Shad Canada
Canada's most prestigious summer STEM and entrepreneurship program
Why It Matters
Shad is run at universities across Canada and is one of the most selective and impressive things a Canadian high school student can attend. Admissions committees at every major Canadian university recognise it immediately.
How to Start
Apply at shad.ca. Applications open in September for the following summer, with an early deadline in November and a final deadline in early January (for summer 2027: November 8, 2026 and January 6, 2027). You must be in G10 or G11 when you apply. There are month-long live-in programs on university campuses and a shorter virtual option. The program has significant fees, but Shad offers income-based fee assistance of up to the full cost.
Commitment
- High commitment: several hours a week, often with evenings, weekends or travel.
- Best starting grade: G10
- Apply in G10 or G11 - this is a fixed eligibility window. Don't miss it.
Programs It Supports
- Engineering
- Business
- Sciences
- Computer Science
- Medicine
Majors it supports
- Computer Science – high 80s to high 90s depending on school
Universities where it fits
Our profiles for these schools suggest Shad Canada as a good fit for their applicants.
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- University of Waterloo – Waterloo, ON
- McMaster University – Hamilton, ON
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
- Dalhousie University – Halifax, NS
Similar extracurriculars
- School Newspaper or Online Publication – Write, edit, and publish for your school community
- Ontario Youth Parliament / Provincial Parliaments – Simulate Canadian parliamentary democracy
- Philosophy / Ethics Club – Explore big questions through structured debate
- Reach for the Top – Canada's beloved fast-paced academic competition
- Governor General's Academic Medal – Canada's most prestigious academic award for students
- Library Council Organizer – Help modernize and run events in the school library
- Debate Team Judge / Mentor – Train junior students for debate tournaments
- Creative Writing Workshop – A safe space to share and critique original stories and poetry