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Helican - Study Permit Questions and Answers

Helican

Champion Member
Aug 18, 2017
1,713
372
India
Visa Office......
bangalore
VISA ISSUED...
08-17-2017
LANDED..........
Sept 2, 2017
Helican,

I have an admit for an MEng in Systems Design Engineering from University of Waterloo. However, my Bachelors program was in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Would this be considered a change of field? I chose Systems Design Engineering because it is a unique program at Waterloo which offers a specialization I seek. Though this specialization is available under Electrical Engineering as well at Waterloo but my application was refused for that department.

How should I explain this in my SOP?
I am not from engineering background but can you tell me what is the contribution of systems design engineering to the filed of electrical and electronics???

Inbox your number so I can add you to a newly formed group on telegram (its similar to Whatsapp). Install the app and then I will invite you.
 

AstronomyNut

Hero Member
Jan 24, 2018
507
108
I am not from engineering background but can you tell me what is the contribution of systems design engineering to the filed of electrical and electronics???

Inbox your number so I can add you to a newly formed group on telegram (its similar to Whatsapp). Install the app and then I will invite you.
Systems Design Engineering is much broad than Electrical Engineering and as the name states involves the design of larger systems. For ex: whereas Electrical Engineering primarily deals with circuits and related things, Systems Design would deal with Robotics or Computer Vision, which involves Computer Engineering, Optics, Artificial Intelligence.

However, that is not very relevant. What is relevant is my specialization because in a graduate program it is upto you whatever courses you take and I will be taking courses that help me in my specialization.

I'll install the app and send you my #.
 

Helican

Champion Member
Aug 18, 2017
1,713
372
India
Visa Office......
bangalore
VISA ISSUED...
08-17-2017
LANDED..........
Sept 2, 2017
Systems Design Engineering is much broad than Electrical Engineering and as the name states involves the design of larger systems. For ex: whereas Electrical Engineering primarily deals with circuits and related things, Systems Design would deal with Robotics or Computer Vision, which involves Computer Engineering, Optics, Artificial Intelligence.

However, that is not very relevant. What is relevant is my specialization because in a graduate program it is upto you whatever courses you take and I will be taking courses that help me in my specialization.

I'll install the app and send you my #.
For the visa officer, all engineering are same :). so you dont have to worry about explaining him the difference. it is difficult for them to understand. The most focus should be on post degree plans, what jobs you will find in your own country. Is a similar program available in your country. If yes, then why would you spend 4-5 times more and go to canada to study.

try to convince the officer with these points.
 

AstronomyNut

Hero Member
Jan 24, 2018
507
108
For the visa officer, all engineering are same :). so you dont have to worry about explaining him the difference. it is difficult for them to understand. The most focus should be on post degree plans, what jobs you will find in your own country. Is a similar program available in your country. If yes, then why would you spend 4-5 times more and go to canada to study.

try to convince the officer with these points.
Helican, my employer is sponsoring me. I wanted to ask if the following is OK. My employer will pay me in rupees the total expected cost of the degree + living expenses. I will convert this amount to USD and send via my newly formed USD account to university.

In my application, I will attach;
1) Affidavit from Employer (stating I will be on a leave of absence and they are supporting me etc.)
2) Bank Statement of 6 months of Employer
3) My Bank statement showing the influx of funds from employer
4) My USD account showing the incoming funds and outgoing to University
5) Contract between me and Employer stating terms and conditions of payment (basically that I will come back and work for them for a further 2 years)
6) Promotion Letter
7) Letter from University stating I have paid fee upfront.

The offer letter from Waterloo says Program Duration: 12-24 months. I'm not sure what to put in the form for "Expected Graduation Date". Typically, the program is finished in 16 months (4 terms) - this is stated by Waterloo on their website. If I put in a Grad. Date that's 24 months in the future I will have to demonstrate that I have a huge amount of funds.

If I write 16 months, which is the duration most students take, the advantage is as follows;
  1. I have paid 75% of the fee to Waterloo (3 terms, 1 Year). 1 Term is pending.
  2. Employer/Sponsor has paid me in full for 4 terms (living and expenses)
I think this makes a strong application. There could be concern that if this student needs to take the full 24 months, where does he get the funds? For that, I think I will put in a statement in the employer provided affidavit that they will cover any additional costs if required (the additional 8 months).

What do you say?
 
