CONQUER TOP 3 CANADA UNIVERSITIES
University of Toronto, UBC and McGill are the dream destinations of thousands of students around the world – and GPA believes that Vietnamese students can compete if they prepare properly and at the right time. With experience supporting hundreds of successful applications, GPA shares effective strategies, entry requirements, and pathways to help students prepare for high school applications.
The University of Toronto, UBC and McGill are the three most prestigious universities in Canada, consistently ranked in the world’s Top 50 with many subjects in the global Top 10. They are also the place to train a series of excellent alumni – from prime ministers, Nobel laureates, to global leaders.
The schools have strategic geographical locations: Toronto – Canada’s largest economic center; Vancouver – an innovative and livable city; Montreal – a multicultural and affordable metropolis.
International students are strongly supported through full scholarships (McCall MacBain, IMES …), a leading research ecosystem and a multicultural, open academic environment.
Overview
| University | Location | Annual tuition (CAD) | Global Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | Toronto, Ontario | CAD 45,000–70,000 | 25 |
| McGill University | Montreal, Quebec | ~CAD 27,000 | 29 |
| University of British Columbia | Vancouver & Okanagan | CAD 40,000–65,000 | 38 |
University of Toronto
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto has grown to become Canada’s leading institution for learning, research and knowledge creation. It is one of the world’s leading research universities, at the forefront of innovation and discovery.
The university has three campuses – St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough – located in Toronto and the surrounding areas. Approximately 95% of its graduate students study at the downtown St. George campus, along with more than 60% of its undergraduate students. Thousands of international students from more than 160 countries and territories study at the University of Toronto.
McGill University
McGill University is an English-language public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter from King George IV, the university is named after James McGill. McGill’s main campus is located on the slopes of Mount Royal in the Ville-Marie borough of downtown Montreal. The university also has a secondary campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, 30 km west of the main campus on the Island of Montreal, and a French-language medical campus in Gatineau, Quebec.
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university located in British Columbia, Canada. With an annual research budget of $759 million, UBC funds more than 8,000 projects each year. The university was founded in 1908 and officially opened in 1915.
UBC has two main campuses: the Vancouver campus and the Okanagan campus in the city of Kelowna. Of which, the Vancouver campus is the larger, accounting for more than 85% of the university’s total student population. In a recent year, international students accounted for about 23% of the Vancouver campus and about 13% of the Okanagan campus.
READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?
Ensure your child is fully prepared to apply to top universities in Canada—with the right timing and a clear, strategic plan.
Key Admission Requirements & Common Gaps for Vietnamese Students
- Academic Performance (GPA): Outstanding academic achievements, with a strong emphasis on subjects relevant to the intended field of study.
- English Proficiency: High scores in IELTS or TOEFL, demonstrating the ability to use academic English effectively.
- Extracurricular Activities: Meaningful involvement that reflects passion and leadership potential.
- Personal Statement: A compelling narrative that conveys personal goals and values aligned with the institution’s mission.
- Letters of Recommendation: Written by teachers or mentors who can provide a well-informed assessment of your academic ability and future potential.
- Additional Requirements: Certain disciplines such as Medicine, Law, or Engineering may require SAT/ACT scores or subject-specific standardized tests.
Our Achievements
years of experience.
students get accepted to Top 100 Global Colleges
students get accepted into their dream schools
students have chosen us
Application Strategy
Branding
We work closely with students to explore their strengths, weaknesses, passions, and values. From there, we develop a personalized strategy to shape their unique brand—so that their application stands out in a competitive pool, not just ticks the boxes.
Consistent Profile
Every part of a university application—from academic records to extracurriculars and essays—needs to tell a consistent story. We guide students to build each component thoughtfully while ensuring everything aligns with their personal brand and long-term goals.
School Selection Consulting
We help students choose the right universities and programs that best fit their interests, personality, and academic profile. Our recommendations also take into account schools that offer strong scholarship potential and a high chance of admission.
Industry Consulting Pioneer
Top-tier universities evaluate applicants based not only on academic ability but also on how well their profile aligns with the major they choose. We help students understand the unique expectations of each field and guide them in shaping a profile that reflects both personal strengths and academic fit.
