Equine Science Fall 2012 Application Information

Application Procedure

Submit an Application on-line. Olds College will accept applications as of November 1, 2011 for September 2012 entry
Applicants will then be mailed a Work Experience Verification Form. This form will also be available here as of the application opening of November 1. 2011. This form is specific to each academic year so you must have the appropriately dated form.

All documentation - transcripts/timetable/proof of enrollment and the Work Experience Verification Form - must then be submitted to Olds College on or before March 1, 2012 to remain eligible for the program

Admission Requirements

High School Diploma
50% or better in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
50% or better in Applied Math 20 or Pure Math 20 (Math 20-1 or 20-2)
50% or better in Biology 30
Complete a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer and/or paid work experience in an established equine related business (may be completed on or outside of a family owned business/farm)
Submit a Work Experience Verification Form(s) to verify the number of completed work experience hours
On-campus Riding and Practical Test

Applicants currently in grade 12:

Must submit, a current high school transcript and a list or timetable of all courses to be taken in grade 12 including any interim (midterm) or final marks on or before March 1, 2012
Applicants taking their required courses in the first semester (September to January) must present final marks (or the most recent mark if a final mark is not available) with a minimum of 50% in the required courses on or before March 1, 2012
Applicants taking their required courses in the second semester (February to June) must present proof of registration in these courses (a timetable or list of courses from your counselor/principal.) In addition, applicants must present a minimum mark of 50% in the corresponding 20-level (10-level for Math) required courses on or before March 1, 2012
All final marks are then required to be submitted one month prior to the program start date

Applicants currently upgrading or requiring upgrading:

Applicants enrolled in or requiring academic upgrading for any required courses must present a mark (an interim/midterm or final mark) of 50% or better in each course on or before March 1, 2012. If a mark is not available for the upgrading course, then the applicant must present proof of registration (a timetable, receipt of payment or letter from institution/instructor) and a final mark of 50% or better in the corresponding 20-level (10-level for Math) course on or before March 1, 2012. All final marks are then required to be submitted one month prior to the program start date.

Volunteer and/or Paid Work Experience

A minimum of 80 hours (additional hours will improve your score in the program selection process) of volunteer and/or paid work experience in an established equine related business (may be completed on or outside of a family owned business/farm) is required.
The hours may be gained from more than one established equine related business.
These work experience hours do not have to be completed through a school program/class.
The work experience hours should include, but are not limited to, handling, grooming and feeding horses, care of tack and equipment as well as care and maintenance of an equine facility. Riding, training or competing with an employer’s horse as part of the job/work experience may also be included.
Common locations to obtain work experience hours are training, boarding or breeding facilities, racetracks, summer equine camps or equine veterinary clinics.
Although being in a pony club, 4-H, taking equine or riding courses/lessons, working at a tack shop or western clothing business and pleasure riding will help prepare you for the on-campus riding and practical test, these activities will NOT be considered as work experience hours.
The volunteer and/or paid work experience hours must be completed in time for the supervisor/employer to complete a Work Experience Verification form and submit it to Olds College on or before March 1, 2012. All hours must be verified by a supervisor/employee with the Work Experience Verification Form

Work Experience Verification Form

The supervisor/employer where the applicant has gained their volunteer and/or paid work experience hours must complete a Work Experience Verification Form to report and verify the number of work experience hours. The applicant will need to submit one Work Experience Verification Form for each job/experience that was used to gain the work experience hours. Work Experience Verification Form(s) must be completed and submitted on or before March 1, 2012.

On-Campus Riding and Practical Test

Testing dates are schedule for March and/or April (3 dates will be available to choose from – dates available in the fall)

Applicants must have submitted an application form, appropriate transcripts/marks, completed the Work Experience requirement, and submitted the Work Experience Verification Form on or before March 1, 2012 to be eligible for testing
Applications will be pre-screened and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to Olds College for testing. Applicants have a choice of one of the testing days.
Applicants will be contacted by mid-March in regards to their status and possible test date
There will be a riding and practical test for all applicants. The testing is conducted at Olds College campus only.
Test days include a tour of the Olds College campus, introduction to program staff, program information/orientation, a riding test and a practical test.
The riding test will consist of following a basic pattern and evaluators reviewing mounting from the ground, hands, legs and body position, balance and the use of cues and aids. No jumping is involved.
The practical test will consist of basic horse handling and husbandry practices with the applicant demonstrating their knowledge of and experience with horses to adequately cope with the program material. This is a verbal and hands-on test and does not have a written requirement.
Applicants should wear appropriate English or Western riding attire (including a heeled boot) for the riding test and appropriate horse handling attire for the practical test. Although you are not being scored on your attire, be reminded that this is a testing environment and you want to present yourself in the best possible manner. For safety reasons, hooded sweatshirts are not allowed for the riding test. There will be enough time between your tests to change if needed.
All horses and tack required for the test will be provided by Olds College. Horses will be in a snaffle bit, therefore riders will ride two handed.
Applicants are required to wear a helmet when riding English and are highly encouraged to wear a helmet when riding Western.

FINAL SELECTIONS

Final selections for the Equine Science program will be based on:

Academic admission requirements
The number of volunteer and/or paid work experience hours verified by the Work Experience Verification Form(s)
Riding and Practical Test scores

Early Admission may be offered to those applicants in the process of completing academic requirements with the possibility of full admission upon receipt of final transcripts. Full Admission may be offered to those applicants that have completed all academic requirements.

Notes

Applicants will be notified of their admission status within one month following the last testing date.
Applicants must select a first choice major within the Equine Science program. If invited for testing, applicants will have the opportunity to select a second choice major as well.
There is a capacity of 50 students in the Equine Science program in total. Ten students in the Equine Business and Event Management major, ten students in the Production and Breeding Management major, twenty students in the Horsemanship major (ten in Western and ten in English) and ten students in the Equestrian Coaching major.
Past experience indicates a strong demand for this program, therefore, prospective students should pay close attention to the application requirements and timelines.
It is also strongly recommended that students acquire keyboarding skills and gain experience in the use of a common office software package which includes word processing and spreadsheets. This is a recommendation only and will not be considered during the selections.

IF YOU ARE OFFERED A SEAT

A seat will be held for you on the condition that you meet any outstanding academic requirements and submit a final transcript and a $500.00 tuition deposit by the specified date.