UBC

Here is the UBC story.  It all happened very fast...

Originally Braden had started the application process to UBC but decided to not apply because he didn't think he would get in there.  They contacted him in February and told them they didn't receive parts of the application and asked if he could resend them.  That gave Braden hope and he completed the application right away.

A week later they contacted him to set up a Skype phone call with two of the bigwigs at the school and after their conversation they asked if he would like to speak with another one of the professors that had similar interests in research.  The next day Braden talked with him on Skype. This professor was a little more candid about their interest in Braden- which was very exciting!  He also alluded to a trip to campus and a few days later they contacted him with an offer to come out for a weekend.

Braden went on his trip and noticed some differences about Vancouver vs life as we know it:

- He was asked if he would be bringing anyone with him (so politically correct-here someone would ask if he was married...)

- People were VERY surprised he had one child and even more surprised he would have two by August.

- Braden will be expected to work 12 hours a week (vs the 20 he works now and would be working at other universities)

- Gas costs $1.24 there right now (per litre!)

- Campus is next to the ocean!

A map of campus.  The blue parts to the left are ocean.  Also note the light green parts on campus on the lower left side are botanical gardens...

Braden felt that the program had a more personal feel than U of A's and that they had a greater interest in his success.  Shortly after his return they gave him an offer (in PhD programs they usually wave tuition and give you a stipend for work they expect you to do each year as a research assistant or teaching assistant) and added a little money to the offer for the first year since he had talked to them about his concerns with the cost of living there.  They also guaranteed that he would be able to work on side projects the following years and earn more money.  

Right after he got home, two BYU professors gave him their perspective.  One said that he couldn't do better than attending UBC and the other said, "I think UBC is a better program than Arizona. Andrew and Ron, et al., are some of the best young faculty in the world. Izak by far is the best, most published, most cited Information Systems researcher in IS history... Going there would virtually ensure academic performance and research support on the highest level. You’d definitely be publishing in "A" journals and definitely landing a premium position upon graduation.  All other things being equal, I’d run to UBC with open arms. I don’t think it’s a fair fight :)"

That pretty much sealed the deal for us and I can't stop reading the words "premium position upon graduation".  ONE DAY WE WON'T BE STUDENTS!!!!!

But for now we have passports to apply for, housing to find, visas to apply for, British English spelling to brush up on (calibre, litre... etc) because school starts right after Labour Day!