Supplemental Application: Indigenous Students

The Supplemental Application: Indigenous Students admission category is an optional process for Indigenous applicants (including First Nations, Métis and Inuit) to submit additional information for UVic's consideration. This enables you to tell us more about your educational history and non-educational achievements that indicate an ability to succeed at university.

Self-identified Indigenous applicants connected to Nations or communities bisected by the Canada/US border and those impacted by the Sixties Scoop and their relatives are also eligible to submit supplemental applications.

How to apply

1. Follow the standard process to apply for admission to UVic.
2. After you receive your introductory email, contact your admission assistant about submitting a supplemental application that includes a personal statement and two written references.
3. Upload your supplemental application to your application checklist.

Personal statement

Your personal statement helps us get to know you better. Please introduce and locate yourself, telling us about:

• your personal and educational background
• experiences that have influenced your decision to pursue post-secondary education
• your achievements, extracurricular activities and volunteer work
• your academic or professional goals
• why you have chosen the program you have applied for
• how you plan to be academically successful at UVic

What does "locate yourself" mean?

Self-location is a way to share a little about who you are and where you come from. This can include your family, community, Nation or the place you call home. You may also wish to introduce yourself in your traditional way or language.

• Self-location helps us understand your background and experiences.
• There is no right or wrong answer, and you should only share what you feel comfortable sharing.
• You may write as much or as little as you wish.
• Any information you choose to share will be used respectfully and kept confidential.

Example: "I grew up in ____. My family is from ____. I am connected to ____ community."

References

Your supplemental application must include two written references from individuals specifically able to assess your potential for academic success. One of the references should be from an academic or professional source (such as a teacher, tutor, mentor, or supervisor/colleague from paid/volunteer work).

• Referees must state their relationship with you, including how long they've known you and how frequently you interact.
• Referees are encouraged to write about:
  • your written and oral communication skills
  • your general knowledge and ability to learn
  • your work habits
  • your achievements that indicate an ability to succeed at university
  • other information that speaks to your capabilities

Letters can be in any structure/format chosen by your referees. An optional reference template (Microsoft Word) is available to assist referees with providing all of the requested information.

Need help?

Before you apply: If you have a general question about the application process or studying at UVic, contact your UVic recruiter.

After you apply: If you have a specific question about your application to UVic, contact your assigned admission assistant.