The Journey with AdmissionPrep

Do You Actually Need an Admissions Consultant? Quick disclaimer: we are admissions consultants. So take this video for what it is, our honest take from inside the industry. But here's what Jason actually believes, and what we tell families who ask: most students do not need a consultant. A good school counselor, a few honest conversations at the kitchen table, and the free resources already ou...

How to Use Grade 11 to Prepare for University Applications Grade 11 is the year that quietly decides where your child gets in. By the time Grade 12 starts, the file admissions officers actually read is mostly already built — the courses, the extracurricular trajectory, the test scores, the shortlist, the supplementary essay foundation. In this video, Jason walks through exactly how your child shou...

If your child is deciding between IB, AP, and regular high school courses, this is one of the most important decisions they'll make before applying to university in Canada. But does it actually matter? In this video, we break down how Canadian universities like UofT, McGill, UBC, Waterloo, and more evaluate each curriculum and what gives your child an edge, what doesn't matter as much as y...

AI is changing everything about how students learn — but is it making them smarter, or just more dependent? In this episode, Jason and Arry dig into what they're seeing on the front lines: students who can't write without AI, the rise of blue books and no-phone schools, and why the ability to push through frustration might be the most important skill of the next decade. Plus — a deep dive...

The busy season is over — and the lessons are real. In this episode, Jason and Arry unpack what they learned from helping students navigate the final push of university applications, why grade inflation is reshaping admissions across Canada, and what every Grade 11 student needs to be doing right now before the window closes. From fixing bad marks to building extracurriculars that actually matter,...

What if your obsession with The Lord of the Rings could become your master’s… and maybe even your PhD? 📚✨ In this episode, Jason sits down with Catherine — AdmissionPrep’s lead essay editor, writing coach, and advisor — to unpack how she: Went from health science in Cégep to English literature at McGill Fought through COVID disruptions and a housing crisis to complete a master’s in Fantasy Liter...

In this special episode of The Journey , host Jason Yee distills the top 10 insights from his recent student interviews - offering a candid look at what life is really like at North America’s most competitive universities. From the “U of Tears” reputation at U of T to the entrepreneurial edge at Waterloo, the social heartbeat of Queen’s Engineering, and the hidden interdisciplinary gems like McMas...

Would you double your university costs and move across the country if it meant a bigger future? Matthew Tran did exactly that — leaving Vancouver for Queen’s Smith School of Business in Kingston. In this episode, he breaks down how he made Queen’s affordable (hello, scholarship stacking), why the club ecosystem + alumni network were game-changers, and how internships (including AdmissionPrep, Vanc...

We sit down with Victoria - a future lawyer, Terry Fox Humanitarian Scholar, and AdmissionPrep Advisor - to explore her incredible journey from moving to Canada in Grade 10 with a language barrier to graduating from high school with a 99% average. Victoria shares how she built her community through service, earned one of Canada’s most competitive awards, and found her path to law school through re...

How does a varsity athlete become a founder? In this episode, Jason Yee sits down with his co-founder (and wife) Madison to unpack her path from elite soccer to building a company that helps students launch their futures . They dive into what UBC Sauder really teaches you, what it doesn’t, and how the discipline of sport translates into entrepreneurship. You’ll hear how Madison navigated pressure,...

Want to get into UBC Sauder? In this guide, we share why Macleans ranked Sauder as the best business school in Canada. You’ll also find out about what specializations Sauder offers, how to get accepted to the school and how the application process works os you're prepared well in advance. Chapters: 00:00 - What Is This Guide About 00:20 - What Are The Topics Covered 00:36 - Competitive Standar...

Does the business school you choose really make a difference? In this episode, Jason sits down with Linda, a dual-degree student at Western’s Ivey Business School, to explore the Advanced Entry Opportunity, the competitiveness of Ivey admissions, and how the program shapes real-world career paths. From IB to Ivey, Linda shares her journey - and why Ivey stands out as one of the most unique and val...

