graduate school information session
DESCRIPTION
Graduate School Information Session. Dr. Gayle MacDonald Dean of Research Fall 2011 St. Thomas University. Plan your path. Choose a School (Canada, UK, US, Other) Check out the P rogram (requirements: Honours thesis, GRE/MCAT/LSAT scores, entrance average grade ) How to Get Funding - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Graduate School Information Session
Dr. Gayle MacDonaldDean of Research
Fall 2011St. Thomas University
Choose a School (Canada, UK, US, Other) Check out the Program (requirements:
Honours thesis, GRE/MCAT/LSAT scores, entrance average grade)
How to Get Funding Get Organized Choose a MENTOR
Plan your path
Canada’s Higher Education and Career Guide
http://www.canadian-universities.net/Universities/index.html
Schools in Canada
http://www.schoolsincanada.com/Choosing-a-Grad-School-in-Canada.cfm
AUCC’s Find A Study Program (searchable database)
http://www.aucc.ca/canadian-universities/study-programs/
UK Graduate Schools
http://www.ukgradschools.com/?gclid=CLnO78XNlKUCFeh25QodlzZlPw
Graduate Study in Europe
http://www.internationalgraduate.net/country/europe.htm
“The #1 Grad School Directory on the Planet”
http://www.gradschools.com/
What’s Out There?Some Resources…
The Reputation of the Graduate School
Faculty Expertise
Location
Cost
Residency Requirement
Length of Program
How to Choose a Graduate SchoolConsider……
◦ Meet with your Mentor ◦ Talk to recent grads◦ Research the school webpages ◦ Talk to Professors that studied or taught there◦ What funding do they offer?◦ Know yourself!
Make a Short-List Then do some research…
◦ Graduate school AND Department or programme (which faculty)
◦ The Departmental D.O.G.S. is your new best friend
◦ Level of flexibility in study/work schedule ◦ Deferring acceptance◦ Employability (here at STU and at Grad
School)◦ Residency requirement
Faculty of Graduate Studies vs. DepartmentWhat’s the difference?
Typical applications consist of:
• Application form and fee• Official Transcripts• Letter of Intent or Cover Letter• Sample of your writing• Reference Forms
Make a realistic timeline – plan out the entire application process
Preparing to ApplyStart Early
Email the Referee or ask them directly. If they say they don’t know you well enough – take that as a no and thank them politely. You do NOT want a lukewarm letter!
Give the Referee a brown envelope with the application form, a recent transcript, resume, letter of intent, and the deadline.
DO NOT fill out self-addressed envelopes. Letters must be on St. Thomas letterhead, which you do not have access to.
Given them the full envelope AT LEAST A MONTH in advance. You are not their only reference request!
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-letter.aspx Source: University Affairs
Asking for ReferencesDo it right
Think of Grad School as “your job” for the next few years.
Do your application carefully. If there is an early deadline, meet it, as it usually puts you in the running for $$$.
Funding is EVERYTHING…explore funding for which you are eligible
Tips
1. Social Science and Humanities Research Councilhttp://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs- programmes
/fellowships/cgs_masters-besc_maitrise-eng.aspx
2. Canadian Institutes for Health Researchhttp://www.researchnet- recherchenet.ca/rnr16/
vwOpprtntyDtls.do?prog=1314&&view=currentOpps&org= CIHR&type=AND&resultCount=25&sort=program&all=1&masterList=true
3. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canadahttp://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp
Federal FundingThe Big Three
Talk to your mentor Apply for funding through the Research
Office at STU (SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC) Start writing early
See Handout (lists over 100 funding opportunities)
Applying for FundingAnd you thought the application for Grad School was tough!
Plan ahead – make timelines, set goals
Find a suitable Mentor
Ask for References early
Maintain a healthy balance – this process isn’t supposed to be painful
Points to Remember
Thank you.
Dr. Gayle MacDonald, Dean of Research& Danielle Connell (Office Assistant)
George Martin Hall suite 201 & [email protected]
452-0647
Any Questions?