The program is intended for outstanding students currently completing Grade 10, 11 or 12 (Quebec secondaire IV, V or CEGEP I, or the international equivalent).

A typical Shad applicant has these qualities:

• high academic achievement
• exceptional drive, initiative, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mind
• excellence and leadership in diverse pursuits, including athletics, the arts and work
• strong volunteer impact and outstanding interpersonal skills

Don't wait for your school to recommend that you apply. We invite you to apply today! Apply to Shad Valley by sending us a completed application. To review the application FAQ's click here

Shad Valley is a unique motivational experience which will not only expose you to a multitude of ideas and career possibilities and challenge you with hands-on workshops and group projects, but will introduce you to 50 other bright, inquisitive young people just like yourself. You will stretch your mind, hone your skills and make amazing friendships. As well, having Shad Valley on your resume will only strengthen your application to many jobs and universities.

Shad Valley will run for four weeks in 2013, from Sunday, June 30 to Friday, July 26.

Many students then have summer volunteer internships, which follow after the end of the Shad Valley program. Some summer internships, especially in Quebec, may start before the academic term.

Shad Valley is held on campus at 12 leading universities across Canada. Students live in residence at each university for the month of July. 

• Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
• Lakehead University (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
• McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario)
• Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's, Newfoundland)
• Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario)
• Université Laval (Quebec City, Québec)
• University of British Columbia (Vancouver, British Columbia)  
• University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta)
• University of New Brunswick (Fredericton, New Brunswick)
• University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
• University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Ontario)

The program fee is $3,950, which is a portion of the full program cost. The fee covers all program activities, accommodations, and meals. Transportation to the program via car, bus, train, or air is the student's responsibility. For international students the fee is $8,000 CDN. Click here for details.

Additional financial support is available to assist students in need. We also grant merit-based scholarships that are awarded based on the strength of the overall application. Students that feel Shad Valley is right for them should not hesitate to apply. Once their application is successful, we will work with them and their family to facilitate their participation.

Shad Valley has a substantial budget for financial assistance, which includes:

• A large bursary fund for participants in financial need
• Travel bursaries as additional support
• Scholarships based on the overall strength of the application, and all applicants are automatically eligible to be considered for these scholarships
• Resources for participants to fundraise locally towards their fee 

After students submit an application, they will be sent information on how to be considered for financial support.

Remember Shad Valley is an investment in your future!

The program is intended for outstanding students currently completing Grade 10, 11 or 12 (Quebec secondaire IV, V or CEGEP I, or the international equivalent.

A typical Shad applicant has these qualities:

• high academic achievement
• exceptional drive, initiative, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mind
• excellence and leadership in diverse pursuits, including athletics, the arts and work
• strong volunteer impact and outstanding interpersonal skills

Students may apply to Shad Valley by sending us a completed application. Review the application FAQ's.
 

By submitting an application students are not committing to attend the program. Admission to Shad Valley is a competitive process.

The application deadline has passed for 2013. Watch for our 2014 application materials in September. For general enquiries, email info@shad.ca

Evaluations begin in early January. In mid-to-late February we will notify all applicants of their status. These notices will include either an offer of a place in the program, placement on a waiting list, or that we can no longer consider the student s application.

The majority of campus placements are confirmed by mid-April.

By submitting an application you are not committing to attend the program. Admission to Shad Valley is a competitive process.

The application deadline has passed for 2013. Watch for our 2014 application materials in September. For general enquiries, email info@shad.ca

Experience new things on a daily basis and expect that there will never be a dull moment at Shad Valley. A day at Shad Valley (that is never typical!) could include:

• Mornings: Learn about the latest in nanotechnology or forensic DNA from seasoned experts, participate in a workshop with a successful entrepreneur to learn the ins and outs of business planning or, using leading edge software, create a digital design to enhance an internet user's online experience.
• Afternoons: Explore fascinating new concepts in a genetics workshop or a graphics lab, tour a high-tech firm, and then try your hand at yoga, swing-dancing, or a game of ultimate frisbee.
• Evenings: Be enlightened by exciting guest speakers such as an astronomer, a leading medical expert, a world famous mountaineer, or the CEO of a major corporation. Participate in an impromptu musical jam session.
• Weekends: Beachcomb beautiful Mayne Island, BC, watch numerous species of whales in New Brunswick, or just chill with new friends from across Canada.

Visit our blog: www.shad.ca/blog

Ten or more amazing people staff each campus not including volunteers. They ensure that all aspects of your experience - academic, physical, and social - exceed your every expectation. They teach from their passion, not from a curriculum. Some staff live in residence with the Shad Valley participants for the duration of the program and become part of your new extended family.

These dedicated staff members have excellent credentials and many are top-rated university professors. Dozens of volunteers from all areas of the university and business community add to the mix to create a dynamic experience.

If and when you are offered a place in Shad Valley, you will be sent a registration form on which you can rank all of our campuses in order of preference. While we will try to accommodate your preferences, please note that space is limited at each campus, and we also strive for geographic representation and gender balance at each campus.

