Averroes

Hello, I applied for a PhD program and was accepted. I became pregnant after acceptance and had baby in fall so I took the first semester as mat leave which is unconventional but they accepted that. They are discussing with me whether I want to make it as a deferred acceptance to Winter or next Fall. Here is the problem. My university is in a different city. Years ago I was living there and finished 3 courses in that same program and left after for personal reasons. I have since moved to a near by city. I thought when I applied this time I would be able to travel for courses once or couple times a week and miss some classes. Now with baby it is very hard and help I expected not working out. Drive is 3 hours. I can take one course as directed reading from home. Other 2 courses have to be in class. I am faced with the option of dropping out from my entire PhD due to these 2 courses being offered only in class. I can come to campus couple times a semester but not weekly. My department said only in person works. I almost have no way out of this situation but thought of asking here first for any thoughts, similar cases, or grad regulations. (note: I know it is different from university/department to another but still seeking ideas). Thanks, A.

Thanks again. That helps.

Thanks for your reply. Just a clarification if it wasn't clear, I finished the MA in the same department and university, not just same program. Do you think I can justifiably ask to waiver the course work and start the candidacy and dissertation immediately? Is there such a thing?

Hi. If I apply at a PhD program that I have did MA in couple years ago, would I need to take the courses again? At the time Mama and PhDs took same courses.

Hello If one finishes an MA from a certain program and couple of yeas later apply to the PhD of that same program and school, would they need take the same courses again? At the time of the MA both PhD and MA students were taking exact same courses but f course professor might grade each a bit differently. Thanks.

I am having trouble liaise between my family life and PhD. I finished one course-work semester (3 courses) in Fall 2013. Then took maternity leave for the winter. Now, I am getting back to school in Fall 2014 to finish the other 3 courses (extending to winter term too). I also relocated to another city 3 hours away and planning to commute once a week as my courses are once a week in Fall and same in winter. Having 2 kids and and living in another city makes me re-think my readiness to return to school, especially with the infant (will barely be 6-months then). I am worried the fall course will not be offered till winter 2016 as they have such random patterns. If I extend my leave till winter 2014 instead of fall, take the winter course and wait for the other one until it is offered (not sure when), how bad are my other PhD requirements going to be affected? Candidacy exams while waiting for that course? Can I start on anything? Can I work on dissertation if the supervisor was helpful in that regard? Is it better if I change to a part-time student so I am more free when I ask the department for facilitation? What is exactly the difference in this case between part-time and full-time? How tolerant are departments and supervisors usually with part-time PhD students? I don't care about funding at this point as much as just finishing the PhD and taking care of my family. Note that I will be talking to my department soon in detail, but this is just until I know more to benefit from others' experiences too. Thanks in advance.

Jut an update, department assistant said this is fine and gas happened before. She was so helpful and understanding. Plan is happening!

Cup o' Joe, thanks. This absolutely makes sense. Now there is an update. I think I am 90% decided to move to my original city with my family and do the commute once a week. I will chat informally with the administrative assistant and see if this can actually work. Since I posted this question things have been getting worse for us in this city and the work opportunity and housing and all kids related issues are much easier in our original city. In short, the advantages (emotionally and financially) will out balance the trouble of the 3 hour drive to and from the school once a week. Fingers crossed for what I will hear from the department today.

Thanks. Seems more reasonable to do dissertation remotely, yes. It seems I will after all take this coming year on campus and finish the three courses I have. In my school, each course is actually 3-hour class once a week . So I go to campus once a week in first semester for the class and maybe will take the other directed reading so I meet prof same day of class. And in second semester I go once a week for the remaining course. I think I will delay talking to my department about my potential (most probable actually so far) request go do dissertation and candidacy remotely in third, fourth etc years... I don't want to affect my stay during this year (them knowing I want to leave) and who knows what happens till then.

Fuzzylogician and TakeruK, thank you so much for these insights and suggestions. They certainly help me think this over. I did not get the SSHRC. The point about the full time and taxes etc... is something to consider given my husband work gets a bit better here that we can actually manage. I will probably come back here and update what I end up doing. I wonder if anyone can advise about the same issue but after finishing course work coming year. Would it be more likely or acceptable doing my candidacy and later dissertation from distance? I am optimistically thinking so...

