b.janik89

that's cool, so let me see if I am eligible for that. I see they require GPA 8.0 but i highly doubt if I have it.

Again thanks TakeruK. As I mentioned before I am not a PR/Citizen yet. I have applied but this will take about a year or even more sometimes. Therefore, my tuition will be close to 18k. Taking this into account, then $9k for RA and let's say $5k for TA won't be enough even to cover for my tuition. I doubt if I am eligible for any stipend, I am not sure yet what my GPA is as I haven't evaluated it yet, but my grades are rather low (my BEng grade is "satisfactory plus" giving me about 75% and my MSc grade was about 60% in total). in regards to $30k - I am taking that $18k for tuition included, so allowing for about $12k for a cost the living I'll go and see the professor in person, it's always worth to have a look rather than doing nothing, even if unsuccessful.

Hmm I have a reply from UOttawa and I don't know what to think about it. They have a very interesting research opportunity in collaboration with Carleton Uni. The topic would suit me perfectly. However, the funding seems to be a little bit harsh... The Uni deems my average grades to be above 8.0 to waive my tuition. I was told I would get Teaching Assistanstship and 9k in RA, I am not sure if that's per year or for the whole PhD program. This means that I wouldn't even had enough to pay for my tuition... My grades are below 8.0 average, so I would have to pay for my tuition fee myself, not to mention about the cost of living. I was hoping that I could at least balance my funds during those 4 years, I can't afford paying for my tuition and cost of living together, that would be about 30k per year... I am not sure if they can offer any other scholarships that the professor didn't mention about, I have to check... What do you think guys? Any thoughts would be appreciated. The professor said we could meet in person in Ottawa to discus this further so I have to make a decision...

One more question if you don't mind - how long does it usually take to get a feedback whether my application was successful or not?

Many thanks mate, I appreciate your advice. Though I see that most of the Civil Engineering phd programs are flexible - they don't even have specific dates to apply and applications are taken throughout the year. Even the number of courses you have to take is very limited - everything is rather research based. That's a little bit surprising. My grades are far away from "good". I started working in the industry very early, and for example I did my masters full time while working full time... I was told that grades are not that important once you have some significant work experience. That's my only hope. I'll use your advice and amend the second paragraph, and I'll keep trying. Even if unsuccessful I can always apply directly with no supervisor. And good to know that official transcripts are not necessary unless I got admitted. I'll try, thanks, at least I won't be able to moan that I didn't give it a try in the future. If I fail I can always stay in the industry.

I'll just copy my email: Dear Prof. XXX, I am interested in pursuing my PhD studies under your supervision. I have completed a Masters degree from XX University in England. Currently, I am working as a Design Manager at XXX in Toronto. Please find attached my resume and transcripts. My areas of interest include (but are not limited to) construction project management and structural engineering. I see your areas of expertise cover both of these topics, therefore I am open to discuss any possible PhD research opportunities with you. Please note that my Masters degree was in construction management while my BEng was in structural engineering. Please let me know if I can get your support during my application. Yours Sincerely, And I attach my resume to the email. That's all. I was "guided" by a PhD graduate from UofSask that the email shouldn't be too long, just a quick explanation, research areas and that's all. I sent them about 2 weeks ago. I am not that much into a specific deadline, I can start either in Fall or in Winter intake, tbh I would even prefer the winter to finish all my projects at work. Before I came here I had contacted my uni and asked them for stamped transcripts. They asked me to come in person to obtain them as I had to sign few forms of transmittal etc. Some of them went to Professional Engineers Ontario etc in order to proceed with my PEng. I don't want to fly back to the UK just to pick up more transcripts... Almost each of U15 group offers PhD program in Civil Engineering. 2-3 supervisors per school? wow it may be tough, especially if I had only 1 feedback per 30 enquires... I see. I guess that's my only chance then

Hi Everyone, I'll quickly introduce myself: Bart, 27, originally Polish but had lived in the UK for a few years before, now in Canada on a work permit working for a reputable steel contractor in Toronto. I should get my PR this year. MSc in Engineering and Construction Management, BEng in Civil Engineering (with major in structural engineering), degrees from the UK. Over 4 years of experience working (mainly on 1 - 2 years contracts, better cash) for reputable consultancies and contractors. I am working towards my PEng in Canada and I have CEng from the UK. and now what's going on: despite being quite successful on the international job market I can't find any supervisor for my PhD... I was told I should contact my potential supervisors first and then, once I get the magic "yes", I should apply. So I am sending dozens of emails directly to professors asking if they can support my PhD application in Structural Engineering or Construction Management. So far I have sent about 30 emails and had only 1 reply from UOttawa, asking more questions "to proceed" about my areas of interest, expectations etc, but I haven't heard from that professor since I replied (it's been a week since I replied). I'll keep going but I feel I've started giving up... Maybe my grades aren't good enough (well, for sure not impressive but they didn't even ask for them). I have about 40 potential supervisors more to contact. My shots are at U15. I seriously want to proceed with my PhD, I feel this is what I want and I see myself in the academia someday in the future. I've had enough of 9-5 and doing mainly the same stuff all the time, it's a good money but I know I can do better in academia and I would be more satisfied with teaching, research and publications. I want to work with other students, share my knowledge from the industry, go to conferences etc. Something that would make by day more interesting and non-regular. I heard that some people apply directly without contacting their supervisors, but most of unis in Canada require stamped official transcripts together with the application. I have a limited number of transcripts available as it's not a common thing in the UK and for sure it would not be enough to apply to each uni. Furthermore I don't want to "push" my referees to the stage where they have to waste their time and fill 15 referees forms online... I was rather thinking about getting 2-3 potential supervisors and then asking my referees to fill only 2-3 forms. Any suggestions what should I do? Am I doing something wrong?