One question about Form 160

[Ben7336 2]

I am now preparing Form 160, but really get confused about the question "Do you have any specialized skills or training, including firearms,
explosives, nuclear, biological, or chemical experience?". Does the word "specialized" has some special meaning? My majority is organic chemistry and I have my PHD. Do these mean that I do have "specialized skills or training in chemical experience?

Any one has similar situation? I would really appreciate your any suggestion and advice!

[Hypnos 6,576]

I would think you should answer "Yes". If a Ph.D isn't specialised training then I'm not sure what is.

[sadavis5 46]

I would answer yes to that question. I doubt it's a giant red flag, since anyone with military or police experience would also have to answer yes, as well as a ton of scientists. Those are all legit jobs.

I'm excited to see another chem PhD on here - I'll have mine in a year!

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I am now preparing Form 160, but really get confused about the question "Do you have any specialized skills or training, including firearms,

explosives, nuclear, biological, or chemical experience?". Does the word "specialized" has some special meaning? My majority is organic chemistry and I have my PHD. Do these mean that I do have "specialized skills or training in chemical experience?

Any one has similar situation? I would really appreciate your any suggestion and advice!

Under my impression, those questions are apply to people who actually involved deeply research for years. If you had involved in an extensive research that give you an experience to backup your degree, I think you probably should say, " yes".

[Ben7336 2]

I would think you should answer "Yes". If a Ph.D isn't specialised training then I'm not sure what is.

I would answer yes to that question. I doubt it's a giant red flag, since anyone with military or police experience would also have to answer yes, as well as a ton of scientists. Those are all legit jobs.

I'm excited to see another chem PhD on here - I'll have mine in a year!

Under my impression, those questions are apply to people who actually involved deeply research for years. If you had involved in an extensive research that give you an experience to backup your degree, I think you probably should say, " yes".

Thank you all! I think I should answer "yes" for this question.

[Mad & J 25]

Thank you all! I think I should answer "yes" for this question.

Hi! I don't know if you are still active in these forums, but I'd love a follow up. Did you answer yes to the specialized training question? Did it come up in the interview?

I have a PhD in biology so I had the same question!

[TBoneTX 45,088]

I hovered my cursor over the OP's name and found that he hasn't logged on since April. You might try sending him a PM, in case he can learn about it via an e-mail prompt.

[Ben7336 2]

Hi! I don't know if you are still active in these forums, but I'd love a follow up. Did you answer yes to the specialized training question? Did it come up in the interview?

I have a PhD in biology so I had the same question!

I answered "Yes" for this question. And it took about 5-6 weeks or a little longer to finish background check or something else and get my passport back. I think one or two holiday also caused the delay.

I had my interview in Montreal. During the interview, the lady was super-nice and I had strong feeling that they would issue my visa. But just as they said, I had to go through this check routine. Six weeks was very short. One bad thing for this was to book the air tickets in advance.

Following other people's suggestion at this site, I also brought my resume, publication lists and research summary. My research summary was pretty simply and it only had two pages. At the end of the interview. the lady just asked the copy of my resume.

Don't worry too much. You may be lucky to have your visa in one or two weeks:)

[Mad & J 25]

I answered "Yes" for this question. And it took about 5-6 weeks or a little longer to finish background check or something else and get my passport back. I think one or two holiday also caused the delay.

I had my interview in Montreal. During the interview, the lady was super-nice and I had strong feeling that they would issue my visa. But just as they said, I had to go through this check routine. Six weeks was very short. One bad thing for this was to book the air tickets in advance.

Following other people's suggestion at this site, I also brought my resume, publication lists and research summary. My research summary was pretty simply and it only had two pages. At the end of the interview. the lady just asked the copy of my resume.

Don't worry too much. You may be lucky to have your visa in one or two weeks:)

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! I'll have to hope that the background check will be quick if it comes to it.

My specialization is ecology & conservation, I don't know how that could worry anyone! But if I interpret their question literally then I have no choice but to amswer "yes". At least then I can't be accused of trying to hide anything... I will definitely bring a copy of my resume & publication list to the interview, thanks for the tip!

[Mad & J 25]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! I'll have to hope that the background check will be quick if it comes to it.

My specialization is ecology & conservation, I don't know how that could worry anyone! But if I interpret their question literally then I have no choice but to amswer "yes". At least then I can't be accused of trying to hide anything... I will definitely bring a copy of my resume & publication list to the interview, thanks for the tip!

I thought I'd update this thread for anyone else who comes across this issue in the future.

I answered yes to the question about specialized training. In the field where it said to explain, I gave a brief (2-3 lines) description of my education and research topics. At the interview I came prepared with my CV and publication list, but the CO didn't bring it up and so I never handed it over. I was approved after a short & easy interview and my visa was issued about a week later, so I can only assume that answering 'Yes' to that question doesn't necessarily mean you will get more scrutiny.

[oscillate.wildly 1]

For some stupid reason I assumed that the biological part of this question was in relation to biological warfare etc. I don't think it helps that you are asked all the other questions at the same time.

Anyway, I answered no. I have a PhD in biology - bird migration specifically. I'm now wondering if I answer incorrectly