Osemigho:


Most schools for PhD is less than 8k? I beg to differ. Most Canadian school that charge 8k for yearly PhD tuition will likely charge same amount for a masters research in the same program or school. If I am wrong, please provide evidence.

Lots and lots of advantage with PhD? What are the advantages for the student and not the school? How does these pros outweigh the opportunity cost?

Your questions weren't directed to me but I want to comment on the last questions.

Basically, no one should do a PhD if they are not interested in working as academics. It makes no sense to do a PhD simply because you want to do it or feel like doing it. It's only in Nigeria that egotistical persons do PhDs just for the title. In North America, a PhD doesn't make you special. It only means that you're a researcher/teacher.

Like you said, PhD students increase the profile of the university generally. This is why they prefer hiring applicants with research and publication experience. The more you publish under the banner of the university, the more visible the university becomes. Ultimately, your dissertation will make an original contribution to knowledge and you'd be doing so with the university's name. Your presence in the university can also attract huge funding and endowments to the university. We can argue that the university benefits more from this arrangement and that is why a PhD student should NEVER pay for the program.

A PhD program takes time, energy and drains you. Why should you pay for it? Job opportunities are limited to the academia or some specialist or research agencies. However, those who go for a PhD actually love academics so it works well for them. You shouldn't go for a PhD in Canada because you just want to migrate. It makes no sense to go through that stress just because you want to be in Canada when there are easier shortcuts that can be used.

To answer Osemigho, the cons of doing a PhD outweigh the pros. However, the most important factor is fulfilment. You do a PhD because you are passionate about it and when you finish, regardless of all odds, you'll be happy you did it. In terms of jobs, get ready to look for jobs mostly in the USA as offers are limited and competitive in Canada.

Trip2:
PhD funding from the university alone can not get get you study permit. You must also show proof that you have your own personal funding or a reliable source of funding from your immediate family. The reason is this: perhaps you are not doing well with your research and your supervisor decides to kick you out, the question is how do you cope. The VO expect that you should be able to prove that you can cope financially pending when you are able to make a decision either leaving or getting another opportunity.

Some universities give what they call "guaranteed minimum funding". Not all funding comes from supervisors. In fact, in many schools the funding comes from the department or other internal sources rather than from the supervisor. Basically, the VO doesn't even need your personal SoA if you have a minimum "guaranteed" funding letter. Although it's always advised to add your personal SoA for all visa applications.

Funding from supervisors cannot be rescinded once applied. It's an automated process. Once you get a signed letter with a specific duration of funding, it holds. The only issue is if the duration doesn't exceed one year. In that case, the student can have some issues in the following years should funding not be available.

For PhD students, I'd advise that they always get minimum guaranteed funding for 4 years. Most of my friends at McGill, Concordia and Alberta have minimum guaranteed funding of at least C$20,000 per year for 4 years. This amount can be supplemented by TA/RAships, external scholarships or supervisor's grants. They are all in the Humanities/Social Sciences.

It is only in the pure sciences that supervisors can fully fund their students and so I don't know how things operate with that system.

vibrant99:
Most school I know from 2021 sept give out full funding for 75% in ur Msc.

To also calrify the guy talking about money, most schools for PHD is less than 8K CAD, let’s relax a bit and most school will not charge you a second year fee if you improve significantly! Lots and lots of advantage with PhD, because you are building their rating being there !!

On the average, McGill charges around C$18,000 per year for PhD for international students. However, I agree that most schools keep PhD tuition low.