Last edited:

Helican

Champion Member
Aug 18, 2017
1,713
372
India
Visa Office......
bangalore
VISA ISSUED...
08-17-2017
LANDED..........
Sept 2, 2017
Helican, my employer is sponsoring me. I wanted to ask if the following is OK. My employer will pay me in rupees the total expected cost of the degree + living expenses. I will convert this amount to USD and send via my newly formed USD account to university.

In my application, I will attach;
1) Affidavit from Employer (stating I will be on a leave of absence and they are supporting me etc.)
2) Bank Statement of 6 months of Employer
3) My Bank statement showing the influx of funds from employer
4) My USD account showing the incoming funds and outgoing to University
5) Contract between me and Employer stating terms and conditions of payment (basically that I will come back and work for them for a further 2 years)
6) Promotion Letter
7) Letter from University stating I have paid fee upfront.

The offer letter from Waterloo says Program Duration: 12-24 months. I'm not sure what to put in the form for "Expected Graduation Date". Typically, the program is finished in 16 months (4 terms) - this is stated by Waterloo on their website. If I put in a Grad. Date that's 24 months in the future I will have to demonstrate that I have a huge amount of funds.

If I write 16 months, which is the duration most students take, the advantage is as follows;
  1. I have paid 75% of the fee to Waterloo (3 terms, 1 Year). 1 Term is pending.
  2. Employer/Sponsor has paid me in full for 4 terms (living and expenses)
I think this makes a strong application. There could be concern that if this student needs to take the full 24 months, where does he get the funds? For that, I think I will put in a statement in the employer provided affidavit that they will cover any additional costs if required (the additional 8 months).

What do you say?
This is perfect! You have covered everything. Now, all in the officer's hands.
 

AstronomyNut

Hero Member
Jan 24, 2018
507
108
This is perfect! You have covered everything. Now, all in the officer's hands.
Thanks. The employer is a public limited company in which my father has the majority of shares (~51%). Does this undermine my case?

Every document is legitimate however. Even my salary is lower than what is typically paid for my position incase nepotism is a concern.
 
Last edited:

Priyavart Rajain

Hero Member
Aug 29, 2017
542
27
25
New Delhi , india
VISA ISSUED...
24-08-2018
LANDED..........
02-07-2018
Can i change my university ? The programs i am currently enrolled in is Bachelor in Computer Information systems and i want to get enrolled in Bachelor in Computer Science in another university . Is the transfer possible?
 

Helican

Champion Member
Aug 18, 2017
1,713
372
India
Visa Office......
bangalore
VISA ISSUED...
08-17-2017
LANDED..........
Sept 2, 2017
Thanks. The employer is a public limited company in which my father has the majority of shares (~51%). Does this undermine my case?

Every document is legitimate however. Even my salary is lower than what is typically paid for my position incase nepotism is a concern.
If all the docs are ok then it wont matter if the company is private or public.
 

AstronomyNut

Hero Member
Jan 24, 2018
507
108
If all the docs are ok then it wont matter if the company is private or public.
Thanks. I noticed a couple of things are off in my LOA, even though its from a very reputable school.

1) No mention of tuition fees. To rectify this, I have a separate letter from Student Financial Services that state the tuition fees per year. I'll attach this along with LOA.
2) The LOA states a condition ("We must receive original transcript from your previous school"). I have since sent this to them. The school won't give me a new letter but said I should just print out the online portal's screen and attach it to my permit application.

Do you think this would work?
 

Helican

Champion Member
Aug 18, 2017
1,713
372
India
Visa Office......
bangalore
VISA ISSUED...
08-17-2017
LANDED..........
Sept 2, 2017
Thanks. I noticed a couple of things are off in my LOA, even though its from a very reputable school.

1) No mention of tuition fees. To rectify this, I have a separate letter from Student Financial Services that state the tuition fees per year. I'll attach this along with LOA.
2) The LOA states a condition ("We must receive original transcript from your previous school"). I have since sent this to them. The school won't give me a new letter but said I should just print out the online portal's screen and attach it to my permit application.

