Seniors, Assess my Visa chances (from PAK)

[echelon99]

Hi everyone, although I'm still the process of collecting my documents, some advice and evaluation from seniors on this forum would be very helpful
So what are my chances?

University - McMaster co-op MBA/ Rotman MBA (Sep 2013 - have not decided b/w the two)

GCE O LEVELS (3A, 3B, 2C) [PAK]
GCE A LEVELS (C,D,E) - i know O and A levels might not be imp here! [PAK]
B.B.A (Hons) - CGPA 2.9/4.0 [From Malaysia]
IELTS Academic - 8.0 overall (7.5,7.5,8.5,8.5)
GMAT - 670 (Q42,V40)

Work Exp = Graduated in 2011. then internships, then 1 year consulting projects in Colombo, but project ends March, so by the time I apply, will by unemployed, looking for work.

Financials = Should not be too problematic. I expect first sem fees paid. Can show USD 120-150k savings.

Asset = Father has house in PK. I have small empty plot.

Applying to CHC Islamabad.

So what do you think, guys?

 

[enfield]

Hi,

Hi everyone, although I'm still the process of collecting my documents, some advice and evaluation from seniors on this forum would be very helpful
So what are my chances?

University - McMaster co-op MBA/ Rotman MBA (Sep 2013 - have not decided b/w the two)

GCE O LEVELS (3A, 3B, 2C) [PAK]
GCE A LEVELS (C,D,E) - i know O and A levels might not be imp here! [PAK]
B.B.A (Hons) - CGPA 2.9/4.0 [From Malaysia]
IELTS Academic - 8.0 overall (7.5,7.5,8.5,8.5)
GMAT - 670 (Q42,V40)

Work Exp = Graduated in 2011. then internships, then 1 year consulting projects in Colombo, but project ends March, so by the time I apply, will by unemployed, looking for work.

Financials = Should not be too problematic. I expect first sem fees paid. Can show USD 120-150k savings.

Asset = Father has house in PK. I have small empty plot.

Applying to CHC Islamabad.

So what do you think, guys?

1. It's time for you to book flight ticket to Canada.

 

[echelon99]

Thanks enfield!

I really hope so!

 

[ayay]

You got into ROTMAN and DEGROOT and you are worried about visa ??? You gotta be kidding me. Congratulations on acceptance. If you have not decided which school to join.... without thinking anything further go to ROTMAN... its one of the best in the WORLD.

I am also applying to MBA schools for fall 2013. I have almost the same profile except for the GMAT which I would write next month. Tell me how much preparation was behind a 670 ???

 

[echelon99]

I would choose Rotman but its too expensive and I have not received a substantial enough scholarship. Rotman is 100k with 70k for Degroote, plus with Degroote I get 1 year of paid work experience before I graduate which will work to my favour since I'm an international student and am changing geography, function and industry.

Plus I've talked to students from both schools and while the degroote students seems happy, the Rotman students are very dissatisfied with career services, job opportunities and the competitive cohort. This year hardly anyone has an internship. That being said, Rotman is an amazing brand to have and if I get a good enough scholarship, will be my first choice.

You don't need a lot of preparation for a 670. My first cat got me a 550 score. I then put in solid weeks of study, and my second CAT got me a 670. I put in a further month of studying and gave CATs every week, in the end I was scoring in 700s.

Went in for my exam, power outage struck 15 mins before the exam was due to start. Waited 2 hours, it came back but by then, my peace of mind was all over the place. Got a pathetic 670 and was too tried with GMAT to try again. SO I decided to push my luck with what I had. Got dinged at McGill (not enough work exp), accepted into Schulich, Rotman, Degroote and a couple of US schools. Schulich has a good reputation, but internally its quiet bad. Students hate it more or less. So its now b/w Rotman and Degroote.

 

[echelon99]

On that note, admissions can take up to 8-12 weeks. I applied to all schools in early dec and only started getting decisions last week. Have you thought out the time and factored in the time to get a student visa?

 

[hafm]

I'll be joining Rotman myself (provided I get the visa)

 

[echelon99]

hamf, did you get any scholarship?

I've decided to go to degroote, I just can't afford a 100k program.

What about visa? Have you looked into it?

 

[hafm]

Yes...Got a $30k scholarship...the only other school I applied to was Ivey which offered $15k....so I took into account the Postgrad work permit factor as well as the additional $15k scholarship and decided to go for Rotman....I applied for the visa online on 30th Jan...havent heard from them yet but since I'm not based in Pakistan, I'm assuming (rather hoping) that it wouldnt take very long....

 

[echelon99]

Good for you hafm. Having a Rotman degree is the heaviest door-opener in Toronto. Very little will stop you now.

May I know your profile?

Good luck with the visa.

 

[hafm]

Thanks...BA Hons in Finance from a British University...CFA L1...3 years of work experience as an Investment Banker in Doha by the time I start with the program...the visa anxiety is killing me these days

 

[echelon99]

My profile is slightly similar (degree and work exp outside PK). I guess your GMAT must've been higher (670 here)

Dont worry, I'm sure you will have no issue with the visa. Are you done with your medicals?

 

[hafm]

yes..slightly higher - 720 ...havent heard back at all...waiting for the medical as well

 

[am84pm]

Welcome to Canada . You have pretty nice file.Good luck

 

[echelon99]

thanks am84pm

its nice to have encouragement. i'm still worried about the current issue with medicals and communication gap b/w IMO and CHC ISB