The issue is not even about tuition or paying for it. If you're applying for a study permit as a PhD student without funding, the VO will ask MANY QUESTIONS and that alone can influence a negative decision. This is without prejudice to those who have TETFund or some other external scholarships or funding. However, in general, VOs prefer internal funding or Canadian based funds for PhD applicants.

skull4eva:


Thank you boss. I actually had a 5.13/7 fro university of ibadan in food tech. My supervisor didnt give any assistance. The university is McGill and am going for a PhD in Bioresource engineering dept Food engineering option same as my undergraduate degree where i had a 2nd class upper.
As per confirmation letter i didnt get any but he only approved the admission when the post graduate school ask him about it.
Please help out with supervisor with funding i have just one month as i have differed to winter 2021

I've said it before and Akannitommy and vibrant99 have corroborated that you should get funding. I even gave you a format that you can use to mail your GPD or supervisor. To the best of my knowledge, McGill doesn't typically admit PhD students without some funding, even if partial. Something is wrong somewhere in your case and you should quickly sort it out or apply to another school like Concordia or UdM.

vibrant99:
Yes PHd is JOB.

I agree. A PhD is a job and no one should start it in Canada without FULL FUNDING! It is abnormal to pay for a PhD in North America.

Faithyyyyy:
hi guys . it’s an approval alert .

thank you to frank and all the other veterans in the house .

i was admitted to two universities for a second masters so i chose University of Ottawa.


applied 17th August
Upfront medicals
Tuition fees for first semester paid using Western Union business solutions )Form A .
Eligibility review ; 4th September
GCMS 11th September yet to come
Approval 18th September
Home ties husband , our Canadian child and my company.
SOP SIX LONG PAGES WELL TITLED WITH SUBHEADINGS . i didn’t study english for nothing oooh .
i have already resumed classes and loving it. i will say keep your dreams close to your chest and don’t let anyone even a professional deter you. keep pushing.
i have an active EE profile with 462 points and aced ielts at first seating. after visiting canada last year i said ah , this place is calling my name everyday.

i was worried about a lot of things because i was confused whether to delete my EE profile but i explained in my SOP and said e go be things but not in my case abeg. I am grateful to God for his constant favour and mercies.

please keep believing. God will come through for you .

This is a successful stage 1 letter, I believe?

Congratulations but it is not an approval yet but your approval will come soon. Keep up the spirit.

adekolagreat:
Good day to everyone in the house. I like to appreciate all your efforts and time.

I have read previous thread and the information provided, but i have a peculiar situation that have not been answered.

I got admission for my PhD in Aeronautics and acoustics and it came with funding(21,000 CAD for first year of 4 years) for summer 2021. I have saved up 1.2 Million Naira from my salary. I read about the Nigerian Student Express which allows applications to be processed within 20days for Nigerian Students. Please how can I go about that, also, part of the requirement for the Nigerian Student Express is a 30,000 CAD in MyBank statement. Do i need to have that considering that I have funding already. Also, would I be needing additional funding with what i have.

Please I would love to have an answer to this question.

Thanks

Congrats on your admission and funding. The Nigerian Student Express is yet to start for now.

Simply apply for your study permit like others. Your account balance is sufficient for that purpose since you have funding. However, does your funding cover tuition? If so, when you remove the tuition, will the balance be more than C$10,000? These questions are very important too. If you got a tuition waiver or if the amount you quoted is already outside of your tuition, then you are good to go. However, if you have to pay tuition, make sure the funding covers that plus living expenses or you may be forced to get more money to offset the balance.

When applying for your permit, do well to emphasise home ties. That's the major issue PhD applicants face. Good luck with your application.

Canhopeful:
Hello Frankrobbn1, JustMellow, Osemigho, and Fratermathy! Please, I need your advice.

1) We applied for a study permit and an open work permit on February 19, 2020, passed upfront medicals on March 10. Eligibility review and background checks commenced the same day.

I received my GCMS notes on Friday, September 15. Therein, I saw a note written on 11th March. The officer stated, "Female married to study for Masters at UBC. Her personal funds and income are low. Spouse to accompany her on an open WP."

2) The uni offered to pay my tuition for 2 years and also give me a stipend a little over $24,000/year for 2 years.

