solala

Yes, I also applied to the PhD program in Anthropology at Mcgill, and I'm still waiting for news (has anyone received an offer yet?). I called, and the grad secretary said it might still be another week or two. It seems like a good program, with diverse faculty interests and a surprising (at least theoretical) separation from the Sociology department. I found the profs at Mcgill to be welcoming in their initial correspondence, although I'm not sure if anyone with similar interests to me will be available to take on new PhD students this year. I still have my fingers crossed though. I'm fortunate to have received funded offers from UBC and Concordia, and I need to make a decision by tomorrow. I am actually seriously considering Concordia as I found the profs there to be the most encouraging and helpful in the application process and it seems like an interesting program (PhD in social and cultural analysis). Any thoughts/considerations/advice? Thanks everyone!

Thanks for the great advice Lorelai_Gilmore and Extrastine. I have asked for a 2-week extension, and I'm waiting for a reply. I agree that it's best to keep my options open, but I also don't want to burn bridges with the prof who has agreed to take me on (so I'm going to write to him and explain that I need more time). I also realize that I am holding a spot and funding that someone else probably really needs, so I am going to pressure the other schools for news soon. take care

Yes, it looks like many of us are in the same precarious boat. I'm having a really hard time making a decision on PhD programs without knowing if I will have sshrc-funding or not, so I thought I'd see if anyone has any advice (or a similar situation to vent about). I only applied to 3 universities (5 programs), and I've only heard back from one so far. Luckily, they gave me a really good offer (a 4-year, 18K fellowship and tuition waiver). I feel really grateful to have received this offer, but the issue is that the university is not my first choice, and it's in Vancouver (and I know from experience that it would be difficult to survive on that amount in such an expensive city). Also, the letter states that if I receive external funding (e.g. SSHRC) than I will no longer receive the fellowship and tuition waiver from the university. As a direct applicant to sshrc (forwarded on to the national competition), it looks like I have about a 35% chance of success (based on the estimations from other posters). My preference is to go to one of the other programs I applied to in Montreal (which is much more affordable), but I don't know if I will even be accepted (not to mention if I will be offered any funding). I have spoken to some profs who are interested in supervising (and may have some RA work coming up), but that's no guarantee. Ideally, I will get accepted into the program of my choice in Montreal, with the possibility of also getting sshrc funding this year or next (and the possibility of university scholarships or RA work that wouldn't be cancelled out if I receive external funding). The problem is that I have to respond to my only offer so far in Vancouver by March 2nd. So do I reject a good offer in the hopes to getting into my dream program in my dream city and finding funding somewhere out there? Your thoughts and insights would be greatly appreciated! thanks

Just found out that my letter finally arrived in Vancouver today, and I have also been forwarded to the national competition! Dont worry if it takes a while for your letter to arrive or if it says <nothing to display> under your applications in the sshrc portal (that doesn't mean rejection). Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the info folks. I'm away from home, but now I know to ask my niece to open the letter for me and send the news. Fingers crossed. Congrats to everyone who has been forwarded!

Alas, here's the response I received from SSHRC on when they will mail the results this year: "Not till end of April." I'm going to try to forget about this for the next 2 months. Wishing you all the best!

Hi folks, Yes, I applied directly to SSHRC (still waiting on acceptance letters from the PhD programs I applied to as well). Anyone in the same boat? I just emailed SSHRC to change my address, and I also asked when they will mail out the competition results this year. I will let you all know what they say. Break a leg everyone!