ktel

You just wait until "funnest" is in the dictionary... I don't think you're elitist. I did. But now I don't. I respect your opinion but don't understand why you will only accept words after someone else defines their existence. If every one did that, language would never change.

But there are lockers! I had a gym locker just for my rugby stuff (I practiced every day though). Our practice field was off-campus though, so after I got a car my gear stayed in there.

I don't understand why you got downvoted...Somebody is mad that their PhD might not be as useful as they think?

I'm a rugby player, and there is a huge drinking culture in the sport. That being said, nobody ever pressures a non-drinker to drink. I do drink, but don't like to do it nearly as often as most people, so I will just go out with them to the bar and be sober. Sometimes being the sober person around a bunch of drunks is annoying, but most of the time I still have a lot of fun.

They do have very good funding though. At least for engineering, I doubt CS would be very different. I seem to recall reading something in our school newspaper about how Alberta really wants CS grads and industry is pouring money in or something like that. But obviously find the school that best fits your research interests.

^ hall1k, you will notice that the OP is currently living in Brooklyn, NY. A lot of the users on this forum are American, so unfortunately our wonderful Canadian scholarships don't apply. I know there are equivalent funding sources in the States, I just don't know much about them.

Also, are there any other women who work with him or have worked with him in that past? Maybe you could get in touch with them and see if it's a persistent problem. You wouldn't have to straight up ask them "Did he sexually harass you?" but if he did, it might come through in the way they speak about this particular professor. If there are other women currently working with him (or men for that manner) try to only be around him when they are there too.

I would suggest you try to emphasize to him, through your body language, that his touching is inappropriate. Very obviously move away from him and don't react to any inappropriate comments he might make. His behavior disgusts me and the fact that he is making you question yourself as an academic pisses me off. You are a smart, talented individual and don't let his behavior affect your perception of yourself.

I did my undergrad at U of A (Mechanical Engineering), going to U of T for my Master's. I had a really great experience at the U of A. The professors were great, the buildings are really nice (there is a lot of oil money coming in) and lots of fun stuff to do. I was born and raised in Edmonton and a lot of my friends went to the U of A as well. Don't know much about the CS department, unfortunately. Anything in particular you want to know?

Your situation is my worst fear. I recently read an article by Naomi Wolf about sexual harassment at Yale: http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/n_9932/ She expressed many of the same things you have. Most institutions do not make it easy for women to come forward about sexual harassment, particularly when it involves faculty, and especially when it involves star faculty. I understand you not wanting to put any details, but how can you "think" he's sexually harassing you? Are you simply confused because of your history of abuse, or are you unsure whether his behavior constitutes harassment? I would support you in thinking that it is harassment if it is making you feel uncomfortable. Is there any way you can avoid being alone with him? Are there other students/people that you work with that you could perhaps confide in, or if not confide in, try to keep around more often? How much longer does the internship last?

Yeah it will be put online. I believe you fill it all into text boxes and it automatically puts it into a PDF for you. I e-mailed you my app BTW.

Look at the selection criteria: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/BellandPostgrad-BelletSuperieures_eng.asp For the PGS-M/CGS-M, academic excellence is worth 50%, research ability/potential is 30% and communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities are 20%. I don't know how much a novel research proposal will help, to be honest. I was told that they basically just want to see that you can write a research proposal and that you have a good potential to do research. I wrote up a random research proposal because in September I had no idea about where I would be attending or what I would be researching. Now that I received the award I just have to send them my new research proposal so they can be sure it's still within their funding scope I also wouldn't worry too much about your school's reputation. This site shows how many people from your university received awards this year: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/FundingDecisions-DecisionsFinancement/2008/Scholarships-Bourses/CanadianAppDetail-DetailCanCanadien_eng.asp You can see there are a fair number. NSERC isn't snobby in terms of what schools receive funding. As a government funded body they are expected to evenly distribute funding to all schools and regions. PM me your e-mail and I can send you my application, if you'd like.

That is quite obviously not what I'm asking you to argue. The word she used, while non-existent, was understandable. It is not equivalent to speaking gibberish, as you imply.

Language is constantly evolving, and there are many words used today that were non-existent in the past. I find the fact that you were appalled by her using "funnest" in a casual conversation with you to be arrogant and condescending. She obviously was not expecting to be judged so harshly. I am sure any formal writing or presentations that she does would be excellent, despite her 'appalling' use of a single word in a single conversation you had with her. Perhaps you are jealous of her funding or her situation. Your post certainly seems as if that is the case. Personally I find it "appalling" when people break out a calculator to count money or do other daily math tasks. Just because math is not the focus of your studies doesn't mean you shouldn't have a certain level of knowledge in the subject. Especially when you have learned it in the past.

Am I allowed to disregard reading and writing because I'm an engineer? Being a humanities major does not excuse not knowing basic math. Besides, dividing fractions is easy. Just flip the fraction you're dividing by over and multiply the tops and multiply the bottoms. (1/10) / (3/20) = (1/10) * (20/3) = (1*20) / (3*10) = (20/30) Magical.

I received a CGS-M and had to apply through my department first and then was recommended to NSERC. How successful you will be depends on what university you go to, I believe. Certain universities and regions are granted a certain number of awards. If you already have received previous NSERC awards that looks great. I would be surprised if you didn't make it through the university review process given that you have already received NSERC funding. What's your GPA? That's a huge factor, so if it's high you are even more likely to get through. It sounds like you've probably already done way more research than I did in undergrad. I also don't think selection is at the university level for the USRAs, as I know several people who were obviously recommended by our department but didn't receive one.

I doubt they would have a ton of questions like that because you get a calculator now. That would make it super easy.

Since MEng students are able to participate in research activities, find a professor and participate. This will allow you to build the kind of relationship you want in order to find a PhD adviser. It won't look opportunistic, it will look like you're preparing for your future goals.

I contacted all of my potential advisers and met with them or spoke to them on the phone. You have the added benefit of knowing a lot of professors at your school, so I would start feeling them out now. Perhaps you could first go to them simply asking for advice. Tell them about your desire to do a PhD and ask them if they have any advice or bounce some research ideas off of them. If they want to advise you they might speak up.

Effff Canada and their expensive cell phones and rates. We need more providers!

My personality is not built for risky investment, so I don't know that the stock market would be for me. My boyfriend's brother is getting into that whole financial world (don't even ask me what he does, who knows) so maybe if he had some good advice for me. I'm happy with my $20/month return in my TFSA

A lot of profs take long summer vacations.

Even engineers may not have done this type of math in years. I tutored grade 10 math last year and it was amazing how much I had forgotten. Fortunately it only takes a little bit of review to learn it again

This is such a well crafted troll post

I personally am not willing to give up certain luxuries for grad school. Eating out, going out, and certain personal care items are things that are important to include in my budget. The most important aspect of a budget is that it be realistic. I don't think cutting down on social outings (which is what the eating out/entertainment budget is for) is realistic for me. Besides, my budget balances, and I'm saving the recommended 10% per month. I also have about $10,000 in savings tucked away. I am also in the wonderful position where my partner is working full time and making much more money than I am. While I still want to be somewhat independent financially, I don't doubt he'll be taking me out to dinner occasionally.