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 & 202research@stu.ca

452-0647

Any Questions?