Who are we looking for?

At the very core of our students is an enjoyment of storytelling and personal expression. The ideal student for the diploma program is an individual who wants to learn the craft of voice-over and is focused on the long term pursuit of becoming a voice-over professional.

Although a background in acting or broadcasting is an asset, it’s not a requirement. When preparing for the interview please be ready to tell the story of YOU, it might sound silly but if we can hear passion when you talk about what’s important to you and what you could bring to the school then it’s likely you’ll be able to bring the same energy and storytelling to your performances and development.

Student Requirements

Completion of a High School Diploma or equivalency OR be at least 19 years of age.

Students must be at least 18 years old at the time of the start of the program, if a student is applying as a minor they will need their parents to fill out the ‘Parental Consent’ section of the admissions application form.

Mature Students: Mature Students (Students 19 years or older) may meet admission requirements for the program by submitting their application form, application fee, essay of intention, audio recordings, and pass the admissions interview.

Students must show an English proficiency meeting one of the following criteria: A grade of C or higher in senior level English e.g. English 12, A 4 or higher in International Baccalaureate English, post secondary course completion with a C or higher in English, or a 5 or higher average on the IELTS test, or a minimum of 75 points on the TOEFL English proficiency test or equivalency.

Payment of student application fee (CAD$150) via e-transfer or by credit using the button on the apply now page.

Completion of application form with all mandatory fields completed.

Submission of an Essay of Intention, Audition Recordings, and an Interview. (see below)

Essay of Intention

Students will submit a typed 250 – 500 word personal essay submitted as a PDF covering the following 4 topics:

‘Why I want to have a career in voice-over’.

‘A time when I was challenged personally in my life and how I pushed through to overcome it’.

‘Why I am suited to a career in voice-over and I am most interested in one of the following: animation or commercial voice-over’.

‘My dream job in voice-over’.

Audition Recordings

Students will submit an MP3 recording of a 30 second animation character voice and a 30 second commercial read.

Commercial read: We suggest either transcribing a commercial that you like or you think works for your voice. Please perform this read in your natural voice, we want to hear as much of the real you as possible.

Character read: This is your chance to show off your acting, creativity and vocal range. We recommend either doing your version of an existing scene, writing a scene for a character you do, or improvising something where you can show off your scene work.

These recordings should be in MP3 format.

These recordings should be labeled with the following information; student name, content of recording, and program period being applied to. Here are two examples: StudentName_Animation_Fall or StudentName_Commercial_Spring

Interview

If a student meets all the admissions requirements and properly sends the essay and recordings, we will organize a Skype or Zoom video interview to further evaluate the student. Students will be interviewed by the Program Coordinator, interviews will be 20 – 45 minutes long and feature 10 questions. Students can better prepare for this interview by thinking about their background and their interests, be prepared to tell stories and think on their feet. Students will need access to the following to complete the interview:

A computer with Webcam and microphone or a smartphone or tablet with a camera and microphone included.

A Skype or Zoom account

[In Studio] Tuition for Domestic students is CAD$14,500 and for International students is CAD$17,000.

[Online] Tuition for both Domestic and International students is CAD $12,500. Below is a breakdown of when fees are due.

*Discounts available up to $250 towards tuition (one part time course)

*Diploma Program Tuition includes completed professional level demo (Valued at $1200)

*Tuition is tax exempt and will not be charged accordingly.

Application fee of $200 is due when you submit your application form.

The commitment fee is $1000, and is due within 15 days following acceptance into the program and is a down payment on your tuition which secures your spot in the program.

Students will need to actively communicate leading up to the program start date about their tuition payments:

If commitment is made more than 60 days prior program start date, then students needs to have discussed with the Program Coordinator about how the student will be paying their tuition by 60 days of Program start date

If commitment is made less than 60 days prior to program start date, then students needs to have discussed with the Program Coordinator about how the student will be paying their tuition by 30 days of start date

If commitment is made less than 30 days prior to program start date, then students needs to have discussed with the Program Coordinator about how the student will be paying their tuition as soon as the student enrollment contract is signed

Financial Support Options:

• Student Loans

• RRSPs – Lifelong Learning Plan

• Bank – Student Line of Credit

• RESPs

• Student Line of Credit

• Student Payment Plans

Methods of Payment

By Phone: Toll Free 604-669-0654 with Credit Card.

