JV-K
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Everything posted by JV-K
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Could you message me to let me know what they say by phone? I also haven't come across that info on their website. I've already turned down my other offers (perhaps a bit prematurely, in hindsight), so am definitely going to NPSIA, but of course I wouldn't say no to a top-up on funding from them!
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SSHRC decisions are out!!! (or at least some of them) I was offered it for the 2 schools that I applied to. Do you know how top ups work (e.g. should I email the school where I've accepted their admissions offer and ask if they'll top up my SSHRC)? I was leaning towards doing the course based track at NPSIA (because that's possible with OGS) but I'm pretty sure that if one accepts SSHRC one has to do MRP or thesis track. So I'd probably only opt for MRP/thesis track if NPSIA tops it up (e.g. if I can get more than just the $2500 extra from SSHRC vs. OGS).
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Oh, that's too bad that it's no longer easily portable. It doesn't really make sense because the SSHRC decisions generally come out after one might have to accept/reject offers.
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Did you apply to OGS as well as SSHRC? I feel like SSHRC is more prestigious, but the money is actually almost the same if I'm not mistaken ($15000 as long as you have 3 full-time terms of study vs $17500, right?). Also, I think that SSHRC is portable (so if you get offered the award it can be used at any of the unis you put on your SSHRC application - I think any Canadian university basically). So wouldn't have to sway your choice to one school or another.
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My partner's applications at UOttawa are still "under evaluation". He was told via email to expect a response in April or May. His marks are from a uni outside of Canada, so I think that's a factor.
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Has anyone looked into Carleton's on-campus options? I just assumed that off-campus housing is much cheaper, but perhaps this isn't the case?
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Officially accepted NPSIA this morning No going back now!!!
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Once you accept your offer, when you go to the tab for accepting funding/awards, you accept/decline each one. So you could accept the RA-ship but reject the TA-ship.
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It's an RA-ship.
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I think that if you have some financial flexibility, funding shouldn't weigh too heavily on your decision, as both programs gave you enough to cover tuition + some extra. I've heard for both programs that there's more funding to apply to in 1st year (e.g. TA-ships, scholarships...), so you never know what you'll be able to get covered for your 2nd year of studies. Plus my understanding is that co-op is paid, so if you work full-time for 8 months out of the 24, you should be able to cover your remaining costs. I don't think either program will be a money making opportunity over the 2 years, but with the scholarships you've received + co-op option - and the fact that Ottawa is much cheaper rent-wise than, say, Toronto - you could break even (at least) for either one...
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Just a note for everyone getting offers from Carleton, make sure that you look at the funding under "Statement of Standing: View/Accept/Decline Offer of Admission" instead of the "Awards and Funding" (which is only for 2017/18 and if you applied to several programs it mixes all the funding together in this section, so it's not clear what you'd actually get for any given program).
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For those considering attending NPSIA MA Int Affairs, here's some information that I received from Tabbatha today (my questions in black, her responses in red): 1. Could you give me a rough estimate of the size of the cohort being admitted to Fall 2017? The cohort will be 100-115 students. 2. How do the TA-ships and RA-ships work? Do students have a say regarding for which classes they TA? What do TA-ships for master's students entail (leading seminars, marking...)? Do students have a say regarding for which professor they act as RA? RA positions have been decided based on your statement. TA positions will be decided by the faculty after you submit the TA profile. You will be paired up with a department or a position that uses the skills you have developed in your undergrad. This can be leading tutorials, marking, working in our resource room, working in one of the service areas that Carleton has (writing tutorial services as an example). 3. I saw in Carleton's terms and conditions of funding that "If you modify your admission program e.g. add a co-op designation (carleton.ca/cc/co-operative-education), then, your funding offer and how it is paid, may be affected.". Does this apply to my funding? I would like to be in co-op; I suppose that sign-up for that is in the Fall? This means that when you go on co-op, your funding is limited. You can retain scholarships, but not TA or RA positions if you maintain FT status and pay FT fees. Most students will go to PT and move their funding to the next available term. You will apply for co-op in Fall 2017 even though your first opportunity is Summer 2018.
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I can confirm that I was told by a GSPIA student (who is graduating in a few months) that co-op is only guaranteed for top students (he said about the top half of the class). He did however say that there are other job listings and jobs through profs, so it's pretty easy to find opportunities. I think the same would apply to NPSIA - there's possibility to find things outside of the official co-op program.
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Thought this was helpful - from another forum, posted by @Hopeful2017 I just wanted to give some perspective on the GSPIA/NPSIA debate. Since I currently work at GAC, I've been getting the perspective from both directors, current and past students at GSPIA and NPSIA. Here is what I've gathered from them all - the good and the bad: GSPIA - They have been admitting too many students into the program and can't provide the unique opportunities they are being praised for to them all now. For example, my friend told me only 20-30 students this year got coops out of 90. - They have dropped the ball on some embassy internships for students - Students frustrated with the administration - French mandatory master's course can be difficult - Less recognition from GAC, NPSIA still leads in terms of the director's I've talked to - More theoretical? And less options for electives - Awesome profs, conferences, round-tables but course load so heavy you hardly have time to attend - Econ heavy in the first semester NPSIA - Econ requirement can be annoying - More people being admitted to the program as well - but it looks like this is the same at GSPIA -Lots of people from NPSIA at GAC - a lot of recognition there - Coop opportunities - some say there has been less, but I see so many coop students at GAC from NPSIA, and only a few from GSPIA. - NPSIA seems a bit more applied
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Definitely feel the same way. My NPSIA funding is over $15,000 more than my GSPIA funding. I prefer GSPIA in a lot of ways but I don't think it wins out when taking into account the money. Plus it's possible to take some courses at UOttawa (e.g. GSPIA courses) while being a NPSIA student, so it would still be possible to study under some of the great profs GSPIA has...
