Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Graduate School

Why did other students choose UBC?

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Brianna Bristow

"I chose to wait until after the COVID-19 pandemic had calmed down before pursuing grad school. During this time, I was fortunate to secure a position as a research technician in Dr. Mark Cembrowski’s lab. I enjoyed the multidisciplinary environment and the…"

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Wole Olayinka

"I knew that if I was going to pursue an MFA, it had to be at a top university with a well-regarded program. I wasn’t just after a degree; I wanted to join a community that would push my limits and expand my storytelling. So finding a program with a strong…"

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Caroline Stampliaka

"Continuing advanced studies at UBC was my primary choice and an obvious decision, as I had incredibly positive experiences during my bachelor's degree here. I also decided to continue my studies at UBC because of the significant opportunity to work under an…"

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Edward Sun

"I really enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student in UBC's Biology Program and decided that I wasn't ready to leave in my final year before graduating. UBC has one of the best botany departments in the world and I was eager to continue my research in the Graham…"

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Michelle Lu

"I chose to pursue graduate studies at UBC because of the extremely supportive faculty at the School of Population and Public Health, the innovative research that is being done in the field of occupational and environmental health and the beautiful campus!"

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Christina Whang

"Given the clinical focus of my research, UBC's affiliated hospital campuses, such as Vancouver General Hospital, offer a professional research environment with essential testing equipment and resources for my projects. Being based in a hospital setting also…"

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Andrew David Gunter

"It's hard to go wrong with a university surrounded by the most beautiful parts of Canada that also has plentiful resources for conducting top-quality research. Before applying to UBC, I visited Vancouver and the UBC campus; I could see myself staying here for at…"

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Alexandria Shaw

"I really enjoyed both the research topic(s) and techniques I was researching/using in the Burke lab. Dr. Burke had recently become an adjunct professor in UBC’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and was recruiting a joint graduate student with Dr.…"

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Alyssa Izatt

"I wanted to pursue my grad studies in a place where I would have the chance to grow as an academic and researcher, and I felt like UBC would provide me the opportunities to accomplish these goals. Being at UBC also allowed me to do some interdisciplinary work with…"

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Gina McNeill

"I came to UBC to work with my current supervisor Dr. Beristain at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. After my undergraduate degree at Western University, I was interested in studying developmental biology with a more specific focus on reproductive…"

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Samuel Tobias

"As someone born and raised in British Columbia, the drug poisoning crisis is deeply personal. I chose UBC not only because of its reputation for excellence in public health research, but also because of the university’s commitment to tackling urgent local issues,…"

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Amie Orsetti

"UBC offers a lot of potential to graduate students, and I was really drawn to the immense opportunities I knew would come with being a student here. The faculty experience, emphasis on research excellence, and reputation of the counselling psychology program were…"

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Marsha Masseau

"I met MFA alumna Natalie Morrill, the award-winning author of The Ghost Keeper. She spoke highly of her UBC experience, adding that many of her cohort went on to win awards in their respective genres. From that conversation, I was hooked and started plotting my…"

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Alexandra Rousseau

"In all honesty, I picked UBC because there was a professor that I really wanted to work with, but once I got here, their lab was not what I had expected. I ended up changing research groups a year and a half into my degree for something better suited to me. It was…"

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Yu Tong (Emily) Tang

"I decided to study at UBC because of the dedicated faculty and staff. The community is vibrant, and many resources are available to help students succeed. UBC also offers many workshops and career development opportunities, all free for students. My supervisor has…"

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Lauren Grant

"UBC's School of Creative Writing is world-renowned and requires writers to work in various forms. The optional residency stream allows me to learn from incredible writers and professors without relocating to Vancouver when I have work and a family in Toronto."

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Chloe Grant

"UBC is close to home with a very strong support system in place for its Indigenous students. I am very proud to be Canadian, and UBC is one of the best institutions in the country. I also did my undergraduate degree at UBC as well, so the familiarity was an added…"

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Liam Murdock

"UBC was an easy choice to make. I applied and interviewed with many professors and schools, but the work Dr. Hodgson was pursuing and the reputation of the engineering program really appealed to me. Earning the Canada Graduate Scholarships - Master's award from…"

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Claire Valeria Hein-Salvi

"Having already been a student at UBC, deciding to continue graduate-level education here was an easy one. During my undergraduate degree, I became embedded in UBC's community. UBC and its high-calibre professors helped shape who I am today. I want to continue…"

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Andrew Thompson

"My supervisor, Dr. Shernaz Bamji, was the primary reason I decided to study at UBC. The Bamji lab specializes in techniques that I wanted to learn, including transcriptomics, proteomics, confocal and electron microscopy. The lab environment created by Dr. Bamji is…"

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Scott McNeil

"I was lucky enough to have a co-operative education term at TRIUMF on UBC campus. At TRIUMF I was exposed to many new things, including new chemistry techniques, unique technology and many amazing researchers! I was also able to tour UBC's campus and Department of…"

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Sahi Hajirawala

"Having been born and raised in Richmond, BC, I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate experience at UBC, which inspired my decision to continue my studies here. I was eager to work alongside renowned experts in addiction research, and UBC offers an array of exemplary…"

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Olga Radivojevic

"Vancouver is known to be an active city, which is a fitting environment to conduct research in exercise physiology. On top of that, UBC offers excellent professional and social networking opportunities to further my research, career and community."

