Why Aishvarya Chose a Canadian University over American Colleges: Shiksha Success Stories
Talk to ExpertStudyabroad.shiksha.com got in touch with one of the students – Aishvarya Bakshi, who got admission to University of Waterloo’s course Master of Management Science (MMSc).
Question: When did you decide you wanted to go abroad to study?
Aishvarya Bakshi: I was planning this move since last one year. It wasn’t a sudden plan, I always wanted to pursue my higher education from abroad. I was waiting to gain the right amount of work experience before I started applying. I finished my B.Tech in 2012 and then I joined Accenture. Once I completed three years, I took the TOEFL exam and started planning the application process.
Q: Was Canada your only choice as study destination or did you consider other countries as well?
AB: Yes, I focused on applying to Canadian universities. Actually, I have many friends and relatives in Canada so I figured I will not have to worry about being on my own in the country. Plus, tuition fee at Canadian universities was within my budget. That is why I didn’t consider American universities as the costs were well beyond what I could afford.
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I personally gave more weightage to the university than course when making the final decision. Since I had applied for the same course at most universities, the course was a given. I focused more on rankings of the colleges while finalizing because I got accepted at all three universities I applied to.
Q: Once you were sure of going abroad to study, how did you research the application process? Was it a difficult stage?
AB: I had done a bit of research and I knew the process but I wasn’t very sure of the documentation process, for e.g. – what transcripts and documents are required. The Shiksha counselor helped me out there.
I only appeared for TOEFL, since GRE scores weren’t required at the universities where I applied to. I was open to giving the GRE exam but while shortlisting the universities I realized that it is not required at many of them. So I shortlisted only those universities where the scores weren't required. I scored 104 in TOEFL and I prepared for the exam on my own. I referred only to the TOEFL official guide as it includes a CD to help students with listening and speaking sections. I dedicated two weeks to prepare for the TOEFL exam.
Q: How did you come across Shiksha study abroad counseling services?
AB: Actually I have a friend who was already in touch with Shiksha for his application process. I got to know about the services Shiksha provides from him and he referred me to the counselor looking at his case. I decided to go ahead with Shiksha study abroad counseling as I didn’t have any plan to hire the services of any consultant. I visited one of them but I wasn’t impressed, so Shiksha was my default choice.
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Q: Did you have any apprehensions when you signed up for Shiksha study abroad counseling service?
AB: Since my friend's feedback was positive, I decided to go with his word. I wasn’t very confident about editing my Statement of Purpose and Recommendation Letters, so once I was assured by the Shiksha team that I will receive feedback from editors on these I was satisfied.
Plus I was greatly relieved when I got the much-needed help for shortlisting the universities and courses. The counselor would remind me of the various deadlines and she would make sure my application stages were taken care of on time. My SoPs were crafted according to the universities and were not generic samples. Since they are very important to any student’s profile they need to be created carefully.
Q: Tell us about the Student Visa process.
AB: I chose the offline method of application for my student visa. The reason why I chose the offline method because it is said to be quicker. I got my visa within 13 days, while my friends who opted for the online visa process had to wait for 3-4 weeks. All my friends suggested me to go for the offline method and I’m glad I did.
Q: Do you have any advice for prospective international students?
AB: It is important to have a plan in place long before the application process. If you are considering getting your documents together at the last minute then you will be in for a lot of hassle. So you need to have a clear plan from the beginning.
Aishvarya is now going to begin her college session in Canada. Studyabroad.Shiksha.com wishes her a prosperous career.
Read more Shiksha Success Stories:
- How Priyanka scored a scholarship to study in US
- P. Gopinath's journey to making to the course of his choice at Sweden
- Sourabh shares his experience of successfully applying to universities at US and Canada
- Shubhansh's journey from quitting his job to getting into NJIT
- Vaibhav on why European universities were his exclusive choice
- How Ankit made it to Lakehead University's most popular course
- How Medha made the decision between pursuing MBA and MS
Q: What are the scope and post-study opportunities for PGDBA in Selkirk College, Castlegar, Canada?
