msat

I'd be happy with an acceptance and a $25 gift card to Indigo

I just want to know where I'll be in 6 months. I. Just. Want. To. Know.

Im currently 0/2 with one application left to go. This was my first time around applying to masters programs. Learned the arduous process that is the application process (LOIs, chasing down LOR, going into debt for application fees, the anxiety of waiting, and finally the dejection that comes with rejections). As it stands, I am most likely getting another rejection from the last program I applied to as it highly competitive (something like 600+ applicants), and quite frankly I think my GPA is just too low to even be considered as competitive for that program. What makes my situation even harder is the fact that I am an older student (30++), so at my age the years matter more than  if I was still in my twenties. So, yes I am feeling a little hopeless..but quite frankly I have invested far too much time and effort in this "project" to simply give up and walk away. I will go back, take a few more courses, do well in them, boost my GPA, continue to be involved in some extra-curriculars and try again next season. I've always believed that we truly define ourselves by how we react to failure.

Im currently 0/2 with one application left to go. This was my first time around applying to masters programs. Learned the arduous process that is the application process (LOIs, chasing down LOR, going into debt for application fees, the anxiety of waiting, and finally the dejection that comes with rejections). As it stands, I am most likely getting another rejection from the last program I applied to as it highly competitive (something like 600+ applicants), and quite frankly I think my GPA is just too low to even be considered as competitive for that program. What makes my situation even harder is the fact that I am an older student (30++), so at my age the years matter more than  if I was still in my twenties. So, yes I am feeling a little hopeless..but quite frankly I have invested far too much time and effort in this "project" to simply give up and walk away. I will go back, take a few more courses, do well in them, boost my GPA, continue to be involved in some extra-curriculars and try again next season. I've always believed that we truly define ourselves by how we react to failure.

Was this an email response to you asking about the status of your application, or an email they sent out to all candidates?

I'd be happy with an acceptance and a $25 gift card to Indigo

I'd be happy with an acceptance and a $25 gift card to Indigo

I spoke to the Graduate Administrator at the Political Science department at Carleton, and was told that my M.A Poli Sci application is in the top 20 ranking and that I am most likely receiving an acceptance by the 15th with funding. This was my backup program (behind both NPSIA and GSPIA) but that was nice to hear. 

Possibly, but you aren't the only one in that position. And, for the record I wouldn't put too much stock into that "status" part of uozone as the lady I spoke to mentioned that my file was all complete and updated when in fact the system was not recognizing that fact and was stuck in "incomplete" status. Call in if you are worried your file isn't complete.  
Moreover, by "buckle up" I meant that this will be a roller coaster of emotions. For some it will be elation and happiness, for others it will be frustration punctuated by disappointment. 
 

Buckle up everyone! It has begun..

Yooooo, same! My GSPIA app is still listed incomplete too. But I have called and they verbally told me everything is on file. 

Possibly, but you aren't the only one in that position. And, for the record I wouldn't put too much stock into that "status" part of uozone as the lady I spoke to mentioned that my file was all complete and updated when in fact the system was not recognizing that fact and was stuck in "incomplete" status. Call in if you are worried your file isn't complete.  
Moreover, by "buckle up" I meant that this will be a roller coaster of emotions. For some it will be elation and happiness, for others it will be frustration punctuated by disappointment. 
 

I will, thank you so much everyone! <3
I'm not sure what did it, but I know when I kept stalking this thread before, I was always wondering what other peoples situations were like, so just to give anyone else an idea: I applied with an 84 overall average, currently finishing my fourth year; my degree is Honours English with an Emphasis in Law and Policy; my references were likely VERY strong, because I'm on a very small campus with super kind professors who I've had for my entire stay; and I frankly don't have an excess of volunteer experience in the area, just a few on-campus jobs I've taken as a research assistant and other similar things. I can't say what got me an offer - and so early too, my surname's at the end of the list alphabetically - but I hope others start seeing offers soon too!
It did! And when I click it there's a download .pdf for the offer with the list of conditions and whatnot.

Hello all! Been stalking this forum for months now, just made an account now to say...
I GOT AN OFFER FROM GSPIA! And a scholarship of $6000/year! No email, it's all on their portal website! AAAH!

Does this mean I was accepted if they're "reviewing my file regarding financial aid"? 

Good luck on the week ahead everyone! I hope we get some offers in! Carleton is supposed to decide on their MPPA program by the end of February with offers in the few days following (fingers crossed). So maybe all of you NPSIA folks will start hearing as well Starting to get really nervous over here haha. 

Good luck guys!! GSPIA said " You should expect an answer by the beginning of March" so it seems next week could also be possible offers from them too! Hoping for the best for us all on here! 

I suppose we don't really have a choice of being ok with rejections. At this point its out of our hands, so if some of us do get rejected then we have to try again next year. Im toying  with the idea of dusting off the old backpack to go travelling for a few months if these applications don't pan out...always gotta look for silver linings!

So I got some information regarding the MPPA program at Carleton that might be useful for people. It looks like the decisions should be made at the end of this month, with offers following shortly thereafter  

OMG one of my apps for Carleton moved to 'Review in progress by department'!! ?

Someone on last year's forum got accepted to GSPIA on Feb 11 and someone else on Feb 28. The first person sent their docs in early December, so maybe that made a difference. NPSIA: March 12th/13th in 2015, March 21 in 2016. BSIA: around end of March/early April in 2016, at least some offers in early March in 2016.

NPSIA finally changed my status to review in progress by department 

Two questions that I have are:
1) From my knowledge, it is actually the opposite, and this excludes NPSIA's typically smaller funding packages....  
UOttawa Tuition Last Year for all Social Sciences MA Programs: $6,330- I added both the fall and winter totals from here, using the filters : http://www.uottawa.ca/university-fees/tuition-fees
Carleton's Tuition Last Year (Specifies their MA Intl. Affairs Program or NPSIA): $8,565: http://carleton.ca/studentaccounts/tuition-fees/fw-gr/fallwinter-2016-17-domestic-graduate-tuition-fees/
2) I'm confused as to how you'd come to the conclusion that GSPIA or UOttawa is more 'leftist'? If so, what is that supposed to mean? Personally speaking, I don't find NPSIA's economics-driven, westocentric, predominantly white, neo-liberal faculty to be somehow more comforting. GSPIA doesn't come across as overtly leftist but it does pay more attention to having a more diverse faculty and course offerings, something that students potentially preparing for careers in public policy ought to have, in my humble opinion. 

You too  I'm not too sure! I didn't apply to Munk because it's sooo expensive and I like the fact that being in Ottawa for school provides a lot of coop/fswep opportunities - I currently work for Global Affairs Canada now so I'm hoping that will help the application haha. But, I have a friend in the Munk program and she really loves it. I'm sure you have great stats! You got this!

According to friends of mine who applied for SSHRC last year, the process is time consuming and the selection process is rigorous. At first, I thought I might take a chance and apply, but its a lot of work and given the strength of my application I don't think I have much of a chance at being selected. That being said, those of you with stellar GPA's and impeccable CVs should definitely give it a shot. $17,000 is nothing to balk at!