Hi all,
16.2/20; awarded Doctoral fellowship (x2 years $40k). 2nd application. Committee 2, Religious Studies. External applicant, UK.
Here are my details for those interested. Perhaps it can be of assistance to those applying again.
I am a mature student, having been working for 14 years before transitioning to PhD studies.
My first application (two years ago) did not make it past the first round. I had applied not yet having matriculated, with the same proposal, but this time my application was tweaked considerably.
Here are the differences that perhaps helped my application:
- I listed out all of my non-academic experience (though somewhat related), e.g. non-academic conferences and workshops, including my leadership and collaborative roles as a minister of religion
- I added two academic seminar papers (one "semi-referreed") unpublished, essentially a presentation of my research to date since my last application two years ago
- I tweaked my proposal, sharpening it and articulating where I currently stood in my research process, about midway. I also rewrote it (even more) in non-specialist language. Also, I rewrote it in more religiously accessible terms; I am working in the biblical studies field in Christian origins, but I couched the proposal more along the lines of ancient Jewish-Christian literature study.
- I 'name-dropped' my supervisor in the research proposal, who is an expert in my field
- strong reference letter from my supervisor
- explained how my work experience (for me, this was in the church and in my larger denomination) was relevant to and strengthened my application.
- explained what I thought were the 'anomalies' in my academic record, e.g. long completion time in my previous degree due to f/t work
Note that I don't have a particluarly outstanding academic background since I had not originally been gearing myself in this direction, ie no real publications or academic conferences except those I mentioned above. But I think my life / work experience and non-academic work helped supplement somewhat.
I was a bit disappointed when in the course of application one of my referrees (not my supervisor but a former Master's thesis supervisor) turned down my request for a letter, but I went on to my third choice and continued my application.
I don't think any appliction the second time around is "exactly the same" as the previous one, since you have at least a year of research and experience under your belt. That in itself demonstrates that you are more likely to make a significant research contribution, so don't be afraid to apply again if turned down the first time.
If I can score a SSHRC with my atypical academic background, then I think with hard work, most anyone can! Best of luck to everyone in the next round.
