In Canada, India is the largest group of international students ahead of China. The country continues to be a popular study destination with significant growth every year. Last year, Canada overtook Australia to become the second most popular destination for Indian students. A simple application and admission system is one reason for this, but there are still some points to keep in mind when applying to Canadian universities. Maria Mathai, director of MM Advisory (MMA) Services, and publisher of the Indian Students' Mobility Report lists some points students need to note when applying to institutions in Canada.
worth doing
1. Apply early especially for top-ranked universities. An early application indicates that you are planned and motivated, something that Canadian universities like
2. Do your research yourself. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Look for professors who are working in your field of interest and do some background reading on their published papers, current research interests, etc. and remember that reaching out; Make sure your message is tailored to each professor
3. Make a shortlist of universities - not less than five and not more than 10. The list should be a mix of aspirational and realistic. www.univcan.ca is a good place to start. The database is one of the most comprehensive for Canada and includes several filters to help you create a customized list.
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4. Focus on educational content in your application. Most Canadian universities provide some form of funding (full or partial) for masters and PhDs. Students. While it is very attractive, it also makes the application process very competitive. You will have limited space and time to grab the observer's attention. Focus on your academic achievements, your grades, published papers and prior research experience on co-curricular or personality achievements
5. Take care of the deadline. The deadline is sacred and highly variable within Canada's university system as many departments set their own deadlines. Therefore, you will have a different time frame for pre-application, one more for application, scholarship, submission of documents, etc., keep in mind the response time and keep checking your application portal on weekly/fortnightly basis so that you can get any Do not miss updates
6. Prepare for a virtual or in-person interview. This may be the deciding factor depending on the course of your interest. Take time to practice interview scenarios in person as well as in virtual. Ask a senior or professor for your help based on friends who may not have the knowledge (academic or otherwise) to help you improve
what not to do
1. Do not assume that the Canadian and American application systems are the same. There are many differences in the application process, an important one being that many Canadian universities do not require GRE or personal statements for masters. [GRE is required by some selected universities and that too for some engineering or computer science courses. This is not a mandatory requirement. Secondly, a few selected universities demand this for regular masters for essays and SOPs. This is not ideal. The only exception is an MBA where essays are a part of the application process.]
2. Do not use standard templates to reach out to supervisors or ask basic questions on entry requirements, degree validation, equivalence, etc. A customized and personal communication with a clear educational plan is one that will get your attention. Asking a supervisor for basic admission guidelines or application information that is clearly listed on the website is not going to help you get selected
3. Do not go for a position when selecting an academic referee. It is always better to select a referee who knows you, will speak in bright terms about you and cite specific examples about your work as opposed to a standard template reference from your college chancellor. A good idea is to have at least some discussion with your referee to explain your selection. This will help them to customize their contexts with relevant points when they match the university.
4. Do not touch an application that is incomplete or contains spelling mistakes. In most universities, incomplete applications are not reviewed - each missing document returns you to a class and deferred your admission decision. Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or errors in academic perception are worse because it indicates a careless attitude.
5. Don't tell them what they already know - they know their website and the supervisor knows their profile. Do not waste precious space and tell them how great they are. When you do your research, find out what makes you excited about their research or theirs and talk about it
6. Do not make a self-goal with a damaging personal statement of purpose. Some common mistakes are highly altruistic (I want to change the world, help all the people, etc.) and share irrelevant personal information (my parents/grandparents are a CEO, I come from a good family and 3 Have siblings, etc.))
