculty Website". Michael Griffin. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  15. "University Transition Program May 2014 Newsletter" (PDF). University Transition Program. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  16. "In Living Colour: Brian Wong, BCom 2009, takes Silicon Valley by storm". UBC Sauder School of Business. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
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