Want to get into UofT Rotman? In this guide, we break down exactly what makes Rotman one of the highest ranked business schools in Canada. You’ll also find out about what specializations UofT offers, what deadlines you have to meet, how to get accepted to the school and examples of practice questions to prepare for the supplemental questions Chapters: 00:00 - What Is This Guide About 00:17 - What...

Everyone says “relax, take it easy, don’t overdo it.” But Paige chose a different path. She knew there were seasons where the only way forward was to go all-in - maxing out on academics, leadership, and extracurriculars when it mattered most. That choice carried her into UBC’s ultra-competitive Business and Computer Science program - and later into an elite role as a Software Development Engineer...

Engineering is often stereotyped as a lonely pursuit — long nights, endless problem sets, and students grinding away in isolation. But in this episode of The Journey , Jonas shares how his path to Queen’s University was shaped by community, collaboration, and authenticity. From winning the prestigious Chancellor’s Scholarship to finding the right peer group, Jonas shows that success in engineering...

UofT is the #1 ranked university in Canada. That means that the best students not only from Canada...but from around the world are trying to secure a spot at this school. This guide will help you understand if this school is the right fit for you and how to improve your chances of being accepted Chapters 00:00 - What is this guide about? 00:20 - What are the topics covered? 00:32 - Programs Availa...

Are engineers about to be replaced by AI? Is that just hype? To find out, Jason Yee sits down with longtime teammate and friend Ben Schmidt - senior geotechnical engineer and founder of Coast Geotechnical in Victoria, BC. Ben shares his path from Campbell River to UBC, where he balanced the grueling schedule of varsity hockey with the demands of an engineering degree. He opens up about the pivots...

Is university still worth it in today’s economy? With rising tuition, a shaky job market, and the rise of alternative paths, the question has never felt more urgent. In this episode of The Journey , Jason Yee sits down with Iris Redinger, a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s architecture program turned full-time entrepreneur. Iris shares how she built her way into one of Canada’s most compet...

Is university still worth it in today’s world? And what kind of future generation is it really shaping? In this episode of The Journey , Jason Yee sits down with Ava, a second-year student in McMaster’s ultra-competitive Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (iBioMed) program. With only a 12% acceptance rate, the program is tough — but what makes Ava stand out isn’t just her grades...

Join Jason Yee as he sits down with Bateel, a determined student who shares her inspiring journey to Cornell University. Discover the meticulous planning and dedication that led her to secure an 80% scholarship and acceptance into top schools like UC Berkeley and USC. Bateel opens up about her decision-making process, the challenges she faced, and the strategies that helped her succeed. Tune in fo...

Like most things in life, success is achieved indirectly. So you don't win a scholarship by just trying to win a scholarship. There are seemingly indirect steps that help you get there. We know, because we've helped thousands of students win scholarships, grants, and bursaries - as part of their application process. We cover the biggest mistakes students make that prevents them from even b...

You don't need to scramble at the last minute to complete your university applications. There are simple steps to get prepped and hand in your best work - when it matters most. But these steps are not commonly taught and most students and parents don't know these things. With just a little bit of preparation, you can make your applications standout...if only just because you aren't pan...

Is U of T worth the prestige? Or is it not worth the cost? And does it really earn its nickname #uoftears? We explore the debate of whether you should even attend Canada's most popular and competitive school. This conversation explores the experiences of students at the University of Toronto (U of T), focusing on their decision-making process, academic challenges, social life, mental health re...

Join us on the Accepted by Admission Prep podcast as we dive into the competitive world of Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto. With over 7,000 applications and only 500 spots, discover what makes this program stand out. Nicola, an expert who has guided hundreds of students through the admissions process, shares insights on what it takes to succeed. Learn about the admissions process, the...

Meet Jennifer “@VeganTechNomad” Chou —the once-shy student who engineered her brain-friendly systems, graduated as valedictorian at Simon Fraser University, and now shares them with 100 K+ followers online. In this episode she breaks down the dopamine-fuelled hacks that let her (and now her audience) study less while learning more. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Chou and Her Journey 02:29...