My Special Case: Can someone advise

[fall2013]

Hi friends, I would start by thanking everyone for making this site a great source of information for those wanting to study, work or immigrate to Canada. I have been reading through topics and just by that gathered enough information about studying in Canada, which looks pretty exicting.

But my profile is a bit different or as they prefer to call "special", out here we prefer to call it 'typical' From a Science Student to a student of Commerce and then to a student of software engineering followed by 8+ yrs of working experience in software companies.

1. HSC with 80% 1993
2. SSC with 79% PHY, CHEM, MATHS and ECO 1995
3. B.COMM with 58% 1996-1999 (I dropped B.Sc(electronics honours due to medical condition so lost a year 1995-1996)
4. Aug 1999-May 2001 - Fiddled with making a career in commerce, joined MBA and dropped within 2 months (anyways not gonna show this part
5. June 2000-April 2001 - P G Certificate in Software Engineering with 71%. Some of my batchmates got credit transferred in canadian universities based on this certificate
6. April 2001-Dec 2002 - Full time Job as a software developer
7. Jan 2003-Dec 2004 - P G Diploma in Computer Applications from an Indian University with 62%
8. Feb 2004 Onwards- Full time employment in software services industry, been in technical project manager/ solution architect role for last 5 years.
9. Have earlier worked in Canada as temp worker for a short duration of 4 months.(and also in US)

The two reasons I want to do a Masters degree is
a) academic aspirations of dedicating 1 or 2 years to full time studies in a North American University
b) better career opportunities in Canada or USA

I plan to pursue a master's in software Engg or any other with focus on science of developing commercial software but not one that teaches you to develop hardcore mission critical systems/ complex algorithm etc. Because given my experience, commercial software is what I can relate to, far quickly and easily.

What do you guys think am I correct in choosing M.Engg? Does my profile look competitive enough to get admitted in M.Engg (Software Engineering) or I will waster $$$ by applying when the chances are low? Or Should I look to apply for other courses like M.Sc Computer Science? Will M.Engg compliment by profile and help me get better career opportunities?

I have shortlisted these:
Concordia University
University of Manitoba
McMaster University
University of Regina
University of Calgary

PS: I have already checked their websites to ensure that I meet admission requirements in terms academics though in terms of aggregate I just meet their requirements. They want 60% from Indian Universities.

 

[fall2013]

Hello Guys anyone pls advise me??
I am sure many of you have experience and advise to offer; pls share your point of view.

 

[harshpreet_nanda]

Hello Guys anyone pls advise me??
I am sure many of you have experience and advise to offer; pls share your point of view.

First of all.... what ur saying is 60% from Indian Universities...yes they are written( but i dnt think even in dreams Mcmaster or Calgary follow this) and your another problem is so much of study Gap..and its very much difficult to get into universities like Mcmaster, Calgary... also because they require higher prcntage above 75 % as competition is a lot tougher in this field. So, dont waste your money in these universities
yes , you might get into concordia..or regina..because as i heard they take experience students..

P.S. I would personally suggest you to go for Masc (researched base) course in CS ..and convince the faculty that you had enough experience and just show it...to them

 

[fall2013]

P.S. I would personally suggest you to go for Masc (researched base) course in CS ..and convince the faculty that you had enough experience and just show it...to them

Thanks Harshpreet. yes I am also worrying about % but thought my experience might compensate somewhat. Some of my former bosses are Canadians who hold good position there, would there reference help? Though most universities want academic references but for those away from school for 5 yrs or more they make exception and allow one letter of reference from your manager.
I always thought that in MASc programs they give more weight to academic scores that's why shortlisted M.Engg courses. Do you think a faculty will entertain request to check your profile before you are formally admitted?

How about University of Manitoba and Windsor University? Is there admission also very competitive?

My consultant is advising to also try for MBA or M.Sc in management as I have managerial experience of 5 years and worked in managerial position in Canada and US. But do you think for someone from Software Background MBA from Canadian university is worthy, given the IT job market in Canada?