Hi. As I am writing this, I realize how odd it seems to die for a phd at a good school then want to consider distant education. So... I started this phd and finished the past fall term then had to take a medical leave for a semester until next fall. During this time my partner on whose salary our family thrives had issues with his work and is looking to accept offers in a neighboribg city. We initially lived in that one and came to the current one for work and study. Things don't go as you plan. My question, can i take the rest of my courses in correspondence? Basically, I am asking what is, if any, the best alternative to quitting my degree even if I become part time and loose funding? I know, not very common question and I will appreciate your insights! Thanks

That seems funny. Lol I see, so I won't need that and don't like to try it I found the grad calendar here http://grad.ucalgary.ca/sites/grad.ucalgary.ca/files/2012-2013-grad-calendar-3rd-edition-december-15.pdf but it's for 2012-2013. I assume the approximate cate would be Sep 9 for next fall lectures, the. Thanks all for the replies.

Thanks guys. What's a block week? It's there after it says beginning of fall term on 3rd sep, then actual fall term lectures begin on 10th sep except block week lectures. The 7 days difference matter in my case for some reason.

Prosp, thanks for the update.

Hello, quick question, what is the approximate date for PhD actual courses starting in canadian unives in Alberta and U of Calgary? Roughly, beginning or middle of September.. calendar from last year was not clear in the university I wanted checking. Thanks.

Same here.

Yoshiko, Thanks a lot for your reply. It is so comforting to hear this. I guess I will hint at my other interest at some point in my intent letter. As to professors, I started communicating with a few and there are ones in both areas almost in all of the schools I am applying to. I agree with you regarding having variety of inetersts, I just was worried and wanted to have confirmation of some sorts Thank you for your nice words about my research areas too... Good luck in your studies... Best,

Hello, I am in the process of applying to PhD schools for Communication Studies (and other similar programs). I am interested in 2 topics. One is ready as a statement of interest and it is what my current professors who are writing me reference letters know me a bit more through: related to Middle East social media, has one gender aspect. And another that I wrote on previously and is a strong passion of mine but not ready as a statement of intent yet: totally women and gender media focused. My concern is that I feel more attached to the second topic but I am not quite ready to write a statement of intent about. I feel like I am deceiving the schools when I apply with the first one and I have full intention of changing to the second topic once accepted. Plus, I see now that some of the schools I am applying to have the option of a minor or joint program in gender and I feel I will be loosing a strengethening point in my application. Even though I know I can add that in the firsr or second year later. I need advice from those who have been there. Would you advice me to keep it this way and apply and change later? or should I try my best to write a new statement of intent with the new topic of passion? Also, I applied to SSHRC using the first topic. This is sort of venting more than a question, I know. But any advice or similar experience would be appreciated as I did not submit my applications yet.

Hello guys, Is there anyway to follow up on a submitted application? When do we start hearing from SSHRC? I am a direct applicant to SSHRC doctoral awards. First-timer too. Waiting truly sucks ! Best, MideastGal

Mudlark, Thanks a lot for your reply. As I mentioned earlier I did not think my post went through that's why I am late replying. Glad I checked now to find I am full member... I really appreciate your comforting words. It is good to know pubs are overrated (on my part!). I was horrified when I was filling the application. I feel better now having heard from more than one person (and as you said a professor too!) that there isn't many MAs with groundbreaking pubs anyways. I am waiting now for the results. Fingers crossed too all and good luck! Best, MidEastGal

Raise Cain, I am so sorry on late reply. I thought I will get notification if my post is allowed on the website. I did not and thought no one seen my post! Anyways, I see now I am full member. Great! Thanks for your reply. After all, I made it. I finished on time and my profs were so helpful in the reference letters on time too. It is sent and I'm waiting. I see your fields of study are closely related to my proposed area (communication, culture and fender/women). So cool. By the way last year I was accepted at York's PhD ComCult and accepted it but had to turn down for health reasons. This year I am now applying to all scgools that offer PhD in Communication or related field. Fingers crossed! It turned out there are few that have even minors or certificate in gender too! I hope to see more of your posts here and I am heading to explore on this forum. Good Luck... MidEastGal

Hello all, I just joined this forum. Great place here! Hope to find solace and grad buddies in my journey from now on, starting with SSHRC and thereafter. Got MA in Comp Lit and applying to PhD in Communication and Cultural Studies. This year was very rough and I just got chance to start working on my SSRC application. It is due November 7 as I am direct applicant. I am panicing on one hand waiting to hear from profs who will write letters. On other, my program draft is ready in form of school application: I still have to shorten and make in SSRC format/specifics. Got questions and need venting. Am I in the right place in this thread? Please advise. If yes, questions: (1) I can't find my CV on the SSRC website!? I filled it 3 weeks ago. I can only find my profile, safe and sound as I filled it. (2) I don't have scholarly publications (but have creative ones) and this is freaking me out! Any advice how to deal with this fear in filling gaps in app? (3) Am too terribly late, or still I might be able to make it? In other words? Are there any others applying on Nov 7 directly and still not finished? By the way, I seem to work better under time stress! (praying it works this time) Thanks in advance. Good luck to all.