₦airaland Forum

yemdogg:
HINTS ON SECURING ADMISSIONS IN CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES

This post is applicable to POST-GRADUATE STUDIES ONLY (PARTICULARLY MASTERS' DEGREE)

First and Foremost, before you start rushing to apply to programs in Canadian Universities, it is best to understand Canadian Grading Scale/System. It will be helpful for you to understand the fact that Nigerian grading scale and Canadian grading scale are radically different from each other. Hence, you may be disappointed to discover that a 3.0/5.0 GPA in Nigeria is not the same as a 3.0/4.0 in Canada so the earlier you know, the better your chances of securing admissions in Canadian Institutions. Typically, most Nigerian Institutions accept a 2:2 (Second Class Lower) for admission into their respective master's program, however, the same cannot be said about their Canadian counterparts.

First step by prospective applicant to Canadian Universities is to ascertain your GPA in Canadian Scale. You can do an unofficial and free evaluation of your GPA by using World Education Services (WES) free GPA Calculator to first determine the Canadian equivalence of your final GPA. Here is the link to calculate your GPA: http://www.wes.org/students/igpacalc.asp Ensure you have your transcript with you before starting the process.

Second thing to do is to Peruse through the program website of your prospective institution to know what the requirements are. Some programs require 3.0/4.0 in the last two years of studies (i.e last four semesters of your undergraduate studies) while some require you to have 2:1 as final GPA. Understanding this will go along way in helping you decide whether to apply to the school or not.

Third thing to consider is to first decide whether you want a course-based program or thesis based program. These two things are very different in nature and operation and it goes along way to determine your chances of admission. Generally, course-based program doesn't require you to submit a research/thesis paper at the end of your program, hence, there's usually no need to secure a graduate research supervisor before you apply. At best, the school will assign you a course advisor who will guild you when you are about registering your courses. Further to the above, course-based program because of its nature does not usually come with funding/fellowship, however, if your undergrad GPA is high enough, you may be able to secure TA (Teaching Assistancship) which may/can reduce your financial burden to an extent.

Thesis-based program on the other hand requires thesis/research paper at the end of your program which must invariably be defended before you can be awarded a masters degree. A prospective applicant for a thesis-based masters is expected to have an original idea/research emphasis, or demonstrate ability to advance or improve current/persistent discourse in his/her area of research interest. Hence, they expect him/her to demonstrate or show his/her ability and capacity to pursue a graduate research /thesis in his/her research proposal and this is why you must work very hard on your research proposal. Ensure to paint yourself as a visionary who is capable of making meaningful contribution to your research area/interest. Reference your research proposal; footnotes,. ( will later on discuss how to write a convincing and compelling research proposal)

Fourth thing to do is to contact potential referees, please and please, your recommendation letter is one of the most important item to accompany your application for admission if not the most important. Therefore, I'd suggest you work hand in hand with your referees, ensure they write you a compelling letter, they should talk about the courses they taught you, the research project they supervised, your performance in their courses, your capacity to pursue an independent research, your adaptability, your commitment to effect given tasks and some other vital information that separates you from other applicants.

If you're pursuing a thesis based program, please and please try to contact potential supervisors even if the school advise you not to. It is very important to understand that the success of an application for thesis based masters is always premised on the readiness of a faculty member to supervise the applicant in question. Hence, study the page of the faculty members and familiarise yourself with their area of research. Read their works, both current and previous work, think about how you can contribute to their current research, how will your background assist their research. When you address all these, then by all means, contact them and indicate interest to work with them.

In your correspondence with them, paint yourself as a confident and independent person who requires little or no supervision, tell them your achievements, your previous works, awards, your gpa (if possible, attach your transcript to show or demonstrate you proficiency in their area of research, if you have low grades in any course that is closely knitted to their area if research, please and please do not send your transcript to them. It might discourage them, unless they requested for your transcript). Do not sound needy, don't make your correspondence with them sound like you're begging them to supervise you. Look for their previous work, if you have the capacity to discuss it, pls do, tie their previous or current work to your area of research.