While each campus is unique, everyone comes away with a shared Shad Valley experience. You're guaranteed to learn, have fun and meet incredible new people from all across Canada.

Evaluations begin in early January. In mid-to-late February we will notify all applicants of their status. These notices will include either an offer of a place in the program, placement on a waiting list, or that we can no longer consider the student's application.

The majority of campus placements are confirmed by mid-April.

Once you have been accepted into the Shad Valley program, you may have the opportunity to be linked with one of our sponsor companies for a volunteer internship, where you get a chance to develop even more skills. Placements typically occur after the on-campus portion of the program is finished.

Internships provide a valuable opportunity for students which:

• Allow you to gain experience in a dynamic work environment and build your resume and network
• Help you to understand what employers seek in terms of knowledge, skills and work ethic
• Give you an opportunity to explore career opportunities and interests
• Give you potential connections with industry-leading companies which may lead to co-op placements during university

Beginning as early as April, some Shad Valley supporters interview students to offer them a Shad work experience, however, not all students will be offered one.

Many students who are not offered a volunteer internship with a Shad Valley supporter have been successful arranging their own post-Shad work experience. Others return to their existing summer job, have family vacations planned, or are involved in another activity in August. We will do our best to circulate your resume to interested Shad Valley supporters and ask you to keep us informed of your post-Shad plans from April onward.

Once a student has been accepted into the Shad Valley program, they may have the opportunity to be linked with one of our supporter companies for a volunteer internship, where they get the chance to develop even more skills. Internships provide a valuable opportunity for students which:

• Allow students to gain experience in a dynamic work environment and build their resume and network
• Help students to understand what employers seek in terms of knowledge, skills and work ethic
• Give students an opportunity to explore career opportunities and interests
• Give students potential co-op placements during university

Beginning as early as April, some Shad Valley supporters interview students to offer them a Shad work experience, however, not all students will be offered one.

Students who are not offered a volunteer internship with a Shad Valley supporter have been successful arranging their own post-Shad work experience. Others return to their existing summer job, have family vacations planned, or are involved in another activity in August.

We will do our best to circulate a student's resume to interested Shad Valley supporters, and ask students to keep us informed of any changes in post-Shad plans from April onward.
 

August internships are 4-6 week volunteer opportunities in large and small organizations, designed to complement your Shad Valley campus experience. They are an excellent opportunity for you to experience the world of Canadian business, add real-life experience to your resume, and build your network of contacts for future summer, co-op, and full-time roles. Just like Shad Valley, securing an internship is a highly competitive process.

Intern providers are sent a number of resumes (called a shortlist) from students within their region, and according to their job requirements.  They are responsible for arranging interviews and will contact students directly. Most employers are unable to meet with every candidate on their shortlist. As in any hiring process, they will interview those candidates whose skills, backgrounds and interests match their requirements.

At an interview, you should answer questions directly, precisely and with specific details. Be prepared to ask questions also. Be empathetic to the interviewers. Listen carefully to what they say. Be honest and don't forget to have a sense of humor!

Possible interview questions include:

• Why are you interested in the program?
• Why did you apply?
• Who are your mentors?
• What has been your major disappointment in school?
• What has been your major disappointment to date?
• What are your most relevant skills?
• What do you know about our company?
• What distinguishes you from other candidates?
• What unique skills do you have and which skills do you want to bring to this organization?
• What accomplishment do you still wish to achieve?
• What are your interests outside of school?
• Tell me about yourself including something that would surprise me.
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
• What are your short and long term career goals?
• What is your favorite book?
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be?
• Tell me about a time you had to work in a team and what your role was.
• Tell me about a situation when you had to juggle different responsibilities and how you handled it.
• What three words best describe you?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Selections are confirmed through the Shad office. Shad contacts students with the offers and confirms acceptances back to the organization. The student and organization then finalize details such as hours of work, supervisor's coordinates, etc. with each other directly.

August internships are 4-6 week volunteer opportunities in large and small organizations, designed to complement the student's Shad Valley campus experience. They are an excellent opportunity for students to experience the world of Canadian business, add real-life experience to their resume, and build their network of contacts for future summer, co-op, and full-time roles. Just like Shad Valley, securing an internship is a highly competitive process.

Intern providers are sent a number of resumes (called a shortlist) from students within their region, and according to their job requirements.  They are responsible for arranging interviews and will contact students directly. Most employers are unable to meet with every candidate on their shortlist. As in any hiring process, they will interview those candidates whose skills, backgrounds and interests match their requirements.

Selections are confirmed through the Shad office. Shad contacts students with the offers and confirms acceptances back to the organization. The student and organization then finalize details such as hours of work, supervisor's coordinates, etc. with each other directly.

Volunteer internships are usually in the student's home city or within reasonable commuting distance, and follow the Shad Valley program. Students do not have a volunteer internship based in the city where they attend Shad Valley.

Shad Valley program fees are not tax deductible and we therefore do not issue tuition receipts.

When a student is offered a place at Shad Valley, they are asked to send in a deposit towards their program fee. That deposit is refundable before noon on April 11 (the last chance for withdrawal with full refund).