Brand Communication Through Essay
With a team of nearly 20 advisors from Vietnam and abroad—many of whom hold degrees from world-leading universities—we work closely with students to uncover meaningful personal stories. These stories are then developed into compelling personal essays that clearly convey the message: Who am I? and Why do I belong at your university?
Developing Extracurricular Activities and Skills
We take a personalized approach to helping students design and pursue extracurricular activities that not only align with their academic and career goals, but also unlock their potential. These experiences allow students to build a consistent application profile and gain deeper insights into fields that may suit their strengths and aspirations.
Roadmap
Grade 10
- Build a learning roadmap and take certification exams for the entire high school period
- Start registering and preparing for international certification exams. (SAT/ACT, IELTS/TOEFL/ Duolingo Test,..)
- Explore opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities.
- Advice on choosing study abroad destinations that meet your family’s wishes and expectations about your future study and career.
- Participate in extracurricular activities at an experiential level and in positions appropriate to your ability and experience
- Advice on choosing study abroad destinations that meet your family’s wishes and expectations about your future study and career.
- Participate in career counseling to understand career paths and develop basic understanding about the choices.
- Practice reflections
Grade 11
- Develop a clear and impressive personal brand
- Participate in career counseling at an in-depth level through appropriate research and specialized activities (internships, research, product manufacturing, specialized courses, etc,.)
- Participate in extracurricular activities at a more intensive level (participate in competitions, large scale activities or in more challenging positions,..)
- Research and practice appropriate college application tools
- Continue practicing self awareness and self reflection throughout the entire development process
- Develop leadership abilities in diverse positions and communities
- Identify suitable teachers to ask for letters of recommendation for the application process
- Practice doing university and major research that fit with interest and capacity of students and their family
- Practice writing resume for university application
Grade 12 / Application Year
- Decide on an application strategy to showcase student’s Personal Brand (May-June)
- Give instructions for effective and impressive letters of recommendation to admissions officers (August-September)
- 1:1 essay sessions with a seasoned essay counselor guiding students both in brainstorming and presenting unique ideas to complete application essays
- Creating an impressive CV that convey student’s Personal Brand. (June-October)
- Guide families to prepare accurate financial documents to maximize financial aid and scholarship opportunities. (August-October)
- Apply to university with a carefully prepared application and follow up with each additional request from applied universities. (November-January)
- Consult on university decision after receiving results (December-April)
- Guide students and family on visa application (April-July)
- Guide students on procedures after being admitted and preparation for university with necessary skills classes (May-July)
Our Mentors
Our Students' Success
Our Community Speaks
Nguyen Le Vy Thao
Centre College
“The process of applying to American universities is a significant process of growth process for me. Not only did I discover myself, I also gradually became aware of my ambitions and learned how to strive. Do your best, get up after each fall to pursue that ambition.”
Tran Ngo Quang Anh
Colgate University
I think finding GPA was a fate. My parents are both perfectionists and very careful, but the decision to choose GPA was made quite quickly. The reason is not only because the cost is relatively suitable for my family, but the first impression GPA leaves on the whole family is very great! It was a sense of peace of mind sending me to GPA! I think it was GPA’s openness, sincerity, and professionalism that convinced my family and myself to choose this place. And even now, those things are still completely true to me.”
Bui Khanh Quynh
Bucknell University
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the GPA consultants for their guidance and support from the very beginning when my daughter was like a blank slate with no goal or direction. Thanks to their tailored guidance and companionship, I have witnessed a gradual maturity of my daughter in many aspects of her life. She built positive mindset and independently set plan to strive for her goals. The journey with GPA in the early days was like laying the first bricks for her future development.”
Tran Dan Chi
New York University
I would like to thank Ms. Hien, Mr. Leo, Ms. My and the GPA team for enthusiastically guiding and accompanying Chi throughout the past year, helping him overcome difficult times and complete my application documents. Through these days, GPA has become Chi’s family. The strength of GPA is to help students become the best version of themselves, and find a university that appreciates that student.
Ho Quoc Anh
Parsons School of Design – The New School
“With the help from GPA, I have witnessed many positive changes for myself. I have develop a more mature and multi-dimensional outlook on life. I realize that all my actions and decisions affect others and I cannot only think about myself. I learned how to turn my passions and aspirations into reality with hard work and resilience. More importantly, I look at my failures with a direct and somewhat humorous look instead of with the usual disappointment of the past. That would not have happened without the help and guidance of GPA.”
