holubukola:




You sound experienced.. So I wanna ask.Can I proceed to Canada for my pH.d...cuz that's my plan.thanks

Good morning and happy holidays to everyone. High five @Holubukola. It's nice to see someone with a similar plan to mine. Hope to graduate with a very good grade and get a sponsored PhD/PR in Canada, Germany,Australia or even UK.

[quote author=Phunmmiee post=70237638]Thanks so much.
Gotten.
I submitted one yesterday and that was the order I followed.
[/quote

Hello again @Phunmmiee. Thanks for your understanding and best wishes as you apply.

[quote author=holubukola post=70216365]Is it compulsory for me to submit personal statement alongside other documents? Its not listed in the checklist[/quote

Hi @Holubukola no it's not compulsory. I included one because I was unemployed for over a year and a half at the time of my application and I felt a good PS will help.

Phunmmiee:
I just sent you a message kindly accept.
I need to see what that "Strong Personal Statement" looks like.
Thanks

Hey @Phunmmiee, this request tough o. I've been trying to see how best to respond cos I know number 1, PMs are discouraged here, especially when the question might help someone else on the thread. Besides, to start editing my PS will be hectic cos it has a whole lot of personal details. However, I finally found a diplomatic way of answering your question in a way that should still be of help.

Though I don't know your background (whether you're a fresh graduate, or with years of work experience or maybe you already even have a second degree), I will give some general ideas, most of which did not apply to me, then mention the few ones that did apply to me that I could write about in my personal statement. By the way, it's hard to write this without using 'you/your', so anywhere I use these words, I'm not necessarily referring to you as an individual.

So, what I see as a strong personal statement is that in addition to writing about how this new studies you want to go for will fit into your future career plans (a must in a personal statement, strong or not), look at your academic, extra curricular or work background, pick out the high points and write about them.

Example, in a group assignment in school, did your team get the 1st, 2nd or 3rd highest mark? Talk about the role you played that helped the group achieve that feat. Or maybe you presented for the group. That's leadership, write about it. Did you get an award, full or partial scholarship, or any form of commendation, even most improved student, talk about it. But whatever instances you give, let there be at least one that you have something like an official letter, photograph or certificate to show.

Did you ever do a voluntary job, perhaps you participated in executing a project, with an organisation? Even if it doesn't directly relate to your course of study, write about it because,imho, it shows a level of initiative and commitment to a chosen cause.

Or at anytime on your job or as a member of any structured club or society, did you, for example, lead a unit, were you nominated to go on a training (some trainings have group photos with names of participants), did you win staff of the month, week or even day because of the way you discharged your duties? Write about the experience. Did you get a promotion? Or commendation, which doesn't even have to be from the MD or chairman cos one from your branch or unit head is just as fine, write about it. As I said, let there be one or two that have documentary evidence to show.

In mine, one and a half pages, I talked about:

*the one and only promotion I got on the job in nine years (included promotion letter)

*the biggest account I was able to win for my branch, tough as it was winning it (I made sure that my unit head mentioned it in the reference letter he wrote for me and I included it in my visa application)

*the fact that I went back to school (part-time) while working full time, to get a postgraduate degree (included certificate and transcript) and lastly,

*the period I was picked at some point in my career and at my relatively young age by my HR to be Acting Head of Operations, even though this lasted only for two weeks (included a copy of email sent to that effect)

*an academic excellence award I got that came with a partial scholarship.

So @ Phunmmiee, I really hope this gave an idea of what I meant by a strong PS. I'm at your service if you have any further questions.

[quote author=liana001 post=70166988][/quote]

@Renee25 Good morning. I've gone through my form and I didn't see any questions about previous work in government, military and so on. Mine is Tier 4 General. Is yours also General? or it's Sponsored? Anyway, you're fine putting 'No' since you've been working in a private hospital.

justwise:


That is some bold decision and one that will help you financially in the UK.

Congratulations and thanks for your kind word

Yes o @Justwise, I had to take that step after weeks of thinking and thinking. Thanks and stay blessed!

Phunmmiee:
Congrats

Merci @Phunmmiee

Hello here! At long last, it's my turn to testify!!! All gratitude to GOD almighty, I got my visa yesterday. I'm a self sponsoring student. Standard application. Online submission 10th July. Interview and biometrics 13th July. Decision Made 7th Aug. Courier delivery 9th Aug.

I was initially refused visa in Feb 2018 cos my statement was short of 28 days so I had to defer my admission to Sept. But when I got my new CAS, tuition had jumped to 15300 pounds from 13000, same course, same school, same year o. I just cancelled my place and started applying to new unis within my budget. I finally settled for RGU, Sept intake.

One important thing I noted on my Feb refusal letter was that the ECO said he "took account of 4 things in assessing my individual application

*the financial and employment information as declared by me in my application.
*my passport
*my family circumstances
*the supporting documents I provided
These just told me that for my re-application, to avoid new 'stories' and new reasons for refusal, it won't be a bad idea to add other relevant documents apart from just CAS credentials and financial evidence.

My circumstances are very peculiar: though I have a good travel history with UK and even have a 5 year visit visa valid till Sept 2019, I'm in my 30s, single, an adult orphan, unemployed since July 2017 (although I had worked continuously for 9years plus in the formal sector till last year), only one sibling in Nig and two in UK who have been there for decades, though legally. Even my TB certificate was to expire on 5th Aug 2018, but I used it like that.

This my 'serious combination' made me worry so much if they will see me as a genuine student, but after all the self-imposed headache, high body temperature, high BP, anxiety, sleepless nights, it came out positive.

Lastly, I appreciate everyone here for your posts. They all helped me in one way or the other. A very special, capital GBOSA with honours to @Justwise - to think you have been active and helpful on this thread since 2009 is simply commendable!!!

Best of luck to you all!

Argentina again?! Ahn ahn. Hope say Fifa go all our 4-2 scoreline. Me I have said my own.

Very good job being done here. Apart from getting info from universities' websites and DIBP, I've learnt a lot from the real life experiences shared here since I stumbled on this thread last month. Well done everyone.

JCU Brisbane, March 2018, MPA on my mind. Did IELTS in July, passed, got admission 31st Aug, waiting to pay tuition this month/early Oct, get my eCoE, do the medicals in Nov and apply for the visa proper in Dec.

I'm just taking everything a step at a time, each step, carefully, cos for me, thinking of the whole process at once can cause headache and might even make one want to start doubting if it can be possible.

This Australian Study Visa application needs time, peace of mind, patience and strategy. I no know anytin o - just my 2kobo advice to those of us still waiting to apply.

Above all, may God crown all our efforts with favour and success, AMEN.