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@Paulcg87 Thank you for you response! That sort of confirms a lot of thoughts I have about it. While everyone at SFU is very sweet,  I have pretty much come to the decision that UBC is overall just a better choice for the things you said (and the advisers I'm assigned there would be pretty amazing as well).

@starshiphistory if it's only between UBC and SFU, please go to UBC. It is better in every way. First and foremost, UBC has a better reputation both in BC and in Canada. UBC is also better known outside of Canada, and if you are American or intend to pursue a PhD in the USA or UK, UBC is ranked significantly higher in literally every publication (USNWR, THE, QS, etc). UBC has the better location and more beautiful campus; it is on the ocean (with direct access to beaches), adjacent to West Point Grey and Kitsilano, and the latter community is one of the liveliest, coolest parts of Vancouver. SFU is in Burnaby, which is... let's just say, none of the things that Kitsilano is. UBC is also significantly wealthier; its endowment is about 5 times SFU's and this means more funding for everything from facilities to talent. 
Seriously, unless you have an incredible fit with the department at SFU that you just don't have at UBC, or UBC will be significantly more expensive for you to attend, then this is not a contest. 

I'd just go... not like he can see where your working from. If he catches wind "family emergency".

Congratulations!

Has anyone decided where they are going yet?

I just accepted the offer to University of Toronto today!  They told me they "hope to have more information in May," so we'll see.

I'm in the same boat!  I'm pretty close to accepting their offer, but I haven't heard anything from them about border closures, etc.  I'm definitely nervous about how moving would work during all of this, and if the start of the program would be delayed and/or start online.  Reading some news about this, it looks like the Canadian government is working on exemptions for international students with Visas, so we'll see how it works out in the fall?
Everything seems so up the in the air right now, but I'm glad you made this thread for others in a similar position!

Different schools have different policies, but I think pretty much all of the ones I applied to have a clause in their grad student handbook prohibiting holding a job outside of the university. Those were American schools, so Canadian schools may not care. I would say to check the handbooks first to see what school policies on the matter look like. If there's nothing explicitly prohibiting an external job, then ask the department if they'd permit it (mentioning that you don't want to go for a PhD and you don't otherwise need teaching experience). Good luck!

never been sadder to have correctly anticipated something...
everyone--STAY inside, order delivery frm ur favorite local restaurant (they r rly struggling atm but are likely still open for delivery and/or curbside takeout), tip 20%, and wash your hands
sending love!!

Just ask the students how safe they feel within the department and interacting with others.  Ask how women are treated.

I can't help but wonder slightly too. I live in WA state, which the epicenter of US outbreak and am also seriously considering Canadian school offers. They are just across the border in BC and I highly doubt they will close the US-Canadian border, but you just never know. My thoughts are with those students that in countries that have a travel ban imposed on them - this must be all very nerve wracking.

The school itself isn't likely to do anything negative but they might decide to defer international admits until a later semester or something. It will be up to individual schools on how they will handle it depending on how long the crisis lasts. Some schools have already mentioned what they'll do and some haven't.
However, one could expect that visa applications might not be approved or be delayed if things continue. Many foreign nationals are currently barred from entering the US (Europe, China, Iran, etc.). I'd expect that if this happened, the school would work with you to find an accommodation.

I got accepted to a school in Italy and I have to pay a deposit by mid-April in order to secure my spot. Too bad it's on COVID-19 lockdown.

I'm very empathetic when I think of all the people with mental health challenges (especially anxiety) who must be going through an extremely though time right now due to COVID-19. I am not that anxious of a person, and I cannot imagine. I was bombarded with messages, emails, notifications, news reports, every 5 minutes (literally) on COVID-19. I can't imagine those who feel extremely anxious over this.

Travel bans are being imposed and consulates are being closed down in many countries. So, what's going to happen to international students? Are their admission and/or funding going to be cancelled if things don't get better? What can happen in worst case scenario? I am very anxious about the situation. 

Have been accepted to UBC's PhD program in Linguistics. Now trying to know more about the adequacy of funding, etc. Also trying to connect with other current/upcoming UBC students.
Good luck to people who are waiting :)
Try staying positive! :)

I applied two MSc schools in Canada (part-time if that matters). My second choice school gave me an offer and was told to accept or decline it by end of the week. My first choice school is still not making decision. Is it okay for me to ask for deadline extension for my first choice? For undergrad there's a specific date I can make decision, so I had a lot more flexibility.

Hello all. I have gotten most of my offers (still waiting on one) and am curious if anyone has/or is currently attending any of these schools. I'd love to chat if possible!
Simon Fraser University - 13k (TAship). funding. After paying tuition, this leaves me with about 7k.
University of British Columbia, 18k (TAship). plus international tuition award. After covering tuition, this leaves me with 12k of funding.
Washington State University - tuition remission plus 13k (TAship).
I'm still waiting on one and would need their answer before deciding...I'm getting major anxiety from not realizing until now that Canadian schools want a reply much sooner than US schools (both SFU and UBC want one in about a week and half!). I may ask for an extension, especially since the remaining US school usually announces results later in March.
 

thank you for this. Yea, the more I thought about it, the more it became clear that someone working there was just interested in the topic. weirded me out at first but it's all good. Thanks again! 

You'll be fine.   just do your homework.

Hi all! I just heard from Simon Fraser (History) with an acceptance and great package. They said the deadline to let them know of my plans to accept/decline is March 20th...This is so much earlier than other schools and very soon. Is this somewhat typical with Canada? I've applied to US schools as well and all have April (and one school likely won't let me know till later in March...) 

I'm not exactly sure, but I know with my undergrad thesis it's been downloaded by various institutes - from UW Madison to Boston College to the Hilton Hotels (??). My guess is that an individual working there was researching, searched something that led to your thesis and then downloaded it to check it out.

Yes I think they widely offered that to all rejected applicants. Considering the low acceptance rate and high numbers of applicants, it was refreshing to see the program offer feedback. 

Just wanted to say I also got that in my rejection email from University of Washington, which I really appreciated.

I would like to add that it seems some schools are fine with a denied applicant reaching out. In my rejection, University of Washington specifically said that they would be happy to give advice after April 15. This may be a rare occurrence, but I was happy to see that.