Rifat's Road to McGill, Canada

Success Story: Rifat's Journey to McGill University, Canada

We recently shared that Rifat received his Canadian study permit to study at McGill University, Canada's #1 university. Here is the full story of how he got there.

Rifat's Goal

Rifat's aim was to study Political Science and Government in North America. Canada was his primary target, though he also applied to select US schools. Long term, he wants to work for international or government organizations, contributing to public policy and urban development in Uzbekistan.

Background

Rifat is a graduate of Public School No. 33 in Samarkand. His academic profile: GPA 4.8/5.0, IELTS 7.0, no SAT. Beyond grades, he had achievements in Zakovat, public speaking, sports tournaments, and event volunteering. During the early stages of his Globstudy mentorship, he also completed a research fellowship, an internship, and additional volunteering to strengthen his profile.

University Selection

Canada: The top three universities for Political Science in Quebec and Ontario were the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of Ottawa. York University (QS #322) was added as a strong backup. At Globstudy, including at least one lower-ranked but high-quality institution is standard practice. It optimizes admission odds without compromising on program quality.

United States: The US shortlist included two public universities, Indiana University Bloomington and George Mason University, and two private liberal arts colleges, Butler University and DePauw University. George Mason stood out particularly for its proximity to Washington, DC, a natural fit for a student interested in government and policy.

Scholarship Strategy

Reducing the overall cost of education was a priority throughout. US universities on Rifat's list typically offer automatic merit scholarships or need-based aid. Canadian universities required a more deliberate approach.

For the University of Toronto, Rifat applied through the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship program, which covers full tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. For McGill, he submitted a competitive application for the Major Entrance Scholarship. Both required separate, well-crafted scholarship applications on top of the standard admissions process.

Results

Between February and April, offers arrived steadily and largely as predicted. Rifat received admission from six of the seven universities. Indiana University Bloomington neither admitted nor rejected him.

In the US, the most financially viable option was DePauw University at a remaining cost of $6,960 per year. George Mason, however, was the stronger fit on ranking, program content, alumni network, and location.

In Canada, every university extended a generous scholarship:

Total Canadian scholarship offers: CA$350,000.

Visa Process

Rifat applied for a US F-1 visa first. It was refused. For context, approximately 46% of Globstudy students who applied for a US visa in 2026 received approval.

Rifat was ready for either result. In May, the team shifted focus to the Canadian study permit process. In August, IRCC confirmed his permit was approved.

What Rifat's Journey Teaches Us

Rifat started from a public school in Samarkand with no SAT and a clear plan. He ended up with offers from six universities across two countries, CA$237,500 in Canadian scholarship offers, and a study permit to Canada's #1 university.

His US visa refusal could have ended the story. It did not, because the strategy was never built around a single outcome. A refusal in one country became a detour, not a dead end.

The students who get the best results are not always the ones with the strongest profiles on paper. They are the ones who plan early, apply smartly, and stay prepared for every outcome.

Book a free consultation with Globstudy to get started on your own journey.