Study Abroad in Canada – Valuable Experience She Got from her Master’s Degree Interview

An important ‘Study Abroad’ aspect is experiencing the process or even a part of it. While most people wish to study in the U.S.A, there are many who seek higher education further north, in Canada.

This article came in from Satyapriya who wanted to share her own experience with us. She is a student who is applying for an M.S. in Integrated Circuit Design after graduating from a university in Chennai.

Satyapriya shares an important experience that many students have while applying for degree in foreign countries – the interview experience and what it teaches you whether you decide to go or not.

Here is her experience.

Enter Satyapriya:

 

I am trying for an M.S. in IC design (VLSI) and I graduated from Anna University Chennai. I had two options – go to the USA or go to Canada.

[Weighing your options of studying in the U.S. versus studying in Canada? Here is a tabular comparison to help you choose.]

Even though I worked in VLSI industry, I thought should attempt to get admitted to a thesis-based Masters in Canada.
I gave it a try and got approval from the University of Calgary with $18,000 /year funding.

Here is the analysis I want to share and I hope that it will be of help to people who are trying to apply for an M.S. (Thesis-based) in Canada.

 

1. Thesis based programs are really very difficult to get in to.
2. First, I started to send emails to professors directly with my resume attached ( I got a reply after 10 days).
3. I got a reply from the University of Calgary because I have industrial exposure in VLSI. (Industrial Exposure is considered very helpful for a Thesis-based degree.)
4. They sent me a paper and set up a Skype interview. A PhD research person took my interview. It went for 3 hrs and I was not sure of the result or how it went. (The interview was conducted at midnight, India time.)
5. I was told by the person who conducted my interview, that he is satisfied with my interview and recommended my approval as a research student.
6. The level they expect is completely different. They told me to apply to the University . I was told that once the admissions committee accepts my application, they will admit me as an M.S. research student.
( Note: Graduation committee accepts an application for admission only when there is a professor sponsoring you.)

 

Eventually however, I was not able to go because of some personal issues but it was really worth the experience of giving that interview.
I got to experience a simulation of the kind of academic and professional quality expected of applicants in foreign universities.
Above all – I learned that the most important things are, courage, confidence and the spirit of never giving up.
I would like wish those who are seeking further education in Canada, all the best. I hope this helps.

[Also read these facts about International Students in Canada vs. USA]

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