[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

Hello all,

 

I'm looking to apply to NPSIA next year for the Intelligence and National Security cluster and I was wondering if any of you could provide some advice on the application process. Are most of you applying right out of your undergraduate degree or, given the competition, is it advisable to have worked for a year or two before?

 

My general impression, based on nothing but my own observations, is that it is possible to get admitted with little work experience if you have exceptional grades. If you feel your application is superior in all aspects besides work experience, I think it's worth a shot to apply. Worst case you lose $100 on the application, you get some work experience, and you apply again later. 

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

The way I see it, the first thing you must do is answer the question that no one else can answer for you: Do I want to be a lawyer? If you're still uncertain about the answer then I strongly suggest you reconsider law school, because the time, money and effort it takes to go to law school is absolutely no joke. You had better not take that on unless you are sure that is the career you want. 

 

As far as choosing between GSPIA and NPSIA, here are the main factors I am currently weighing:

 

funding scheme

job opportunities post-grad

opportunity to do a master's thesis

opportunity to pursue a specialized field

opportunity to participate in co-op program

opportunity to participate in international exchange

quality of professors

program culture

language requirement

opportunity to study in French

campus location

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

I finally received my official offer by email today.

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

Carnival Cruise

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

Congrats on the acceptance (and congrats to everyone else). Now I'm really nervous, although I admit it really doesn't look good that I haven't heard any news yet. Hopefully they'll let me know tomorrow :S

 

 

I know how annoying it is to wait. Hopefully you will get news tomorrow. Crossing fingers for you. Keep us posted.

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

Since I know you were all on the edge of your seats, my infoweb account was finally updated today. I guess someone was working overtime! Still waiting for the official offer now.

[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

I'll have to look at the letter more closely this weekend. PM me if you want to discuss it further.

[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

But it essentially hasn't changed that much, has it?

[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

Hi cati_mb. What has disappointed you about the curriculum change?

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

My "registration information" tab appeared on March 28 and disappeared today. It's the only change that's occurred so far on my infoweb account. I'm totally antsy and paranoid now!

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

Still no change and now my registration information tab has disappeared...

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

Couldn't tell ya. My file is still pending.

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

Yayyy! No French fries for Rumcajs!

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

I don't really want to pester them since I already sent an email this week.

[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

I'm pretty pleased about the cluster changes, I think. I struggled choosing between 'international political economy' and 'international trade policy', and now, if I understand correctly, those two are lumped into one.

[Waiting for a Reply]

Some professors are just scatter-brained. I might follow up with a phone call, in this case.

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

If I have to wait another whole weekend I might go a bit bonkers.

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

Yay! Any funding?

[Suggestions on how to ask for status update.]

Brief and polite.

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

Do you think if you don't get admitted to law school you will go to NPSIA anyway?

 

(I'm pretty sure you will get in, though, given you got into the other law schools.)

[Ottawa GSPIA 2013]

I know one person got an official offer last week. Anyone else?

 

Any info to share or insight to give?

 

I'm getting a little bit antsy since I have to make a decision on my other offer.

[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

Someone upthread was saying that the MA administrator, Tabbatha, will be sending an email to admitted students with an explanation about the new clusters. Personally I find it a bit odd that they would change the cluster selection after the application deadline but before admissions decisions. It would have been nice to know what we were applying to at the time of application. As far as I understand, however, the clusters haven't changed much apart from the title and some new courses being added. 

[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

Well after all this I was rejected at 10:00 this morning via email. I am extremely upset, especially considering the only other program I applied to is the Ottawa MDG and people have already been accepted...I guess I'll find another route for what I want to do. I'm a little insulted I wasn't waitlisted good luck to everyone still waiting and to everyone heading to NPSIA in September! Thanks for all your help.

 

I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully you will get good news from U of O.

[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

Mine hasn't changed either! But I'm assuming they must be in the middle of actually making decisions now? 

 

I guess so. The information under "My File" hasn't changed yet, but I did notice a new tab on my account. Now, in addition to "My File" and "Faculty, there's a tab titled "Registration Information". 

[NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants]

I see someone posted on the results search page that their University of Ottawa account was updated with admission info for GSPIA. Anyone else? Mine still says "We have received the required documents..."