 

[harshpreet_nanda]

Thanks Harshpreet. yes I am also worrying about % but thought my experience might compensate somewhat. Some of my former bosses are Canadians who hold good position there, would there reference help? Though most universities want academic references but for those away from school for 5 yrs or more they make exception and allow one letter of reference from your manager.
I always thought that in MASc programs they give more weight to academic scores that's why shortlisted M.Engg courses. Do you think a faculty will entertain request to check your profile before you are formally admitted?

How about University of Manitoba and Windsor University? Is there admission also very competitive?

My consultant is advising to also try for MBA or M.Sc in management as I have managerial experience of 5 years and worked in managerial position in Canada and US. But do you think for someone from Software Background MBA from Canadian university is worthy, given the IT job market in Canada?

Firstly, Yes You are totally right in presenting them LORs from the former bosses , this will surely gives u a upper hand compared to others..
No, i dont think that in Masc as compared to Meng they see much more academic scores..everything depends upon competition in that particular intake...but yes, in Masc they would see any publications of urs if you have any...that will help you...whereas in Mengg they totally rely upon your scores..much..

For universities like windsor, and Manitoba...i dont have much information, sorry but yes i know that these univ are less competitive than others...in ontario province.

P.S. I would personally suggest you to contact the university faculty buy yourself and explain everything to them..and they will surely help in telling which course suits you the best

 

[fall2013]

Firstly, Yes You are totally right in presenting them LORs from the former bosses , this will surely gives u a upper hand compared to others..
No, i dont think that in Masc as compared to Meng they see much more academic scores..everything depends upon competition in that particular intake...but yes, in Masc they would see any publications of urs if you have any...that will help you...whereas in Mengg they totally rely upon your scores..much..

For universities like windsor, and Manitoba...i dont have much information, sorry but yes i know that these univ are less competitive than others...in ontario province.

P.S. I would personally suggest you to contact the university faculty buy yourself and explain everything to them..and they will surely help in telling which course suits you the best

okay then I will then start writing to faculty, lets see what they say.

What about MBA? Do you think MBA after software background will give me any return on investment in Canadian Job market? As manager I have handled teams of up to 35 software developers, so I have tht kind of experience also.

 

[fall2013]

Someone also informed me yesterday that you will find mostly fresh graduates in your master degree in Canadian Universities and may be there might be a one or two students with practical experience but mostly fresh graduates or graduates with 1 or 2 yrs of work exp. is it true?

Any one with knowledge can pls share his views on it. are there universities in Canada which give more weight to future students who have practical knowledge?

 

[IN_BLR]

Hi I went through your case and found it similar to mine. Thought my experience would help you decide.
I have 78% in BE and 2 n half yrs work exp in software field and really good LORs from work and a good BE project. i didn't get much response from profs for MASC coz they want really good ppl with research experience at those top unis. And you will see really dedicated students (who have published papers, books, etc) in research there coz they provide funding.
You can try for MEng or Engineering MGMT course. Ottawa, carleton, waterloo, and few others have good courses in engg mgmt or ms in mgmt science which require min. 2 yrs work exp.
hope this helps.

 

[fall2013]

Hi I went through your case and found it similar to mine. Thought my experience would help you decide.
I have 78% in BE and 2 n half yrs work exp in software field and really good LORs from work and a good BE project. i didn't get much response from profs for MASC coz they want really good ppl with research experience at those top unis. And you will see really dedicated students (who have published papers, books, etc) in research there coz they provide funding.
You can try for MEng or Engineering MGMT course. Ottawa, carleton, waterloo, and few others have good courses in engg mgmt or ms in mgmt science which require min. 2 yrs work exp.
hope this helps.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I also have a similar feeling that faculties won't consider MASc to be an ideal course for someone who has average grades and also has been away from studies for so long.
I am trying to get into a program that has focus on Software Engg courses as I have practical experience of applying the principles of Software Engineering to build software products.
Which programs of which different universities are you planning to apply to?
I am planning to apply in Master's degree in Software Engg in these four universities
McMaster
Regina
Manitoba
Concordia

 

[fall2013]

I am thinking of dropping McMaster for Windsor which may be a bit less competitive!!!!

 

[IN_BLR]

Keep 1-2 ambitious uni and test your luck. you will be happy if you get through. the rest 3-4 safe to moderate universities maybe.