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In-person Program
Academic and Career Prep
by Canadian International Student Services (CISS)
Academic and Career Prep builds confidence for college and working life through academic English, career exploration, self-reflection and practical planning.
Last verified: 8 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Academic and Career Prep at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
International high school students
Age range / Year group
Ages 16-18
Location / Region
Toronto, Canada
Cost
$8,100
Duration
3 weeks
Format
In-person
Accommodation: Single or double residence rooms
Meals: 3 meals Monday-Saturday; Sunday brunch and dinner
Campus experience: Trinity College, University of Toronto
Weekly hours: 20 lesson hours per week
Main output: Future-Proof Challenge group presentation
English requirement: High-intermediate to advanced; IELTS 5.0+ equivalent
Excursions: 1 full-day; 3 half-day weekly
Residential support: Live-in CISS staff
Academic and Career Prep summary
CISS combines college preparation and career exploration with academic English, self-reflection and mindfulness. The emphasis is on making clearer choices and building practical strategies.
Students explore campuses, hear from industry guest speakers and practice communication. A concluding group presentation connects their chosen pathway to personal next steps.
It suits students who want direction across several possible futures and are willing to discuss their goals with others.
What is Academic and Career Prep?
Academic and Career Prep is CISS Canada's course for preparing for college and professional life. It brings together academic English, self-reflection, mindfulness and exploration of study and career pathways. Students practice expressing their ideas while developing clearer goals and strategies.
The course takes place within CISS at Trinity's residential campus experience, combining classroom work with campus tours, industry guest speakers and organized activities. Students finish with the Future-Proof Challenge, presenting a chosen pathway and the steps they plan to take toward it.
Why Succeed highlights Academic and Career Prep
Academic writing, discussion and presentation practice connect future planning to skills students can use in college.
Campus tours and interest-based industry guest speakers give students concrete ways to investigate their options.
Mindfulness and self-reflection address the confidence and stress-management side of choosing a future pathway.
The Future-Proof Challenge asks students to explain both their interests and their planned next steps.
Live-in staff supervision and organized excursions give the learning a structured residential setting.
Who is Academic and Career Prep for?
Best for
Students weighing college and career choices who want to build communication skills, reflect on their goals and learn with international peers.
Not ideal if
You want advanced study in one academic subject or prefer learning without group discussion and presentations.
Is Academic and Career Prep worth it?
The strongest value is the connection between exploring options and making a personal plan. Academic English practice, campus visits and industry perspectives can help students turn a vague interest into better questions and clearer next steps.
Its broad preparation focus makes it more useful for exploration than for advanced specialization. Families should weigh the residential commitment against how much the student wants to participate in discussions, group work and structured activities.
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Founder, Succeed
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Cost and what is included
$8,100; includes 20 lesson hours per week., Self-reflection and mindfulness sessions., Academic English and college preparation., University and college campus tours., Interest-based industry guest speakers., Future-Proof Challenge group presentation., Single or double residence accommodation., Three meals daily Monday-Saturday; Sunday brunch and dinner., One full-day and three half-day excursions weekly., Transportation, meals and admission for included excursions., Staff-led afternoon and evening activities..
Accommodation
Single or double residence rooms
Meals
3 meals Monday-Saturday; Sunday brunch and dinner
Provider details
Review the Canadian International Student Services (CISS) provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
3 weeks; Toronto, Canada.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Academic and Career Prep need?
Effort level
Moderate, with 20 lesson hours per week and a final group presentation.
Best started
Begin planning two to three months before the session to organize registration and travel authorization.
Main challenge
Explaining your interests and next steps clearly in English.
Typical preparation
List the study areas and careers you want to investigate.
Practice discussing your interests and delivering a short presentation in English.
Prepare questions for campus visits and industry guest speakers.
Review passport, travel authorization and residence arrangements with a parent or guardian.
Useful if
You want to connect personal goals with realistic study and career pathways.
What do students do on Academic and Career Prep?
You connect personal reflection with academic communication and exploration of possible futures. The course ends by bringing those ideas together in a presentation about your chosen pathway.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Examine your values, interests and goals through self-reflection and mindfulness exercises.
- 2
Explore college preparation, language-test study strategies and campus resources.
- 3
Practice academic writing, group discussion, presentations and active listening.
- 4
Visit college and university campuses and hear from relevant industry guest speakers.
- 5
Develop empathy, innovation and collaboration through future-focused learning.
- 6
Present your chosen pathway and personal next steps in the Future-Proof Challenge.
Academic and Career Prep dates and deadlines
Date not confirmed
Programme dates
11-31 July 2027
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Date not confirmed | |
Programme dates | 11-31 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
International high school students.
Ages 16-18.
High-intermediate to advanced English, equivalent to IELTS 5.0+.
Ready to participate actively in class discussions.
How much does Academic and Career Prep cost?
Program fee
$8,100 — Canadian dollars; taxes included.
Funding or discounts
- Direct-booking deposit: $500 CAD — Required at booking through CISS directly.
