cavn

fuzzylogician, I really appreciate your effort and time. After reading your answer, I am more aware about the importance on how to address emails to potential advisors. Also, it is a fact that I need to improve my English level. Now, I think that maybe format that I have used is not enough good. The link that you sent is very good. There are topics that I did not assessed in detail. In past I have sent some generic emails, but I have not abused of this, I have studied people who I have written, but today I realize my emails were not enough strong. With my English, 72 out of 120 is last qualification that I took months ago. Due to my goal is to study in a English speaking country, I have been studying hard continuously and I think I improved, due to now I understand better listening and reading. I think I will try again with TOEFL. I understood that English conditional offer of admission of some universities was based on that English courses are paid by my own, and any financial aid after that. But your time / risk analysis is clear. Maybe this option exist but it has low opportunities to hit for high competition. With all this information, I will reorder my ideas and goals and I will analyze my best way. Thank you a lot for your information. Being outside of university´s country is a littler difficult to understand some topics. Sorry for longs emails!!!

Hello everbody, It is first time that I write here. I would like to get advise from someone who has passed by similar situation or who knows how to help me. I am a foreign civil engineer who has finished master in structural engineering in my country. Now, my goal is to enroll in PhD studies - civil / structural engineering. I am facing to canadian universities. My GPA is: 3,10 (undergraduate), 3,8 (graduate - master). Also, I have 10 years experience as project engineer, in design and retrofit existing structures (gravitatory and seismic design). But I have some points to overcome, for instance: good TOEFL score, to find an PhD advisor, and of course, funding. a. TOEFL: I have been studying English in my country, and my best TOEFL is 72 out of 120. I keep studying English, and I feel that I have improved, but, I know I will improve faster when I will live in a English spoken country. Also, I have seen that some universities can give me conditional admission with my score, and, I will try with it. b. To get PhD Advisor: I have seen that most universities require to contact possible advisor before applying. However, I think it is some difficult to contact by email, because, it seems that if professors do not know you, they wont accept you as student. Then, is it impossible to get an PhD advisor from outside? I have written to many professors but, only answer those who have not possibilities to be advisor. c. Funding: of course, it is a very important point. I have some savings for paying English courses in university if I get conditional admission, but, for tuition and living costs and I will need to ensure funding. I mention it as complementary information. Then, my struggling is to get admission with these ingredients. Is good idea to apply with these conditions? Some advise? persons that has passed for this? general recommendations? Thanks for your answers.