By Mail: Cheque, Money Order, Bank Draft

By Email: Online Banking Email Transfer to info@onthemictraining.com, please also send a separate email including password, student name, and what the payment is for.

By Wire: Email info@onthemictraining.com

Canadian Government Student Loans

The Government of Canada offers Student Loans to post-secondary students in most provinces and territories across Canada if you are a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant. On The Mic Training's One Year Part-Time Diploma Program is not eligible for Canadian Government of Canada student loans. We are happy to assist our students with detailed payment plans.

For information on Canada Student Loan programs see link below:

Canadian Student Loan Information

1-888-815-4514

For specific information by province;

BC Student Loans
1-800-561-1818

Alberta Student Loans
1-855-606-2096

Saskatchewan Student Loans
1-800-597-8278

Manitoba Student Loans
1-800-204-1685

Ontario Student Loans
1-807-343-7260

Quebec Student Loans
1-877-643-3750

New Brunswick Student Loans
1-800-667-5626

Nova Scotia Student Loans
1-800-565-8420

Prince Edward Island Student Loans
1-902-368-4640

Newfoundland & Labrador Student Loans
1-888-657-0800

Yukon Student Loans
1-800-661-0408

Northwest Territories Student Loans
1-800-661-0793

Nunavut Student Loans
1-877-860-0680

Repayment of Canada Student Loans

When you graduate from On The Mic Training, it is time to start repaying your loan. For the first six months after you leave school, you will not have to make payments to your Canada Student Loan or your provincial student loan. This is called your six month non-repayment period. During this period, interest does accumulate at prime interest rate. Please see link below for more information on loan repayment.

Repayment of Student Loan

The Canadian Government will help keep your loan in good standing by working with you when you need assistance with loan repayment. For more information about loan repayment assistance, click the link:

Loan Repayment Assistance

RRSPs – Lifelong Learning Plan

RRSPs are also an option for educational funding. The Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) allows you to withdraw up to $20,000 from your RRSPs ($10,000 Annually) to finance full-time training or education for you or your spouse. You must be accepted at On The Mic Training with a written offer to enroll (before March of the following year in a qualifying educational program. Borrowing from yourself means no interest charges like traditional loans. But you still need to repay the full amount or else you’ll be taxed on it. The Canada Revenue Agency will send you a “Statement of Account – Lifelong Learning Plan” every autumn listing repayments made, the balance yet to be repaid and the minimum repayment for the next year. Usually, each year you have to repay 1/10 of the total amount you withdrew until the full amount is repaid.

RevCan LLP Information

RESPs

Registered Educational Savings Plans are available for On The Mic Training students. On The Mic Training is a Designated Educational Institution where you may redeem your RESP funding. Please contact your RESP provider or Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) at 1-800-622-6232 for further information.

Bank Student Line of Credit

Access funds while attending On The Mic Training to cover tuition, textbooks and other daily personal expenses. The minimum amount is typically $5,000, maximum $15,000 for first year and is based on your needs, and ability to repay and possible required co-signer. Repayment can be made via an interest-only payment option while you are a student and for one year after graduation.

Canadian Banks that have Student Line of Credit Options;

• Royal Bank

• Bank of Montreal

• CIBC

• Scotiabank

• TD Canada Trust

Medical insurance, the Pharmacare program and similar government health care programs for students

Medical Service Plan (MSP)

Pharmacare BC

Child care services available to students

BC Affordable Child care Benefit

Community and cultural services available to students, such as family support, addiction

BC Mental Health Services

1555 Robson Street

Vancouver, BC

604-687-7994

Crisis Centre BC

24/7 Distress Phone Services. The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (Crisis Centre) is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to helping people help themselves and others deal with crisis.

Greater Vancouver: 604-872-3311

Toll Free: 1-866-661-3311

1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433

Stein Medical Walk-In Clinics

887 Dunsmuir St at Hornby, Vancouver BC V6E 1N2 M-F 9-5 Sat 9:30-2

500 Burrard St- Bentall 5 Lobby, Vancouver BC V6E 1N2 M-F 8-5:30

Care Point Medical Centres – WalkIn Clinics

1123 Davie St., Vancouver BC V6E 1N2 (604) 915-9517

1175 Denman St., Vancouver BC V6G 2N1 (604) 681-5338

1861 W. Broadway, Vancouver BC V6J 1Y5 (604) 678-0598

Vancouver General Hospital

855 West 12th Avenue

Vancouver, BC V5Z 1N1, Canada

604-875-4111

St. Paul’s Hospital

1081 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada

604-682-2344

Mood Disorders Association of BC

www.mdabc.net

200 – 460 Nanaimo Street

Vancouver, BC V5L 4W3

604-873-0103

S.A.F.E.R. (Suicide Attempt Follow-up, Education and Research)

