Adelaide9216

I'm working on my Vanier scholarship research proposal and it's quite challening I must admit. One of the persons that is helping me out with my research proposal is helpful (she's helped me with my proposals for MA SSHRC and MA FRQSC that I both got), but she seems to be unaware of my CV and credentials (I had a LOT of leadership roles and did a LOT of volunteering for the past 13 years of my life) and she seems skeptical about my ability to get the scholarship, precisely because she sees me like a "public personality" (those are the words she used) but appears to be unaware that I actually have undergraduate and graduate research experience as well. She's not one of my closest friends, but she's helpful in terms of challening me to make my research proposal stronger. I must give her that. However, her skepticism kinda bothers me because I know that I have a strong profile for it, even if I am still unsure if I'll get it. I am unsure, that's why I'm working on my 7th version since January and don't take it for granted.
I don't like when people imply that I should not try at something just because something is hard or prestigious. If I thought that way, I would have never applied for SSHRC (that I got before my first year of study in my master's program) and FRQSC (got ranked 2nd in my category). I'm a hard worker and I've never been afraid of putting effort into things. I'm very motivated and perseverant and nobody should ever tell me that I should not give a shot a something (hence, a scholarship) just because it's prestigious and competitive. 
 
 
 

I'm working on my Vanier scholarship research proposal and it's quite challening I must admit. One of the persons that is helping me out with my research proposal is helpful (she's helped me with my proposals for MA SSHRC and MA FRQSC that I both got), but she seems to be unaware of my CV and credentials (I had a LOT of leadership roles and did a LOT of volunteering for the past 13 years of my life) and she seems skeptical about my ability to get the scholarship, precisely because she sees me like a "public personality" (those are the words she used) but appears to be unaware that I actually have undergraduate and graduate research experience as well. She's not one of my closest friends, but she's helpful in terms of challening me to make my research proposal stronger. I must give her that. However, her skepticism kinda bothers me because I know that I have a strong profile for it, even if I am still unsure if I'll get it. I am unsure, that's why I'm working on my 7th version since January and don't take it for granted.
I don't like when people imply that I should not try at something just because something is hard or prestigious. If I thought that way, I would have never applied for SSHRC (that I got before my first year of study in my master's program) and FRQSC (got ranked 2nd in my category). I'm a hard worker and I've never been afraid of putting effort into things. I'm very motivated and perseverant and nobody should ever tell me that I should not give a shot a something (hence, a scholarship) just because it's prestigious and competitive. 
 
 
 

As someone with a non-western name, I would agree, but sadly that’s not how life works right now. (And of course we could have a longer conversation about many other forms of discrimination.)

Are you still considering whether you should go to grad school or stay at a boring job? This was exactly what I was pondering a couple years ago. Now I want to tell you that grad school experience might be the best you would ever have.
Here's my story. 
I graduated from university in 2010 with a B.A. degree. In the second last semester, a Politics course just changed my life forever. I wasn't the best student in my class in any way, in fact I was probably the furthest from top student quality. I didn't study hard, nor did I receive satisfying grades. To the contrary, I was one of those absent-minded ones who struggled to stay above a 2.0 CGPA for elective courses. Sure I did okay for mandatory courses of my major but no one in my social circle including myself thought saw me as particularly intellectual. It wasn't until that I took that one course called Political Economy of media which sort of shook me to the core. I was totally hooked. Thereafter, I wanted to go back to school badly. Had several jobs here and there but none of them was particularly successful. This is not because I wasn't good at my job but it is just that I didn't feel fulfilled. In other words, I was hungry for that intellectual stimulation. At the age of 31, I applied to grad school in London, England studying Politics. During the year I was there, I felt like a different person. I was truly happy. I got to hang out with people who are also interested in things I love, which is very rare to find in my city. I also got to know a few of brilliant professors who I admired. Now I am a part-time teacher and also a freelance writer. now looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. My life as a graduate student in London was the best experience in my life. 

Indeed. It’s also the reason you’re not supposed to put your age, marital status, etc on there. 

It’s common in some parts of Europe but it’s never done in North America.   

That's unfortunate! It's an awesome resource that's been out there for a couple of decades. I find it gives really clear advice about what proposals need to do. Another good resource is the book Proposals that Work which I think is now in its sixth edition.

I would move. There's a lot more to a PhD than class. You need to meet your supervisor, if you're TA-ing you have office hours, you'd need to attend (lab) meetings, and so on. Plus you'd be more close to your cohort and potentially social support system network.

Agree. I was faced with this exact question a few years back (Boston v. Providence) and moved. I don't regret it. Neither does my wife, and she's the one stuck with the 3 hours of commuting each day.

