Andsowego

sworn

thwarted

I started my PhD with a messenger-style, and quickly realised that it wasn't going to cut it due to the neck pain I was experiencing. As a result, I switched to a high-quality (Swiss gear?) backpack with a laptop pocket, a space for papers, and loads of cubbies for other items (usb, access cards, pens, cell phone/itunes, etc.). I also have a separate laptop sleeve that I use to look more professional when necessary (so I'm not slinging the backpack all over). Seriously, I think the backpack has saved me a world of hurt over the last few years (literally!).

Not true. Most of us write in a completely different style from which we talk (if you've ever done audio interview transcription, you'll know what I'm talking about!).

Real convo I had when I first started my PhD (paraphrased): Them: So, what do you do for a living? Me: I'm a PhD student here at the University in Department XYZ. Them: Oh, cool. So, you're going to be a doctor? Me: Yeah. Them: Then you can do surgery, or whatever? Me: No. Actually, I'm in a non-medical field, so I'll still be called Dr. Awesome, but my area is XYZ. Them: Oh. [lonnnnng pause while they think]. But, you COULD be a real doctor if you wanted to, right? Me: I *will* be a real doctor, just not a medical doctor. Them: But don't you want your own practice or something? Me: Still not that kind of doctor... I'm going to teach XYZ as a professor, which is a non-medical field. Them: Why would you teach, when you could work at a hospital or clinic or something and make more $$? Me: [needing to end this useless convo]... Yeah... good point... I'll consider that... [NOT ALL PHD's ARE MEDICAL YOU IDIOT!!!] <headdesk>

"We should make a meme..."

decided

Perhaps it's a difference between a Canadian and American perspective? (I don't mean that in an attacking way, it's just a thought). I've spent the better part of my teaching career (life before grad school!) working with international students, and that phrase would be considered non-inclusive and quite offensive in my context.

today.

Everyone is forwarded by the university (at least at my uni they are). Departmental ranking occurs, and then every single eligible application is forwarded to OGS. It doesn't work the same way as SSHRC since OGS doesn't impose a quota on uni's (though maybe I'm misinterpreting, and you're actually referring to me being wrong about the timeline for notifications from last year? my app was successful last year, and my file never changed until the first week of May - I kept printouts of the page). Either way, OGS is now past the "mid-Jan" promise which is annoying.

Not sure I can really advise with these specifics, since I'm not in the sciences...

Even if your school does allow it, I wouldn't recommend it. Perhaps at the Master's level you can get away with taking a 400-level course, but with your PhD, the last thing you want to do is intentionally put yourself in a situation where boredom reigns supreme. I can't imagine sitting through an undergrad course at this point (even if the prof gave me extra work to do). My mind would atrophy!

nefarious

It's my understanding that a SOP should be research-path focused. e.g., What you're interested in researching and why you're a good fit, possibly propose a course of methodology or a research site, etc. At the Master's level in Education, you aren't expected to nail down conceptual framework or exact theories immediately, but you really shouldn't talk about your personality traits (unless they are directly related to your proposed course of study and you can show how they will significantly enhance your proposed research). In a SOP, I would advise against writing about your own personal weaknesses (or even strengths for that matter... it should be more about how your skills/background match the proposed course of research). If you provide us with more info, we'll be in a better position to advise.

I'd recommend that you call the Financial Aid office at the university you want to attend, and ask what their policy is (long before you apply). You might be obligated to disclose this info, or it might be the complete opposite. They've likely encountered this exact question before.

penguins

decide

Establish a firm rubric ahead of time for ALL students that incorporates expectations for grammar/syntax. If you offer the opportunity for one graded draft, then do it for everyone. There is absolutely no reason to expect less from a non-native English speaker if they know what the expectations are well in advance. The responsibility is theirs to make sure that the writing meets the standards you've laid out in the rubric. You should also be aware of the assistance that is available on your campus with regards to academic writing for all students (another poster mentioned the Writing Center - your school likely has one) and actively encourage all students to use that resource. Also, as an aside, I'm kind of bothered by your phrase "write with an accent" which really isn't culturally sensitive. People don't "write with accents." I hope that isn't a phrase you're going to use with your students!

It's my understanding that the selection procedure has changed for the 2012-2013 year. In previous years, you're correct. No one knew anything until final decisions came out. However, this year is supposedly different. Universities forward all eligible applications to OGS peeps, and then they consider all applications, and not everyone gets entered in the provincial competition. The message that is being displayed on the website is very different from before (last year, it said nothing about mid-Dec/Jan, and only stated mid-April/May for final results).

possibly

Re: the bolded part. That's perpetuating a huge myth (one which I myself also believed at the start of my grad school experience). I'm now in the 3rd year of my PhD in Education, and a lot of the research projects I've been involved in have been via online communication. I've done everything from conduct or transcribe participant interviews, to code and analyze data, to have skype meetings, to attend virtual conferences, to co-write papers with other education professionals, etc... all without leaving my office/home/geographical location. Yes, being able to get involved in education-related research is best done in person, but that definitely doesn't mean there aren't a ton of alternative ways to get involved - especially with all the communication technology we have access to these days! If you do end up getting more rejections (even with your 3.9 GPA), research experience in an education-related field is definitely something you can do to improve your cv before your next round of applications.

Re: bolded question. This is exactly what happened to me last year (well, I got "waitlisted" not "rejected" but since I never got off the waitlist, it pretty much didn't matter what it was called!). lol

accidentally

Another nerdy game to pass the time! (sorry if this has been duplicated elsewhere at Grad Cafe, though I couldn't find it even after searching endlessly...) Three rules: First, only leave one word (yes, hyphenated words are cool). Second, if your word completes a sentence, use a period. Third, if your word begins a sentence, please capitalize. I'll start. Once

First, I'm really sorry to hear about your rejection. But don't lose faith in the other options! You never know what amazing opportunities might just show up in an offer of acceptance elsewhere. However, this "having to break-up" thing is a really immature reaction. 8 hours to drive? That's NOTHING. You leave your house at 9am, you're on a dinner date with your sweetie that night, followed by weekend fun times! Just be glad you don't have an 8-hour flight or an entire ocean between you! Longer-distance relationships can be tricky, yes, but they also have the potential to be really wonderful. You'll find yourself appreciating your time with your partner more, and you'll make more time for positivity and fun when you do have time together. It's a challenge, no doubt, but it's also incredibly rewarding and will help strengthen your relationship moving forward (and if not, it's not the right relationship anyway!).