Applying to Graduate School Deanna England Graduate Studies Officer December 2016

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

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?

Maclean’s University Rankings

Graduate Programs at UW

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.

How Do I Apply? • Application Form • Transcripts • Statement of Interest/Research Proposal • CV • References • Sometimes:

- Writing Sample - GRE - English Proficiency

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

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!

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.

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?

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.

Scholarship Opportunities

NSERC Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

SSHRC Social Sciences and Humanities Research

Council

CIHR Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Website: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp

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.

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

The Internet is Awesome

• Scholarshipscanada.com • Studentawards.com • University websites – ALL of them! • Ask advisors • Blogs! Facebook! • Deadlines!

I Know Things

Graduate Studies Officer Deanna England

phone: 204.786.9093 office: 1BC10B

email: d.england@uwinnipeg.ca Facebook: Deanna UWinnipeg

Twitter: @UWGradStudies