Why did other students choose UBC? | Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Liam Buchart

"I picked UBC because the campus and city had so many things that interested me. First, the school has a fantastic reputation, and specifically the department had several researchers doing great work that I hoped to join."

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Rodrigo Alejandro Sierra Rosales

"I came to UBC for a Master of Science in Population and Public Health, which I completed in 2023. I gained substantial learning in the process, but I wanted to further my research skills to become an independent researcher. Staying at UBC allowed me to continue…"

Sheri Jahan Chowdhury

"UBC offers a strong program in my area of interest and a vibrant research environment. Beyond academics, the opportunity to live in Vancouver — where I'm close to family and friends, surrounded by natural beauty and part of a diverse community — made it the…"

Vanessa Johnson

"I chose to study at UBC primarily because of the opportunity to work under the supervision of Dr. Leeann Donnelly, whose extensive research on oral health disparities deeply resonated with my passion for addressing oral health inequities. Dr. Donnelly’s dedicated…"

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Vanessa Chan

"UBC is one of the top-ranked universities in Canada, as well as in the world. The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences also boasts excellent research, particularly in the field of targeted therapeutics for cancer, which aligns with my research interests. My…"

Jocelyn Coupland

"UBC is one of just two universities in Western Canada that offer a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program that is ALA-accredited. The program is highly respected and the campus is gorgeous. It is an honour to be studying on the lands of the…"

Gizem Guryil

"I chose to study at UBC because of its strong reputation for academic excellence and its commitment to research that makes a meaningful impact. UBC’s diverse community, wide range of opportunities and stunning campus environment made it the ideal place for me to…"

Kenny Chiu

"I chose UBC for my undergraduate studies as I have family here and wanted to stay local. During my time there, I fell in love with the beautiful campus and the inclusive environment, and I built strong connections with many amazing individuals who have greatly…"

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Billy Guo

"I chose UBC not only for its academic excellence but also for its leadership in sustainability and social impact. UBC consistently ranks among the top global universities for its commitment to environmental and social impact. Being part of such an institution…"

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Sarah Ferencz

"Vancouver is a city I know and love deeply, and it is where I previously earned my Juris Doctor at the University of British Columbia. It is also a site of ongoing social justice activism and contestation, particularly in the realm of drug policy. Vancouver has…"

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Jiin Yoo

"Back in 2018, I travelled across Canada—from Victoria to Quebec—to visit top-tier universities that had offered me admission to their MA programs. UBC stood out immediately. I was drawn to its welcoming atmosphere, the strength and diversity of its faculty, its…"

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Yue Guo

"I had a great experience during my master’s program at UBC. I learned a lot from my supervisor, Dr. Sterett Mercer; his guidance, support, and example have helped shape how I think as a researcher. I want to continue working with him during my PhD and keep…"

Judy Cheng

"UBC offers state-of-the-art neuroscience equipment, imaging facilities and laboratory spaces. The Point Grey campus also has a ton of events happening all the time and offers a large variety of extracurricular activities outside of the lab."

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Jenna Yuzwa

"I decided to study at UBC because of its particular strengths not only in my department (philosophy) but also because of the interdisciplinary opportunities it has afforded me through other departments, including AMNE and political science. I have been very…"

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Sean O'Rourke

"I decided to study at UBC because my supervisor convinced me to apply! He reached out to me one day a couple of years ago to learn more about the work that I have been doing with ƛ̓əq̓ƛ̓áq̓tn̓mx. We arranged for some UBC Forestry students to come visit one of the…"

Margot Gunning

"I decided to study at UBC because I created a community that offers so much support and expertise. Past supervisors in law and neuroethics encouraged me to continue my education, and start my PhD journey."

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Behnam Maneshgar

"I chose to pursue my graduate studies at UBC because of its strong international reputation for academic and research excellence. UBC offers access to world-class facilities, advanced infrastructure, and a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment that fosters…"

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Anjana Rajendran

"Growing up in Ontario, I wasn't sure where I wanted to go for university. I was lucky to come and do a campus visit before having to make that decision and I fell in love with UBC and Vancouver. I'm a huge fan of campus and the love has only grown in the last 8…"

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Maria Elishaev

"I chose UBC to pursue my PhD because it is one of Canada’s top universities, known for its excellence in medical research and strong commitment to innovation and collaboration. The university provides an outstanding environment for developing as an independent…"

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Astou Thiam

"UBC offered a research focus aligned with my interests, an ideal program structure, and a highly supportive supervisor. The lab environment is both intellectually rewarding and psychologically safe, under the supervision of the fabulous Dr. Suzanne Huot and an…"

Jenna Chisholm

"When I was applying to grad school, I chatted with several potential supervisors in different ATLAS groups across Canada, as well as some of their students. I decided to study at UBC because I really connected with my supervisor Alison, whom I felt would push me…"

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Kevin Tyson

"I chose to study at UBC because it offers the only accredited Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program in British Columbia, making it a unique and valuable opportunity close to home. UBC not only meets my academic and professional goals but also…"

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Gillian Savage

"I completed my undergraduate degree at UBC and found that it provided a great scientific community with world-renowned scientists, cutting edge research and great research facilities. Not to mention it is situated in such a beautiful city!"