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Since Feb 5 or so.
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Just saw that my Uozone account is updated and I've been admitted to GSPIA. Admission scholarship (which will be replaced by OGS) and they will send info soon regarding a Merit Scholarship.
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Congrats on getting SSHRC!!! When/how did you hear back? I applied to SSHRC but haven't heard back one way or the other. I did hear back from OGS UOttawa yesterday, so it seems they've at least started giving those offers out.
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I noticed an issue like this as well and emailed Tabbatha about it. Basically Awards and Funding:View/Accept/Decline Awards shows all Year 1 funding from all programs you've been accepted to at Carleton, mixed together. To see how much you get from the individual programs (i.e. how much you would actually receive in total if you were to accept NPSIA vs. MPPA), look instead at Statement of Standing:View/Accept/Decline Offer of Admission. This is where your funding is outlined, for both years of the program.
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This is a tough decision, especially since it seems that either program would be awesome. I'm heavily leaning towards NPSIA at this point in time, although I've flipflopped a lot between the two. My plan is to accept NPSIA unless I receive a much bigger funding package from GSPIA (at which point I would reconsider). NPSIA gave me a generous funding offer, though, so my guess is that NPSIA it will be! There are so many courses at NPSIA so it's no surprise that I find more that interest me there than at GSPIA. I am planning to take one or two courses at UOttawa, though - there are some that look amazing and don't have an equivalent at NPSIA (e.g. I'm really interested in immigration and diversity. UOttawa has a perfect course for that, whereas I don't see anything similar at NPSIA). I have been told by a current NPSIA student that this is possible (and the two universities websites confirm this - they have some sort of agreement that makes it relatively painless to take courses at the other institution). I like this possibility, as the profs at GSPIA are frankly more impressive to me in terms of where my interests lie. The course-based option at NPSIA is very attractive for someone like me who did an undergrad thesis and is pursuing a master's mostly to learn a lot from experienced profs and gain a wide knowledge base that will serve me in future careers. From talking to a few GSPIA and NPSIA students (so this is just anecdotal) I have heard: 1. Both programs are awesome for preparing for a career in government/international policy and are well-connected, although NPSIA a bit more so through its alumni network. Co-ops for both are great. 2. Ones doesn't have to specialize at NPSIA and can take courses across specializations, which means that there are TONNES of courses to pick from. GSPIA has more required courses that everyone takes together. 3. There are plenty of funding opps in both programs (either through entrance funding or funding that one can apply to in first year). 4. Class size is much smaller at GSPIA than NPSIA. NPSIA let in 120 students for Fall 2016, which is more than its usual 90 or so. Not clear if this was a one-off, or is part of a trend of increasing the size of the program. 5. Students from both programs do a good job of complaining about their program and believing the other is better, but there doesn't appear to be a clear forerunner. As a side note for those having trouble making decisions between options that are different but attractive in their own way (including myself!), this might be helpful: http://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/519264798/decisions-decisions-decisions. I'd already watched all these TED talks, but the show brings up some new points that are relevant, I feel.
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I got an RA offer for Year 1 and a TA offer for Years 1 and 2, although I think the TA offers are 1/2 time for each of the 4 terms. I don't know how it works in practice - does anyone else? Ie. Do we get to decide for which courses we are TA? Are we RA for a specific prof or for several profs? Do we have any say in who that is?
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Accepted to NPSIA with 31K in funding! I had no idea they gave out so much money - it sounds like lots of people in this forum received awesome funding offers from them yesterday!!! Congrats to all!
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Yes, it can be transferred (I think within the same uni, but if not, at least within the same departments...MPPA <-> NPSIA is possible)
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Yes, too late to apply now. But if you were asking how it works in terms of scholarship caps, there are none at Carleton. So it's just an extra 10-15K added onto whatever other funding you might get (the offers are given separately), which is awesome. At UOttawa, they lower some other funding if you received OGS, I believe.
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Haha I chose the same one as my top pick. That's what's listed now on the portal. I am really split between GSPIA and NPSIA (and MPPA, but mostly because of the $). I think I'll wait to see funding offers for both and then decide. I got an email today in a response to an email I sent them, telling me informally that I will receive OGS for UOttawa, so that evens the field a bit (as I have it for Carleton). UOttawa has some caps though, so getting OGS ends up not being as much of a perk as at Carleton. After going on LinkedIn today, it looks like NPSIA grads are doing a lot of very cool stuff (and GSPIA too, but there are obviously fewer of them because it's a newer program, so less to get excited about). I'm still worried that NPSIA is too right-leaning for me and the profs at GSPIA look both diverse and fantastic in terms of my fields of interest.
