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If you want to come to Canada to study, this is for you.
You will see info on how to
- Search for programs in Canada
- Find a research supervisor
- Admission requirements
- CV/statement of intent guide
- Study options for students with low CGPA
- Sources of funding
Thread
You will see info on how to
- Search for programs in Canada
- Find a research supervisor
- Admission requirements
- CV/statement of intent guide
- Study options for students with low CGPA
- Sources of funding
Thread
First, it is important to answer these six questions
1. What do you want to study & at what level - undergrad or grad?
2. Which Canadian Uni offers the program?
3. What are the admission requirements?
4. Are you eligible?
5. When/How to apply?
6. What are the funding options?
1. What do you want to study & at what level - undergrad or grad?
2. Which Canadian Uni offers the program?
3. What are the admission requirements?
4. Are you eligible?
5. When/How to apply?
6. What are the funding options?
1. What do you want to study & at what level (undergrad or grad)?
Answer the following yourself.
What's my current level of education?
What do I currently do or plan to professionally do in the future?
What are my interests?
Which program will suit this purpose?
Think about it
Answer the following yourself.
What's my current level of education?
What do I currently do or plan to professionally do in the future?
What are my interests?
Which program will suit this purpose?
Think about it
2. Which Canadian Uni offers the program?
At this stage, Google comes in very handy
For instance, if a Masters in Economics is what you are considering, use this keyword to search on Google "Masters in Economics program in Canada"
You can also search on http://www.universitystudy.ca
At this stage, Google comes in very handy
For instance, if a Masters in Economics is what you are considering, use this keyword to search on Google "Masters in Economics program in Canada"
You can also search on http://www.universitystudy.ca
3. What are the admission requirements & costs?
From the info you got on Google, narrow down your choice and check the specific requirements in each university offering the program.
Look out for required grade average, tuition, available funding, application fee, deadlines, etc
From the info you got on Google, narrow down your choice and check the specific requirements in each university offering the program.
Look out for required grade average, tuition, available funding, application fee, deadlines, etc
4. Are you eligible?
Now that you know the admission requirements, you will already know if to proceed or not.
Admission requirements vary by program/university, but generally, if you are applying for an undergraduate program, the main focus will be on your high school results.
Now that you know the admission requirements, you will already know if to proceed or not.
Admission requirements vary by program/university, but generally, if you are applying for an undergraduate program, the main focus will be on your high school results.
4b How good your high school results should be will depend on the program/university
If you're applying from Nigeria, a minimum admission average of at least C4 is what I have mostly seen. This is calculated using 5 subjects
Confirm what the requirement in your school of choice
If you're applying from Nigeria, a minimum admission average of at least C4 is what I have mostly seen. This is calculated using 5 subjects
Confirm what the requirement in your school of choice
4c. If applying for graduate study (Masters/Ph.D.), six factors are GENERALLY considered.
A) Grade
B) Letter of Intent
C) CV
D) Letters of Recommendation
E) Proposed Research (if applying for thesis-based programs)
F) English Test (if the previous Degree was not in English)
A) Grade
B) Letter of Intent
C) CV
D) Letters of Recommendation
E) Proposed Research (if applying for thesis-based programs)
F) English Test (if the previous Degree was not in English)
A) GRADE
Masters/PhD admissions in Canada are competitive. The higher your CGPA, the higher the chances of getting in.
A 70-75% CGPA is usually the minimum, but there are lots of other options for students with low grades or extracurricular activities. We will get to this soon.
Masters/PhD admissions in Canada are competitive. The higher your CGPA, the higher the chances of getting in.
A 70-75% CGPA is usually the minimum, but there are lots of other options for students with low grades or extracurricular activities. We will get to this soon.
Also, when reviewing a graduate study application, more focus is placed on the grade average in the last 2 years of undergrad study
If your strong grades are in these years, or you have good professional experience or evidence of research productivity, that's an added advantage.
If your strong grades are in these years, or you have good professional experience or evidence of research productivity, that's an added advantage.
If this doesn't work out, there are Canadian colleges that you can apply to.
Have you heard of Colleges like Seneca, Humber, Conestoga?
If you have a first degree, consider Graduate Certificate programs in these Colleges.
Check this link for useful info http://ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs
Have you heard of Colleges like Seneca, Humber, Conestoga?
If you have a first degree, consider Graduate Certificate programs in these Colleges.
Check this link for useful info http://ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs
The Graduate Certificate programs are also beneficial in a lot of ways.
They are mostly a one- or two-year program and are eligible for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
The PGWP allows eligible graduates to remain in Canada & work full time after completing their program.
They are mostly a one- or two-year program and are eligible for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
The PGWP allows eligible graduates to remain in Canada & work full time after completing their program.
B) LETTER OF INTENT
This gives you the opportunity to describe to the admissions committee your motivation & fit for the program. Use this to sell yourself!
State academic background, accomplishments & preparation for the program.
See samples/guides at http://bit.ly/2MbiM6E
This gives you the opportunity to describe to the admissions committee your motivation & fit for the program. Use this to sell yourself!
State academic background, accomplishments & preparation for the program.
See samples/guides at http://bit.ly/2MbiM6E
In your Statement of Intent, write about
- Yourself & motivation for grad study
- Why you chose the specific program/Uni
- Your skills/experiences & what will help you succeed in the program
- Your goals during & after the program
- How the program will help you achieve this.
- Yourself & motivation for grad study
- Why you chose the specific program/Uni
- Your skills/experiences & what will help you succeed in the program
- Your goals during & after the program
- How the program will help you achieve this.
C) CV
Use your CV to show proof of your outstanding academic, research, and professional experience. Ensure your CV fits what is expected by the university you are applying to.
