stemcells

I think there isn't necessarily a second round so much as the next person on the wait list could get an offer any time if somebody declines. May 5th would be the last day someone could decline if offered on April 15th, assuming they count April 15th in the 21-day period.

OGS applications used to be reviewed by a central provincial board but for a number of years now it's the school itself that decides. The province allocates a certain number of awards per school and the school can distribute as they please. I would imagine most schools internally decide to allocate X awards per faculty rather than per department. I also know somebody who did not apply as an existing master's student and who was offered an OGS scholarship with her acceptance letter. So that means some schools could use OGS scholarships as bait for high quality students (in that case there would be no application at all). Hope that helps confuse even more Also your entire undergrad GPA is not considered. I belive it is just your average of your most recent two years-worth of full time study (either most recent 10.0 credits or just average of last two Fall/Winter semesters, I'm not sure which). Yes, thanks fingers crossed!

It's dependent on whether or not those who were given initial offers are just going into grad school (i.e. do they have offers from other schools?), and whether they have been offered tri-council awards (NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC) which may force them to decline OGS. Unfortunately it seems the numbers vary by year, by faculty, by department, by school etc. and almost no schools release info about the size of wait lists. Just a waiting game or time to look to improving for time I would argue.

Thanks I hope so too. Frankly I'm flattered that I'm on the list despite not having published any of my research yet, so that's good.

Western OGS was released today. Also told not to ask about the size/your position on the wait list. I was wait listed for both NSERC and OGS

Nice, what school is this if you don't mind me asking?

That is encouraging! Hopefully science faculties act similarly then. Thanks for sharing

It varies by school, by year, and whether you're applying for NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC. I know each school has a pre-determined number of each that will be awarded to students at that school for any given year. Here is the link: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/students-etudiants/cgsallocations-quotasbesc_eng.asp. If you're in Neuro at alberta I assume you're either NSERC or CIHR, which would be a competition for 61 or 24 awards respectively (this year). If my understanding is correct, the school first reviews applications internally producing an initial ranking, then sends the applications alongside rankings to NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC for the national competition. (Exception is for students applying from year-4 undergrad for 1st-year CGS-M; theirs get forwarded automatically to national). Then another selection process occurs, producing a second ranking which the school can then use to fulfill its allotted number of each award. Those that were deemed meritous but ranked below the allotted number are wait listed I think. I do not know what determines the length of a wait list. Hope that helps somewhat

What kind of degree are you doing? Is it a thesis-based masters in a science field and do you get a stipend?

Yes, it is my impression too that the larger Ontario schools like Western, Toronto, etc. may just use the funds to pay FOR you rather than award you (much) extra. I will try to clarify with Western. In the meantime if anybody already knows and is willing to share I am all ears! FOLLOW-UP Question: In your case, when UofT decided to use the $15k from OGS to pay for your regular stipend, were you relieved of TA duties with the same funding value? I hear this happens in some cases.

I too am an alternate at Western. I have a general question for anyone who may know: I recently read that your supervisor decides how much of NSERC CGS-M or OGS prize money goes to you (the student). It is my understanding that typically the award ends up just funding your tuition, and also replacing your TA- and supervisor's contributions to your stipend. So most winners of NSERC or OGS only end up seeing a few thousand extra overall than they would have received with their stipend alone because the supervisor voluntarily tops you up as a pat on the back. Is this true, or would a recipient actually receive the entire $17.5k or $15k for NSERC CGS-M or OGS, respectively?