3) I attached 2 bank statements to my Study Permit application. One for me with 1.5 million naira and another for my husband with 2.5 million. I didn't attach any to my hubby's application for an open work permit. But we stated the total amount- 4million naira plus the total scholarship amount- in both our letters of explanation or SoPs.

4) I am a university lecturer (the reason for the low income haha) and my spouse is a clergyman.

5) When I filled the part on Tuition, Room, and Board, I just added my own funds to the tuition and stipend to give total funds available as $38,706. I didn't add my husband's funds to it since it asked about funds available for study.

6) Under the most recent note, there was an update on 22nd July, but the part for text was left blank.

7) Against eligibility, I saw "Recommend interview".

Please, advise me on what to do to salvage the situation since our application is still in progress. Thank you!

"Recommend interview" doesn't mean that your application has been refused or will be refused. It simply means they'll review it further. You still have hope as it appears. However, I'm quite shocked that the VO has concerns despite the funding you've received. Funding usually takes care of financial questions and even with a spouse, the amount is more than enough.

These are my assumptions based on the limited information you've provided:

1. VO is skeptical of the fact that you're applying with your husband and maybe children (if any). This effectively diminishes your home ties and your job as a lecturer is not enough incentive to return back since you are moving with your immediate family.

2. Your husband's funds and personal assets should have been included. Do well to raise a CSE and attach this segment ASAP. Your husband shouldn't be a blind spot in your application. The moment you applied with him, you made him an object of attention and if they think something is wrong with his application for SOWP, that waters down to your application.

3. I don't know if you uploaded the funding letter you got from UBC but whether or not you did, raise a CSE and attach it again with a clear explanation that references your GCMS note. Break down the funding and explain the tuition waiver in clear terms.

Kindly post your complete profile and timeline so that more insights can come from there.

skull4eva:

Thank you fatermatty
I applied with an closing balance of 3.1million
Sponsor is my uncle and he has 65k cad in his account
But my question now is this if i can increase my balance to cover 1year tuition and living expenses i mean to like 9m naira then use my wife and son as hometies will the application get approved?

Honestly, I would advise you to get university funding at all cost. If that is impossible, you may be able to build your account. The PhD programme takes a minimum of 4 years. Apart from proving your living expenses and tuition for one year, the VO needs to be convinced that you can afford the remaining years. 9m may not actually prove this effectively. Maybe your Uncle can transfer some money to your account and then get a letter of support to show that. I don't know if this will be enough but it'll certainly make things better than they appear now.

It's best to leave your wife and kid and apply alone first. Once you get the visa, you can then bring them to Canada.

Kellymaria:


However, we still don't know the situation of people with AIP.

We do know this. From all the GCMS notes I've read here and outside here, those with AIPs are fairly safe so far. The notes either reveal full approval without conveyance of such or simply a short notice that eligibility has been passed. I'm yet to see a Nigerian with an AIP who got a negative outcome in the GCMS notes or final communication.

I sense that finalisation of applications will start rolling in soon. Perhaps before or immediately after this month end.

Hamilah11:
Hi guys. This post is to encourage those with AIP. I applied for my notes after receiving my Aip because I was worried about it not being genuine based on what has been posted here. This is my profile;
Applied July 25
Recieved AIP August 5
Received medical request August 6
Passed medicals August 14
I applied for the notes August 23 before doing my biometrics on the 28th so it didnt reflect. Apparently it shows positive stage 1 eligibility.
An original passport correspondence was also shown in my notes but hasnt been sent probably because of Covid.
I think it's safe to say the AIP is genuine. I wish everyone success. Those waiting for AIP too, may you all receive it soon.

This is just great. I knew the AIP had some meaning or purpose.

Cc:
Frankrobbn1

Dame24:
Hello everyone, I just got medical request now. Please which hospital is better or sends result faster between the 2 approved ones in Lagos?