There are Career advancement centres in all Canadian universities & they have their CV samples online
Use your CV to show proof of your outstanding academic, research, and professional experience. Ensure your CV fits what is expected by the university you are applying to.
There are Career advancement centres in all Canadian universities & they have their CV samples online
To find CV samples from the university you are applying to, Google is again your friend here.
Do a Google search of the "University name & resume or CV guide"
For instance, "University of Calgary resume guide." The top response will give you this page http://bit.ly/2Se1Tfs
Do a Google search of the "University name & resume or CV guide"
For instance, "University of Calgary resume guide." The top response will give you this page http://bit.ly/2Se1Tfs
D) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS
This is an important document, and the number of letters required will depend on the program/Uni
Your referee should be someone who can assess your ability for graduate-level study, and affirm your potential to excel when admitted into the program.
This is an important document, and the number of letters required will depend on the program/Uni
Your referee should be someone who can assess your ability for graduate-level study, and affirm your potential to excel when admitted into the program.
Your graduate school recommendation letter should come from someone who knows your skills, professional experience, and academic capability.
Importantly, contact your referees and confirm they will write you an individual specific letter before submitting their names/details.
Importantly, contact your referees and confirm they will write you an individual specific letter before submitting their names/details.
E) PROPOSED RESEARCH
If you are applying for a thesis-based program, you may be required to submit a draft of the research you intend to do.
Some programs will also require you to find a supervisor before applying. Make sure you do this if it applies to your program/University.
If you are applying for a thesis-based program, you may be required to submit a draft of the research you intend to do.
Some programs will also require you to find a supervisor before applying. Make sure you do this if it applies to your program/University.
How can you find a supervisor?
Faculty members & their areas of research are usually listed on the program websites.
By email, contact those whose research areas align with what you are proposing. Send your well-structured research proposal to them.
Appeal to their interests!
Faculty members & their areas of research are usually listed on the program websites.
By email, contact those whose research areas align with what you are proposing. Send your well-structured research proposal to them.
Appeal to their interests!
In your email to a potential supervisor
- Introduce yourself
- State why you are contacting them
- State what attracted you to them/their work & why you want to conduct your research under them
- Attach the proposed research for consideration
Sample at https://at.virginia.edu/39CdX0u
- Introduce yourself
- State why you are contacting them
- State what attracted you to them/their work & why you want to conduct your research under them
- Attach the proposed research for consideration
Sample at https://at.virginia.edu/39CdX0u
F) ENGLISH TEST
It is not compulsory to provide an English proficiency test if your primary language, the language of instruction, and examination language in your previous Degrees were in English.
You can request a waiver if asked. More info below
https://twitter.com/Olufemiloye/status/1206230460512133120?s=20
It is not compulsory to provide an English proficiency test if your primary language, the language of instruction, and examination language in your previous Degrees were in English.
You can request a waiver if asked. More info below
https://twitter.com/Olufemiloye/status/1206230460512133120?s=20
5. When/How to apply?
Submit your application ASAP! Applications are accepted in advance to allow enough time for admission/funding decisions & Visa applications.
Fall Term (Sep) 2021 applications will soon start by Aug/Sep. Start your preparation, confirm the deadlines & apply
Submit your application ASAP! Applications are accepted in advance to allow enough time for admission/funding decisions & Visa applications.
Fall Term (Sep) 2021 applications will soon start by Aug/Sep. Start your preparation, confirm the deadlines & apply
5b. Applications are submitted online, application fees are paid online & electronic/scanned copies of transcripts, certificates or other docs will be accepted in most (if not all) Canadian universities.
Original copies of documents may be requested after an offer has been made.
Original copies of documents may be requested after an offer has been made.
6. How to fund your program?
I know you will need money to pay for tuition & living expenses. Possible sources of funding are:
- Personal funds
- University (internal) scholarships
- External scholarships (from organizations/government)
- Research Grants (from supervisors)
I know you will need money to pay for tuition & living expenses. Possible sources of funding are:
- Personal funds
- University (internal) scholarships
- External scholarships (from organizations/government)
- Research Grants (from supervisors)
6b. In many schools, students are considered for entrance (internal) scholarships when an admission application is submitted. A separate application is usually not required
The 15 schools I mentioned here are among your go-to for entrance scholarships https://twitter.com/Olufemiloye/status/1280577859686301696?s=20
The 15 schools I mentioned here are among your go-to for entrance scholarships https://twitter.com/Olufemiloye/status/1280577859686301696?s=20
Also, If you are looking for affordable schools in Canada, you should consider checking Atlantic Canada & the Prairies.
I made a compilation of all the universities in these regions here. They have low tuition and low cost of living. https://twitter.com/Olufemiloye/status/1271128308386803715?s=20
I made a compilation of all the universities in these regions here. They have low tuition and low cost of living. https://twitter.com/Olufemiloye/status/1271128308386803715?s=20
For those looking for a supervisor, you can also use LinkedIn to look for research supervisors or connect with Professors in your school
- Go to LinkedIn
- Search the school's name
- Select "People" filter at the top of the page
- Identify people & shoot your professional shot.
- Go to LinkedIn
- Search the school's name
- Select "People" filter at the top of the page
- Identify people & shoot your professional shot.
If you've come this far, you have done well!
Now you know a few things about studying in Canada, admission requirements, documents required, possible sources of funding, etc.
I hope you will find the thread useful in some ways, and I wish you all the best in your application!
Now you know a few things about studying in Canada, admission requirements, documents required, possible sources of funding, etc.
I hope you will find the thread useful in some ways, and I wish you all the best in your application!
