ktel

I would choose X. I suppose you're doing an MA, and I'm doing an MASc, but my program focuses mainly on research and the course work is done after the first year. So since you spend most of your time on research, I would take the better research fit

When I received a paid visit, I was basically accepted, but I know many schools that do not operate that way. Just be glad you're good enough to get this far!

Congratulations! I was curious to see what the outcome was

Grad students at my university are actually unionized and it looks like we might go on strike soon. The funding process is therefore spelled out quite clearly and very regulated.

My SO specifically did a Master's at my undergrad school so that we could stay together during my last year of my undergrad. That was a huge compromise on his part. When he got the job he had always wanted in another city, I only applied to 2 schools in that city. I will mention that probably the best school in the country with one of the best programs in my field is in this city so I didn't have to compromise on quality, but I did compromise by moving away. However I have a feeling if I had really really needed to go to a different school he would have come with me. And if he really really needed to work somewhere else I would go with him.

That's terrible! I think the fact that your POI was cc-ed makes the case stronger that the e-mail was meant for you. It's quite obvious that they just copy and paste the same message for all students, so perhaps they forgot to change the name. But you will obviously (and unfortunately) have to wait.

Crazy. The top 10 posters list was also pretty crazy. So many people freaking out!

I've had some letter writers want me to read the letters, others who haven't. In a pinch I have even been asked to write a draft for them. I have NEVER asked to read the letter, however. On one occasion I cringed a little when I read the letter after it was submitted (I was cc-ed on the e-mail that it was sent on) but I received the scholarship regardless. In the writer's defense, the next letter he wrote for me was amazing, we had worked together a great deal since the weaker letter was written.

It could mean a bunch of things. It could be him just being polite. Or maybe he will contact you. I think the safest bet is for you to contact him (but make sure the contact is meaningful and genuine)

I'm at U of T now, albeit in a different field. My experience has been that each program guarantees a minimum level of funding (for some programs that minimum level is $0) and all students get that. I don't really think they go above or beyond that even for competitive applicants.

My phone and in person interviews with professors were all over the map (I applied to U of T and Ryerson by the way). Sometimes the professor seemed really scatter brained and rushed. Sometimes they just wanted to talk about their research, asking little from me. Most of them were pretty good though, some give and take in the conversation.

I will note that the opinion on academic incest varies. I have seen it to be quite common in my field (engineering). When I look at the CVs of professors at MIT, for example, I frequently see people who have done all their degrees there and now teach there.

Interesting to hear someone from Vancouver complain about high rent in Alberta. I spent almost all of my life in Edmonton, and recently moved to Toronto. Makes me miss the rent prices in Edmonton let me tell you. When I was in undergrad I lived fairly far away (Mill Woods area) and had a car. To avoid paying for parking I would drive part of the way, park nearby, then use my U-Pass to go the rest of the way. If I was going to grad school there now I definitely would be living in the Whyte Ave or University area. Other good options would include anything down 122 St near South Campus, as it's well serviced by bus. I wouldn't describe the city as particularly easy to get around without a car, unless you just want to stick to Whyte Ave/University/The LRT route. Feel free to message me if you're not sure about an area, I know the city pretty well.

Obviously only you can make this decision. I would stress that the relationship you have with your supervisor and the research fit should be your top priorities. Don't let school prestige sway you at all. You're not working with the whole school, you're working with one person. There's nothing necessarily wrong with an untenured professor. I considered one when I was doing my supervisor search. She seemed very invested in the success of her students, as it impacted her success as well. They had nothing but good things to say about her.

I'm a current U of T grad student who received NSERC for this year. My funding package was reduced, and the funding amounts were very clearly spelled out in the acceptance e-mail I got: "The minimum amounts for the upcoming academic year 2011-12 are: $15,000 plus (domestic or international) tuition and fees per 12-month-year. Domestic students who have major external scholarships, such as NSERC, OGS, OGSST, etc., will receive $12,000/year supplements, bringing their total support well above the minimum level." So instead of receiving $15,000 plus tuition (a $23,000 value) I received $12,000 and had to pay tuition.

Even if your partner does accompany you to whatever school you choose, the move alone could place enough strain on the relationship. I moved for my program and for my boyfriend, leaving behind 21 years of friends and all my family. It was definitely tough for a while and it certainly affected our relationship, but we worked through it.

I would talk to them. My dad is in management and the one thing he always tells me is that bosses are just people too. He doesn't understand why people withhold information from him when it comes to stuff like this and appreciates it when they discuss it with him first.

I probably would tell them. I think it would be rare that it would hurt you. Schools are well aware that students apply to multiple schools and the best students have multiple options

Yes you definitely need to navigate which no-name brands are the best for which products. For example a lot of the no-name Ziplocs are terrible. Here in Canada President's Choice brand is fabulous and getting better everyday. I never hesitate to go with them for the no-name cheaper version

Haha sure I'll believe that when I see it

Sounds like my situation exactly. It makes the decision a lot easier to make.

My experience with getting reimbursed for anything from a university is that it takes a long time. You typically need to send them all your original receipts (make copies for yourself first!). I had a particular issue with the reimbursement process for one of my universities. At first I e-mailed them scanned copies of the receipts, but the secretary asked me to mail my originals. So I did that but for some reason she had decided to print the scanned copies I e-mailed her and then tell me I mailed her copies. As I was dealing with her regarding this, my reimbursement cheque magically came, making me wonder why I was dealing with her in the first place.

Ugh I know the feeling. I had a similar experience with a scholarship offer when I was applying to schools for my undergrad. It made me feel totally overwhelmed and ticked off at the school for imposing such an early deadline. I felt like they were trying to trick me into picking them before I knew my options. This may be not the best etiquette, but I accepted their offer and later declined it after receiving other offers. This makes me sound like a bad person, but I didn't accept it knowing for sure that I would decline it later. I accepted it to give me more time to weigh my options, and when I was able to give the proper amount of time towards making a decision, I could be confident that I was making the right one.

Food is also not an area where I scrimp, I budget $320 a month for groceries and eating out. My boyfriend is the cook in our house, and he makes great meals and lots of leftovers. I have leftovers almost every day for lunch but I notice a lot of students in my office don't actually eat lunch at all. I tend to eat very frequently so I bring lots of snacks as well. We have two fridges for the whole department to share, although some offices have their own fridge. Lots of microwaves and a cafeteria/student lounge to eat. I've learned most of my bf's money-saving tricks when it comes to food. He will never buy anything that's been too processed to save money. For example, instead of buying chicken breasts specifically, he'll buy a whole chicken and butcher it himself. You get a lot of meals out of it for very little money and some of your time.

I go to one of the best graduate schools in Canada, and I am surrounded by professors and grad students with successful marriages and families. This includes students in their mid-20s and up, as well as professors working towards tenure. I don't think it has anything to do with age or your willingness to work hard for success, but more your mindset. If you've made up your mind that a relationship will hold you back, there's probably nothing that will change that. If you have the willingness to make your personal life and academic/work life work, then it will.