@tech3

Guys, what is the total budget you have estimated for your duration at UBC. An estimate including all associated costs, like tuition, living expenses, health insurance, books, course material, etc etc etc. would be VERY helpful!

Thanks!

Guys,

Hey All,

Diversity is an important aspect of any International studies. Lets gauge how diverse our Indian representation is, for the class of 2014 (Admit Fall 2012).

Which city of India you belong to ?

Thank you beforehand.

Regards
Amit Ganguly

--
Promote Green .. Promote Healthy Earth

Hi Grace,
If you have an admit already, make sure to join the facebook forum, youll get a lot more responses there, Ive also sent you a PM

Hi All ,

Any Female admits you have found accommodation near the university campus / or who are in search of accommodation (like me ) ???

Hi BetterthanBEST,

Can you plz share your profile?

Hi AngelusXIF,

Can you plz share your profile?

sachin_sanki Says

Hi AngelusXIF, I too got admit to MBA Fall 2012 yesterday. Are you planning to join the program?

H Sachin, I'm definitely joining the program. Just getting my papers ready for the visa. Where you from?

Hi,
Me too got off the wait list and offered admission for aug 2012! Anyone from Kerala(Trivandrum/Cochin)?

Hi All ,
I got admit to the FT program on 18th june. Now iam rushing to collect all the documents for Visa .Anyone from Mumbai who is also in same position .and one main question is IELTS absolutely important for candian Visa ? as it has been reported in checklist as "Strongly Recommended " . Also is anyone of you apllying for Visa thru VFS Global Sevices ?

Hi guys,

I got admit to Sauder MBA program. I was on wait list and got offer on yesterday only. I have already accepted an offer from university of Missouri and got my US visa stamped. Now I am in great confusion and could not decide for which school I should go.
Guys please help me with your expert advice..!!!

I am interested in a career in consulting. No Scholarship from any of school..

AngelusXIF Says

Just got off the wait list and offered admission for aug 2012! Anyone going admitted from bangalore?

Hi AngelusXIF, I too got admit to MBA Fall 2012 yesterday. Are you planning to join the program?

Moonbutt, I tried PG-mailing you but somehow PG-mailing does not seem to work for me, so I'll ask my questions right here (others too, please feel free to chip in) -

I have some doubts regarding applying for the visa -

As students, we just need to apply for the study permit (University) correct?

We don't really need to do anything extra or produce any other document other than in the university checklist, correct?

The temporary resident visa gets added to the passport when we send our stuff in for the study permit, right? Do we need to add anything extra (certificate/doc etc) to our package to get the temporary resident visa?

Did you apply at Chandigarh or Delhi? Which one's faster?

Sincerely,
ctg

Adding more to it, for those who have yet to apply for VISA.

As in the University VISA checklist , they asked to attach IELTS score and it is marked highly recommended.
I share with you how I handled this without IELTS.

1. Ask for a letter from Sauder Adcomm team by dropping a mail to . Dont just wait for reply , call them in morning 10-11 PST and ask them to send required letter. Believe me , you will get pdf attached in next hour.

2. Dont forget to attach your GMAT score.

3. Third attach a page of explanation about your IELTS waiver. Tell them as "Applicant has strong hold on English language which can be concluded from following points" Tell them your GMAT verbal and AWA score. Tell them about your interview. Also tell them that you are working in a company where business language is English and you deal with foreign clients daily.

In my case just be on safer side , I booked my IELTS exam also, but I applied without IELTS. So got my VISA 1 week ago. Today Got my IELTS score = 8 :)
Which is not needed now , anyway.


Good luck , see you all in Vancouver.

@Gaurav and the rest of the people applying for VISAS. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up regarding the IELTS requirement. Over the weekend, Two people reported on the facebook forum that their VISA applications were rejected by the Consulate even with the letter from the college stating the IELTS Waiver. However still others reported that the letter was sufficient for them. So the consensus is that it appears to depends on the VISA officer who is handling your case.
One person who's application was denied stated that he wrote a letter to the Consulate indicating that he had Taken the GMAT exam, and that seemed to work for him,
My suggestion at this point since your on a time crunch, would be to book your date for the TOFEL or IELTS (remember that these are very simple exams, and if you scored fair on the GMAT then this should be a breeze for you),
Go ahead and apply for the VISA with the IELTS waiver letter, and if they insist for the IELTS scores, then you will be ready to take the test,
Just my thoughts.

