snowshoes

Sorry, I don't think it is a 10/10... I'm not sure what the scale goes up to (12 maybe?). I am assuming it is an internal requirement the email just said: "The minimum GPA requirement for OGS and for NSERC is 10." My NSERC application was recommended by my former school last year, but now I can't even submit it?!?! Sounds very backwards.

I was very disappointed to find out that my university uses a 10-point GPA and my 84% average from my last 20 1/2 credits is below the minimum required GPA for the OGS application. What is the deal with this? The website said a minimum A- average, which I have, yet my university sent out emails saying you needed a minimum "10 GPA", which I fall short of. Is this new or what? I can't tell you how much this p*sses me off! I figured NSERC is always a shot in the dark but the OGS would be obtainable this year for me, but looks like I can't even apply!

Oh no, not this again I am trying to get a couple papers out so they can possibly be accepted and added to my NSERC application right now. Aside for that, I'll have a similiar application but with a couple extra conferencer talks. I was pretty bummed out about making the first cut and ultimately being rejected. I was surprised at my low standing to be honest, I may put more effort into the OGS than NSERC this year.

Got my mail today... no letter from NSERC. I'm a 5 minute walk from Ottawa, so I'm not sure why I haven't heard yet. Is this thread full of 1600+ troll replies just to get my hopes up, or have people actually been getting PGS-D results in the mail???

So... any PGS-D news? I'm in Gatineau and hope I'll see a letter in a few hours.

I have a PhD lined up for September along with the standard meagre salary, so the PGS-D would also make my financial situation a lot better. Luckily my next step in life isn't dependent on my NSERC results - I can see how people in that boat would be very, very anxious right now. I assumed the PGS-D would be added onto my agreed funding, but I doubt that will happen... my supervisor would probably want the money to go to another student/post-doc in the lab. I'm not sure if I could negotiate more money while one of the PhD students in the lab is only making ~$25k/y.

25 user(s) are reading this topic Nah, people just know they aren't going to hear anything until the long weekend is over... I'm headed to Europe on Thursday for a conference, I'd *love* to have good news before I leave.

I Emailed NSERC yesterday asking when the PGS-D results would come in, and got a reply a couple minutes ago... Hi xxx, Unfortunately I do not have an estimated time. It should be in the next couple of weeks; it is later this year since the Federal Budget was not announced until March 29, 2012. Kind Regards, Sarah People are getting letters??? I received my mail today and didn't get anything NSERC-related (I am in Gatineau). Not sure how the Montreal folks would get them first, unless the letters are being sent out in batches...

Sounds like I have a chance still... If I don't get my letter before the long weekend (today) I'll be so disappointed. My grad studies won't release the info before NSERC does, so I'm at the mercy of the mailman! Did your Grad Studies contact you, or did you have to ask them about it?

Congratulations! Looks like there will be happy people this long weekend. I'm just outside Ottawa and the mail should be coming in 3-4 hours, so I'm hoping I get something...

That is true, I didn't realize unversities submit such a small number of applications. Definitely an ego boost seeing the numbers I am applying for the PGS-D. I finished my MSc. last year and will be starting my PhD. in September. If I do not get my NSERC this year I will be applying direct next October (I'll be out of university for over 1 year). I always thought this would be an advantage, as you know your application will be reviewed no matter what... less hoops to jump through. But yes, it would make the wait even more difficult not knowing what your chance is. Still... I'll be happy to apply directly to NSERC next October if I get a rejection letter in the near future!

Thanks! So it seems everyone has a 50% chance of success (or rejection)... fun stuff

How did you figure this out? I can't find it on my university's website... does NSERC release the application quotas?

Is it possible to figure out how many people your university submits to NSERC? Just curious...

I'm in Gatineau, about 1 minute from Ottawa, and haven't gotten a letter yet. I predicted today or tomorrow last week, so let's see....

I missed it - did you get yours or what??

That's true. A professor in the U.S. had asked if I was interested in a PhD. position but I declined... I didn't think I could handle living in the U.S. for 4 years and would *hate* to have to do the SAT. I'll stay in Canada and be less competitive in my own country I guess

I emailed my Grad Studies office a few days ago and they just said "sometime in April"... but I'm not going to ask again because I don't feel like harassing them. So I'll have to wait patiently and hope I hear about it before I leave the country for two weeks next week! Also, this thread is amazing haha

Hey come on, I thought NSERC was about helping out Canada, not bailing out and moving to the states

This may actually be a hindrance. A couple years ago an NSERC chair told me a huge proportion of their Discovery Grant applications were about climate change. In many cases, you could tell the PI just tacked on the concept of climate change to pander to the current "sexy scientific issue". She said that this was a big point of contention and why many were rejected, because it was an obvious weakness in their proposal. Of course I'm not saying you were doing this, but if many, many, many people are now conducting research in the general area of climate change it means you have to stand out even more from the rest of the climate change crowd to be noticed.

Well I've given lots of talks, have 3 years TA experience, collaborated with outside researchers during my MSc., have a couple "best talk" awards, have a magazine article, worked in a couple labs in my field, helped out with some public events relating to my field, etc. But my awards section is pretty slim (only 3). I have a very strong research proposal but my undergrad marks aren't that great and my awards are lacking. So I can see myself losing to someone who is an all-round strong student. I really tried to convey that I wasn't just a professional student, but that I was a very passionate researcher and went beyond my degree requirements and embrace my field. We'll see!

I agree about conference papers not meaning much... everyone knows publishing conference abstracts is just a way to boost your publication record, so they shouldn't be looked at that seriously. Although attending and presenting (esp. oral) at a conference is very important for students and does show communication experience. I have 4 first author publications, 3 conference pubs, and a bunch of non-refereed talks/pubs. My Master's marks were excellent but my undergrad marks were all over the place, so I'm not too hopeful about the PGS-D to be honest. But I'll have at least 2 papers and 4 conference abstracts by next October, so there is always next year!

haha this thread is too much

GUYS I GOT MAIL!!!! but it was just flyers and a couple bills. (sorry, couldn't resist)

A friend of mine asked grad studies an hour ago and they said they hadn't heard something and expected the results "in April". So, after 600+ posts I think we can come to the conclusion that it'll come when it comes, and chances are that day will be in April (like NSERC told us initially). (Why did I check this thread out a month ago!)