General
- Can I talk to you for advice?
Absolutely. Comment on one of my YouTube videos, or Tweet to me. For detailed advice on choosing universities, career paths, and scholarships, schedule an appointment here. - Can I send you my CV, SOP, and Cover Letter for review?
Yes, I offer document review sessions. You can get your documents reviewed here. - I cannot afford to book an appointment with you or pay for a document review. Do you offer any discounts or scholarships?
Yes, I offer varying levels of discounts for the subscribers of my newsletter, and you can take advantage of that. I also offer free advice on my YouTube channel and Twitter. You can always start a GoFundMe to raise funds needed. I'm also working on creating a charity that would allow me to offer free coaching and document review sessions. If you can help expedite the process, please Tweet me your idea.
Study in Canada
- Can you tell me the difference between SDS and non-SDS streams to apply for Visa for Canada?
Yes, SDS gives you a visa in 20 days, but you need $10,000 available to get GIC. - Which universities accept low GPAs?
There are a lot, over 20 Canadian universities accept low GPAs, just google this phrase with your own field, and you'll find plenty of good resources. These universities accept GPAs below 3.0 - What is the average Ph.D. scholarship in Canada?
In 2020-2022, it remained 20K CAD per year - What is the average cost of living in Canada?
Depends highly on the province and city. This is a good place to find it out. - Is a Ph.D. stipend good enough to support a family?
No. It barely supports one person's rent, bills, tuition, phone, insurance, and food. You'll need a part-time job to support a family or send money home. - Can I get a part-time job while studying in Canada?
Yes, your study permit allows you to work 20 hr per week normally (and unlimited time from Nov 2022 to Dec 2023 because of labor shortages in Canada). - What kind of jobs can I get while studying in Canada?
Grocery stores, Retail stores, MacDonalds, Subway, Gas stations, Ski resorts, Internships in your own field, and restaurants. The list is quite literally unlimited, and most students do these jobs. There is no "shame" or stigma attached to it.
Study Elsewhere in the World
- Do university rankings matter for a Ph.D.?
In my opinion, no. But that is just my opinion (an informed one, though). Focus more on the professor's standing in the scientific community and his publications in the last 10 years. - Do I contact the professor first or just the university?
Unless explicitly specified otherwise, contact the professor first. - What is the best place to find scholarships for international students for MS and Ph.D.?
The best place will always be your peers, people from your university or school who got scholarships to study abroad. Get in touch with them, and ask them to recommend you to their professor if there is an open position available and if their area of expertise is the same as the one you're planning to pursue. The next best thing is google. Here is a good resource to find scholarships.