George

Just got off the wait list and offered admission for aug 2012! Anyone going admitted from bangalore?

And just one copy of your official transcripts to be sent.

skinnybob Says

Just an FYI, if you need it Sauder is on PST -Pacific standard time

Just an FYI, if you need it Sauder is on PST -Pacific standard time

@gaurav: your interview will be Canadian time. Check any site on the net for the time difference.

Hey anyone on the wait list who has heard back from the college?

Hello Friends,

Greetings! I got a call for interview. Have to book time slot. Please tell me whether the time slots given to us are in IST, GST or EST. Please reply as soon as possible.

Also, please tell me how many copies of official transcripts are to be sent to UBC and at which address.

Thanks and Regards,
GS

Glad that it helped. Apparently, it was built with the input of UBC Alma Mater Society, so it was pretty useful to check the distance from UBC, etc., and since the posting is targeted at univ. students, most landlords are also more accommodating to the student population.

Cheers.

Thank you Jeeka
Ive been looking up this website, its really well built for UBC students

Re: Housing

In addition to the usual suspects (craigslist, kijiji) you can lookup Apartment Rentals Vancouver, BC: Search Apartments at AMSRentsline.com as well.

Thank you Jeeka
Ive been looking up this website, its really well built for UBC students

@Gaurav and the rest of the people applying for VISAS. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up regarding the IELTS requirement. Over the weekend, Two people reported on the facebook forum that their VISA applications were rejected by the Consulate even with the letter from the college stating the IELTS Waiver. However still others reported that the letter was sufficient for them. So the consensus is that it appears to depends on the VISA officer who is handling your case.
One person who's application was denied stated that he wrote a letter to the Consulate indicating that he had Taken the GMAT exam, and that seemed to work for him,
My suggestion at this point since your on a time crunch, would be to book your date for the TOFEL or IELTS (remember that these are very simple exams, and if you scored fair on the GMAT then this should be a breeze for you),
Go ahead and apply for the VISA with the IELTS waiver letter, and if they insist for the IELTS scores, then you will be ready to take the test,
Just my thoughts.

George

Re: Housing

In addition to the usual suspects (craigslist, kijiji) you can lookup Apartment Rentals Vancouver, BC: Search Apartments at AMSRentsline.com as well.

In my experience $500 is feasible only in the case of shared accomodation (2-bedroom shared by 2 students paying $500 each). Single bedroom accommodation typically costs at least $700, and a decent one will be about $800 - $900.

Cheers.

Hey that would be great ! thank you so much for the information. I will start looking right away!
Thanks, aarti

Hi Aarti,
From what i heard, the accomodations at the MBA house are quite small for single students. (I believe if they offerred it to you at $850 then its for a single student, family is $1250). You have to use a shared kitchen, and you will have to share your room with someone else, making it hard when your husband visits.
The best place ive found so- far. is rentBC.com and craigslist.
You should try and look for a place in North Vancouver, East Vancouver, Burnaby. Delta is not too far away.
How far are you willing to travel every day. If your okay travelling about an hour by bus/train. you can also look in North Surrey. Lots of Indians and rent is generally cheaper. Keep me updated, ill try and help as much as I can, if you find a place you like, I can try and find out more info, maybe get some pictures for you etc.

Hi Skinnybob,

However, they did mention that 30th June shall be the last date for submitting these documents.
Quote from mail that i received:

"

Hi Gauruv, since they have given you a date (June30th) I would suggest to try and get the docs to them ASAP.
However the lack of documents wont stop them from calling you for an interview.

