1. Dr. Kim Fenwick, Dean of Social Sciences Dr. Michael Dawson, Associate Vice-President (Research) St. Thomas University 2 October 2015 1

2.  Benefits ◦ Educational ◦ Financial ◦ Social  Costs ◦ Financial ◦ Social 2

3.  Independent Research (varies by subject)  Coursework  Thesis or cognate essay 3

4.  Select potential schools (Canada, UK, US, Other)  Check out the Program (requirements: Honours thesis, GRE/MCAT/LSAT scores, entrance average grade)  Investigate Funding opportunities  Choose a STU faculty MENTOR (or two) 4

5.  YOUR interests  Potential Supervisor  Size of student/faculty cohort  Cost/funding  Length of Program  Location  Residency Requirement 5

6.  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  Universitystudy.ca (searchable database) http://www.universitystudy.ca/search-programs/  UK Graduate Schools http://www.ukgradschools.com/?gclid=CLnO78XNlKUCFeh25QodlzZlPw  “The #1 Grad School Directory on the Planet” http://www.gradschools.com/ 6

7. ◦ Meet with your mentor(s) ◦ Talk to recent grads ◦ Research the school webpages ◦ Talk to professors that studied or taught there (or who can help evaluate potential supervisors) ◦ What funding do they offer? ◦ Compare programmes/schools ◦ Think about what makes the most sense for YOU. 7

8. Typical applications consist of: Application form and fee Official Transcripts Letter of Intent or Cover Letter/Research Proposal Sample of your writing Reference letters/forms (quantitative & qualitative) GRE/LSAT/MCAT results (if applicable) Curriculum vitae 8

9.  Don’t be shy. We do this ALL THE TIME. But give us plenty of time (1 month).  Who should you approach?  Arrange an appointment.  Give us enough information.  Take “no” for an answer.  Seek our input.  Ask us to be involved in the application process More advice on asking for references: 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

10.  Grad School, like dinner, is more enjoyable if someone else is paying for it.  Funding deadlines often PRECEDE final application deadlines. 10

11.  Internal Funding ◦ RA/TA jobs ◦ Fellowships & awards  External Funding ◦ Federal (Tri-Council) ◦ Provincial (Ontario Graduate Scholarships/O’Brien Foundation/etc.) ◦ Others 11

12. 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 12

13.  Apply to up to five institutions  Each “host” university has an allocation  Deadline: December 1 st -- or earlier depending upon the institution(s) you choose  Amount: $17,500 for the year 13

14.  Online application with Canadian Common CV  Must be Canadian citizen or permanent resident  Apply via SSHRC, CIHR, NSERC  Normally, scholarships are tenable at Canadian universities only  Key components: ◦ Research Proposal ◦ Reference Letters ◦ Transcripts 14

15. The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada – Many funding options available to Canadian Students. 15

16.  Plan ahead – make timelines, set goals  Find (a) suitable faculty mentor(s)  Ask for References early  Focusing on your applications now will pay off in the future. 16

17. Thank you. 17

18.  Are you interested in a research proposal workshop c. late October? If so, send us a quick e-mail at research@stu.caresearch@stu.ca  If you have specific questions that you think we can help with, contact us directly: ◦ For Humanities queries: mdawson@stu.camdawson@stu.ca ◦ For Social Science queries: dean.socialsciences@stu.ca dean.socialsciences@stu.ca 18