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

Yu-Chi (Serena) Chuang

"I liked the diversity of research that was happening at UBC, and how well-connected it was to the research communities in the rest of the world. UBC also happens to be on the beautiful West Coast, which was an added benefit."

Margarita Kapustina

"I decided to pursue my graduate degree at UBC after completing my undergraduate thesis in Dr. Mark Cembrowski’s lab. I quickly became passionate about the techniques I was learning, and the lab environment felt like an exceptional fit for me. I was drawn to the…"

Omran Safi

"Completing my undergraduate degree at UBC allowed me to realize the breadth and depth of research being conducted here. I had so many interests and there was so much to learn from everyone! Ultimately, these interests led me to Dr. Palombo’s lab where it became…"

Sunu (Isabel) Kim

"I chose to study at UBC because I was inspired by my current supervisor's research at BC Children's Hospital — a place I've admired since visiting and seeing the strong connection between families and healthcare. UBC's beautiful, nature-filled campus, its…"

Ilena Yim

"I completed my undergraduate and master’s degree at UBC, where I enjoyed working on research projects on oral cancer prevention, so I knew I wanted to do my PhD at UBC as well. The faculty and program I am in gives me the freedom to work in different aspects of…"

Annika Szarka

"My supervisor Dr. Romeo Chua was one of the main reasons I decided to continue my graduate studies here at UBC. He is a phenomenal supervisor whose research interests align well with mine. I also have great relationships with my committee members, which is a…"

Phillip Kirwin

"The main reason I decided to study at UBC was the particular mixture of supervisory expertise available here. My undergraduate research experiences had exposed me to several different areas within physics and engineering. When I was choosing where to go for…"

Samuel Brown

"My path to graduate studies at UBC began during my undergraduate years. I initially chose UBC due to its reputation as a leading institution and the opportunities it offered for a rewarding and balanced student life. During an undergraduate co-op placement with my…"

Maria Stephenson

"Not only is UBC situated in a great city; it is also associated with a plethora of world-class cancer research labs. In my opinion, if you would like to pursue graduate studies in cancer research, this is one of the best places in Canada to do so."

Erica McAdam

"I chose to study at the University of British Columbia because of its reputation as a world-renowned institution and its longstanding commitment to academic excellence, innovation and social impact. UBC consistently ranks among the top public universities globally…"

Aidan Comeau

"Having completed both my undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Alberta, I was eager to branch out to another institution for my doctoral studies. Given its reputation as one of the leading universities in exercise science and kinesiology, UBC was…"

Marina Mehling

"My supervisor, Dr. Orlando Rojas, is the number one reason I chose UBC. He is an outstanding scientist and educator, and is someone who inspires me to work hard. I knew that his mentorship and the resources at the UBC BioProducts Institute would provide everything…"

Harjeev Sudan

"I grew up in British Columbia, and staying close to home and family was a priority. This, coupled with the fact that UBC is one of Canada’s top academic institutions, made it the perfect fit for my undergraduate and now graduate studies."

Firth MacKenzie McEachern

"I was attracted to UBC because it has one of the largest and most active education research departments in Canada, it is situated in a stunningly beautiful city and it brought me closer to family. I moved away from Canada when I was three years old, and it was…"

Gurcharan Uppal

"I grew up in British Columbia and spent lots of time in the Vancouver area. After moving to Ottawa for my MSc, I returned to Vancouver for a conference. During the visit, I took in the beautiful view of the mountains and the ocean and was reminded of everything I…"

Amin Sadeghpour

"During my undergraduate studies, I quickly realized that to become a good researcher, it is important to gain a diverse range of experiences and work with multiple supervisors. That is when I knew I wanted to study abroad. Canada became my main choice because of…"

Molly Zhang

"I completed my Bachelor's degree from UBC Forestry in 2020, so there was a natural pull that drew me back to my alma mater. At the same time, I was already living and working in Vancouver and wanted to continue building on the professional and personal foundations…"

Daniel Stewart

"My past experience as a master's student was very positive. I made great connections with faculty, felt supported and enjoyed working on the UBC campus greatly."

Dane Sands

"UBC stood out because of the strength of its research community. The faculty and facilities are excellent, and I knew I’d be able to grow as a scientist here. A year in, I’m still discovering new labs and projects that inspire me. I also can’t ignore the draw of…"

Makayla Freeman

"Living in Vancouver has been a dream of mine for many years, and studying here provided the perfect opportunity to put down roots and make Vancouver home. UBC's wealth of resources and robust scholarly community helped me feel confident that the community here…"

Emily Booker

"I completed a certificate in Adult Education and Learning at UBC and enjoyed that experience. When I was considering PhD programs, I felt confident applying to UBC, given my familiarity with the professors and the quality of the classes offered."

Thusitha Wijewardhana Rathnayake

"Choosing to study at UBC felt like the perfect step for me, especially after spending years working in the field of environmental engineering and management. A big part of my decision was also the chance to work with Dr. Sara Beck, whose work with UV-based water…"

Taylor Swift-LaPointe

"I worked with my supervisor during my MSc degree in Atmospheric Science at UBC. I really admired her supervision style and infectious enthusiasm for her research. A good working relationship with your supervisor is key for making your journey to your degree…"

Georgia Landgraf

"The decision to study at UBC was an easy one as I was looking for a PhD program. The Department of Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern studies (AMNE) was the major draw for me. In a world where Classical Archaeology is critiqued as being stuck in ways of the…"

Samadhee Kaluarachchi

"As an undergraduate at UBC, I took courses and participated in research projects across multiple faculties, which opened my eyes to the range of high calibre research at UBC and the diversity in its environmental sciences. These experiences, combined with seeing…"

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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…"

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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…"

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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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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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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…"

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…"

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…"