300-2425 Quebec Street

Vancouver, BC V5T 4L6

604-879-9251

* this service is available to anyone and no medical insurance is required

Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW)

www.wavaw.ca

PO Box 29084

1535 West Broadway

Vancouver, BC

V6J 5C2

WAVAW Office: 604 255 6228

24 Hour Crisis Line 604-255-6344

Toll-Free 1-877-392-7583

Qmunity LGBTQ Community Centre

1170 Bute Street, Vancouver BC V6E 1N4

604-684-5307

Offers free counseling for LGBTQ youth and adults

Vancouver Coastal Health

Locations for Community Mental Health Clinics:

http://www.vch.ca/locations-services

YWCA

535 Hornby Street

Vancouver, BC

V6C 2E8

Treatment and services for immigrants

MOSAIC

5575 Boundary Road

Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5R 2P9

ISS of BC – Vancouver

601 – 333 Terminal Ave.

Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1

Available academic support, such as tutoring services, literacy support and library services

Vancouver Public Library

Employment resources for students, including resources in relation to preparing a resume.

Work BC

Avia Employment Services

On The Mic Training is located in Gastown in Downtown Vancouver but we do not provide student housing, luckily since we are so centrally located their are many options close to public transit for a student budget that are less than an hour from the school.

Students should look into basement suites, apartment shares, and multiplex houses. Here are a few neighbourhoods we recommend looking into for affordable student housing which are on main transit lines to Downtown:

Kitsilano – Located just over the water from the South side of Downtown, this neighbourhood has long been an area with affordable student housing for students. And is only 20 minutes away from the school on the 4, 44, 16, 14, or 2 bus.

East Vancouver – East Vancouver is a big area but with tons of personality and easy access to transit. A dozen bus lines run towards Downtown and there are lots of options in East Vancouver close to the Skytrain.

Marpole – Further afield than Kitsilano but with access to the Cambie corridor and the Canada Line Skytrain this area is quiet but still less than 45 minutes from Downtown.

Kerrisdale – This has tons of houses with basement suites but doesn’t offer as much transit to Downtown as Kitsilano or Marpole. A student’s best bet in this area is the 16 bus which does run to Downtown and close to the school, this area is a good option if they have a car.

North Burnaby – Although this area may feel far away the big advantage to North Burnaby is its proximity to the Millennium line Skytrain which runs East / West from Clark all the way to Port Moody. A student can switch from the line at Commercial Drive and be at the school in 25 minutes.

South Burnaby – South Burnaby has prime access to the Expo line Skytrain which goes direct to Waterfront station, a 7 minute walk to the school. There are tons of student options around this neighbourhood.

New West – The furthest area we recommend from the school but it still has full access to the Expo line and a ton of more affordable housing options, the commute from New West is about an hour but it may be worth exploring this unique neighbourhood.

The West End – The West side of Downtown has long been a convenient and affordable housing solution for those who work and study Downtown. This may be a more expensive option but will mean a short commute.

Here are a few different resources to look through:

VanMates add website

Point2Homes

Rentals.ca

Craig’s List – Vancouver

Padmapper.com

Global Education City

Zoeken Canada

24/7 Apartments

UBC/AMS Rents Line

My Ideal Home

Rents Line

Rentseeker.ca

www.austeville.com

Direct Google Search Link: Rentals in Vancouver at $500/month

search4studenthousing.com/students

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Simon Fraser University

APT Living

First Choice International Placement, Inc. #115-255 West 1st Street North Vancouver, BC ph: (604) 984-0868 fax: (604) 984-2373

* This list is provided only for informational purposes and is not in any way to be interpreted as a recommendation, warranty or representation of any kind. On The Mic Training neither inspects nor endorses any unit or home, landlord, property location, website and roommate listing. It is the student’s responsibility to exercise due care and judgement when choosing a rental.

Students from all over the world will be travelling to Vancouver to attend The Comprehensive Voice-over Training Diploma which is 6 months long. Programs that are 6 months or shorter do not require a Study Permit, but students must show proof of acceptance when coming into Canada. International students who have been accepted into the program will be provided proof of acceptance for their journey to Canada.

