VanessaB

The QEII is now part of the Alberta Graduate Scholarship. It was combined into one award instead of having multiple awards under different names. I believe each university department has their own process for awarding these scholarships. I recently reached out to someone at UAlberta to find out more. Usually, you don’t get those until you’re in a program though.

I’m honestly not sure what she said in the email or how she worded it. I was never close with her, but we shared the same honours supervisor in different years, so I heard about the situation from the supervisor.

It usually doesn't hurt to email a program and let them know about this sort of thing. I know a girl who was in a similar situation. When she informed the graduate school about her funding, they accepted her.

Got my rejection from OISE on Feb 21. It seems like they do their acceptances and rejections sporadically.

Congrats!

Congrats!

They do have a beautiful newer residence that would be more ideal if you’re wanting to live on campus. However, from what I recall, the showers were more communal style and the meal plan was mandatory, so there’s definitely trade offs for being in a newer building. I think it’s wise to start looking early if you end up going there. The campus gardens are all amazing, and as for off-campus gardens, I highly recommend going to check out the Butchart Gardens at some point. Whale watching was fun too. Pizzaria Prima Strada was sooooo good, and The Pink Bicycle was a great place too.

Victoria itself was great, but the living situation was rough. I stayed in the uni townhouse residences and quite frankly they were a dive. They are in dire need of a renovation. I had two other roommates who I shared the unit with, and one was great and the other was not. I guess the people who lived in the unit prior to us pulled a knob off of the stove and then put it back on in the wrong place, so when our stove was "off" it was still running, so that was interesting. As well, one of the girls had takeout food in the one of the two fridges when I arrived. When I left two months later, the takeout was still in her fridge. ? Also, the couches in the living room had so many stains that I was afraid to sit on them. If I had to do it again, I would've lived off campus. However, I've heard the living situation is tough in Victoria as my classmates mentioned that it's difficult to find a place to rent. I found being away from my friends and family was very difficult, and I missed having a bath tub as there was only a shower in our residence, but I think everyone copes with those factors differently.

I think it's fine to let the school know about your dilemma. Hopefully they're understanding. If they're not willing to be flexible, you could always accept the offer to the counselling program. If you do receive an offer somewhere else that you'd rather accept, there's nothing stopping you from letting the counselling psychology program know that circumstances changed and ultimately you changed your mind. Of course, accepting an offer and then rejecting it later on isn't ideal, but it's definitely one of your options given the situation.

I was considering applying to that program at one point, but I decided against it as it didn't seem like the best fit given my personal and professional goals. From what I recall, I think their application deadline was in early 2020, so I suspect you might have to wait a few more weeks before hearing anything. I know more about UVic's counselling program though because one summer, when I was still strangling considering counselling psychology, I lived in Victoria and did the prerequisite courses for their counselling program.

Congrats!

That’s amazing! Congrats on getting accepted at UCalgary for the MSc in Counselling Psyc and making your final choice! I’ve heard it’s not an easy program to get into.

Thanks! I tried going for a day trip over the long weekend, but I got so lost! It’s a big campus! I walked into some religious building and the person there was like, “Ohhh, are you looking for someone?” I said, “No, just exploring.” He replied, “Oh because confession is starting in a few minutes!” Then I followed with, “I’m sure I have many things to confess, but that’s not actually why I’m here.” ? Anyways, I’m taking some time off of work next week, and I’m going for an official campus tour. I’m also going to buy a school hoodie, a water bottle, and a pen (because well...I’m kind of a nerd)!

If it came down to an offer from both SCCP OISE and SCCP UAlberta, I still would’ve chosen UAlberta, so maybe they just knew what my final decision would be lol. And thanks! I’m SO excited! They have an arts-based research studio at UAlberta in the education building and a faculty member who has a strong drama background, similar to myself, so I can’t wait to be in an environment that is so supportive of the creative arts!

M PB CH KS (though I don’t think she’s accepting)

It says, "Decision Document," in the grad application portal.

Ah, never mind. Rejection from SCCP at OISE! Though, I'm SO thrilled with UAlberta and I know it will be an amazing fit. I wouldn't feel too bad about an OISE rejection though if you do get one. I have 3 degrees with one being an honours degree in psyc and I got all A and A+ grades throughout it, 9+ years of teaching experience, 3+ years crisis line experience, 2+ years research experience, 3+ years mental health education experience, 1+ years mentoring experience, and the list goes on. Ultimately, I didn't see myself living in and moving to Toronto (especially since I want to work and live in AB), so I suppose it's possible OISE may have a preference for locals or perhaps research fit is really, really important there (as I want to do arts-based research, which not everyone in the field of psychology appreciates).

Interesting about the OISE rejections. My OISE application is still apparently under review.

Congrats!

Not sure if it helps any, but a number of years ago I applied for a MEd in Counselling Psychology, and I thought I’d get in for sure. However, that rejection happened so long ago that when I joined this online discussion here, I actually forgot I ever applied anywhere before or was ever rejected from anywhere! ? Anyways, during the year I applied to start a counselling program, not only was I rejected, but I didn’t even get an interview. I was shocked! After asking the committee about the rejection and reasons for it, they suggested I needed a stronger psych background (as I had a BFA and BEd at the time and only a handful of psychology courses). That rejection turned out to be so great in so many ways, though I didn’t realize it at the time, and I was so crushed at first. Years later, I realized that I didn’t want to be a counsellor after all, and school psychology or a related field would be a much better fit. I could’ve ended up with a masters in a field I didn’t even want to work in! The rejection also led me to quit my full-time teaching job and go back to school to get my BA in Honours Psychology. I met so many amazing people during my studies in psychology, and I had the most amazing experiences that I otherwise wouldn’t have had if I had originally been accepted to that counselling program. I know being waitlisted may seem upsetting in the moment, but as your life progresses, I encourage you to try and see all the wonderful doors that have been opened to you because of certain things that have or have not happened. So perhaps think of it this way...as one waitlist or rejection happens, one door opens.

Congrats!

Congrats on your acceptances! It sounds like you’ve made your final decision! ?

I accepted my UAlberta SCCP offer last weekend, but I don't think the SCCP and Counselling supervisors will overlap.

Congratulations on your acceptance! ??

I haven't heard anything from SCCP at OISE. Though, because I've already made my decision, if they actually offer an acceptance, I will kindly decline. When I was reaching out to POIs a number of months ago, this is what one of them said, "Typically, students work on projects related to data we have already collected or partners we are already working with; this is primarily for logistical reasons so that students can get through the program on time." As such, you may be doing someone else's research at OISE, so just a heads up if you do get an acceptance...