selecttext

Your opening paragraph is really negative and I could not read beyond it. You have only 500 words to explain yourself - speak only of yourself using positives!!!!!! I suggest first writing an outline of what it is that you wish to convey. Here is an example: I am interested in...therefore I'd like to...Graduate school would help me achieve this...how...The department of...at...is the place for this because... I have excellent preparation because...One example of my perseverance and dedication to academia is how I completed my undergraduate degree in spite of ...these circumstances...While these undoubtedly impacted my GPA, I have...this experience... and these accomplishments.My life goal is...Conclusion.

I guess some of the graduate students here have never been chastised by their supervisors for their superfluous usage of abbreviations. The POI thing never sat right with me.

The most annoying systems generate a username for you that is usually 200 alphanumerical characters long. For one university, I had to amass a collection of referee letters and official transcripts to mail as part of a single package. Online referee reports people! And let the school send you my transcript directly! Yeesh.

ah cool. good luck!

1/6 pshh , keep your head up! it's too early to worry!

Hey I've only ever applied to Canadian universities. Did you have to pay to apply to each of the 11? Did you just pick a bunch of schools out of a hat just in case? I was surprised to learn that so many people here apply to more than 3 or 4 PhD programs given that most people I know would have discussed their intentions with POIs before applying.

It's pretty standard to first submit the application and then to notify the referees - why would they bother a professor for a recommendation to a program to which you haven't applied. I haven't encountered a system that permitted a modification to the referees post-submission.

POI notified me that my app to UofGuelph in Ontario was recommended for admission by the department I am still waiting to hear from 3 other universities

it's not too late to apply for graduate school in Canada. Many biology departments will take applications right into June.

well you aren't friends, yet, so what is there to discuss? it is very likely that they have a pool of applicants to choose from - 2/4 of my POIs were pretty clear that despite our chemistry, they will pick the best applicant (which of course will be me).

I corresponded (initial e-mail contact and then by skype) with a POI at each university before applying (Biology). I also Skyped with the POI's current graduate students before applying.

I've applied for PhD in integrative biology

if the professor is still publishing, has funding and isn't likely to die, you'll be fine - retired or not. However, you might not see the retired professor that much - hopefully they're good with e-mail.

What is the length requirement? I suspect that it may be too long. Instead of starting with a personal anecdote, I suggest that you explicitly state your research interests and objectives. Also, remove any negatives such as "I regretted...". Only include your accomplishments. Since it is for an MS in ENGR, it should probably not exceed 1 page and it should be straight to the point.

you should be able to describe your own interests and not another person's. In my POS I wrote "My M.Sc. research was influenced by a theoretical paper, which I read as an undergraduate, on the.... It inspired me to learn ... so that I could test the hypothesis that..."

i'd try to describe my interests without mentioning another researcher.

my co-supervisor submitted 1 hour before the deadline which also happened to be new years (jan 1 12:00am). i didn't think he'd come through, but he did!

Overall I think that it is good, honest and demonstrates your commitment to graduate work. You stand a good chance with the SOP as is. It just needs to be tightened up. I'll look at it some more tomorrow. I would criticize it for not being specific enough if you were applying for a PhD. For the financial bit, I wouldn't mention that you will apply for funding in your first year - only that you need an assistantship.

Here's a better question, is your PI publishing frequently in good journals? If he is funded for applied research, you might have to submit your manuscripts to specialist journals. Applied research is fine but you want to have a healthy mixture of applications and theory in order to appeal to a broader audience. Your concerns are valid.

If you are comfortable with posting it, we can give you some suggestions.

"Since I do not have fellowship support, I will require a teaching or research assistantship. I will, however, apply for NSERC funding as well as .... during my first year." While it is true that the SOP in science related disciplines is sometimes a formality, unbeknownst to you is that many equally qualified candidates may be applying to your potential supervisor's laboratory. For that reason, you should strive to have the best possible statement. E.g., don't be lazy!

Of course you should. I know that "optional" is tempting when struggling through a piece of writing but you can only benefit.

writing my msc thesis so that i can actually start a phd in the fall

In my experience, at least in science, is that interviewing means listening to the professor talk for a few hours, visiting the lab and other such pleasantries. it seems unlikely that you would be rejected after an 'interview'.

Just imagine you were on the committee and had evaluate a stack of ill-written SOPs...If it is a science program, I would aim for 500-800 words.