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Noah Brittain

"UBC is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in both Canada as well as the world. In part, this is due to the fact that it serves as a major research hub. This has allowed me to not only learn and work with world-leaders in my own faculty but also…"

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Cassandra Andrew

"I was drawn to studying at UBC for a number of reasons. Of course, it is a highly renowned institution, and it is geographically located in a place that made sense for me at this time in my life as I travel back and forth between my main home in Canada's north and…"

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Sarah Hanstock

"After completing my BSc (Honours Physiology) degree in Edmonton at the University of Alberta, I knew that I wanted to expand my opportunities by pursuing a graduate degree at a different institution. Not only did the University of British Columbia attract me with…"

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Kodee Bao

"My support network is in Vancouver, such as my friends and family, which was a big factor for me when applying to graduate school. Having also done my undergraduate degree here, I have created many working relationships with mentors who provide me with guidance…"

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Sierra Birthelmer

"One of the reasons I decided to study at the University of British Columbia was the sense of community at the school. The welcoming atmosphere and collaborative spirit among students and faculty really drew me in. There are so many opportunities to get involved on…"

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Rachel Moylan

"I chose to pursue my PhD at UBC because of the breadth and depth of educational experiences available and the opportunity to live and work in such a beautiful city and province."

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Zoë Golay

"I grew up in Vancouver, and I distinctly remember the first summer in my childhood where the city was affected by the smoke of nearby wildfires. Watching the fires get worse every year since has inspired me to combine my passion for chemistry and environmental…"

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Lexis Ly

"Oh gosh, when I was in junior high, I saw the video that some UBC students made where they were lipdubbing to "Raise Your Glass" - I will admit that it had an effect on me at the time. Aside from that, I knew I wanted to move away from home, and UBC was known for…"

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Elijah Foran

"I decided to study at UBC because I built a strong connection to both the campus and the city during my undergraduate degree in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice. I love living in Vancouver — the landscapes are beautiful, and I love the community I’ve…"

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Serena Formenti

"UBC hosts the Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR), directed by my current research supervisor, Dr. Dominique Weis. The PCIGR supports users from academia, government, industry and non-profit organizations, across Canada and internationally…"

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Emily Lawson

"Because a core component of my work is on Indian philosophy, my options were limited if I wanted to pursue the research questions that were most important to me. Few philosophy programs offered supervision in Indian philosophy when I applied, and the strongest of…"

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Katherine Huerne

"UBC is a world class institution which offers a renowned education. I was also drawn to the expertise and research scope of my supervisors, which was the primary reason I chose to pursue a doctoral degree."

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Chinenye Eze

"I was first drawn to UBC because I wanted to be supervised by and learn from a professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law who specialized in bioethics and health law. I had done a master's degree in Nigeria but could not find a professor who specialized in…"

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Jessica Marques

"In my final year as a veterinary student, my thesis advisor, Dr. Ricarda Santos, referred me to Dr. Ronaldo Cerri for my undergraduate externship at UBC. During my time at the UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre, I was deeply impressed by the research facility…"

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Morgan Towriss

"I grew up in the metro-Vancouver area and so choosing UBC for my undergraduate degree made sense as it allowed me to stay close to home. Later as I was deciding to go to grad school, I reflected on my time at UBC and how much I enjoyed my professors and the…"

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Zeba Khan

"I remember falling in love with UBC in 2015 when I first saw the beautiful greenery and the stunning backdrop of the campus. I jokingly told my friends that I never wanted to leave UBC! I completed my BSc and MSc at UBC and built strong ties to the UBC community.…"

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Nicole (Nikki) Kaechele

"First and foremost, because Terre Satterfield was at UBC and I wanted to learn with her. I knew that studying at UBC would offer a truly multidisciplinary experience, and that the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) would support the…"

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Xiaocong Guo

"UBC is a top-tier university in Canada and across the world. I can leverage the exemplary training environment and its culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Choosing to study at UBC was easily the best decision I could have made for graduate school."

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Amin Adibi

"Before starting my program, I had the privilege of working, living, and studying as an uninvited guest on the ancestral unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nation at UBC for a few years. And what can I say, it is the most beautiful place! UBC is also…"

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Rinni Mamman

"UBC is renowned for its exceptional programs and the opportunities to collaborate with experts in various fields. As a person who has lived in several countries, I wanted to explore the Canadian way of life and education, and decided to pursue a master’s in…"

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Laen Hershler

"I chose to continue my studies at UBC due to my positive experiences during my B.Ed and Master's programs. The close relationships I formed with my supervisor and the relevant work being done here were significant motivators. My journey at UBC has shown me that…"

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Sarinn Blawatt

"Research is a touch point that influences the kinds of care people who use substances will receive, but it often stands alone without meaningful engagement, appropriate contextual framing or accessible representation. This is why I chose to come to the School of…"

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Karen Lok Yi Wong

"UBC School of Social Work has a reputation for integrating research, practice, policy, and teaching, which is what I believe in social work as a practitioner/clinician, researcher, policy advocate, and educator in social work. My supervisor, Prof. Deborah O’Connor…"

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Erin Tattersall

"I chose to study at UBC for the opportunity to work with academics at the forefront of innovative and interdisciplinary research focused on wildlife and land stewardship. UBC is actively working towards embracing diverse ways of knowing and learning in academic…"

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Bulgan Batdorj

"I am honored and grateful to be a part of the UBC community. The Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability has provided an ideal setting to explore critical issues in resource governance. I am thankful for my supervisor, Dr. Nadja Kunz, and for many…"

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Judith Valerie Engel

"Wanting to pursue a DMA, I decided to come to UBC, as the program is already more established here than it is in some European countries. I also appreciate the infrastructure and pathways available at this university - including, for instance, being able to take a…"

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Meghna Mohandas

"Once I decided to pursue my PhD in urban planning, UBC was an obvious choice. The School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) is a world-renowned department in the discipline. My supervisors Dr. Leonora Angeles and Dr. Julia Harten have immense research…"

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