Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award

What you will need

• ✓ Completed application for admission to University of British Columbia
• ✓ Nomination from a high school or registered non-profit organization (limit: 2 for Vancouver/Vantage, 1 for Okanagan)
• ✓ Recommendation from one teacher referee
• ✓ Official documents proving family gross income, expenses, and assets
• ✓ Four student essays (approximately 150-250 words each)
• ✓ Submission of required transcripts and high school academic certificates by January 31

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact University of British Columbia to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an international student with a record of superior academic achievement and leadership who requires meaningful financial support to attend university. You must submit your application by November 15. After you apply, you will receive an email from the UBC Undergraduate Admissions Office with next steps; you must submit all required documents by January 31. Confirm with University of British Columbia how and when you will be notified of the final decision. Winners are chosen based on an evaluation of academic performance, leadership skills, and a financial assessment of your family's gross income and assets. Selection criteria aren't published in detail — ask University of British Columbia how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask University of British Columbia during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with University of British Columbia whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an international student who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit and you must be applying for your first undergraduate degree. You must enter University of British Columbia directly from an accredited secondary school; if you are applying for the 2027 Winter session, you must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026. You must demonstrate superior academic achievement, which means achieving all As or an equivalent standard, and meet the university's English Language Admission Standard. You must also prove a significant level of financial need, meaning it would be impossible for you to pursue your degree without meaningful financial help and your family cannot afford a significant level of costs. Note that Bachelor of Nursing (Okanagan and Vancouver), Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor + Master of Management, dual degrees, and joint degrees are not eligible.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ International student
• ✓ Open to high school students
• ✓ Resident of British Columbia

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Order your transcript1–2 weeks

   Your school's registrar can take a week or two.

3. 3

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

4. 4

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

5. 5

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• EssaysAvoid writing generic responses to the four essay questions. Instead, use the 150-250 word limit to provide specific examples of how your leadership empowered others through empathy and active listening. Draft your answers in a separate document first to polish the wording.
• ReferencesAvoid choosing a nominator and a teacher referee who are the same person. Instead, select a nominator who can speak to your character and a teacher who knows your academic work in your chosen field. Contact them in late September to ensure they can meet the November 15 deadline.
• StrategyAvoid starting your application shortly before the deadline. Instead, begin the process in early October immediately after you submit your admissions application to the university. This gives you time to gather complex family financial documents and coordinate your nominations.
• RealismAvoid overlooking the strict nomination limits. Instead, remember that a high school or non-profit can only nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College) and one for UBC Okanagan. Confirm your school's nomination slot early so you don't miss out.

Questions students ask

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