Both are okay but many people seem to prefer IOM.

skull4eva:
Good evening house i got a my GCMS notes yesterday and my application was refused. Applied july 13th did biometrics yesterday though. Here is a screen shot of the notes. @frankrobbn, @fatermatty vibrant99 as we as other gurus in the house please how do i tackle this? I have differed to winter though

Hi Skull4eva

Based on the GCMS note you shared, I can see that many things are wrong with your application. You seem to have gained admission to a PhD program without funding. Two or three of us warned you about that earlier. A PhD is like a full time job. You can't work or rely on others and do a PhD in Canada. It is almost impracticable except you are extremely wealthy but even then, the VOs won't buy it.

Secondly, you are relying on a third party sponsor at the age of 32. Will the 3rd party sponsor feed you and your family for 4 years and also pay your tuition? For a PhD and with your age, VOs would only believe self sponsorship.

Thirdly, why did you apply with your family? What would serve as home ties? PhD students are only bold to apply with family in the first instance when they receive ENOUGH funding or scholarship money. You need strong home ties since you are being sponsored essentially.

Final point: do everything you can to secure funding, however negligible, before you apply again. Don't repeat your mistakes. If you can't get funding, apply to another school! It is almost anomalous for a PhD to get rejected but notice that the VO didn't express concern about your study plan or intent. He is indeed convinced that you're a bona fide student but he suspects your motives and financial situation. You need to package your next application well. Get funding, try to apply alone, and write a good LOE.


Let's also have your complete profile so that others can contribute to what I've already said. Give us your application timeline too.

Such a waste! Why create another agency when we already have two!! ICPC and EFCC are not enough? The type of leaders we have makes me wonder whether Nigeria struck a deal with the devil in 1960.

nayo10:
Good day guys, please how do I request for a copy of my medical report? I did the medicals today with IOM. Thank you

You can only get a copy of the lab report, if you did yours at IOM. To request for it, mail: IOMLagosClinicalTeam@iom.int (for Lagos) OR IOMAbujaClinicalTeam@iom.int (for Abuja). Don't forget to add your IME or UCI number when making this request.
You can also request for your eMedical proof of submission if your medical was requested and not upfront. Request via same email above.

For QLife, you can get a copy of medical report after paying an amount. I don't know the process so do well to contact QLife if you did your medicals there or someone who knows this can explain better.

Informanta:
15th sept...... Just a stone throw away..... May God have mercy on us and give us passage into canadiorial Heaven that may we not be consumed by the dis earthly world called Nigeria.... Can I get some Amen!!

Don't expect anything to happen immediately. September 15th is only the day they stop processing applications for Fall intakes. This means that anyone who applies for a permit for the Fall term as from this date will be asked to submit a new LoA indicating a new start term. Every other thing will still move as normal. Hopefully, they will then be able to focus on finalising Fall 2020 applicants who got AIPs or who are yet to get it. The process can still linger well into next month if you use the slow pace at which they are working as an indicator.

PendD:
Yes, I got the biometric request letter and did the biometric. I was updated on the 11 sept. Pls tell me if any one got AIP before BVL. I have my BVL today. What does it mean?

Historically, getting a BVL without medical request means rejection and the reverse is true if you got the request and passed medicals but let's see your complete timeline first and profile...

Striking is an outdated method of getting demands across. It is true that the government has almost destroyed education in Nigeria but this decay is only further exacerbated by numerous strikes which ultimately affect students than the government. Students shouldn't be used as bargaining chips. ASUU, COEASU, ASUP, NASU, etc should get more creative and even involve students in pressing for their demands.

Jobia:
OK thanks very much.

For course-based masters though, what are my chances of getting funding?

Course-based masters are not usually funded but admission to them is relatively easier to acquire. There may be some entrance scholarships or other dedicated funds but these are limited, without guarantees, dependent on schools/programs, and not usually inclusive of tuition.

Jobia:
Hello everyone..

Pls I've seen people say that I don't necessarily need to write IELTS to apply to Canadian schools for Masters. I have a certificate of proficiency in English from my undergrad school, but I want to find out if it will boost my chances of getting admitted/scholarship in any way?