Absences from the program are not allowed unless for medical or family emergencies, at the discretion of the Program Director.

• As a Shad Valley supporter, you will have the chance to see one or more of the country's highest potential youths very early (sometimes years before you would discover them through co-op, or a career fair), and begin to build a relationship with them and their fellow Shads.
• You will have the opportunity to become part of the Shad community, which consists of over 12,000 Shad alumni, over 150 other Shad supporters, and our 12 host university campuses. Being part of this group provides links to employees, educators, and businesses. The networking, recruiting, and business development opportunities are immense.
• The chance to have one or more highly skilled and motivated students perform important, value added work during the summer internship.
• An opportunity to be part of the solution to your company's, and Canada's, skilled labour shortage.

We are funded chiefly through donations from supporters and student program fees.

The Shad Valley program is designed to provide a pivotal experience to those whose ability to learn is proven, and who have demonstrated initiative, creativity, drive, and interpersonal skills - the hallmarks of an emerging leader who will make things happen wherever they go.

For the month of July, Shad Valley students live in residence at one of 12 university campuses, typically alongside four faculty members and six other staff, who also live in residence. Students partake in a rigorous curriculum of lectures, workshops, group activities and excursions. During this intense month, students, faculty and staff develop a community of learning while students pursue real life projects designed to capitalize on the participants' existing academic talents and foster teamwork, collaboration and leadership skills. For example, each student will be part of a team researching and designing a marketable product from concept to completion, including a marketing plan, business plan, prototype and costing - all in two short weeks.

Past student summer internships have been incredibly varied. Projects have included:

• Reviewing and recommending changes to office environmental programs.
• Writing internal computer programs for the firm's email and online fax server.
• Designing a programmable logic array integrated circuit.
• Conducting qualitative and quantitative consumer research for a mouthwash brand.
• Laboratory work and computer analysis.
• Conducting overview and analysis of marketing opportunities and technology issues in the metals and mining sectors.
• Carrying out and reporting on a cost analysis of an optical sensing head manufactured by the company.

Approximately 85% of Shad Valley graduates study math, sciences, engineering, medicine and related disciplines at the post-secondary level. Twenty-three Shad Valley alumni have received prestigious Rhodes Scholarships from Oxford University. Many of our alumni are currently employed with their partner companies, such as IBM, Research in Motion, and the Royal Bank, to name a few.

Shad Valley has been designed to specifically meet the long-term recruiting needs of today's globally competitive knowledge-based companies, where highly skilled, entrepreneurial-oriented employees are in high demand.

Yes -- during July, every campus holds an Open Day celebration on the last Thursday of the program. Supporters are invited to come and meet our students and faculty, check out their projects, and share the excitement of Shad Valley! Please note that the Shad student(s) you may be employing will not likely be attending the campus closest to you.

In addition, many supporters are involved in developing lab workshops, project judging, guest seminars and lectures. If you are interested, please contact invest@shad.ca.

Here is a sample template to use during an interview:

Interview with candidate: ______________________________

Overall Rating: _______

1 - Very strong
2 - Strong
3 - Neither Strong nor Weak
4 - Weak
5 - Very Weak

- Why are you interested in the program
- Why did you apply
- Who are your mentors
- What has been your major disappointment in school
- What has been your major disappointment to date
- What are your most relevant skills
- What do you know about our company
- What distinguishes you from other candidates
- What unique skills do you have and which skills do you want to bring to this organization
- What accomplishment do you still wish to achieve
- What are your interests outside of school
- Tell me about yourself including something that would surprise me
- Where do you see yourself in ten years
- What are your short and long term career goals
- What is your favourite book
- If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be
- Tell me a time you had to work in a team and what your role was
- Tell me a situation when you had to juggle different responsibilities and how you handled it
- What three words best describe you
- Do you have any questions for me

Yes you can. During July, every campus holds an Open Day celebration on the last Thursday of the program. Parents, educators and supporters are encouraged to come and meet the group of students and faculty, check out their projects, and share the excitement of Shad Valley!

Parents: While we understand how much you may want to spend time with your children while they are away from home attending Shad Valley, we do not encourage it until Open Day. Our program staff spend a great deal of time building their Shad community over the course of the month. It has been our experience that when some students can see their parents and others cannot, that the community can be disrupted. We certainly look forward to seeing you on Open Day when we can all celebrate the accomplishments of your children!

We understand parents, friends or relatives may want to spend time with or visit the Shad participant, but since our program staff spends a great deal of time building their Shad community over the course of the month, we do not encourage it until Open Day.  It has been our experience that when some students can see their friends or relatives and others cannot, the community can be disrupted. Open Day on Thursday, July 25 is the only opportunity to visit.

Shad Valley's success depends on the community of Shads at each campus. The program has scheduled activities morning, afternoon, and evening, seven days a week, plus there is a lot of team-based project work. Students and staff alike are required to live in residence during the program. The rewards match the commitment!

There are absolutely no exceptions for time off during the program. Absences are not allowed unless for medical or family emergencies.