bedalia

I love this piece of spoken word, "How to be Alone," by Tanya Davis:

So sweet! I hope you'll keep us posted!

When I had to contact the Vanier folks at SSHRC about something back in late April, I took the opportunity to ask when they expected to make the official public announcement. I was told it was "anticipated that the announcement [would] be made some time in May." Does anyone have more recent information?

Tuesday and Fridays aren't "off" just because there is no class - that's when you're to be reading, doing research and writing. I think most people find it hard enough to keep up with the workload of a Master's program without adding a diploma+coop to the mix.

My department initiates a round of introductions by email. It's a nice way to start to get to know everyone. But keep in mind, everyone is trying to impress one other so the intros can be a bit inflated. It's funny several months or more into the program to go back and read everyone's introductions. By that time you know each other better and pretences have been dropped (or can be seen through). After this exchange of emails, some cohorts have set up Facebook groups before their programs started. A few people in one of my programs inquired about sharing accommodations (and ultimately opted to live alone).

Spices aren't considered perishables and should be fine. They're concerned about things like meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables that would spoil en route; they don't want anything that could cause a smelly, rotting, leaky mess.

It's also important to remember how Facebook has changed over the years - what you posted several years ago, perhaps before you ever considered going to grad school or developing professional relationships, used to quite quickly get buried on your wall and become inaccessible; however, with the new timeline format, it's easy for newly added friends to quickly access that rant or those party photos from first year undergrad, for example.

I had an MA SSHRC, and my application last year (for first year PhD) didn't even make it out of the university. I also have kids so I had to reconsider whether I could afford to go ahead with a PhD. I got OGS, but ended up declining it because with OGS's limits on additional funding, I would have ended up with the same amount as my program's package anyway, and with the limits on the number of years we can receive govt. funding, I wanted to keep three years available for a CGS or Vanier. Meanwhile, I told my program director about my financial concerns, noting that while the program's funding package is pretty generous, it doesn't go as far when you have dependents. It came up more as an observation in a casual discussion, not as part of negotiation, though I don't think there is harm in raising it as a point of negotiation, if necessary. He came back to me later and offered me a research assistant position in one of his projects (we aren't required to RA or TA as part of our funding package, so I could handle it time-wise). I was also nominated for and won some internal awards, which not only helped financially but improved my application profile. It turned out to be for the best that I didn't get SSHRC in my first year, though time and money were tight - I worked hard to improve my applications, and this year I got Vanier (and CGS, which I will decline) - waaaay better for me and my kids. I wouldn't have been able to accept the full three years had I received SSHRC last year. See what your program can do to get you through the first year, consider whether it is in your best interests to accept OGS (depends on your funding package and other options for supporting yourself this year), and work on a kick-ass application for next year (and do apply for Vanier!). It sucks to have to go through the process again, and the uncertainty is brutal. I really feel your pain. Keep your hopes up and don't give up!

My letter arrived in Waterloo. I was awarded CGS (score 21.15/30, 1907 applications adjudicated, 1085 awards offered). But since I won a Vanier, I will be declining - which means movement on the waitlists!

Results have been mailed - https://twitter.com/#!/SSHRC_CRSH

No, I don't think so. Someone I know at Waterloo had been exempt from paying international tuition (she paid the same as domestic students), but when she won Vanier, she lost that exemption AND her department funding. She would have ended up with only around $5,000 more in her pocket than she would have had without Vanier. She managed to convince the department to cover the difference between domestic tuition and international tuition; otherwise there is not much incentive, besides honour, for international students to go through the rigorous application process. Vanier recipients are also not eligible for the UW President's scholarship given to OGS, SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR recipients. Or course, as a Vanier recipient at Waterloo, I'd love nothing better than to be corrected, if you know something I don't know, j3doucet!

I agree. They want to be able to make the big announcement themselves, so your department should not make an announcement until after the official public announcement by Vanier. But it is unreasonable to expect us not to tell family, friends and departments (who will be informed by the grad studies office, anyway), especially when you consider that the official public announcement last year was not made until August! I've shared among my close family and friends and within my department while cautioning them against going public with the news for now.

You will be fine. Here is my experience as someone who moved home from overseas with two kids to start a B.A. at 34, followed by an M.A., and now PhD. You ARE older and wiser and will bring life experience to your program, and that will show (positively) in the quality of your work. However, don't let that fool you into thinking that you should "have it all figured out." That's just not the way it works, and if you expect that of yourself, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. (Plus, if you have children, you have a whole other set of responsibilities that many in your cohort/classes may not share; so remember to cut yourself some slack when things don't go to plan! You'll find your professors are willing to do so, too, if not abused.) Grad school can be tough, there will times of overload, struggle and self-doubt, but you will be able to handle it. Commiserating with your classmates is a great way of putting everyone on a level playing field - you will realize that everyone struggles at times, and they will be reassured that you don't think yourself superior because of your age. Remember, you can learn A LOT from younger members of your cohort. Listen. Respect. Don't draw attention to your age by constantly referring to it or how old you feel in relation to them, not because you should be embarrassed about your age or hide it, but repeatedly mentioning it can make everyone around you feel uncomfortable - not a good foundation for friendship. They'll know you are older, and probably won't care - unless you keep. on. bringing. it. up! But also, don't try to act their age - that makes EVERYone uncomfortable, most importantly YOU! Be true to yourself (at every age!). It can be lonely at times, especially as an older student (though I found a wider age range in my grad programs than in my undergrad). School takes up a lot of time and doesn't leave much time for socializing (especially if you have children to care for), but invest time in building a supportive community at school, in your program if possible - it can be really helpful during those stressful times to have people around you who are going through the same thing or who can relate. Also, MAKE time for socializing with your friends outside of school who know you, love you, and support you - they will help keep things in perspective and give you a sense of connection. But really? Don't worry, you'll be fine!

