By Kalhari Silva, PhD candidate, Laurentian University, Canada
Graduate application process can be tedious, expensive, and filled with desperate attempts. However, a dedicated attempt will enable one to achieve success. Kalhari Silva is a PhD student at the Sudbury Regional Hospital, Ontario, Canada, who was awarded the prestigious Ontario Trillium Scholarship via the Laurentian University, Canada. Kalhari discusses her journey in higher education so far.
Undergraduate studies at the University of Bangalore
I attended an International school in Colombo for a number of years which led me to take the London Advanced Level examinations. However, this excluded me from the necessary criteria required to enter a Sri Lankan university for my undergraduate studies and left me with no choice but to seek options overseas. Under these circumstances, I chose to pursue my undergraduate studies at the University of Bangalore, India. The need to learn another language did not arise as English is the medium of instruction at the university. The tuition costs at the University of Bangalore are far less compared to most universities in other foreign countries, and therefore feasible for a middle class family to pay for. This is a huge advantage as working while studying is prohibited in India.
It was only after my undergraduate studies at the University of Bangalore that I could pursue my Masters Degree at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.
Master of Science at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
At the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, extensive theoretical sessions followed by a strong research foundation were the essence of the Masters program. I followed the Masters program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This program is offered by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology every two years. It is a full time course and you may refer to the following website for more information: http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/medicine/ext_pages/biochemistry/index.htm.
Entrance to this course requires a written exam followed by a personal interview which could be competitive depending on the number of candidates applying, as only the best are selected. So remember to prepare well! Once the theory involving the basic and advanced principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology have been covered, students will be offered a number of research projects with one or more supervisors to guide each student.
Publishing in relevant scientific publications and participating in global presentations added to my qualifications. I was lucky enough to secure a silver medal for the work I presented at the International Conference on Stem Cells and Cancer in 2010, which had a major impact on my achievements. After completing the Masters Program, I assumed duties as a scientist at the Human Genetics Unit at the Faculty of Medicine during which time I was determined to apply for a PhD program overseas. Through experience I realised that the right blend of uninterrupted studies and relevant work experience coupled with evidence of published work, is a major factor that could enhance prospects of acceptance in a the graduate program.
General guidelines on applying for PhD Programs
The most valuable advice I can give on applying for a PhD program is to start well in advance. Usually programs commence in September for the academic year and the application process should therefore start around one year prior to the proposed date of enrolment. You should not be reluctant to apply to any advertised PhD positions that you might come across. Make sure that you thoroughly research the requirements and the nature of the programs to ensure that it suits you. Unless you have a strong preference for a specific university or location, you should endeavour to broaden your university and country selection for programs as this will increase your chances of acceptance. A key fact to bear in mind is that it takes the utmost dedication and a lot of hard work to go through a number of websites on a daily basis to find what 'fits' you best. A good place to start would be to type in "Graduate scholarships in US", "Graduate scholarships in Canada", etc, in any search engine. After reviewing the many 'hits' that you will most likely get, review the criteria required, and if it is what you are looking for, then simply give the application your best shot.
Based on my experience, it is very important to directly communicate with the supervisor you will work for. You may select the Department and the University of your choice and thereafter look at the profile of a number of Professors to find the one who will match your needs and interests. Once you have decided on a professor you would like to work with, establish a means of communication by email. Make sure the documents and information you provide give an accurate account of all the relevant educational and research experiences you have since professors are looking for hard working students who are motivated to do the research taking place in their lab. If your potential supervisor is impressed with your credentials he or she will guide you in applying to the university. Submit all supporting documents, application fees, and the application form itself in a timely manner. With most universities the application is now an online process, but the supporting documents need to be sent via regular mail or courier well in advance of the application deadline.
The requirements for graduate admission will depend on the university and its ranking. Therefore, you should make sure what the university's requirements are prior to sending your credentials. Some universities such as mine require an external evaluation report of the undergraduate and graduate transcripts. The admission page of the university will guide you in case such requirements need to be met. External evaluation reports could be very expensive but if the supervisor is really interested in recruiting you as a PhD student, he or she may opt to pay for the evaluation.
Applying to a PhD Program in Canada
Canada is a good place to do a PhD program as there is a lot of cutting edge research that is carried out there. While there are many highly ranked universities In Canada, I chose Laurentian University in Sudbury, North Eastern Ontario (http://www.laurentian.ca). Although I selected this university primarily on merit, the city of Sudbury itself attracted me when I researched the university as an option. It is a beautiful city with plenty of sunshine and a population of approximately 192,000 people. It is also known as the 'City of Lakes' as it has more fresh-water lakes than any other city in Canada (over 330), including the two largest city-contained lakes in the world. Laurentian University is situated next to one of those – the beautiful Ramsey Lake, and the campus is also bordered by four other lakes.
