snowshoes

My first two years of my undergrad degree were abysmal mark-wise and it took me 5 years to finish the degree, which definitely prevented me from getting an NSERC for my MSc. However, I worked hard and got lots of research/conference experience and ended up getting a PGS-D last May. I'm proof that your marks won't always be a scarlet letter and you can balance the scale with other achievements. Of course, marks weigh heavier for the MSc-level awards. You have nothing to lose from applying and will gain the very useful experience of writing a grant proposal. If you don't apply, you have no chance! Never feel silly or embarrassed about your marks and don't ever let that hold you back from any application. Good luck

I think part of my brain just melted from reading this...

I am very curious about my OGS application; last year I was put on the NSERC waitlist but not the OGS waitlist. I heard murmurings from other faculty members that the OGS committees in my department have been notorious for picking their own students over those who may merit it more. I got an NSERC this year, so it would be funny if I didn't even get put on the OGS waitlist (and maybe lend creedence to the rumours I heard). I would like to get an OGS simply to decline and put it on my CV! NSERC and OGS are independent, so I assume one would hear offers from both funding agencies regardless of their decisions.

When and how were you informed - a letter in the mail or did a grad coordinator contact you?

No, your application status will not change (mine still said "received" after a rejection last year and acceptance this year).

Never a good idea! The thread 2 years ago was pretty ridiculous: people trolling and saying they had gotten things in the mail in early March, hundreds of posts a week, etc. I think I lost a couple years off my life (but I learned from it). Congrats on the CGS (PGS)! Maybe NSERC will throw that CGS my way

The envelope was not very thick. If I recall correctly, it had 2 (maybe 3?) pages it in. There was no score. The first page had the congrats blurb, on the back it said what your award was, and then there was 1 (or 2) pages about policies and online forms.

Congrats! I know exactly what you mean about it the bitter-sweet feeling.

I just wanted to confirm that I also received my letter today (dated March 19).

Thanks! Yes, it seemed quit early to hear about this. Maybe the letters will be sent in the next couple weeks? I would rather have been told officially, but this saves me a month or so of anxiety and checking the mail compulsively (I already started to do this last week!). It was also my last year to apply. My application has been forwarded for three years and I was on the wait list last year, so I am happy that I finally made it. I wish you the best of luck!

Well, it's the end of a long road for me: I ran into my grad admin today and was told I received a PGS2 (they had received the email today)! I can't believe I was disappointed that it was a PGS and not a CGS, but I'm happy I finally got something from NSERC. Who knows, maybe I'll get bumped to a CGS this summer Good luck to everyone and don't give up!

You could also look into an industrial NSERC if you hashed out a project with a potential supervisor and it had the potential for an industrial partnership. I'm dying to hear about it. I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much, but I managed to publish a couple more papers and give a couple more talks since my 2013-2014 applications. I hope this boosts my chances!

Of course they want you to do a full year of courses, more money for them! That seems like absurd advice, but when applying for a CGS-M marks are the big deciding factor. I was in your position regarding poor academic choices in my undergraduate degree, which resulted in being rejected for the CGS-M. I was funded by my supervisor for my MSc and am currently in my second year as a PhD candidate. I have done a 180 since my undergrad days, but it is still a black mark on my application. My PGS-D application was forwarded to NSERC for the past 2 years and I was first on the wait list last year. This is my final year for eligibility, so I'm hoping my other credentials and proposal negate doing poorly in a few course 10 years ago. Supervisors always want students with their own funding (free labour), especially in the current research funding climate. But you may be able to find someone with money who is willing to take you on, it happened to me twice. You just have to have the special something that sets you apart and makes them have faith in you and believe you will be productive. Don't give up!

Wow, that seems early... or do the PDF results usually come out a lot earlier those for the PGS-D? Good luck on the short-list!

I think it is fine to do this if you go about it in a transparent, civil, and polite manner. Students always undersell themselves - why not try to get the best deal you can get? Of course, tread lightly and don't end up shooting yourself in the foot by being too aggressive about it.