My name is Nargiz, I am a graduate of Nazarbayev Intellectual School and a student at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

My background

I made the decision to study abroad when I was in 9th grade, back in 2020. Once I finished that grade, I started preparing for the SAT exam and began to build my portfolio. I participated in extracurricular activities, worked on projects, got involved in research programs, and more. Hence, my aspiration to study abroad was born early on.

After completing 4th grade, I took my first trip to the USA with my mother. That trip made me resolve to apply to Western universities. I particularly focused on getting admission to Nazarbayev Intellectual School, a place full with students like me, who also wanted to study abroad. We formed a solid community, motivating and supporting each other in our quest for higher education.

To me, Nazarbayev Intellectual School was not only important for its academic rigor but also for the encouraging community it fostered. However, the admission process itself was quite extensive and time-consuming.

Universities I applied to

I submitted applications to universities in Canada, the United States, and one in Europe. I also applied to an American university that has a branch in Qatar. In the end, I received acceptance letters from five universities.

These included Simmons University in Boston, where I was awarded a presidential scholarship. However, the scholarship wasn't sufficient for me to attend. I also got accepted into Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, which is where I've decided to study. The other universities that accepted me were Amsterdam University College, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and the University of British Columbia.

Difference between admission processes in the US and Canada

In Canada, the approach to university admissions is similar to Europe's. They heavily prioritize grades and the academic component of the application. In contrast, the United States puts more emphasis on essays, extracurricular activities, and personal branding, areas to which Canada pays less attention.

For my applications, I had to list my extracurricular activities and write an essay, but only when applying for scholarships. For general admission, it was enough to submit the application, my grades, and IELTS scores. I provided grades from 9th, 10th, 11th, and mid-year grades for 12th grade.

In addition, for the scholarship application, I had to write an essay of approximately 600 words and include up to five extracurricular activities along with 2-3 awards. So, as I've mentioned, Canada, like Europe, puts less emphasis on extracurricular activities and concentrates more on the academic aspect of the application.

Major in Data Science

I applied to major in Data Science, a field centered on artificial intelligence and data analysis. During my high school years, I embarked on various projects involving artificial intelligence, which required programming and data analysis skills. I delved into neural networks, explored models of artificial intelligence, and studied their application across different domains. As a result, I wanted to further pursue this field in university, leading me to apply for the Data Science major.

Why I chose Simon Fraser University

While applying to universities, I was keen on exploring various research opportunities. The chance to engage in research within the university setting was crucial to me, leading me to focus on larger research institutions. Simon Fraser University, for instance, is a leader in artificial intelligence research in British Columbia. They have a hub where various projects can be initiated, and they partner with top companies in the Canadian artificial intelligence field.

Furthermore, they are global frontrunners in the sphere of sustainable cities, prioritizing the promotion of sustainable development. During my application process, I was working on a project related to artificial intelligence in sustainable development. I highlighted my intention to continue developing this project in my essay. This might have played a substantial role in my acceptance with a selective scholarship that only 2% of applicants receive.

Financial aid

My financial aid package covers all the essentials, including tuition, accommodation, meals, health insurance, and books. The only expense it doesn't cover is airfare. However, I also have the opportunity to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week. In addition, Canadian regulations permit students to work off-campus for another 20 hours per week. This means, in theory, I can work up to 40 hours per week.

While I don't intend to work that much, the opportunity is there if I need to cover additional expenses. Even though my primary expenses are taken care of, I anticipate that earning extra money on campus will not be a challenge.