[Advice on switching graduate programs?]

Thanks for the reply! I recognize the importance of having connections, and I guess I could rephrase my question as "How do I get myself known in this department?" I'm only in my first year, and due to the structure of my current program I unfortunately wasn't able to take courses in this other department. I do know one faculty member there already, but their research interests are quite different from mine and so they probably wouldn't be a potential supervisor. 

There is somebody there who I would very much like to work with – should I just email them, introduce myself, and ask if they're available for a meeting to discuss my interest in the program? Or is it best to explain over email? I don't want to assume they can make time for me, as somebody who isn't a member of the department. 

[Advice on switching graduate programs?]

Hey all, I hope I'm posting this in the right sub-forum! It may be a bit of an unconventional question and I wasn't sure where to put it. 

To keep a long story short, I'm currently doing a PhD program in a field that I love very much, but my research interests have shifted beyond it into another area. I've been feeling stuck and passionless, and like I'm squeezing my research into a box it doesn't really fit into anymore. I've been doing a lot of investigating into what my options are, and there is another PhD program at my university that I think would be a much better fit for me both research-wise and career-wise (I'm not interested in pursuing a tenure-stream job after graduation, and my current program largely prepares me just for that; this other program is much more widely applicable). 

I was recently awarded a CGS, and since the award allows you to change supervisors, programs, or institutions as long as the research remains in SSHRC's mandate, I'm feeling empowered to just go for it and see if I can actually make a change that I've been dreaming of for the past year. No more wondering "what if"! So my questions are: Has anybody ever switched graduate programs? How did you do it? Who should I contact at this other department, and what should I say? I'm usually okay with professional emails, but on this I feel a bit tongue-tied. 

Sorry if the details are vague – I've told a few close friends, but I have been playing it pretty close to the vest for the time being, since my department is really small. Any advice would be much appreciated.  

[OGS 2016-2017]

11 hours ago, eternallyephemeral said:

This process seems different than the one I went through, so it may change between schools. For example, I was never notified that I was nominated by my department.

When was your application deadline? Do you know when they would get back to you with responses? These things also vary from school to school, but it help us see where the department/school is in the process by knowing their deadlines.

For example, this document details the procedure for my program. There are two levels, the graduate program and the faculty level. I would say the graduate program recommending you is the first step, and it might not be guaranteed that you receive OGS if you pass this step. However, it's very likely (if not for sure) that you are on the shortlist, which means you could be waitlisted or you could be offered OGS right away. The link to the document is here:

https://grad.uwo.ca/doc/financial_support/scholarships/ogs_operations/2016/Social Science.pdf

Does this make sense? The bottom line is that it differs between schools, and I think being nominated is not enough to receive the award for sure, but it definitely helps.

Ah, I see. Thank you very much for the info! My application deadline was the beginning of May, but that's because my department had extended it by quite some time – if I remember correctly, they had a bunch of spots open up due to incoming students who received the award either not getting accepted into the program or choosing to go to a different university outside the province.

Yesterday, I got an email from OGS saying that they received my eligibility information and that official results will be sent out mid-July, so I guess I'll know then...there doesn't seem to be any more detailed information on any of my institution's sites anywhere, so I think I will just go and ask my grad coordinator. 

[OGS 2016-2017]

Can anybody clarify what the process is for awarding OGS? I received an email from my university's school of graduate studies saying that I was nominated by my department, and they needed some additional information (SIN etc.) to confirm my eligibility. Is there another evaluation that takes place after this step, or is it a matter of receiving the nomination and then proving that you meet the requirements?

[SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship/CGS Doctoral Scholarship 2016-2017]

Anybody with previous experience being waitlisted have any information on a (ballpark) timeline? I'm sure it depends on a lot of factors, but all this additional waiting is killing me!

[SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship/CGS Doctoral Scholarship 2016-2017]

2 hours ago, ry0718 said:

Received an official letter today (Edmonton). Waitlisted. Any information about what to do for those who waitlisted? 

I also received my official letter today, and I was also waitlisted (with a score of 12.5). Bump for info on this! Anybody been waitlisted and ended up receiving funding? What are the odds?

Edit: I'm in downtown Toronto. Best of luck to those still waiting!