Thompson Rivers University provides various academic transitions opportunities for current grade 12 students in our region. High school students are able to experience post-secondary education and are able to apply for funding, which if successful, may cover the costs of tuition, ancillary fees and books.
TRU Start Campus Courses
Choose from courses in English, economics, psychology, math, sociology, and early childhood education.
Admission Criteria
In addition to meeting the TRU course and program requirements prior to the start date of classes, students are required to meet the following TRU Start Admission Criteria as documented on their high school report card:
- Minimum overall average of ‘B’
- Exemplary attendance record and attitude towards learning
Application Process
Interested students can download the application. The completed application must be received by TRU Admissions before April 15, 2021, for a guaranteed spot in an available course. Late applications may be considered if space permits.
Please note that only fully completed applications with signatures from a parent/guardian, will be reviewed and ranked by the TRU Start Committee.
For more information on the TRU Start Application process, please contact the TRU Future Students Office at 250-828-5006 or email futurestudents@tru.ca.
TRU Start Campus Programs
Students in School District 73 have the opportunity to apply for TRU’s Police & Justice Studies Diploma, Early Childhood Education Diploma or the Health Care Assistant Certificate. Students would attend TRU in their grade 12 year, receive dual credit for both university courses and high school graduation, in addition to having the tuition costs of the program covered by the district.
Application Process
Students interested in the TRU Start Program need to apply directly through their school's Trades and Transitions Coordinator. For more details and the application package, please visit the School District 73 Transitions website.
For more information on this opportunity, please contact Rob Wielgoz, District Vice-Principal Trades and Transitions, SD#73. At rwielgoz@sd73.bc.ca or 250-320-4091.
TRU Start BC (Distance)
Admission Criteria
In addition to meeting TRU prerequisites prior to the start of the course(s) or program, students are required to meet the following criteria as documented on the student’s high school report card:
- Minimum overall average of 'B'
- Exemplary attendance record
- Exemplary attitude towards learning — i.e., no 'N's in the effort column
Application Process
Students interested in taking a Dual Credit Course must:
- Research course requirements
- Check to see if course(s) fit into their school timetable
- Talk to the Transitions Coordinator about their options
- Complete the application form
TRU Start BC Application
- Receive a signature from the school Principal or designate
- Receive a parent/guardian signature
- Complete the Letter of Intent
- Attach their current secondary school transcript
"My name is Noah Fischer, and I was a student at South Kamloops Secondary School when I first began my university experience through the TRU Start Program. I began with a single introductory psychology course and I am now in my 4th year of the Bachelor of Arts program majoring in psychology at TRU.
I cannot say enough good things about the TRU Start program. It helped to ensure a smooth transition between high school and university, which can often be difficult for a lot of people. This program allowed me to acquaint myself with the campus, the people on it, and gave me a taste of what I could expect during my first semester, which ultimately took a lot of stress and pressure off me.
I would certainly recommend this program to all other high school students who may or may not be nervous about university life. This program reduced my stress about this transition, and I believe it would be beneficial to any student about to make the same change. It provides a wonderful opportunity to look ahead and see what’s coming before you get there and provides countless advantages in the long run."
Noah Fischer
South Kamloops Secondary School
Psychology 1110
"I am currently finishing my last year of Electrical Engineering at UBCO, which I transferred to after my first full year in TRU’s Engineering Transfer program. Back when I was in my last semester of high school at South Kamloops Secondary School, I had a rather chill course load which gave me some extra time, and when I heard that I could take one less class in my first year I signed up right away. Also, it was completely paid for!
I took first year English with a really cool professor who made the class really interesting! I really enjoyed how it showed me that university isn’t that much different to high school but taught me that I’m in charge of my education, and that I get to choose what I do after high school.
Advice I’d give to a student considering this program? I’ll be honest, I was scared that I would have so much homework on top of my high school homework, but I really enjoyed it! It gave me an idea of what the rest of my university degree could look like without having to pay any money! So, if you are interested in what university is like and think taking a TRU Start course can make your next year easier, I’d say to try it!"
Royden Cooke
South Kamloops Secondary School
English 1110
"To this day, being a part of the TRU Start program was the best decision I ever made. TRU Start allows high school students to enroll in university courses while in their grade twelve year. It was such a fabulous experience for me, and I cannot recommend it enough.
I had the chance to "test out" two university courses, and I figured out what I wanted to do in university before I had even graduated high school. Plus, when I started coming to TRU full-time, I didn't even feel like a new student. I had already figured out the expectations of a university class, where everything was, and I made friends that I've continued to have classes with every year since then.
I think anyone can benefit from TRU Start, even students who don't think they want to go to TRU full time once they graduate high school. Even if you decide to go to another university, TRU Start will put you one step ahead of your first-year classmates.
One thing that really helped me when I was in TRU Start was organizing my high school courses so that I could have a study block, just to give me that extra time to work on my university course. One thing I wish I'd known before starting TRU Start is how nice the profs (and other students) are at university. My high school teachers made it sound like university professors were super tough and wouldn't care about you, but I found that my profs were so nice and supportive, especially if they know that you're technically still a high school student.
My advice to someone considering TRU Start: go ahead and give it a try. You'll grow so much through this program and bridge the gap between high school and university. You won't regret it."
Cassidy Jean
South Kamloops Secondary School
English 1110 & Psychology 1110