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Nisha Johal

"I was first introduced to Vancouver during a co-op work term in my third year of my undergraduate studies. It was at that moment I fell in love with the vibe of the city and knew I could see myself moving here. UBC is an esteemed institution that is highly ranked…"

Ayodele Oloko

"The University of British Columbia (UBC) was selected as my academic destination due to its distinction as a premier institution that actively encourages the integration of various academic fields. This environment provides an ideal setting for the exploratory and…"

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Kimberly Tsz Ching Wong

"At first, I was drawn to UBC for its beautiful campus and top-notch facilities. But as I explored the programs and research opportunities, I realized it was the right place for me. The biochemistry department has incredible faculty, a strong research community,…"

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Aleria McKay

"UBC was one of the only schools that offered the program I wanted while also offering distance learning opportunities. I wasn't in a place to relocate for my schooling for a number of reasons, and the what the program offered combined with the distance education…"

Kiana Yazdani

"Studying at UBC once felt like a distant dream. As an Iranian, I faced numerous challenges in my journey to get there. I vividly remember browsing UBC’s campus online and asking my parents, "Do you think I will ever study here?" UBC is ranked among the top 50…"

Blair MacDonald

"I'm fortunate in that almost all my friends and family are around Vancouver and UBC had a program that was a great fit for my research interests. This made for a very easy choice."

Katherine Herperger

"I initially came to UBC as a master's student. The pandemic travel restrictions had just been lifted and I was ready to live in a new city. UBC’s strong research reputation and excellent physics facilities made it an easy choice. I decided to stay for my current…"

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Tiffany Price

"I was fortunate to be accepted into PhD programs at both McGill University and the University of British Columbia, but ultimately chose UBC because it offered the strongest alignment with my academic goals, research interests, and long-term career aspirations. UBC…"

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Regan Thompson

"It certainly helps that UBC is a beautiful, world-class research institution, and being based at the Vancouver campus allows me to stay close to my family. But the primary reason I chose UBC was the opportunity to work with my supervisor, Dr. Erica Bennett. We…"

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Jordan Seider

"The University of British Columbia is an incredible school with an international reputation for quality teaching and high impact research. I liked the idea of working alongside other students and professors working on impactful research and solving some of the…"

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Marie Johns

"Besides UBC having an incredible reputation for biomedical research, I really fell in love with Vancouver during my undergrad and couldn't really see myself studying anywhere else! I love the proximity to beaches and mountains, it really helps with your mental…"

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Adam Sunavsky

"UBC offers the best of all worlds. It is a world-renowned university surrounded by sublime natural beauty that offers an incredible range of activities. Having studied in both Ontario and Nova Scotia, I can say that UBC's strengths across so many fronts are what…"

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Maude Larivière

"I spent all my life in Québec and I was ready for an adventure. So when I applied to graduate schools, I chose to apply to places that combined great astrophysics programs and a change of scenery. In the end, it was the first one to send an answer so I took it as…"

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Lucas Kuhn

"I chose to study at UBC for my graduate studies as I had previously attended UBC for my undergraduate degree. While I normally would not recommend this sort of continuation, in my case, my supervisor, whom I had worked with in undergrad, offered me the opportunity…"

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Graeme Francolini

"UBC is a university that I had heard about even before I started my undergraduate degree, but I didn't truly look at it until I started my graduate studies. The breath of the programs offered at the university and the quality of research that is going on here…"

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Kay Anderson

"I chose to study at UBC due to the remarkable research produced by Dr. Mark Beauchamp and the Psychology of Exercise, Health, and Physical Activity (PEHPA) Laboratory within the School of Kinesiology. During my master's thesis, I was introduced to one of Dr.…"

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Daniel Barker-Rothschild

"After completing my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Chemical Engineering at the University of Alberta, I wanted to continue with my research and pursue a PhD. However, I decided it would be best to diversify my experiences and move to a new city and a new…"

Asad Hasan

"I decided to study at UBC because I was keen to work with my supervisor, Mike, and to experience the west coast. Mike has done a lot of really fundamental work in theoretical population genetics, and has been an exceptional mentor. I also had friends from…"

Yuveshen Mooroogen

"During my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto I was lucky to get to know several of my professors quite well. They knew what kind of work I was most interested in doing and strongly recommended the research group at UBC."

Kayla McIntyre

"Having done half of my undergrad here, I felt there was still so much to learn. I adored all of the classes that I wanted to take more! I felt that I needed more perspective concerning the production side of theatre, there were a plethora of opportunities that…"

Razieh Sadat Banijamali

"I chose UBC for its world-class research environment, cutting-edge facilities, and strong focus on cancer research. The opportunity to collaborate with leading experts makes it the ideal place to advance my studies in this field."

Jonas Olsen

"UBC's research program has a terrific reputation, so it was automatically on my radar when I was considering graduate studies. Upon looking further into potential supervisors, I found Brent Page, who's area of research in medicinal chemistry was exactly what I was…"

Meera Sharma

"UBC is a beautiful place to study. I had the good fortune of doing some postgraduate coursework here after my undergraduate degree, and fell in love with the beauty of the campus. Being based out of Vancouver for a few years now, it only made sense to begin my…"

Muhammad Adnan

"I believe the Computer and Software Systems Research Group at ECE is comprised of great professors working at the intersection of computer and systems architecture and working on some very interesting problems that align with my research interests. Apart from the…"

Andrea Kellaway

"The joke has been that I collect degrees and diplomas from BC universities. My undergrad and teaching diploma are from the University of Victoria, and my graduate diploma is from Simon Fraser University. UBC was the school I had not yet graduated from with…"

Nicholas Bartlett

"Having completed both a BA and MA here at UBC, I already knew from experience that the calibre of instruction and scholarship at UBC is top-tier, so the idea of pursuing my doctoral studies here just made good sense! My department had also undergone some major…"

Sabrina Cao

"My decision to study at UBC can be attributed to my supervisor, for the most part. Dr. Kristin Campbell is a leader in the field of exercise oncology with an extensive network to be accessed. Her expertise in my areas of interest and the quality of her work were…"