high_hopes

I haven't used AirBnB in Vancouver: I have in other cities and usually it is OK. However there can be some privacy concerns depending on the accommodation situation. Have you looked at lodging at UBC or SFU? Often universities have cheaper rooms in their residences during the summer available for short stays, and particularly for conferences.

If you get a SSHRC you will receive the full amount of the award from SSHRC. Any TA or RA work would then be extra money in your pocket, but your university might hesitate to give you this work if you have more external funding than other students.

I received an email today from the Trudeau Foundation saying I wasn't selected. Best of luck to everyone still in the running!

Last year the results were late: received on April 5th. They sent an email to applicants once the results were released to check the online portal. Best of luck to everyone waiting, and if you can find a way to distract yourself do it!

Thanks! Let's hope that we (or someone else visiting this board) will have something to share regarding the interview process and that we don't get screened out beforehand!

Hi @ttwi have you heard any news? Or anyone else? I was also shortlisted by my university and am anxiously wondering if any news will be forthcoming. It is now the first day of spring so time for the interviews!

When I was deciding between two universities a few years ago, the one university told me they could look into matching the funding offer of the other. But I had already decided I preferred the other university that was offering me more $$ so I didn't pursue this. It doesn't hurt to ask at all: tell them you are considering fit but also cost of living and ability to focus on your research and the financial resources needed, and you are wondering if they are able to match what another university offered you.

If you receive a Bombardier CGS SSHRC doctoral fellowship (the one that is $35,000/yr) or the Vanier, then you can apply for the Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement which gives up to $6000 for international study. You need a host supervisor at the institution in the other country. More info: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSForeignStudy-BESCEtudeEtranger_eng.asp

I got my results in the mail on May 1st last year. That was also the day I received a confirmation email from my university.

I agree - it is part of your advisor's job to review what you have written. I had an earlier situation earlier this year and my advisor actually had to tell me that -- he went out of his way to say "of course I will read what you have written; that is part of my job." It was reassuring.

I recommend asking some grad students who are already in your program what they do to cover expenses and what they can tell you about the local job market. There may be some cool opportunities that come up at the university closer to the beginning of the semester.

There are two streams for applications to be considered: direct entry or from a nominating university in Canada. I am guessing the number of 236 is the number of direct entry applicants not screened out at the first stage but rather sent for consideration with those who met the short-list from their own university?

Congratulations @ttwi! The timeline is found on this website at "2019 competition key dates": http://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/en/programs/scholarships/become-scholar

I don't have any specific advice to give as I've never applied myself, but I would say go for it! The best way to ensure you don't get the award is to not apply. Also, I tend to think that just being authentically you is the best approach - so go for the humanities approach as it better represents what you are interested in.

Congratulations!! That is very exciting news.

That is very frustrating! I am sorry you have had to experience this -- waiting for admission results is stressful enough, and when there are problems or incorrect information it is much worse. Can you ask them when your corrected MA admissions letter will be sent?

Congratulations! I am sure you will pass!

I think generally universities with these types of policies will pay the difference in funding if you receive an external award that is below their own guaranteed funding level. So in your example they would provide $11k - as the difference between $35k (guaranteed) and $24k (received externally). This might reduce the amount of TA or RA hours you are expected to complete if that was part of your funding offer.

I think generally universities with these types of policies will pay the difference in funding if you receive an external award that is below their own guaranteed funding level. So in your example they would provide $11k - as the difference between $35k (guaranteed) and $24k (received externally). This might reduce the amount of TA or RA hours you are expected to complete if that was part of your funding offer.

Ask if you can talk to some grad students currently in the program about how they make ends meet. If you live with someone your expenses will go down. Taking on debt to complete a PhD is not a good idea.

I strongly recommend asking to talk to other international students at these universities about their funding packages. My experience has been that RA and TA positions can vary widely in the number of hours of expected work, but each university should have some baseline figures on what is required. (For example, perhaps you would be required to TA or RA in both fall and winter semesters at the university where you need to do it for 3 years, but only one semester a year for the university where you have responsibilities for all five years. Or the hours expected might be very different.) Also, at times, some universities will match the offers from other places.

It is fine to not go, but going can be very helpful in deciding where you want to get your PhD if you have been accepted to multiple schools. With that said, if you already know you are not going to seriously consider a program, it is better to decline than to attend a recruitment weekend only to make it clear while there that you have a better offer that you are already planning to take.

I think money and comfort are very important aspects. I would just investigate what your partner's job prospects are in both locations and the ease of getting a work permit. And then also consider the overall strength of the programs compared. It is not an easy decision! Good luck!

Vancouver is expensive, but people do make it work on limited budgets. Which campus of SFU will you be at? You might not need a car; there are public transit options. You can also bike! It is true that often Canadian universities do not have strong or competitive funding for international students and if you have better offers in the US you may want to consider them. However, will your partner be working? This could supplement your income and help pay for rent. I am not an expert, but it may be easier for your partner to find work in Canada than in the US. I recommend asking other students in the program you are in what they do for housing options. If you mention your needs upfront they can give you some advice.

Sometimes universities will match offers you receive elsewhere. So I would wait until you hear back from the other schools. If you have a decent guaranteed funding package somewhere else, you could ask this school if they will match it. I would be very hesitant to agree to do a PhD without multiple years of guaranteed funding.