Important Information For Study Visa

The Citizen and Immigration Canada website states that to be eligible to study in Canada;

You must have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada.

You also must prove that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada, and return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.

You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.

You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.

You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when you have completed your studies.

For Student Visa information contact a Canadian consulate or one of the following government offices:

Canada Customs & Revenue Agency

Public Enquiries Unit, Canada Customs

333 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5R4
Tel: 1-604-666-0545

Citizenship & Immigration Canada
615 Prospect St. West 1st Floor
Fredericton, NB Canada E3B 7K5
Tel: 1-888-242-2100

Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 1J5
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

Tuition

International Students attending the in studio version of the program in Vancouver will pay $16,000 to attend the 6-month Comprehensive Voice-over Program.

Medical Coverage

In order to study in Canada, International students must have medical insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. The Government of Canada will not pay for the medical costs of International students. Health coverage for your stay can be purchased through a variety of Medical Insurance Brokers before arriving in Canada.

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

Before program start date, institution receives a notice of withdrawal (applies to all students)

• No later than seven days after student signed the enrolment contract, and

• Before the program start date.

Amount of Refund:

100% tuition and all related fees, other than application fee. Related fees include: administrative fees, application fees, assessment fees, and fees charged for textbooks or other course materials.

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

• At least 30 days before the later of:

1. The program start date in the most recent Letter of Acceptance (international students)

2. The program start date in the enrolment contract.

Amount of Refund:

Institution may retain up to 10% of tuition, to a maximum of CAD$1,000.

Institution must refund fees paid for course materials if not provided to the student.

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

• More than seven days after the student and institution signed the enrolment contract, and

• Less than 30 days before the later of:

1. The program start date in the most recent Letter of Acceptance (international students)

2. The program start date in the enrolment contract.

Amount of Refund:

Institution may retain up to 20% of tuition, to a maximum of CAD$1,300.

Institution must refund fees paid for course materials if not provided to the student.

After program start date, institution provides a notice of dismissal or receives a notice of withdrawal (applies to all students, except those enrolled in a program delivered solely by distance education)

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

• After the program start date, and up to and including 10% of instruction hours have been provided.

Amount of Refund:

Institution may retain up to 30% of tuition.

Institution must refund fees paid for course materials if not provided to the student.

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

• After the program start date, and after more than 10%, but before 30% of instruction hours, have been provided.

Amount of Refund:

Institution may retain up to 50% of tuition.

Institution must refund fees paid for course materials if not provided to the student.

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

Student does not attend program – “no-show” (applies to all students except those enrolled in a program delivered solely by distance education):

Student does not attend the first 30% of the program.

Amount of Refund:

Institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition.

Institution must refund fees paid for course materials if not provided to the student.

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

Institution receives a refusal of study permit (applies to international students requiring a study permit):

• Before 30% of instruction hours would have been provided, had the student started the program on the later of the following:

1. The program start date in the most recent Letter of Acceptance

2. The program start date in the enrolment contract

3. Student has not requested additional Letter(s) of Acceptance.

Amount of Refund:

100% tuition and all related fees, other than application fee.

After the program start date, student withdraws or is dismissed (applies to students enrolled in a program delivered solely by distance education):

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

• Student completed up to 30% of the program.

Amount of Refund:

Institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition.

Institution must refund fees paid for course materials if not provided to the student.

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

Student completed more than 30% but less than 50% of the program (based on evaluation provided to student).

Amount of Refund:

Institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition.

Institution must refund fees paid for course materials if not provided to the student.

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

Student enrolled in a program without having met the admission requirements for the program.

If the student did not misrepresent the student’s knowledge or skills when applying for admission and the registrar orders the institution to refund tuition and fees.

Amount of Refund:

100% tuition and all related fees, including application fees

Circumstances when Refund Payable:

Institution does not provide a work experience.

• The institution fails to provide the work experience within 30 days of the contract end date, unless the registrar determines the institution was prevented from doing so by circumstances beyond its control.

• 100% tuition and all related fees, other than application fees

NOTE:

Institution must pay the tuition or fee refund within 30 days after receiving notice of withdrawal or refusal of study permit; providing a notice of dismissal, or the date on which the first 30% of the hours of instruction are provided (no-show).