(4.5)
Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 — When I enrolled at CIC, I thought I was just going to get a good transcript. What I discovered ... I used to think the school leaders were like these distant figures who just sent out emails, but I was surprised by how often they actually showed up in the middle of our day. Mr. Chan, for example, would pop into the cafeteri... If I had to describe the teaching at CIC in one word, it’d be “intentional.” The teachers weren’t just there to get through the syllabus; they really noticed when you were struggling. I still remember Ms. Davis in Engl... The academics at CIC were no joke. Everyone knew that the Total Care system came with a workload that could feel heavy, especially during Grade 12 when university applications loomed. What I appreciated, though, was the mix of... Extracurriculars at CIC were surprisingly varied. You had the usual sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball, but also clubs like Model UN, photography, and even a baking club. I joined the debate team, and while we were... What stands out about the students at CIC is how incredibly diverse the group is. In my dorm room alone, I lived with a guy from Turkey, one from Nigeria, and another from South Korea. Mealtimes felt like sitting at the UN caf... Life at CIC was intense, but in a good way. The balance of academics, residence life, and extracurriculars meant your days were full from the minute you woke up to lights-out. Dorm life was honestly one of the highlights, some... Hamilton isn’t the flashiest city, but it worked for what CIC was trying to do. We did venture off-campus to Jackson Square mall, to grab shawarma downtown, or to the waterfalls nearby, but for the most part, campus life kep... I still remember sitting nervously in front of my laptop for the online interview. I thought it was going to feel like an interrogation, but the admissions officer was warm and curious. She asked about my hobbies, not just gra... What stands out most to me from my time at CIC are the small, unplanned moments like night study groups in the dorm lounge, laughing over takeout after exams, and the sense that we were all in it together. Those friendships an... Looking back now, I see CIC differently than when I was a student. At the time, I sometimes thought the strict structure was stifling. Now I recognize it as one of its biggest strengths. It taught me discipline and time manage... If I could give one piece of advice to someone considering CIC, it would be to immerse themselves in the community. Don’t try to get through it alone. The academics can feel heavy, and the rules may seem strict, but if you t... |
all_reviews alumnus |
1,12,13,14,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, |
(4.5)
Gr. 11 to Gr. 12 — When I first got to Columbia International College, I thought I was mostly coming for the acade... The leadership at CIC surprised me. I expected principals and directors to feel remote, but many times they would be present in student-life events, checking how things were going. When a roommate had trouble adjusting, leader... Some of the best teachers I had were the ones who joked a little in class but took after-class seriously. One thing that stood out to me at CIC was how approachable most teachers were. Some had very formal classroom styles, bu... The academics at CIC were demanding in the sense that you had to stay on top of things, but what I appreciated most was how structured everything was. You weren’t just thrown into a pile of work, but you had advisors and tea... CIC had a surprisingly wide range of extracurriculars, even though academics always came first. I joined the debate club for a while, and while I wasn’t the strongest speaker, it gave me the confidence to argue my ideas in f... The student body at CIC is one of the things I’ll never forget. Walking into the cafeteria felt like stepping into the world, there were students from everywhere: Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and South America. It ... Life at CIC could feel busy, but never dull. Days were filled with classes, then evenings with homework, tutoring, or hanging out in the dorm lounges. What made the experience bearable during stressful times were the friendshi... Hamilton isn’t Toronto, but that’s part of what made it feel right for me. The neighbourhood around CIC felt safe, and there were grocery stores, restaurants, and coffee shops within walking distance. On weekends, a lot of... The admissions process was smoother than I expected. I was nervous at first, especially about whether my English would be strong enough, but the staff were clear and patient. They guided me through what documents I needed and ... What I remember most vividly are the nights in residence when my roommate and I would review notes by lamplight, and the quiet halls after curfew when someone played soft guitar in the lounge. Also, pop quizzes I bombed, which... Now that I’m out of CIC and into university, I see some things clearly that I didn’t then. The structured feedback from teachers, the Total Care check-ins, even the early morning routines, all of it felt strict back then, ... If I could give one honest piece of advice, it would be to get as much support from day one. Don’t wait till you’re overwhelmed. Use tutors, peer mentors, and dorm staff. Also, be patient with yourself because everyone’s... |
all_reviews alumnus |
1,12,13,14,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, |
(5)
Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 — My years at Columbia International College (CIC) were transformative. What sticks out most are ... What really stood out about CIC’s administration was how they balanced discipline with genuine care. Principal Diana Reid and the residence team held us to high standards, but they were approachable, especially during studen... The teaching at CIC was top-notch. Ms. Foster’s English class never felt like homework; it was like storytelling time, full of energy and eye-opening discussions. Mr. Singh in Math and Computer Science was relentless but pat... CIC’s academic program is hectic but balanced. The semester-based structure allowed us to focus deeply and not be overwhelmed. Classes from all disciplines had depth. Science was strong, but the humanities were equally engag... The student body at Columbia International College was incredibly diverse, both culturally and socio-economically. I had friends from Nigeria, South Korea, Vietnam, and Colombia, and our dorm and class conversations felt like ... Life at CIC was a blend of structure and community. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by the schedule, but over time, I realized how much it helped me stay focused. The dorms were always full with conversation, sometimes about... CIC is located in Hamilton, and while it’s not a big city like Toronto, it has everything we need: malls, restaurants, and parks. Most of us didn’t venture out too often during weekdays, but weekends were a different story... My admissions process was smoother than I expected. Applying from abroad felt daunting, but the admissions team, like Ms. Gray, made it easier. Flexible intake dates and clear communication meant I was never in the dark. The p... The university counselling team at CIC played a huge part in helping me get into McMaster’s Software Engineering program and with a scholarship, no less. They were on top of things when it came to deadlines, essays, and cour... |
all_reviews alumnus |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, |
(5)
Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 — Columbia International College was a pretty big shift for me, but in a good way. What really st... The leadership at Columbia International College always struck me as professional and organized. While students didn’t always agree with every rule, there was a sense that the administration genuinely cared about keeping thi... The teaching at Columbia International College felt very intentional. Most of my teachers didn’t just go through the curriculum; instead, they tried to connect it to something meaningful. I still remember Mr. Bashir’s worl... CIC’s academics were balanced, structured, but flexible enough to allow personal growth. As someone heading into economics, I appreciated the emphasis on analytical and writing skills across subjects. Courses like Internatio... One of the first things I noticed at Columbia International College was how international the student body really was. You’d walk into the cafeteria and hear five different languages being spoken around you. That diversity m... Life at Columbia International College almost had a rhythm to it. At first, the structure felt a bit intense with set meal times, sign-ins, and curfews, but over time, it actually helped keep things balanced. What stood out th... Columbia International College is in Hamilton, which is a pretty quiet city, not as hectic as Toronto, but not isolated either. The school is located in a safe neighbourhood with parks, small restaurants, and grocery stores ne... The admissions process at Columbia International College was smooth for me. I remember the staff being pretty responsive, and they took the time to answer questions and helped my family understand the whole process, especially... The university counselling at Columbia International College was one of the most useful parts of my final year. The guidance team was knowledgeable about both Canadian and international universities, and they were always willi... |
all_reviews alumnus |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, |
(4.9)
Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 — My time at Columbia International College was a mix of academic challenge, personal growth, and... The leadership at Columbia International College always felt approachable and professional. As students, we respected the administration because they clearly cared about our well-being, not just our grades. They took disciplin... One of the things that stood out to me most at Columbia International College was the quality of the teaching. Most of my teachers were genuinely passionate about their subjects, and it showed. Mr. Yu (math) had this calm but ... Columbia International College has a pretty solid academic program. I think it does a great job of getting students ready for university, especially with how structured everything is. I personally found the math and science cl... The student body at CIC is super diverse because people come from all over the world, which really shapes the atmosphere. It’s a pretty big school, so at first it can feel a bit overwhelming, but you quickly find your group.... Overall, school life at Columbia International College was a mix of structure and opportunity. I wouldn’t say every day was amazing (what school is?), but I genuinely enjoyed my time there. The staff did a good job creating ... Columbia International College is located in Hamilton, which is a quieter city compared to Toronto, but it has everything you need. The school feels a bit like its own bubble, especially if you live in residence, but students ... Applying to Columbia International College was a pretty straightforward experience for me. The admissions team was friendly and easy to communicate with, which helped take some of the pressure off. They walked me through the s... The university counselling at CIC was helpful overall, especially during the final stages of applying. I had a counsellor who guided me through program choices, deadlines, and editing my personal statement, which made things f... |
all_reviews alumnus |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, |