It won't boost your chances. What matters if you want funding in Canada is your proposed research. Work on that and finetune it to near perfection. Also make sure your grades are great.

PendD:
Hello guys,
Do AIP come before bvl?
I just got validation letter. No AIP yet.
Pls what does this mean?

Regards

Did you get a medical request? Have you done your biometrics? Are you sure what you received is a Biometric Validity Letter or collection letter?

NwanyiOkpa:



quote it.

Maybe he's being prophetic. Accept it.

Smoking from two pipes at the same time

And he's drinking what seems like dry gin too.

The problem with this is that he seems to be on duty, hence the uniform. After smoking and drinking, he will then make himself a nuisance to the society.

eightyeight:
pretty sure he applied from Nigeria. I believe ircc has been distributing study permit applications to other regions so they can be processed quickly and reduce potential backlog.

I also think this is detrimental to students as visa officers are always trained for a particular region and will most times not be aware of situations or cultures that are peculiar to another region.

It is kind of weird to have a VO who is experienced in treating Chinese applications to suddenly assess Nigerian applicants. The VO can definitely do it but there are certain things you pick up from experience. VO may not be able to contextually make judgment based on prior experience in the region. The types of documents that are submitted to support applications usually vary by regions/countries too. With the high level of rejections in the past few days, we should be concerned about this. Let's be hopeful in any case.

Rock247

What course did you apply for? Where did you apply from? I can see Shanghai in your rejection letter.

Burna Boy's song has a clear message and it resonates with the aspirations of the Niger Delta people. His music is pure art. Davido's song is basically another musical noise.

Miide2:
hey guys i got my gcms notes back today
can someone please tell me what this means
@frank @anon123 @vibrant99

Maybe you should give your profile too.


From what I know, "Review Required" means that another VO will review your file. Your primary VO probably saw something out of place. In any case, do not worry. Your file is still very much open. That's the main thing.

NairaLuck:
With these notes I think there's Great Hope for those who have received AIP however don't throw a party yet until your passport is stamped.

Congratulations to all AIP recipients. Let's wait for Sept 15th

I said it before when people were speculating on the first stage approvals. Until we see the complete picture of things, we shouldn't be quick to conclude. Since the first week of August, Nigerians have hardly gotten the AIP. However, some of us came to hasty generalisations based on the AIP "rain" we received then. Despite the balancing of things as it would appear now, I am still not conclusive about the entire situation. We should always keep an open mind and prepare for our prior notions about Canadian immigration to be upended by the new realities of Covid-19.

I'm really sorry about the rejections. My post may say otherwise but that's because of an earlier argument we've made on this thread. Those who have been rejected should order their GCMS notes and repackage their applications. Many people get their permits after their second or third attempts. There is hope to redo things and address concerns. As always, may the odds be in our favour.

Aleliberty:


You may be wrong though, many got approved same day or few days after Biometric letter

I don't think you understand what vibrant99 wrote. He didn't say a BVL equals automatic refusal. There's a significant phrase that you are missing in his post.

Some academics really do not know what they're doing. How can you be a lecturer and your primary priority is sex instead of research?

Sex is one of the easiest things to get in this day and age. Why ruin your career, accomplishments, prospects, etc over a woman? This is one of the issues with our nation. Due to the quota and man-know-man system we operate, we don't allow hard work and dedication to thrive. I doubt if any serious scholar, except those with home trouble, will ruin his name and hardwork over sex that he can get with as little as N5000 or even free should he have the right words in his mouth.

It's good that these things are happening. I am a male academic and I totally condemn forcing students into any sexual affair. There are many girls who will even sleep with their grandfather's age mates if paid the right amount. Why force your innocent students and ruin your reputation? People like this have made lecturers the face of sexual predation in Nigeria and they justify why the Senate would single lecturers as the main targets of a controversial bill.