hungryhungryhipster

I'm at the University or Windsor (Ontario), and I was just wondering if anybody knows roughly how selective the university review process is? I know the success rate for applicants once they get to Ottawa is high, like 65-75%, but how many actually get that far? FWIW, two of the three times I applied for the NSERC USRA (undergraduate version), I was at least recommended by the department and I got it both times (though the second time I just squeaked by from the waiting list, because they only gave out half the number of awards as the previous year), but I think the selection process is entirely at the university level for those awards. The first time I applied I was not recommended, but that wasn't a surprise because I was only a first year undergrad.

It varies by school. For example, at my university the only real difference between an associate professor and a full professor is a couple thousand a year, so most don't even bother working towards full professorship.

Even though I'm sure you've considered this, it's worthwhile pointing out that you are opening yourself up to some degree of prejudice by making such a disclosure. Now, I would hope that all of the NSERC and university-level reviewers would be above such actions, but even the best of people may be influenced by such a disclosure, whether they realise it or not. It just contributes to their overall impression of you, and there's no way to know whether that contribution will be positive or negative. Personally, I wouldn't mention it, but then again I'm not the world's most trusting guy, especially when tens of thousands of dollars are on the line. Edit: Never mind about the money part, I was thinking of NSERC applications (or in your case, SSHRC), as that's what I've been working on for months now haha.

Though I am Canadian, if I were you I wouldn't count on Obama's health care plan standing up in the courts. As much as I think it's a great step forward for your country, I know those mouth-breathing Republicans will stop at nothing to see it struck down.