198 eligible nominations were reviewed.

Thanks, Naim! Like I said, I didn't go looking to far for stats, just a cursory glance at the website, really. I'm amazed that at this point of operation, the program is still not up offering the full capacity of 500 awards, or even any more than the first year! Don't feel too discouraged or take it personally. It's a huge achievement even to get forwarded by your university. There are so many factors that go into the selection process that have zero reflection on your application (like the possibility that your university's quota could have been exhausted, for example). I hope you applied for SSHRC; if you got this far in the Vanier competition, you surely have a good shot at SSHRC, which should be some consolation.

There were 166 Vanier scholarships awarded the first year (2009), but the program was intended to reach a full capacity of 500. I don't know if it is operating at full capacity yet, but I would be really surprised if the number has not increased at all from 166 by now. Also, I haven't seen (and admittedly have not tried to find) a breakdown of awards granted through each council, but it need not be equal (or even close to equal). I'm quite happy to be corrected, if someone has found more specific information on the Vanier website.

I've heard it suggested that we put the pile of Need To Read books out of sight and set up an empty bookshelf upon which we put each book as we complete it (any designated spot would probably also work). It's less daunting, the sense of accomplishment as the shelf fills up is greater, and it motivates you to tackle another book.

Having been through this process several times now, can I suggest that you (and others playing the guessing game) spare yourself a lot of anxiety and not try to figure out the odds of receiving these scholarships or when the results will be announced. I know it's hard, but, as much as you can, just put it out of your mind. They will be announced when they are announced, and you will receive it or you won't. Thinking about it constantly will not change anything except your stress and anxiety levels. Oh, and expect all results to be late. They often are. But if they happen to be on time, you will be pleasantly surprised, rather than refreshing GradCafe every 2 minutes for the entire month of April and possibly May.

It's been a stressful time for me as well, though different circumstances. But really, that's life. Right now I'm juggling the stresses of school and my personal life; several years ago, I was juggling the stresses of a career and my personal life. In another few years, that will be the case again. C'est la vie. How to cope? I remind myself that everyone has different stressors at any given time in their life. Remember, THIS TOO SHALL PASS! Getting enough sleep makes a HUGE difference for me, as does getting enough exercise. Each difficulty faced makes me more capable and confident to face the next one (and there always IS, and WILL BE, a next one).

You are absolutely right - as long as your loans are accruing interest, you best pay that off as quickly as possible. But if you have no debt, or your loans are not accruing interest while you are in school (which is the case for provincial government loans in Canada), its best to hold off paying them off until you finish school. Mind, interest starts accruing on these loans as soon as you are done school, not after the six-month grace period before payments are required, so the time to drop a lumpsum payment against that debt is actually just before your program ends. I'm also in Canada and also keep money in a TFSA. Why can't you transfer money from your grad school province - is there a rule that prohibits this? I'm genuinely asking; I'm not aware of one, but I haven't changed provinces, so I haven't needed to know. Or do you just not have the necessary bank information? In which case, you could get this from your home bank. Or could you not open another TFSA in your grad school province, or in an online bank like INGDirect (which is where mine is)? You will get a T5 from any bank in which you have an account, so it should be fine come tax time. (In fact, if you know you won't need a portion of the money for a longer period of time, consider a TFSA GIC; you might be able to get an even higher interest rate if you can lock in you money for long enough.)

I also get lumpsum payments (at the start of each term). Instead of paying rent in advance, I kept my money in an INGDirect account, automated monthly transfers to my checking account, and gave my landlord post-dated checks. Same peace of mind as paying it all in advance, but I also earn some interest on my money by keeping it in my possession for as long as possible (instead of my landlord earning interest on my advance payments). Every bit helps, right?

Fair enough. Sigaba, I apologize for misunderstanding the shorthand and jumping to a conclusion based on gender insensitivities I've encountered too often. Again, I misunderstood, and I apologize.

geochic, I can't speak to the additional value of a Master's in your field, and only you can determine how important the degree is to you personally. But if you decide to continue, it's important to put in place some survival strategies. I know for a fact that what you are going through is hard. I've got two teens (they were tweens when I went back to school) and have often said it would be waaaaay more difficult if they were young enough that they needed babysitters. Lots of respect to you for making it work as well and for as long as you have! Being a grad student is tough at the best of times, as is being a single mother. Nobody can do either all by themselves, so rally whatever support you can, both emotional (someone to listen to your venting, someone to relax with, check in on your state of mind) and practical (babysitting, running errands, helping prepare meals or with laundry, housecleaning, etc.). Do you have family in the area? Is there another parent who can take on a greater responsibility for the kids? Be selfish with your time; figure out where you can say no to additional commitments that don't move you closer to your goal - your degree and happy/healthy kids. And remember to take care of yourself first. Allow yourself some downtime, even when you feel you are running behind - otherwise you will burn out and not be of any use to your research OR your kids. And remember, this isn't forever. You will reach the end of your program; your kids will grow up, and they won't have any sense of how stressed this time is for you. They will be fine! They will thrive! They will have an amazing role model in their well-educated mother! Good luck with whatever you decide!

Sigaba, Check your offensiveness and insensitivity. (And believe me, that's the censored version). bedalia

You might be able to get a per diem-type compensation from the airline to cover the expenses due to not having your bags, for example toiletries, change of clothes, towel, etc. I've been able to make such a claim several times, granted that was more than 10 years ago and I was travelling internationally. I don't know if either factors make a difference, but it's worth inquiring.