According to the student review on the unofficial web, pursuing a PGDBA is not a great option in Canada, and pursuing an MBA is far better than that. However, international students who are looking for an affordable option can choose PGDBA from Selkirk as they offer programs way cheaper than other SPP colleges in Canada. In addition, Selkirk College has supporting faculty members and smaller class sizes which means students will get to learn a lot with assignments and projects and get three years to showcase their talent to grab the best career.
Q: How much is the application fee for Selkirk College Canada for international students?
Selkirk College Canada expects a non-refundable application fee from international students, which is USD 100 (INR 8K). International students must fill out the application form where they must upload documents like transcripts, test scores, passport ID page, resume, and more. At the end of the application, international students can expect to pay the application fee, and once their application meets eligibility, they get an offer of acceptance.
Q: Is Cambrian College in Canada a good option for international students?
Cambrian College in Canada is largely recognised as a prestigious institution, making it an attractive option for overseas students. The college provides a wide choice of programmes, and its accreditation guarantees respect to academic standards. Prospective students should carefully assess Cambrian College's suitability in terms of individual programme offers, campus facilities, location, and foreign student support services. The total cost of education, including tuition and living expenses, should also be considered, as well as any available financial help or scholarships. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, check Cambrian College's official website, contact international student services, and speak with current or former international students for firsthand experiences.
Q: Which is good for MS in CS in Canada: the University of Lethbridge or Memorial University of Newfoundland?
Both the University of Lethbridge and Memorial University of Newfoundland are among the top universities in Canada for international students. They offers the quality education at a low cost compared to other top MS in CS universities in the world. We have compared them in the table below in terms of tuition fee and ranking:
MS in CS Universities | Tuition Fees | US News World Ranking |
|---|---|---|
University of Lethbridge | INR 10 L | 1741 |
Memorial University of Newfoundland | INR 4.7 L | 698 |
Q: How much are Selkirk College tuition fees for international students in Canada?
The Selkirk College tuition fee for international student ranges between INR 7L-INR 12L for Diploma program, INR 8L-INR 11L for the UG program, and INR 9L-10L for PG programs. The tuition fee for popular programs at Selkirk College is given below:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
UG Diploma (23 courses) | INR 7 L - 12 L |
BBA (1 course) | INR 8 L |
BSc (4 courses) | INR 8 L - 11 L |
UG certificate (21 courses) | INR 4 L - 11 L |
BA (10 courses) | INR 7 L - 9 L |
PG Diploma (5 courses) | INR 9 L - 10 L |
B.Pharma (1 course) | INR 8 L |
BEd (1 course) | INR 9 L |
Q: Can I get a scholarship in the University of Canada West as a freshman?
Yes, University Canada West (UCW) provides a variety of scholarships and awards to prospective freshman. These scholarships are often awarded based on academic performance, community involvement, leadership abilities, and other criteria. These scholarships are competitive, and the eligibility requirements and amounts may change year over year. The most current information on available scholarships and eligibility conditions can be found on UCW scholarship.
Q: What is the acceptance rate for a PhD at the University of Guelph, Canada?
The Guelph University acceptance rate is around 66%, which means admissions are slightly competitive for international students. Apart from this, students have to meet the general University of Guelph requirements for admission in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Q: What are Algoma University Canada MBA fees?
The Algoma University Business Administration programme fees is around INR 17.5 L for international students. We have mentioned below the complete segregation of Algoma University fees for MBA:
| Tuition Fees | International Students |
|---|---|
| Full-Time Tuition* | INR 16.6 L |
| Required Fees | INR 82k |
| Total | INR 17.4 L |
Armed with a decade of professional experience, Prayas is a connoisseur of the overseas education industry. He holds a post-graduate diploma in marketing and has the knack for finding ideal study options for student... Read Full Bio
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Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae