1. Dr. Gayle MacDonald Dean of Research Fall 2011 St. Thomas University

2.  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

3.  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/

4.  The Reputation of the Graduate School  Faculty Expertise  Location  Cost  Residency Requirement  Length of Program

5. ◦ 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!

6. ◦ 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

7. 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

8.  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 http://www.universityaffairs.ca/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-letter.aspx Source: University Affairs

9.  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

10. 1. Social Science and Humanities Research Council http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs- programmes/fellowships/cgs_masters-besc_maitrise-eng.aspx 2. Canadian Institutes for Health Research http://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 Canada http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp

11.  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)

12.  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

13. Thank you. Dr. Gayle MacDonald, Dean of Research & Danielle Connell (Office Assistant) George Martin Hall suite 201 & 202 research@stu.ca 452-0647