As for the admission process at Laurentian, students should normally hold an appropriate bachelor's degree at the Honours level, or its equivalent, with at least second class standing (70% average of almost all courses). Students with a general degree will have to complete a full qualifying year beyond the general degree before being considered for the PhD program. To enter a qualifying year students should have at least a second-class standing in their major subject. I was selected directly to the PhD program in Biomolecular Sciences as I already held a Masters Degree. However, my interaction with my supervisor prior to the application process played a leading role in my being accepted to the program.
Completion of standardised exams such as a GRE was not a requirement to gain admission at Laurentian. However it was necessary to demonstrate English proficiency through either IELTS or TOEFL. Nevertheless, each individual university will have its own set of requirements and as such, it will save both time and money to be clear about the admission requirements of the institutions prior to submitting applications.
Although there are three semesters per year, priority for graduate admissions is given to the Fall/Winter term (September intake). Having submitted my application in May 2011 and the close follow-up with my supervisor during the application process, I received a response from Laurentian by the end of June.
PhD programs at Laurentian require a student to take up to 4 courses during the first two years of their graduate studies. In the meantime, the student could also engage in his or her research activities in consultation with a potential supervisor. Research could be interesting and challenging in developed countries like Canada as the available research facilities are far advanced when compared to Sri Lanka. For example, my thesis attempts to elucidate the control of DNA replication and transcription in the context of tumour biology.
With regards to the Canadian visa, it is necessary to apply well in advance - at least four weeks prior to the course commencement date. Prepare the visa application as clearly as possible since clarity and transparency will allow you to get approval in a shorter duration. The visa application should be completed online. Applications could be handed directly to the Embassy or to the TT Services, Colombo. All essential documents together with the instruction guide can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp.
After you have submitted the visa application and provided the supporting documentation, it is good to be on alert for any communication from the Embassy since they may ask for additional supporting documents and/or a medical report. Once everything is complete, the visa will be approved within one or two working days.
Graduate studies, especially doctoral programs are accompanied by funding that is usually sufficient for a comfortable life style. However, you should also apply for any external scholarships recommended by the University or by your supervisor.
Life in Sudbury
Sudbury is a quiet city with a limited population. If you are interested in a calm and serene atmosphere, Sudbury is the place you should aim for! There are many ways to reach Sudbury. If a student is unable to arrange travel all the way through to Sudbury, Ontario from Sri Lanka, he or she may choose one of the following options:
1. Purchase a flight ticket to Sudbury at the Air Canada counter upon arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
2. Take a Greyhound or Northland bus to Sudbury (this is a 4 to 5 hour bus ride). There will be taxis, an Airport Express shuttle, and public bus services available to the Yorkdale Bus Station from the Toronto Pearson International Airport where a student could take this bus to Sudbury.
3. 5 Seasons Shuttle Service - This service will pick you up at the Toronto Pearson International Airport and drive you to Sudbury for a fare of $135 (Canadian Dollars).
Once you get to Sudbury, Laurentian University offers a free airport pick-up service during the designated move-in days and the Orientation Week.
There are many international students representing a mix of cultures at Laurentian making it a homely environment to the newcomers. As for accommodation, Laurentian offers on-campus housing (www.residence.laurentian.ca). Likewise, there are many options for off-campus housing and more information can be found at www.kikiji.com, www.thesudburystar.com and www.northernlife.com. On-campus housing is highly secure and could be cheaper than off- campus housing; however, it depends on the type of housing you select according to your personal requirements.
The weather in Sudbury can range from very warm (high of 28 degrees Celsius) in the summer, to cold and snowy in the winter (low of -28 degrees Celsius!). Fortunately for students from Sri Lanka, it is sunny 80% of the time. As I write this article in late November, Sudbury is experiencing cold weather although it has not snowed yet, but is anticipated very soon.
In conclusion, I am grateful to my school, Leighton Park International, my former research supervisor, Dr. Preethi Soysa and my dearest family and friends - especially my Thaththa and Amma who stood by me when I took the most important decisions in my life.
It is the continuous perseverance and dedication that will allow you to get what you want. Impress upon yourself that it is your responsibility to meet deadlines and achieve your goals. The best advice I can give you is to always give everything your best shot and try to be the best in everything you do.
ALL THE VERY BEST!
The writer is Ms. L.I. Kalhari Silva, a PhD student at the Sudbury Regional Hospital, Ontario, Canada, who was awarded the prestigious Ontario Trillium Scholarship via the Laurentian University, Canada.
Date of publication in the Sunday Observer: December 11 and 18, 2011 (in 2 parts).
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely that of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of SL2College.
SL2College would like to thank Kalhari Silva for sharing her experience and wishes her the very best in her future endeavours. Nirodha Wijeyewickrema from the SL2College editorial team is also thanked for working with the author in developing this article. This and other related articles are available on www.sl2college.org, under the resources section. Please post your queries on the forum at www.sl2college.org or email info@sl2college.org.
