Applying to Graduate School. Deanna England Graduate Studies Officer December 2016

Transcription

1 Applying to Graduate School Deanna England Graduate Studies Officer December 2016

2 Steps to Acceptance to Graduate School Research potential graduate programs Connect with potential research supervisors Build up your CV Apply for a program Apply for Scholarships and Awards

3 How Do I Choose a School? What kind of program are you interested in? What kind of research would you like to do? Is there a researcher doing that kind of work? What are your financial limitations? Where are you interested in/willing to live?

4 Maclean s University Rankings

5 Graduate Programs at UW

6 How Do I Approach a Potential Supervisor? Explore the web pages of the various professors to determine if there are any research projects which interest you. Contact the professor doing research in this area to determine if they will be taking on any new graduate students. Send a tailored enquiry, rather than a generic message. Contact the Graduate Program Chair with a brief research proposal Visit the university campus and set up some meetings with potential supervisors Connect with current or former students to get their feedback.

7 How Do I Apply? Application Form Transcripts Statement of Interest/Research Proposal CV References Sometimes: - Writing Sample - GRE - English Proficiency

8 Research Proposal/Letter of Interest Provide a summary of future research endeavours/why you are interested in the program Use plain language (not overly technical jargon) Be as specific as possible: -Objectives, Outline, Methods; -Procedures, Significance Have someone else read and comment on your program of study

9 References A Good Letter of Appraisal Supports information in the application Focuses on the applicant s skills and past achievements Stresses strengths and personal attributes Ask well in advance! Offer a copy of your statement of interest and information about the program!

10 CV? Resumé? What s the Difference? Both résumés and CV's are marketing tools used with an application: to a job, graduate school or scholarship A resumé is shorter typically 1-2 pages Resumés are designed to briefly show the employer your past work accomplishments when applying for employment. CVs are normally used when applying for academic, scientific, and research positions; for entrance into post graduate programs; and for funding for research grants and proposals CV readers will want to know comprehensive details about the candidate's education, research and employment experiences and covers a wide range of consulting assignments Both CVs and resumés should be tailored to the position for which you are applying.

11 CV Content Have you received any awards? Have you presented at or participated in any conferences? Have you published any papers? Have you done any marking/teaching/tutoring/research work? Do you have any volunteer experience? Do you have any special skills? (E.g. HETC) Have you been involved with any extra-curricular activities?

12 Graduate School Acceptances 1. You re in! 2. Are you coming? 3. Let us know by 4. Here s some money to sweeten the offer. 5. Maybe.

13 Scholarship Opportunities NSERC Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council SSHRC Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council CIHR Canadian Institutes of Health Research Website: Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp

14 Master s Application Deadlines Application deadline (date by which the complete application must be submitted by the applicant): December 1. Results deadline (date the universities post the competition results using the Research Portal): April 1 of the following calendar year. Acceptance and declines of offers: Applicants will have three weeks to respond to offers of awards. Offers not accepted will be deemed to have been declined.

15 Other Funding Options Provincial: UMGF, OGS etc Departmental scholarships Research Grants from supervisor Independent scholarships National Scholarships: e.g. Trudeau, Mackenzie King, Federal Government site, Fulbright AUCC

16 The Internet is Awesome Scholarshipscanada.com Studentawards.com University websites ALL of them! Ask advisors Blogs! Facebook! Deadlines!

17 I Know Things Graduate Studies Officer Deanna England phone: office: 1BC10B Facebook: Deanna UWinnipeg