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Applying for a study permit despite high rejection rates, and justifying a second master's degree in your SOP

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Step-by-Step

If you're worried about current study permit rejection rates and considering hedging by applying to a different program (e.g., in an Atlantic immigration province) instead of your program of choice, group members suggested it's usually better to pursue applications in parallel rather than choosing one path defensively.

What was suggested:
  1. You can file more than one application track at the same time rather than picking a single "safer" option — but make sure you build in a buffer period (the thread suggested around a year) so that if one application is refused, you still have enough runway to apply elsewhere or reapply.

  2. If you already hold one master's degree, expect the visa officer to specifically question why you need a second one. Since this applicant already had an ME (Industrial Engineering), the SOP for a second master's program needs to clearly and precisely explain why this specific program adds something the first degree didn't — career pivot, skill gap, or a concrete professional goal the new degree unlocks. A vague or generic explanation is a common reason this profile type gets flagged.


The core message: strong academic credentials alone don't protect against refusal if the SOP doesn't proactively address the "why another degree" question.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: If pursuing a second master's degree, have your SOP explicitly explain why this specific program adds something your first degree didn't.
  • Tip: Build at least a year of buffer time into your plans if applying to multiple programs in case of a refusal.

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