lemonpepper

That's a really good question. I don't know how quick they are about getting the cash flow going for a May start, but I do know that awards are normally administered through your university. You should have had to fill out some activation forms. If you haven't done this, contact your FGS asap to get it going. If it does take a while, they will pay you retroactively. Your FGS should be able to tell you how long you're looking at. Let us know how long it ends up taking to see an actual deposit (or cheque). This will be helpful for folks next year too. Congrats, btw!

I found out from my Faculty of Grad Studies that I got a CGS today--yay!! So, if you are still waiting--contact your FGS--they have the results!!! My stats are as follows: - just finishing MA - no publications - one major conference presentation, several grad student conferences (do those count?) - 8.86 GPA (9 point scale) - MA SSHRC - several university awards/fellowships and one smaller external - letters from my supervisor and committee member--both assistant profs - ranked #2 (out of 2) in my department, and #11 by my uni overall Don't know my score yet, b/c I don't have the letter from SSHRC. Tomorrow maybe? Anyway, congrats to all who've had good news! And if not this year, keep trying!

Hi catwoman_80, My SSHRC payments were monthly, though I don't know if it depends on the school or not. It's definitely something for you to check into, because once your program ends, so do SSHRC payments. So you don't want to complete too quickly! But it may be that different schools pay out in different ways. I don't know. Yes, I found out through my department. I just checked my records: my grad advisor notified me by email on May 6th. I did eventually get the SSHRC letter, which was dated May 6th, but postmarked May 12th, so it was a while later. Good luck!!

Well, this is what I was told in 2009 by our SSHRC facilitators. I think they are pretty credible--but then again, I was still nervous until I got the official word from my department. I guess the question to ask would be, does anyone know of any MA applicants who've been forwarded to Ottawa in past years who didn't end up getting it? I don't. I think your chances are extremely good.

Just fyi if you're waiting for an MA SSHRC: I got one a couple of years ago, and was told by my university that if you got forwarded to Ottawa, it's pretty much just a rubber stamp. This applies only to the MA SSHRCs, not the PhD. I was pretty nervous waiting, but was told to relax, because it was essentially a sure thing. The PhD process is different and they do re-examine all proposals at the national level. At least, so I've been told by our SSHRC facilitators. One more thing--the year I got an MA SSHRC (2009), MAs were informed before PhDs. It was in May. For what it's worth.

I see in the NSERC thread that they're getting results already. Is SSHRC likely to be on the same schedule? I *hope* so!

I bought a Mac a year and a half ago and absolutely HATE it. It is more difficult to do pretty much anything and crashes regularly. I may have got a lemon, but for that kind of money, I really hoped for better. Funny thing is, the Ipod touch I had bit the dust after 2 months of use, so I have very little faith in Apple. They did replace it, at least. I use my old Sony Vaio laptop most of the time. It's 5 or 6 years old, but is much easier to use than the Mac, and doesn't crash. So, in my opinion, Macs aren't worth it.

In addition to scholarships/fellowships that you will have plenty of time to search out, you can probably teach or t.a. that last year, which would bring in some cash. Or you could always get a student loan for a year if you really had to. Four years funding is fab! Don't sweat it.

You will receive an official offer letter or letter of admission. But update your phone info with grad secretaries, as others have said, just the same.

You should definitely post. My friend posted, and I am so glad she did! I mean, I could have waited till I saw her again to find out--but the immediacy was way better. I was totally thrilled!

I put in about 12 to 14 hours a week ta-ing, though my contract says I'm only supposed to be putting in 9. Honestly though, class prep and marking take longer than they allot. I think 20 seems like a lot also.

Wow! That's so impressive. Congratulations!

In terms of evaluation, I had always been under the impression that SSHRC places 60 percent of the evaluation on grades, 30 percent on proposal, and 10 percent on communication skills. That's what my school's SSHRC facilitator said anyway. But recently, the graduate advisor at my prospective school told me that that is the formula for the Master's SSHRC. She said that the Ph.D. is reversed--that they place most emphasis on the proposal. Does anyone know for sure?

It was an acceptance! My first one, and from my preferred school. Very surprised and relieved. Thanks for the advice everyone.

My preferred school (Ph.D. app) emailed me this morning and wants a phone call. They didn't say what we would talk about. What does it mean? I have no idea! I am now waiting for the phone to ring. Most nerve-wracking.