₦airaland Forum

The key to unlocking graduate admissions after satisfying all entry requirements in Canada is the acceptance from a supervisor. No consent from a supervisor, no party. Forget those things you see on their website. Your application will remain pending even after satisfying eligibility requirements until a supervisor picks you.

Canadian schools have a very low lecturer/student ratio and so postgraduate schools usually wait till a student is paired with a supervisor before issuing offers. My advice to you will be to call or email the secretary to the PG school and find out the status of your application. If none of the supervisors you chose have accepted you, you will need to mail them to find out if they are currently accepting students. If the aren't, you will need to either find another supervisor, switch to a course based MSc. or seek admission in another Canadian institution.

waynee2baba:
It depends on the University actually. My application status says "The Faculty of Graduate Studies has received sufficient documents to begin an evaluation of your application. You will be notified as soon as possible once the review has been completed." I just chose two supervisors in my field when I applied, they did not ask me to contact them first.

He can try www.kijiji.ca to look for rooms within Fanshawe's vicinty

Nellykuch:
House is there any male here in Fanshawe. My husband is in need of accommodation few metres away from school. Please kindly let me know. Naijaforeigner your input will be highly appreciated.

In the area of publication record, you will not be committed financially as all costs will be borne by your lecturer/professor or the postgraduate student you're working with. Your job will be to help with taking readings for experiments or presenting data.[

For Networking, you can go through the professor's publications on Google scholar or Researchgate and politely request for a copy of their publication you're interested in. Ask questions on their methodology, conclusion or any part of the paper you may/may not have issues with. They will be happy to respond though they are very busy people.

You do not need to write any exam to apply for funding. When you are ready to apply, let the professor know your intention and send him/her your CV and transcript/degree certificates in a mail. If the professor is impressed, he/she invites you for a skype interview where all the skills outlined on your CV are assessed.

You can send me a private message if you have any more queries

Teophilus96:
Wow! Thanks a lot for taking out time to write this. I really appreciate.

From the points you listed above, I think I am lacking in the area of
(1)Networking, and
(2)) PUBLICATION RECORD

In the area of NETWORKING
Lols, how is it easy to start asking a Prof from MCGILL questions? I mean what if one fumbles by not giving a right answer to a question from him. Wouldn't it be a red flag??
But I'll like to know how to do it.

In the area of PUBLICATION RECORD
Well I think this should be easier, since I can approach any of my lecturers, but I hope it won't cost me much finances?? lols.

Hi,
It's great you are already thinking of your future at this stage. It's also nice you have a firm consciousness of how much your final class of degree will affect your future academic endeavours. As much as good grades are nice to have, most recruiters are more interested in how much transferable skills you have been able to gather. There are five things you will need to consider:
1. Your background: Your background should tally with your intended postgraduate degree if you want to have a strong application for funding. For Bioresources Engineering, you should be able to show a background in Agric. Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biology or anything related.
2. Publication record: This will set you apart from other students competing with you for limited funds. Approach your professors, masters or PhD students and volunteer to assist with their research in exchange for co-authorship. It will be tedious for you but rewarding in the end. This early collaboration will also help you with easy references when you begin your application. You can also try and publishing in the student category of conferences related to Bioresources Engineering or your background.
3. Your grades: You are already conscious of this so keep your foot on the gas pedal.
4. Programming and Statistical skills: Learn how to use MATLAB and also learn basic programming like c++. Have some idea of ANOVA and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Adding these skills in your CV will set you apart.
5. Networking:Start researching Professors in McGill who you hope to work with and focus on their research interests. Professors will only supervise you and offer you funding if your research interest aligns with theirs. Start a relationship by emailing them and asking questions about their research or other questions around their area of specialization. This will help you you when you are finally ready to apply to McGill

Teophilus96:
Good day Nairalanders
There is a wise saying that goes like this " To know the road ahead, ask those coming back*. Also there is another one which says *Make hay while the sun shines*.

I am currently in my 400 level and I intend to study abroad by means of schorlaship. I am currently on a CGPA above 4.0 (under a 5.0 scale) after my 300 level (meaning that I still have 4 semesters to go). I may make a first-class or may be a strong 2:1. But whichever the case, I know for sure that by God's grace, I am coming out with a very good result.