Hi Skinnybob,

They didn't ask specifically for the docs but they mentioned about it in the mail that i received as my application has been passed for 1st review. However, they did mention that 30th June shall be the last date for submitting these documents.
Quote from mail that i received:

"Dear Gaurav,

We are happy to inform you that your application has been passed on to our admissions committee for an initial review. Once the review is complete, we'll update your status accordingly.

Please note that the official documents are still required for your application. We encourage you to send them to us as soon as possible.

Regards from the Admissions team."

Hi skinnybob,

Thanks Again! If I could get the waive off letter, my half the burdern will be reduced. I will let you know once I get the admit.

Thanks and Regards,
GS

Hi Gaurav, question about your Official transcripts.
Did the Admin team specifically request for those after your submitted your application? Only in this case, would I worry about sending them immediately. Generally they can process your application based on "Unofficial transcripts" (a xerox copy is good enough), and once they offer you admission then you will have to submit official copies.

Hi,
. I am not sure, if I took the right decision, Aarti

Hi Aarti,
From what i heard, the accomodations at the MBA house are quite small for single students. (I believe if they offerred it to you at $850 then its for a single student, family is $1250). You have to use a shared kitchen, and you will have to share your room with someone else, making it hard when your husband visits.
The best place ive found so- far. is rentBC.com and craigslist.
You should try and look for a place in North Vancouver, East Vancouver, Burnaby. Delta is not too far away.
How far are you willing to travel every day. If your okay travelling about an hour by bus/train. you can also look in North Surrey. Lots of Indians and rent is generally cheaper. Keep me updated, ill try and help as much as I can, if you find a place you like, I can try and find out more info, maybe get some pictures for you etc.

Hi skinnybob,

Thanks Again! If I could get the waive off letter, my half the burdern will be reduced. I will let you know once I get the admit.

Thanks and Regards,
GS

Hi,
Yeah, I am going for the medical exam tomorrow. I denied the offer of MBA House as the lease term agreement was for 12 months. They offered me 850$ per month. I am not sure, if I took the right decision, but looking for something cheaper, and I heard everywhere that MBA house was very expensive. I went through the off campus housing website, but to make a decision based on the pictures they post, I am not sure how good is that. I am hoping to get some information on housing from people there right now, from alumni and current students. maybe they could suggest something really good. Please let me know if you have any information. I do not want to stay in sharing as my spouse would accompany me for a month and would visit me frequently.
Thanks and regards,
Aarti

Hi Aarti, how you doing, hope all your visa processes are going okay,
Yes a medical is required,
regarding accomodations, honestly your going to be hardpressed to find something for about $500, If your looking for a one bedroom place, realistically your budget should be 750-850.
The only way you can get something for $500 is to try and find a room/house share.
Have you joined the facebook group already? If not, then you should, a lot of people are connecting and helping each other out with accomodation and stuff like that.
Also were you able to check out the links for off campus housing on the UBC website?

Could anyone help me out with accommodations at BC ? I am not able to find something reasonable on the internet. I am looking for a rent around 500$ per month.

Hi Aarti, how you doing, hope all your visa processes are going okay,
Yes a medical is required,
regarding accomodations, honestly your going to be hardpressed to find something for about $500, If your looking for a one bedroom place, realistically your budget should be 750-850.
The only way you can get something for $500 is to try and find a room/house share.
Have you joined the facebook group already? If not, then you should, a lot of people are connecting and helping each other out with accomodation and stuff like that.
Also were you able to check out the links for off campus housing on the UBC website?

@ Gaurav - Yes, I agree with Aarti, if UBC is requesting for your official ceritificates then make sure to do everything possible to get it to them. If there are some circumstances which are preventing you from getting the required the certificates, make sure to call/email the admin team and ask them if there is any way around this.
Regarding the IELTS, English profeciency test, once you receive admission you can request the Admin team to give you an official letter that waives the requirement for the IELTS exam. You will need this letter when applying for your VISA. The admin team is currently doing this for international students, but you have to request for it. Let me know once you get an admission offer, and I can direct you to where you can request the letter.

Hi Aarti,

Thanks a ton for your valuable advice. I will try to arrange official documents and send it to the UBC before 30th June which is supposedly the deadline for last round. Also, in between, i guess i will have to take up IELTS somehow. Lot of work to do and I still haven't had my interview(that's the funny part).