Do you think this would work?
Yes, that should be absolutely fine. A friend of mine was refused and when he ordered his GCMS notes, he found that apart from the summary for the reason, there was also an extra line that the visa office had sent his LOA to the university to verify all the info. So, if they have any doubts then they will do their due diligence by asking the university for information.
 

nebed2000

Member
Apr 28, 2018
13
0
Hi Helican. I must commend you for your time and the good job you are doing here.
Please i would also need your advice too. I finished a 2 years masters in South Korea in Climate Change and i recently applied for a professional one year masters in Environment and Sustainability which i really want to study in order to build a niche for myself in the environmental field and also make me marketable for the job market back home (Nigeria). But am kind of scared that the Visa officer might feel that i won't go back home after my studies which is not true. I plan to leave by Sept or Oct after my studies because of my marriage plans in December 2019. do you feel this will be a good or strong reason for me to convince the visa officer and what kind of additional evidence can i add to support this claim?
And also in terms of my finance, I intend to sponsor myself along side with my sister who will also be my co-sponsor. I wish to apply with my bank statement of about CAD $12,000 while that of my sister is around CAD $20,000, do you think is enough? even though i have already paid my first semester tuition fee. I will appreciate your advice and suggestions too.
Thanks.
 

Helican

Champion Member
Aug 18, 2017
1,713
372
India
Visa Office......
bangalore
VISA ISSUED...
08-17-2017
LANDED..........
Sept 2, 2017
Hi Helican. I must commend you for your time and the good job you are doing here.
Please i would also need your advice too. I finished a 2 years masters in South Korea in Climate Change and i recently applied for a professional one year masters in Environment and Sustainability which i really want to study in order to build a niche for myself in the environmental field and also make me marketable for the job market back home (Nigeria). But am kind of scared that the Visa officer might feel that i won't go back home after my studies which is not true. I plan to leave by Sept or Oct after my studies because of my marriage plans in December 2019. do you feel this will be a good or strong reason for me to convince the visa officer and what kind of additional evidence can i add to support this claim?
And also in terms of my finance, I intend to sponsor myself along side with my sister who will also be my co-sponsor. I wish to apply with my bank statement of about CAD $12,000 while that of my sister is around CAD $20,000, do you think is enough? even though i have already paid my first semester tuition fee. I will appreciate your advice and suggestions too.
Thanks.
thanks mate! The only issue I see here is that you already have a Masters then why you want to study again.
 
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nebed2000

Member
Apr 28, 2018
13
0
thanks mate! The only issue I see here is that you already have a Masters then why you want to study again.
Thanks Helican for your reply. please take a look at the excerpt from the SOP I'm working on. here are the few reasons why i want to go for another Msc.
I started my educational pursuit with an undergraduate degree in Agriculture with a major in Soil Science and Meteorology. During my finals in the undergraduate studies, I presented a research paper on effect of fossil fuel burning on the environment. This research paper exposed me to environmental science and management and this imbibed in me the desire for a master’s degree in environmental science and management. In 2014 I applied for a master’s degree in Environmental science and management at Kangwon National University and masters in Climate change at Hallym University both in South Korea. But unfortunately, I couldn’t secure the admission for Environmental management and I was offered an admission for masters in Climate change at Hallym University, South Korea.

My previous masters in climate change was a specialized study which majored only on climate change in particular and with very little course work which was centered on greenhouse gas emission and which gave me a limited knowledge of issues about climate change and thi limits me to jobs under climate change which are very rare to come by when compared with the opportunities in environmental management area in Nigeria.
This masters of Sustainable environmental management is a holistic and multidisciplinary program that will give me a broad insight into most aspect of human world from business to technology and the social science. This program draws various ideas from different perspective on economic development, social development and environmental development which makes a better package for me to benefit more from.

Pursuing this masters of sustainable environmental management as a second masters despite my previous masters in climate change for me will be an added advantage for my career prospects in environmental sector back home in Nigeria. My main reason for studying this second masters program is to give me a solid and broad foundation in environmental management thereby augmenting my previous degree and making me generally versatile and competent in the field of environmental management in order to secure a good job.

From the program outline and course modules, this program will provide me with a one year intensive course work that includes hands-on learning opportunities to field and practical work while developing project management skills by working in partnership with internship provider companies. This master of sustainable environmental management will provide me with more strong and diverse knowledge and skills in the field of environmental science and management which will give me the opportunity to acquire interdisciplinary policies and management skills needed to identify causes of environmental issues, develop solutions, policy or strategies for protecting the environment and human health, as well as better managing our natural resources. Also participating in the project and field work of this program will challenge me to think outside the boundaries of traditional disciplinary programs to address pressing challenges associated with environmental change and sustainability.
******Still working on*************
 

adeelcis

Star Member
Jul 30, 2015
70
1
Can anybody share with me sample letter of explanation to be provided with study permit application(Adeel999@gmail.com)? Also is there any whatsapp group then kindly add me +92-3332164353