Step 1. Time frame - August-September
Visit the Association of Canadian Universities website (www.aucc.ca), find the search for programs offered by universities (http://oraweb.aucc.ca/showdcu.html).
Then you select a discipline, program (PhD or Master), and a number of other parameters. You will get a list of universities (10-15).
After visiting each university's website, find the department you are interested in and review the list of faculty (Academic Stuff). Choose one or two professors whose research interests are close to yours. Write them a letter introducing yourself, describing your achievements, education, work experience, etc. At the end, ask if they can be your research supervisor. Then wait for a reply.
If the professor is interested, they will give you the name of the person on the faculty to contact regarding the required documents.
Step 2. Time frame - September-October
You have found your potential scientific supervisor(s), but now you need to complete some formalities. Henceforth the narrative will be in the singular (as if you are applying to one university), but you can apply to several universities at the same time. This is normal and even encouraged. Send an email request for Application forms (to the name obtained in step 1). Be sure to include the name of your potential scientific supervisor and your postal address. You should receive a reply that the forms have been sent. Wait two to three weeks (mail delivery time from Canada). If you do not receive the forms, duplicate your request.
Step 3. Time frame - November-January
You will receive an Application package with further instructions. The package includes an application form that you must fill out yourself, and recommendation forms. As a rule, you need to provide two or three recommendations from teachers you studied with and/or supervisors from work. Usually students write the recommendations themselves. So write something good about yourself, but do not get too carried away, as too much positive is already overkill. The recommender must sign the form and the envelope at the point of sealing.
You must also translate your diploma and have it certified. From my personal experience: it is better to translate the diploma yourself. Every university has a person responsible for international affairs. Contact them. I translated the diploma myself, had the translation certified by this responsible person at my faculty, and got the stamps at the dean's office. The envelope with the diploma translation must have your university's seal at the point of sealing. This should also be done at the dean's office.
You also need to write a document called the Research Statement. A description of what you want to do at a Canadian university. Usually it takes one to two pages. No special specifics are needed, but you should not write complete nonsense either. Write it yourself, then show it to a translator you know for stylistic review.
You will have to pay the application fee to the Canadian university. This is rather tedious. The easiest thing is to write to the university that it is quite difficult to transfer money to Canada from your country, and ask if you can pay upon arrival. Universities usually accommodate this.
After you have gathered all the required documents, send them to Canada. Attention! Keep track of university deadlines. Usually they are in February-March, but they can be earlier. It is best to use express mail services. Expensive, but reliable.
Step 4. Time frame - February-March
You need to take the TOEFL - an English language exam for foreigners. The exam is not very difficult, but there are some nuances.
Step 5. Time frame - April-May
Usually at this time you receive information about whether you are accepted or not. If you have been accepted into several universities, choose one and send a letter there accepting their offer. To the others, send letters with a polite refusal.
Step 6. Time frame - June-July
Apply for a student visa at the Canadian embassy. It is a troublesome matter, but necessary. You can find information about this on the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada www.cic.gc.ca. By that time, the university should send you a confirmation letter stating that you are their student. This is the main document for the embassy.
Step 7. Time frame - July-August
After receiving your visa, buy an airplane ticket and - welcome to Canada!
BY THE WAY: ЦМК «Парта» noted several reasons why studying in Canada is better than the USA:
1. The cost of education in Canada is lower than in the USA. At the same time, diplomas from Canadian universities are recognized in the States.
2. To enter a US university (graduate school), you usually need to take two tests - TOEFL and GRE. In Canada, as a rule, only TOEFL is required.
3. Such indicators as crime rate, percentage of people owning firearms, etc., are much lower in Canada than in the USA.
4. Overall, prices in Canada are lower than in the States.
5. Canadians are very welcoming to newcomers.
6. Canadians dislike (to put it mildly) the States. If you share their opinion, you will be warmly received here.
7. Canadians love hockey.