Kindly read the background to fully appreciate this post
I would like to share about the application process when applying to UNB, the document check and elaborate of the different document variations while applying.
University of New Brunswick
For every school I applied to, I was attracted by their curriculum. You are going to study the courses and specialization the school is offering and if it is not something you want to pursue then it’s pointless applying.
Here is a summary with timelines;
- Applied in November 2019
- Got admission on August 21, 2020
Why UNB?
- Rich curriculum – my research interest is in Machine Learning and well, they hit it right to the nail.
- I didn’t need to send an official transcript until I got admission.
- No GRE or TOEFL wasn’t required before application. However, I submitted proof of English proficiency which in my case was a letter from my English Department stating all the courses I studied during my undergraduate was taught in English.
- Possibility to get funding
Application to UNB
School application is not an easy task as it is intensive and demanding if it’s your first time. I had been doing this for a while, so I had the needed resources and know-how to approach things. For most schools I applied to, please note the emphasis on most – here are the requirements. I say most because this may vary per school and program.
Requirements
The most important thing to be on the lookout for when applying for a particular program is – if you meet their minimum requirement – it is very important. Please, don’t waste your precious time and money to apply for a school you know very well you don’t meet their minimum requirement.
Now let’s proceed, I had to get that out of the way. Also, the requirements are for Masters application
1. Two or three(sometimes) letters of recommendation
Most schools are specific and state the number and where they want your recommendation letters to come from. Three recommendations letters were required while applying to UNB. They were very specific as to where they should be from –
2. Proof of English language proficiency
Some universities list countries which are exempted from English proficiency tests like GRE and TOEFL or GMAT. Ghana is always mostly on this list since our teaching and learning language is mostly English. When it comes to proof of English proficiency you can request an English Proficiency letter from your university’s English Department.
3. One official or unofficial transcript of each previous undergraduate and graduate transcript
While applying to UNB, an unofficial one was requested upon application and after successful admission, an official one was sent to the university. This may vary for different schools as some may require you to send your official transcript via POST before your application can be considered.
4. Statement of academic intent
Also called Statement of Purpose – is the most time-consuming of all the requirements. You need to get this right. You need to state emphatically what your intent is for the program you are choosing to study. How your previous academic background and possibly work experience have propelled you to this decision into choosing to study at that University and ultimately that program. A lot of research and thoughts need to go into writing the most convincing “Statement of Academic Intent” as your admission or rejection to the program hinges on it.
5. Photocopy of your degree parchment(s)
A copy of your certificate is attached to your application. This part is very important as the grading system varies per country and school. Attached is the grading requirement for the Master in Computer Science.
I studied Computer Engineering and completed with a Second Class Upper which by translation automatically puts me at a GPA of B as per UNB. I hope this is helpful. Again, this may vary for different countries and schools and ultimately programs of study.
Admission to the Computer Science Programme
If you look carefully at the timeline, I applied on 5 November 2019 and got admission on 21 August 2020 – literally almost a year. Here is the story behind it since I am sure everyone is itching to know. One of my lecturers delayed submitting his recommendation letter.
I took the liberty to email the Computer Science department after my application status hadn’t changed for more than seven months after applying only to be informed that one of my recommendation letters arrived after the application deadline for Fall Semester intake. The correspondent now then asked which semester they should process my application – Winter 2020 or Fall 2021. You guessed my response, Winter 2020. This conversation with the correspondent took place on 20 August 2020.
To my surprise, it took less than 24 hours after talking to this correspondent for my application status to change.
I received an email that my application status has been updated – I went to check, and boom 🤯!!!
All the deets about the funding process
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