Luna1

Thanks to biggoalies for the tip about calling York for results! I was awarded a CGS!!! A big surprise, since last year I was flatly rejected at the national level and my application hasn't changed much. The scoring scheme seems to be rather opaque though, and I have yet to have anyone explain how it works (including those who have adjudicated the awards)....

I just called them and they said "they will be mailed this week" and "have not yet been mailed". So... today or tomorrow.

Ah! Ok, thanks solala!

Hi! Does anyone know what the "SSHRC secure site" is? I feel like this is something I should know but I've checked my SSHRC portal thing (that looks like a bad dos website from the 90s) and my form isn't even there, it just says "Nothing to display"...

Does anyone know if you can hold both Trudeau and Vanier at the same time...? I would be shocked if this is the case, but I see on people's academia.edu profiles that they are Trudeau/Vanier scholars...

Is anyone else getting a little bit impatient... I know I am! We're due to find out at the end of the month and the waiting game always gets so tough near the end!

Thanks! I have shown the offer the more prestigious school, but they are unable to match it and state they are already offering their best. I was leaning towards funding too, just looking for confirmation. Thanks everyone!

I am currently weighing offers of very different qualities, but both schools have top supervisors in my field that are willing to take me on. The first is an internationally renowned institution with an excellent department, but no money... They offer 4 years of funding with TAships and small scholarships, little summer support, and underfunded health benefits. The second has a much less prestigious reputation, but their department is strong with a good reputation and they have TONS of money... They offer 6 years of funding, including TAships and huge scholarships (I am getting 32,000 + tuition in the first year...). They give full summer support and insane health benefits. I would not have to go into debt if I took this offer.. What would you choose?!

Also factor in the cost of living in the city you are planning to move to. Some funding packages/stipends count for high costs of living, but others do not. Check the stipulations on your funding regarding having a summer job etc... and email asking if there is other work to be had for the university (i.e. RA, TA, GA, etc...). The rule of thumb I have lived by in terms of supporting myself are to never let rent and utilities equal more than half of my funding (after tuition/assuming you having tuition remission), shop around for cheaper internet than the large providers, try not to pay for transportation when you don't have to (i.e. walk everywhere), LittleDarlings makes a great comment comment about roommates because it is not just splitting the cost of rent, but utilities, and cable/internet, which eat up a lot of income. A lot of schools provide cost calculators and there are other cost calculators all over the net. I would add about 1000/2000 to the number you get and that will generally be correct.

Yes, I used my other offers as leverage but only in a very tactical way: 1) highlight the difficulty of the decision in terms of reconciling funding with school rep/faculty expertise 2) state specifically that after pursuing more research about the institution, and being in touch with faculty personally (if applicable), you are seriously considering the offer 3) explain that you have been offered large scholarships from other institutions which are enticing because you are no longer in the running for external scholarships this year (if applicable) 4) Ask if there are any other scholarships or funding options for PhD students in the coming academic year. This way you are indirectly asking for funding based on what seems like merit, not just asking them to throw more money at you. It doesn't matter if the funding package is already great. I negotiated on a one-year MA package (for a one year degree) of 20,000, and came out with 27,000 (+ tuition). For PhD, I negotiated on a base of 22,000 (+ tuition) per year for six years and came out with a guarantee of 32,000 for the first year with possibility of renewal and other scholarships in subsequent years. Whether or not you are already getting solid funding, there is usually more money to be had. The other thing to consider is the benefits included though: does the school offer things like maternity leave (if you're female) or paramedical benefits? My funding package with my PhD school is also worth another $5000, which is something for you to factor in.

I too have never heard of anyone rescinding offers. I negotiated for funding for my master's and just did the same for my phd. Both times funding was increased exponentially. I speculate that they offer similar funding to everyone and have a floating buffer they kick in if asked by a student they want. If you make it clear that funding is the only thing holding you back, and you've been accepted in their first round offers, I think it would be a mistake not to ask...

My school has informed us that they will only let us know if we have been forwarded in FEBRUARY! Those of you who got email confirmation from SSHRC, are you direct applicants or being sent through your school?

ps I accidentally clicked the down arrow when trying to hit "quote" on Michellle's post, I'm sorry! Is there a way to delete this??

I would put your certification or achievement from the Royal Academy of Dance, not your studio. I agree, it is relevant to your work. However, as scholars we don't always want to show the personal connection to our research up front... You need to weigh the level of passion it shows for your topic, with the potential for a negative attitude toward subjectivity of the researcher. It depends what persona you are trying to show. I know that's not the most helpful, but as I said at the beginning, I would include it if you have the space.

I was just curious if anyone was considering going to the US because they have better funding than Canadian universities, or at least that's what I've been told! My question was unclear, my apologies!

Also, submitted application to my department about 3 weeks ago. Waiting to hear. I'm applying as an MA SSHRC holder this year for my first year of PhD funding next year. fingers crossed!

Just thought I'd make myself known. Long time lurker, new official member. Wondering if anyone here planning to apply to Canadian universities is considering taking the year off to write GREs if you don't win SSHRC? p.s. thank god for forums like this, this process is beyond stress-inducing...