I intend doing my Masters abroad after my first degree, but I am lost. I don't know where to start from. I want to make hay while the sun shines, and also, I want to know how to go about it.
Those who have gone this road I am about to take should please give me a detailed steps on how to secure a fully funded Scholarship abroad. I would really appreciate.


Mind you, I have MCGILL on my mind, and I intend studying Bioesources Engineering or any related course.
Thank you.

I quite agree with you. A visa isn't a right, yes we know it's at the discretion of the VO or the issuing country whether or not all requirements have been satisfied. However, besides fulfilling entry requirements, the applicant has to pay a processing fee which now makes it a transaction. Also, each visa category has got processing timelines usually stated on their website. What that means is that with each visa application, we pay a processing fee for the consulate office to sort through our documents to check for eligibility within the specified timeline. The applicant fulfils their part of the transaction by paying the visa processing fee as well as submitting requested paperwork for the application. On the other hand, the consulate office fulfils their part of the transaction by giving a decision on the visa application within the specified time frame. Anything outside of this is a breach of transaction. The only exception to this is when the consulate office releases a disclaimer stating that processing times may vary and is at the discretion of the consulate office or VO. Even at that, there should be periodic correspondence between the consulate office and the applicant during this period.

In essence, I think I support your proposition. A moderately toned letter can be sent citing the psychological and emotional distress encountered by the applicant during this exhausting wait period. Our problem in this part of the world is that we are scared to speak up for our rights for fear of rebuke or admonishment. Behaviours we term as arrogant are viewed as confidence in developed countries.

Bracha:
Hello
Sorry for this delay in processing. Here’s what I’ll do if I were you: i’d send them an email copying every other visa office’s email address I know; i’ll tell them my study permit application is almost at its one year mark; i’ll tell them this wait has taken its toll on me psychologically and mentally; i’ll tell them it’s irresponsible for a government organization that prides itself on organization and promptness to be this tardy and incompetent (believe me i’ll say all these because at this stage I have nothing to lose); i’ll tell them i’ll be expecting a better and more helpful response from them, one that gives me a proper idea of my application status.

PS: if you don't want to use tardy incompetent, you can look for synonyms that won't be glaringly insulting.
I know this would seem extreme and risky, but some risks are worth taking. The worst it can get is getting denial, then you re-apply if you want to.
Good luck.

Even though your supervisor has agreed supervision in principle, the final decision to admit or not rests with the graduate recruitment committee. If your supervisor is a very influential personality in the school then he/she might most likely have an input in the decision making process. From my experience, secretaries of graduate schools can influence the decision making process as they are part of these graduate recruitment committees. Secretaries to graduate schools can give you and idea whether or not you've been accepted before a decision for admission is displayed on your portal. Since you have a strong 2.1 (this makes you eligible but is not the only scoring criteria as I have seen first class graduates denied admission) and you have a supervisor in principle, then I will advice you work on other criteria like work experience, publications, personal statement and you'll be fine.

geofortress:
Good day my people here.....
Please I have a question begging for answer and clarifications....
If a supervisor agree to be your supervisor for a thesis based msc and told you to "put in a formal application and saying he is looking forward to review your application" what is the chance of the person being admmited with or without funding or being deny admission... Having meeting the minimum admission requirement for Nigeria..e.g strong 2.1 degree.

Anybody for clarification please..

Try and have some patience interpreting context. I was referring to the IRCC honouring the NDDC scholarship since you implied they wouldn't honour LGA sponsorship
quote author=Austacus post=76374038]
I am talking about IRCC not school
they are two different things entirely.[/quote]

I know someone with the NDDC scholarship who is currently trying to use it in a university in Canada. Are you trying to imply that it won't be honoured?

Austacus:
IRCC doesn’t fancy NDDC scholarship anymore so what made you think they will fancy your LGA scholarship?

Think bout it!

I applied for the PhD category and was shortlisted. I did not submit either of my transcripts as there was no transcript option during the file upload. Besides the advert stated that transcripts would be required at a later stage.

Slik07:
For PhD, transcript is mandatory. I think this is where you got it wrong.

A lot of people were shortlisted with no publication and dont belong to any professional body. I'm yet to see anyone that didnt submit transcript that was shortlisted.

I hope this helps.

Best of luck.

PTDF looking indecisive as regards the split site programme and the LSS induction!