clinicalpsychphd

For a research-heavy program, research fit would be the most important factor in your admission. You can have stellar "numbers"(i.e. over 3.7) but if you do not have a good research fit with the advisor you are applying to, a student with lower gpa with a great fit can get accepted over you. Of course, higher gpa and gre scores will only make you more competitive, but I found that research experience and fit are the most important factors.

Thanks for the great post! I am also thinking about switching to the MBA from MBP for the portability. Can you guys recommend a good external monitor? I did some searches and most of the recommended ones are really expensive ($700+). I was thinking about getting one that’s around @200-300. Is it worth investing a lot of money on a monitor? I know the Dell U2711 one comes up a lot but I don’t think I need the screen to be 27”, even though bigger the better. Also, I realized that there is no Ethernet port on Macbook Air and I need one for my residence room. Would it be a good idea to get a docking station like LandingZone for extra USB ports? In general, what are people’s experiences with docking station for Macbook Air? Thanks!

I would consider the location that you want to practice in after you get your MSW. Are you interested in working wiht Francophone populations? If so, being in Montreal would give you that experience as well as working with English-speaking population. I don't know much about McGill's program, but I am familiar with U of T's program through my colleagues. They are very happy with their education and are clinically oriented. U of T has a lot of connections with good practicum sites, so I would also compare those with McGill's.

I think it's perfectly fine to decline interviews. I got an offer from my top choice earlier on and I had a few interviews scheduled. I emailed the professors right away (for one of them the interview was the day after) and respectfully and politely explained my situation and apologized for the late notice. They were very appreciative of my email and congratulated me on getting and accepting an offer to my top choice. I think most of them would rather have you tell them beforehand so that you are not wasting anyone's time or leading anyone on than trying to go through it just to be polite.

For me it was everything you listed (except the karaoke/dance club ) that made me certain that my top choice school was indeed my best option. I feel very lucky that my favorite supervisor was also at my favorite school & location because I don't have to give up my lifestyle for a reserch fit. Another factor that made me really happy and confident about my choice was the supportive and cohesive environment of the department and grad students.

I meant whether applicants are forwarded to the agency or not. At the MA level, once you are forwarded to SSHRC it's pretty much a guarantee, I have heard. They do check for eligibility but there is no further competition for the MA award, unlike the PhD one,

I heard back from U of T today about MA results. I spoke to the award officer yesterday and she said that the results should be out by today.

What are some potential questions that you may encounter during an interview with a graduate student?

I heard back from UBC and SFU but nothing from Ontario schools.

My letter was printed on May 17th! Can't believe it took them so long to mail them out

I stated on my application that I want to take the award to another university but still got an email from Laura (U of T's award officer). I think she mass emailed those that applied through the university, so don't worry if you didn't get an email!

MA SSHRC results haven't been announced yet! There's a separate thread for MA SSHRC . I've been told that the results will be announced sometime in the next few weeks.

I did! U of T right? My heart dropped when I received the email....but it wasn't very meaningful lol. I was hoping that they would give a more specific announcement date, but it said 'in the next few weeks'......sigh

I haven't received an invitation yet . I got an update few weeks ago from my POIs informing me that no decisions have been made yet. Did you get your invitation shortly after your phone interview? Congrats on getting the invite!

Did anyone get an official invitation to UBC's open house in March?