FAQ

1. Why should I choose to study at Quest?
   
   Quest is a small, undergraduate university with a unique and integrative liberal arts and sciences program. Outstanding and committed faculty will guide your learning within a modern residential campus environment located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Learn more by visiting our website at www.questu.ca.
   
   
2. What degrees do you offer?
   
   Quest offers a single degree - Bachelor of Arts and Sciences - based upon its integrative curriculum. Students may pursue an emphasis in one of four major areas of concentration: Imagination and Expression: Arts and Humanities; Self, Communities and the World: Social Sciences; Science Technology and Societies: Physical Sciences; or Life and the Natural Environment: Life Sciences. The first two years of your degree program constitute Quest's unique, integrative Foundation Program. The final two years constitute the Individual Concentration Program where you will build upon your educational foundation to pursue questions, themes and topics related to your particular academic and career goals. Expert advice will be provided to assist you in selecting the program focus that best suits your needs. Look for more program information in the Curriculum section of the Calendar.
   
   
3. What is the block plan?
   
   The block plan allows you to concentrate on one course at a time. Each block normally lasts three and a half weeks and meets formally for at least three hours per day, Monday to Friday. Typically, you have a four day break between block courses, and you take four blocks during a term (e.g., September to December). This method of delivery has proven very effective in promoting focus, engagement, and flexibility because you have only one subject to concentrate upon at a time and can immerse yourself in it. Since Quest's academic year consists of three terms, you accelerate or vary the pace of your program to suit your individual needs and interests.
   
   
4. How do I choose what I study?
   
   Your first two years consist of sixteen blocks which are common to all students. You will begin with a Cornerstone course that will introduce you to the block plan, to university level work, and to the unique features of Quest's integrative program. You will not only study such subjects as psychology, history, mathematics, and biology, you will be encouraged to see how these subjects relate to one another and how they contribute to our understanding of the world and its challenges. Faculty work closely to ensure that topics are considered from multiple perspectives. Your final two years consist of an additional sixteen blocks chosen with the assistance of a faculty advisor who will help you to choose a particular focus that meets your academic and career needs. In addition to classroom instruction, you will have opportunities to participate in a variety of experiential learning, study abroad and recreational opportunities.
   
   
5. How do I learn about the admission process?
   
   The easiest way to receive information is through our website at www.questu.ca/prospective_students. You can complete an application on-line or simply download and print the form. You can also access other information you may need, including an electronic version of this Calendar. If you do not have internet access, simply contact the Office of Admission and Enrollment Services and they will send you a copy. For more information about how to apply to Quest, check the section of the Calendar entitled Admission, Registration and Graduation Requirements. You can also download the 2008 Full Course Catalogue [PDF, 2.1 MB].
   
   
6. How do I register for courses?
   
   Once you have received an offer of admission and confirmed your enrollment, you will receive registration information from the Office of Admission and Enrollment Services to assist in scheduling your first-year courses. Once on campus, you will work with your faculty advisor to plan out your academic path at Quest.
   
   
7. How much will it cost?
   
   As a typical first-year student you will take four blocks in each term and will live in residence on campus and participate in a meal plan. Fees are inclusive of tuition, accommodation and food. Transportation, books and incidentals are not included.
   
   For more information, please visit our Tuition, Costs, Scholarships & Financial Aid page in the Prospective Students section of our site.
   
   
8. What financial assistance is available?
   
   The University is committed to helping make the Quest experience affordable to all qualified students through a combination of need-based and merit-based awards, student loans and campus employment. Admission is based entirely on academic and personal qualifications, not on financial need or ability to pay. For more information, please visit our Tuition, Costs, Scholarships & Financial Aid page in the Prospective Students section of our site.
   
   
   Need-based AwardsStudents who submit a completed financial aid form will be considered for Grants and Bursaries from the University. Since Quest attracts students from throughout Canada, the U.S. and beyond, it is essential that each student research the availability of student loan and other programs which are available from their home jurisdictions. Quest will assist students in the process of administering financial aid through their provincial, state and national organizations.
   
   Merit-Based Awards - Quest's most competitive awards for academic excellence and personal accomplishment are offered to entering first-year students, and they are renewable for up to four years, provided students maintain academic eligibility. Applicants may qualify for these scholarships based on academic merit, leadership qualities, talent, and other personal qualifications. To be considered for these awards, applicants must satisfy certain established criteria, which vary by scholarship. Full information about financial aid is available on the financial aid page of the University website, or from admission counsellors and the Office of Admission and Enrollment Services.
   
   In addition to Quest's own awards, students may want to research outside scholarships. Several online resources are available for such purposes as well as your high school guidance office.
   
   
9. What do I require to graduate?
   
   You will need to have successfully completed a minimum of the equivalent of 32 blocks (the equivalent of 128 credits) to graduate. You will need to have fulfilled the requirements of your chosen area of concentration, and you will need to have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 to graduate. For further information concerning graduation requirements you should consult the Admission, Registration and Graduation Requirements section of the Calendar.
   
   
10. How will I find my way around?
    
    Getting to the University is easy. It is less than an hour's drive from Vancouver along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway. The campus is located in the Garibaldi Highlands area of Squamish, a town of approximately 17,000 inhabitants. The campus itself is a pedestrian-friendly site with all the major buildings located within easy walking distance from one another.