- Extra night: $250 CAD — Applies to early arrivals or late departures.
- Extra transfer: $125 CAD — Applies to travel on non-scheduled dates.
- Late or early flight: $125 CAD — Applies to arrivals after 22:00 or departures before 09:00.
- Unaccompanied minor service: $75 CAD — Each way when using an airline's unaccompanied minor service.
- Custodianship documents: $150 CAD — Applies when legal documents are needed for visa purposes.
What's included
20 lesson hours per week., Self-reflection and mindfulness sessions., Academic English and college preparation., University and college campus tours., Interest-based industry guest speakers., Future-Proof Challenge group presentation., Single or double residence accommodation., Three meals daily Monday-Saturday; Sunday brunch and dinner., One full-day and three half-day excursions weekly., Transportation, meals and admission for included excursions., Staff-led afternoon and evening activities.
How to apply to Academic and Career Prep
- 1
Complete CISS's pre-application inquiry form with student and contact details.
- 2
Select CISS at Trinity and describe your interest in Academic and Career Prep.
- 3
Work with a local CISS representative or CISS directly to obtain the registration documents.
- 4
For direct bookings, arrange the required deposit and any payment needed before visa documents are released.
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What does Academic and Career Prep cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Self-reflection and mindfulness
Examine your values and goals while learning strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
University and college preparation
Explore applications, language-test study strategies, cross-cultural communication and campus resources.
Academic English skills
Practice essays, application writing, presentations, group discussion and active listening.
Campus tours and career exploration
Visit college and university campuses and hear from industry speakers connected to students' interests.
Future proofing
Develop empathy, innovation and collaboration, then explain a chosen pathway in the Future-Proof Challenge.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Academic and Career Prep?
A typical day during the program.
Course lessons
Lessons combine college preparation, academic English and personal development.
Full day excursion
One full-day excursion takes place each week.
Half day excursions
Half-day excursions may take place in the afternoon or evening.
Campus activities
On non-excursion days, afternoon activities are optional and evening activities are mandatory.
Who teaches on Academic and Career Prep?
Industry guest speakers are selected around students' career interests to explain typical pathways and success in their field. CISS staff also lead and supervise organized afternoon and evening activities.
Where do students stay on Academic and Career Prep?
Residential plan
- University residence rooms: Single or double rooms include beds, desks, chairs, storage, linens and a bath towel.
- Dining hall meals: Buffet meals include three daily Monday-Saturday, plus Sunday brunch and dinner.
- Live-in supervision: CISS staff live in the residence and supervise students throughout the program.
- Campus facilities: Students have campus WiFi, large classrooms, air-conditioned lounges and a garden courtyard.
Washrooms and showers are shared; residence laundry carries a nominal fee.
What happens after Academic and Career Prep?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
A clearer understanding of personal study and career goals.
Practical plans for pursuing a chosen pathway.
Experience presenting ideas in the Future-Proof Challenge.
Academic communication and stress-management strategies.
Connections with international peers.
Where does Academic and Career Prep take place?
The course is based at Trinity College on the University of Toronto campus, at 6 Hoskin Avenue in downtown Toronto. Museums, galleries, shops and city attractions are within walking distance, alongside the residence's courtyard and campus facilities.
Academic and Career Prep FAQs
The course covers self-reflection, mindfulness, college preparation, academic English, career exploration and transferable workplace skills. Campus tours and industry guest speakers connect these themes to possible study and career pathways.
Students need high-intermediate to advanced English, equivalent to IELTS 5.0 or above. They should be ready to participate actively in class discussions.
Students work in small groups with similar study or career interests. They present their chosen pathway, explain why it interests them and describe the steps each plans to take.
Students stay in single or double rooms, with accommodation arranged by gender. Washrooms and showers are shared on each floor; rooms have beds, desks, chairs and storage, and linens and a bath towel are provided.
Students receive three meals a day Monday through Saturday, plus brunch and dinner on Sunday. Meals are buffet-style in the university dining hall, with options for different tastes and dietary needs.
CISS staff live in the residence and supervise students throughout the program. Afternoon activities are staff-led and supervised, and evening activities are mandatory.
Each week includes one full-day excursion and three half-day excursions. Full-day trips take place on Thursdays; excursion transportation, meals and admission costs are included.
CISS advises that its short summer programs do not require a Canadian study permit. Depending on nationality, students may still need a visitor visa or electronic travel authorization.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- What are the visa requirements? - CISS Canada
- Do we need to pay a deposit? - CISS Canada
- How do I register? - CISS Canada
- Is there a deadline to register? - CISS Canada
- CISS at Trinity - English Summer Camp Toronto | CISS
- Academic and Career Prep - CISS Canada
- Contact Us | CISS
- International Student Programme FAQ | CISS
- Specialty Courses - CISS Canada
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 8 Oct 2026)
Official course page checked
Session dates reviewed
Course-specific fees checked
English requirements reviewed
Residence and meals reviewed
Registration guidance reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Academic and Career Prep
by Canadian International Student Services (CISS)
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May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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