Study permit interview prep (rare — Canada)

Canadian study permit interviews are rare (unlike US F-1) but when scheduled, they happen by telephone with a visa officer in the regional office. Duration: 15-30 minutes.

Generate a 30-question interview-prep document for [CLIENT_NAME] applying to [PROGRAM] at [INSTITUTION]. Focus extra weight on [WEAK_AREAS].

Format: Question + ideal answer framework (not verbatim — student must answer in own voice).

INTERVIEW STRUCTURE — questions to expect, by category:

A. PROGRAM CHOICE (5 questions)
1. Why this specific program at this specific institution?
2. What courses are you most looking forward to?
3. Did you apply to any other institutions? Which ones? Why did you choose this one?
4. What is your post-graduation plan?
5. Why did you choose Canada over [USA / UK / Australia]?

B. ACADEMIC PROFILE (5 questions)
6. Walk me through your academic background — Grade 10, 12, Bachelor's (if applicable).
7. Any grades below 60%? Why?
8. Have you ever failed a course? Repeated a year?
9. What standardized tests did you take? Scores? Did you retake them?
10. Any research / capstone / thesis work? Describe.

C. GAP YEAR (if applicable — 4 questions)
11. There is a gap of [DURATION] in your timeline. What were you doing?
12. Did you work during this period? Where? Doing what?
13. Did you take any courses or certifications during this period?
14. Why did you choose to apply now rather than [N] years ago?

D. FUNDING (5 questions)
15. Who is funding your education?
16. What does your sponsor do? Annual income?
17. How much have you set aside for tuition + living?
18. Have you taken an education loan? Which bank? How much?
19. Did you pay tuition upfront? How much?

E. TIES TO HOME (5 questions)
20. Where will you live after you graduate?
21. What is your family business / what does your family do?
22. Are your parents employed or business-owners?
23. Do you have siblings? Where are they?
24. What job will you take when you return to India?

F. INTENT (4 questions)
25. Why should the officer be satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies?
26. Will you work part-time during your studies? What will you do?
27. Are you planning to apply for permanent residency? [CAREFUL — answer "I am focused on completing my studies and returning home; permanent residency is not part of my plan"]
28. Do you have any relatives or friends in Canada?

G. CONTINGENCY (2 questions)
29. What will you do if your application is refused?
30. What will you do if you cannot find suitable employment after graduating?

ANSWER FRAMEWORK PRINCIPLES (apply to all 30):
  ✓ Specific over generic — name companies, courses, dollar amounts
  ✓ Match SOP / LOE — officer has read them; contradictions are fatal
  ✓ Brief — answer in 30-60 seconds; long answers signal coaching
  ✓ Honest gaps — do not invent activities you cannot back with documents
  ✓ Tone: respectful, confident, prepared

End with: "DRAFT INTERVIEW PREP — for RCIC + counsellor coaching. Schedule mock interview 48 hours before real interview; record + review."