Tell them the contribution you intend to make. If you have your research proposal ready, pls forward it to them. Pls and pls, while doing these things, avoid obvious or avoidable grammatical mistakes. Read any correspondence with them over and over before finally sending same. Show interest in them by reading their research work from time to time and sending them your thoughts or perspectives on their research work. Demonstrate how their research work applies to your research.

Contact multiple faculty members to determine their readiness and availability to supervise you. While doing this, do not send a generic mail, personalize each email such that it would reflect the profile of each of the faculty member. Sending a generic mail can be counter-productive. My reason for this is not far-fetched. I once contacted a faculty member in the University of Ottawa (LLM), After reading my correspondence/email, he became so motivated to assist me in ensuring admission in their program. At the time, he had 2 graduate students under his mentorship, so he told me he's willing to assist me in contacting his colleagues who are deep-seated in his area of research. Voila, he forwarded my initial mail and my attachment to the other faculty member (A woman). Imagine my surprise, when he told me he forwarded my email to his colleague and further imagine how the other faculty member would have felt upon realizing that i sent a generic mail to both of them. The saving grace was that i sent emails to 3 faculty members, i personalized each mail (The woman was one of them). If i had sent them same generic mail, she probably would lost interest in me from that moment. (Sorry for the story, I needed to buttress my point)

To improve chances of admission, if you're going for a thesis-based masters program, ensure there are enough supervisors in your area of research to avoid story that touches. If the faculty has shortage of supervisors in your area, please try to avoid the school and apply to other schools so as not to limit your chances. The essence of ensuring that the school has enough supervisors in your area of research is to reduce the likelihood of "Your application is one of the best application we have received, however, we regrettably inform you that we are unable to secure a graduate research supervisor for you".

Further to the above, contact current graduate students in the school, and discuss your application with them, they probably have invaluable advise or suggestions for you.

Some programs require your CV,....Please tailor your CV to reflect your academic/professional progression in your area of research. If you're applying for masters in Engineering and your CV keeps screaming Banking/Finance.....Your CV is invariably telling the grad admissions committee that you're better positioned to probably advance your studies in banking/finance (This is applicable to study visa as well). So please and please review your CV, ensure it aligns with your proposed program. This is one of the subtle/background factors to be considered. A faculty member in the University of Manitoba once asked me why i decided to switch to International Business Law when my transcripts and CV demonstrates my academic progression in Intellectual Property Law. (In my mind, I was like, wetin be ur business now LOL.) Of course, it was his business, cos he's interested in where my passion and interest lies so as not to waste his precious time on me.

Your Statement of Interest/Intent also very important, it is usually centered on the following;

Reason for pursuing the program,

Factors that triggered your interest in the said program,

Steps taken so far to advance your position/knowledge in the field of your proposed program,

Career trajectory and Prospects upon conclusion of the program,

How the program would add academic/professional value to you.

Etc.

Please understand that there are no generic required documentations for applying to schools and programs in Canada; some programs/schools require some documents while other don't, e.g some programs only require your RESEARCH PROPOSAL, TRANSCRIPT, CV, RECOMMENDATION LETTERS, while some requires STATEMENT OF INTENT, TRANSCRIPTS, RECOMMENDATION LETTERS, etc. What I am saying in essence is that you'd have to study and digest the program requirements as contained in the program website to fully understand which documents to submit. So please take your time to study the program website before applying. Understand the program requirements such as residency, tuition, duration etc before submitting your application.


FINAL NOTE

Admission into Master's program in Canadian Institutions is not an easy task, you have to be ready to do serious research in order to submit an airtight application. It will benefit you to understand that these Canadian Universities receive thousands of applications from different people from different background. You'd be competing with applicants with almost perfect applications from countries with advance educational system which are by far better than what is obtainable in our country. So the least you could do is to try as much as possible to submit a near perfect application.

I believe this piece should address the concerns of the admission seekers.

God bless y'all !

enshi:
Good Day house,

My name is gab this is my first time of coming on board here.. Infact I never knew this thread Could be this informative.

I just finished my national youth service last year and I have plans to pursue further academics abroad (Canada) presisely..