Regarding Prep Classes, I wish I can join but again it will all depend on how much time will my application take and on whether I get the admit or not :)

I hope I do get selected after all the hardwork though :)

All the best with your Visa Application!

Thanks and Regards,
GS

Thank you getting it done tomorrow.

Hi everybody ! has any one got the visa? Please share if you got it without an interview and how long did it take?

Could anyone help me out with accommodations at BC ? I am not able to find something reasonable on the internet. I am looking for a rent around 500$ per month.

CrackedtheGMAT Says

Based on what I've read online, it is my interpretation that a medical exam is necessary if you are going to be there longer than six months (which you are) and are a citizen of India.

Hi Gaurav,

If they are asking you for your official documents its likely you might have been approved in the first screening. So, please do not delay sending your official documents and you may start the procedure immediately. Make sure your documents are sent by the fastest means of post. My docs were sent by registered post and it took over 20 days. My University directly sent them. They also missed to send the official copy of my degree, which now I had to resend after getting it attested by the university. And I also had to get an extension of the last date of submission for the docs. So, I would advise start right away!

Its better to have an English language Proficiency test for the Visa. If you can get the appointment for that within the time you have, you should give that. If not, then maybe you can explain that in your visa application. I am not sure on this part though. You may need to consult someone who has info on that.

You are on a tight schedule its true! Do you want to attend the prep course in August? If yes, you need to speed up things. The visa application takes about 2-3 weeks to get processed approximately. I have myself not applied for the visa as I am waiting for the loan sanction document. However, please mention if you have already completed that process + medical examination required.
So it depends, where you are in your process that the moment !
and also if you want to attend the prep class in August.. Else you have a month more to get your visa processed.

Hello Friends,

I need your help/opinion on following fronts:

1) I have to arrange for official documents to be sent to UBC and considering my University is in chennai and I am in Punjab right now, it can take atleast two weeks to arrange the official documents. Since I am still waiting for interview call, should i wait further till i get admit offer or should i arrange and send the documents before that.

2) I haven't taken any English proficiency test as my UG was in English. But it seems that EPT scores are necessary for Canadian Visa. Kindly Comment. Also, how much time it can take for visa processing and what are the requirements.

I have applied in the last round and now I am finding myself in kind of "No man's land :)" A word or two from your side could be a great help!

Thanks and Regards,
GS

Hi Kalpana!!
Have you got an admit for fall 2012? Please share your profile and how are things going on at your end. I have applied for an education loan, waiting for the sanction to apply for the visa!

Hey Does anyone know if medical examination is mandatory for the Visa to Canada? I do not have a center in my city and will have to get it done from New Delhi, so any information would be helpful.

Based on what I've read online, it is my interpretation that a medical exam is necessary if you are going to be there longer than six months (which you are) and are a citizen of India.

Hello Friends,

I need your help/opinion on following fronts:

1) I have to arrange for official documents to be sent to UBC and considering my University is in chennai and I am in Punjab right now, it can take atleast two weeks to arrange the official documents. Since I am still waiting for interview call, should i wait further till i get admit offer or should i arrange and send the documents before that.

2) I haven't taken any English proficiency test as my UG was in English. But it seems that EPT scores are necessary for Canadian Visa. Kindly Comment. Also, how much time it can take for visa processing and what are the requirements.

I have applied in the last round and now I am finding myself in kind of "No man's land :)" A word or two from your side could be a great help!

Thanks and Regards,
GS

Hi Kalpana!!
Have you got an admit for fall 2012? Please share your profile and how are things going on at your end. I have applied for an education loan, waiting for the sanction to apply for the visa!

Hey Does anyone know if medical examination is mandatory for the Visa to Canada? I do not have a center in my city and will have to get it done from New Delhi, so any information would be helpful.

Hi All,

Is there anyone from Pune who got admit for Fall 2012?

If yes please send me a PM or email me at kalpana29bisht@gmail.com

Thanks & Regards,
Kalpana