Finally reserved my apartment. This is happening.

I don't know about the relative strengths of the two universities for your discipline, but a factor that may be worth considering is that it is much cheaper to live in Montreal. 

Amazing! Congrats again

Yes, I agree with this. It's actually normal or not unusual that your research topic changes a little bit after applying. 

Yaaay my new advisor seemed genuinly into my proposal ^^, Happy!

I would move. A PhD isn't just about the seminars. It's also about the networking, being able to attend events on campus, gaining teaching and research experience, having access to the reference librarians and the stacks, etc. I think it's fine to live at a distance later in the PhD but early on, being close to your colleagues, advisors, and campus resources is often crucial. That said, you're putting the cart before the horse if you haven't even applied yet...

I just feel good. I have a couple of projects in mind that I want to do in grad school and I do believe they´re good ideas although not fully developed yet. I feel more confident now. I have a house, finally booked my flight, got a general idea what I want to do, think I'll get along very well with my cohort, and I'm 'ready'. Really looking forward to it :3
In the meantime, the fabulous and fun contact I have with my former advisor continuous - it's definitely shaping into a friendship which I'm very happy with. 

I got a grant to work at a health and social policy institute next year on the issue of sexual violence (my thesis' topic). 

Perform a literature review of your topic. Develop an understanding of how ongoing debates over various aspects of your topic have informed subsequent research and debate.
Concurrently, perform a literature on your discipline. Develop an understanding of the "big picture" issues that are driving the profession.
Through patience, diligence, and thoughtful reflection, do what you can to (a) establish a conversation among works on your topic as well as (b) a conversation among works about your discipline as well as (c) a conversation between (a) and (b). Your analysis of conversation A should reveal unexplored/unanswered questions. Your analysis of conversation B should reveal the received wisdom of your intended profession of what it needs to do to remain relevant. Your analysis of conversation C should reveal how your contribution to conversation A will move the needle in conversation B.

I understand perfectly well why those in the community would be asking why Adelaide wants to know. My confusion is around others asking those questions. You're talking about building trust but why does anyone need to build that level of personal trust with a thesis committee member, someone who doesn't identify as a member of the community the OP wants to study. To be clear, the real part I was taking issue with is the idea that someone who is a person of color must only study their community, which is what a committee member said to the OP. As I stated before, no one has ever held white and/or male academics to that standard so it seems ludicrous to me to hold a person of color to it. 
I have zero issue with Adelaide or anyone else taking the time to build trust with the community they want to work with. Indeed, as a trained social scientist, I believe such trust-building is fundamental to any successful project, particularly one which is community-based or collaborative. But, when you say what you said above, it sounds like you do want Adelaide to engage in some personal disclosure, even though you've previously said that isn't required. 
So, if you're at a conference and someone tells you they work with rape victims, do you then ask them "were you raped?" There are plenty of reasons why people may study something which hasn't intimately affected their lives. There are also reasons why someone may not want to disclose a personal connection to a topic (if there is one) to a near stranger. I can think of a number of examples based on people I know of both of these. For example, I can think of a Latinx colleague whom everyone assumes (based on physical appearance and/or name) must be the one who teaches Ethnic American Lit but who actually focuses on British literature that's 300+ years old. Should that person change their focus to something to which people might assume they are more connected to?
In general, I'd exercise caution in trying to force people to disclose things or (as is the case with the OP) try to force them to only study or focus on communities they are a part of. And I'd also tell everyone that you aren't obligated to fully disclose why you're doing what you're doing to any academic. We all have reasons, many of which we don't talk about in favor of giving a pat or trite response. If someone I don't know asked me "why this topic", they'd never get the full story. 

I went to the gym and ran for an hour. I only burned 300 calories but I'm proud of myself for taking these steps to enhance my physical health. 

I just paid my driving lessons! ?

Dont let your perfectionism get the best of you! I know how it feels. But try to approach things as a opportunity to learn - it helps me so much really.

Make students wait 48 hours to discuss grades with you. The cooling off period can work wonders. 

It's gonna be great! Solo-traveling has been one of the most liberating things I have done (so I can give you tips if needed). PM me if you need any help. I'm not from Paris but have made my fair share of solo-travels and have been to Paris. And really - Amsterdam is not that far >.<

Thank you ❤️ I did send it last night (weekend on the other side of the world - so no reply yet - fortunately). I now regret not sending something a little bit more 'modest' haha - but then again, my 'big and bold' ideas (not my words) were well received and my former department so whatever. Let's see how far I can push it.