devp

Sorry, I didn't apply to Carleton nor do I know anyone who did. I applied to U of T, Queens, SFU, Ryerson, UVic, Dal and Waterloo and didn't get into the first 3. Just to note, Queen's is basically 100% grades and resume based. I think you have to have a 3.3 at least to be considered, but from how I take it, not many seem to get in with less than a 3.4/3.5

GPA: 3.1/3.3 depending if the school took my transfer credits into consideration. Cultural studies and gender studies major/minor, honours degree but did not do thesis option. I'm sure my references were fine, but doubt they were anything extraordinary. One was my manager from my government job though. Spent my 3rd year on exchange, had strong work history (research institute in Asia & government work experience with OPS), didn't have a lot of extracurriculars - was only involved somewhat with the TEDx at my university during my senior year. I had extenuating circumstances I noted that affected my GPA but not sure if that actually weighed much on my application. Some programs do only look at your grades and resume, but honestly your essay holds the greatest weight.

I think you're competitive for all of the ones listed. I got into half your list with a much lower GPA last year so I wouldn't worry about it!

University Of Victoria, History, Masters (F15), Rejected via Website on 25 Feb 2015 Hit a moose. Rejected the next day. Lost my hopes and dreams... and my car.

In the info session, they said its extremely rare for a student not to get a position - I forgot the actual numbers but in the past 2 or 5 years they haven't had a student not get an internship position. But if you don't find a position, you try the summer after your 2nd year?

They send that line to everyone.

It varies slightly school to school. I believe for Queen's they assume one year = 10 credits, so they simply will look at your last 20 credits if you haven't graduated yet. Grades do matter beyond the cutoff- your essay/references/experience might give you some advantage, but only can do so much unless you're exceptional when you're stacked against students with 3.7's and similar experiences. Call or email each school though to get clarification. I went on exchange during my 3rd year, and every school differed in how they would take those grades in account when I was applying last year.

Rejected from Queen's MPA today too worrypower! But I expected it. And to the person above asking about GPSIA, friend of mine reviewed an acceptance today I don't know if I should be concerned that my status is still Under Review.. and i'm too scared get rejected over the phone to call LOL

Selfish part of me says pick Ottawa so my chances increase of getting into Queens! I met some Queens MPA kids in the program currently, vaguely remember them telling me they got something like 3k in grants, and there's some opportunities to RA but no TAships available. If you qualify for OSAP and get grant money from that, tuition is pretty low. Depends on your lifestyle but living in a town like Kingston where there's nothing to do is cheaper than living in a city too. Take what I say with a grain of salt, I haven't researched much about MPA programs so I can't really compare but Queen's MPA is a great program IMO. Its rigorous since it's condensed into one year, but the students are very very tight knit and "team oriented." The program is also pretty centered on students needs, and there's a lot of flexibility in courses and additional services. From what I gathered there's a really strong connection with the OPS, although Ottawa probably wins with the federal connections. The Queen's program pretty established and is really well respected within the gov't though, I worked at the OPS this summer and there was a lot of MPA alumni, and the program was recommended to me a lot (that being said I'm in my undergrad at Queen's right now, so I don't know if I just happened to have selective memory with running into Queen's alumni). Queen's also has a cult-like feel so there's a strong networking opportunity, and alumni love each other. For cons though, Kingston is awful although it's pretty fun if you're here for just one year (literally my only hesitation with accepting Queen's MPA if I get in is I don't know if I can do another year of this place)

Cool thanks letting us know! Hope we get results on Monday. Either way, acceptance/rejection goes down easier with St Patty's.

Are you waiting for anthro MA results? (I am too) Email anthropology.graduate@utoronto.ca The grad admin assistant runs it I think, and at least during the application season she responded like within minutes every time

^ A friend of mine got an acceptance for it on the 25th as well.

Congrats on Queen's! I'm finishing my undergrad at Queen's now, with a minor in gender studies although I feel like I've taken more gender studies courses than courses for my major haha. Who are you planning to work with if you end up here?