I do not know how to go about it at all... Pls i would appreciate any useful info how how to start and the possible budget for it

yemdogg:
I thought so too.

Osemigho:
How well did you "romance" Google? Don't be a one/short timer. Check below link for about 10 schools that offer master in political science.

http://www.universitystudy.ca/search-programs/?k=Political+science&program_level_merged=Master%27s+degree&program_language=ENGLISH#

Others seeking other program should click the link and edit the query as required. Shalom!

bayocanny:
I have two years Diploma in mass communication, having been working with a media outfit for over 2years, I decided to go for UG program in political science, wrote a very detailed SOP. Bro I was denied two consecutive time based on purpose of visit I won't advise you to change your course of study, why not apply for journalism it will make your TRV more easier.

#Mytwocent#

yemdogg:
You have very experience in Journalism, my advice ! seek an admission in a program that aligns with your undergrad course.

However, if you'd ask me, your sop can actually address the discrepancies ! Political science and journalism can be interwoven and connected in some area. You just have to fish out those areas and dwell on them.

michV:
Bro you are sarcastically ''painting down'' my MONIKER.That name TRV Doctor shouldn't be subjected to ridicule because it took experiences for me to earn that name from a successful applicant now in canada who originally conferred on me that honorable title. Emphatically state your difficulty so that we may help you and not wrongly referencing my post because the previous post may have been designated to readdress certain concern on an issue

yemdogg:
Now that part 12 is here.....


No more refusals or delays,

No more admission rejections,

Most importantly, in this new part, God will take away the spirit and the temptation of submitting forged documents and misrepresentation. Whether mistake or deliberate !

We shall receive plenty of good news in this part.

For those who are about to apply, please do not rush to submit. Take your time, gather and arrange your documents meticulously, seek a 2nd and 3rd opinion about every decision you take regarding your study permit application. When people tell you their opinion, listen and reflect on them. Don't be clouded by your sentiments. It takes you nowhere.

For those who have succeeded in securing their study permit, please and please don't run away, stay and pick up your brothers and sisters. We need you now more than ever.

Justwise, thesoj, MichV, Folaroyal, penitential, osemigho, Austinpee4 and others that I didn't mention, God bless you yafunyafun for your persistency and consistency and your unquenchable drive to always assist and provide support for new members. I am proud of you all.

BRANDYAK:
Please please some one should help ooooo

Good day all please I need your help. I was delayed last December for purpose of visit ,employment prospect in country of resident, this was be4 a friend introduced me to this forum . I graduated in 2014 and am 32 my U G is political science and I specialised in international relations. For the past two years and presently am taking two part time jobs the first is am teaching English language in a French school and 2ndly I have part time job as a journalist. I decided to migrate through education. In my first app I applied for an U G in journalism, in my SOP I only talked of my passion and not mentioned I was I the field , no proof of home ties , I even have a son of 14yrs and some landed properties but did not mentioned since I was ignorant. I only mentioned that had thought but am no more teaching since i was afraid they will not give me visa if am working. OK my questions
1, with this situation can I still reapply without been
banned for miss representation?
2,if i can reapply, should I change the program to a post graduate in another discipline since I have only a three years U G which can't go with master's.
3, can i take a completely new program such as international development since I specialised international relations UG, or I should look for something related to education which I indicated to VO is my work experience.
4, should I reapply with the same level UG in journalism or look for a program that is related to journalism and present work experience?
Thanks in advance to every body who will reduce my worries.

BRANDYAK:
Hello everyone please does anyone know any university that still accepts applications that offer graduate diploma or certificate in education leadership and management. Please I need quick reply

onik11:
I greet everyone in d house, I nid to ask a university in Canada for masters that is fast with processing. tanks all for ur response in international relations and diplomacy or crisis and conflict resolution.

BRANDYAK:
Hello house gurus advice me on this. Delayed reasons are purpose of visit, employment prospect in country of resident, personal assets and financial status. My academic certificate was not related. Can I change programming and reapply? Somebody advised me it will be an act of desperation. Please house I need your advice.