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Found out today I've been awarded OGS (uOttawa) Good luck everyone!

hm I guess I'll try to get them to change my mailing address to a friend's place, assuming they haven't sent anything yet. Thanks!

I'm at uOttawa, our OGS deadline was November 15th and apparently results will be out "no later than April 30th".

Does anyone know if they only notify applicants by mail? I'm going to be away travelling for awhile, and there's no way my current landlord is capable of forwarding mail.

I've been living in Ottawa since September, and as someone who ended up in the worst possible living situation (crackhead neighbors, police raids, surrounded by construction all year). Hopefully I can help some of you avoid this... -Use padmapper to look for places, it's awesome -If you're worried about noise, check city notices for construction before signing on somewhere. They are replacing underground piping through a lot of the city, and just doing 1 block can take months. Extremely loud, you don't want to be stuck with this if you plan to get any work done from home, or sleeping in later than 7am. For the past while, Bronson Ave. has been the worst, though that should be done by Sept. -If you are worried about safety, sketchy areas (that I know of) are Rideau Street (though streets off Rideau are generally fine), Bronson just north of Somerset, parts of King Edward, and Vanier. Be aware that there are several homeless shelters near the market and close to uOttawa. If this would make you uncomfortable, ask the landlord how close the place is to them. A friend of mine booked a place site unseen and ended up right next to one, some girls leaving his house were attacked and robbed. Best places to live (my advice is probably more useful for uOttawa students, I think most Carleton students live in the Glebe, or along the number 4 bus line or otrain): -Golden triangle (Elgin area to the Canal) -Sandy Hill- Nice homes, some streets are full of party-loving undergrads though. great for walking to campus, not great for walking for groceries (closest metro on Rideau). -Just north of the Byward Market (avoid the noise of the market, stay close to everything, though you would probably have to walk to campus from this area) Some of my friends moved to Gatineau or far from the city centre to save on rent, all of them regretted it and wished they'd lived closer. If you're not on the transitway, buses might only be every 15-20 minutes, and stop running at random times (between 10pm-1am). Anywhere on the transitway is generally a safe bet, and you never have to wait long for a bus. Also, some places in ottawa have had bed bug issues. Google the address + bed bugs and see if anything comes up. I think there is a registry where people report them. I didn't work outside my RA and TA jobs, so can't help with the job stuff, though it is generally harder if you aren't bilingual here. Hope this helps!

Thanks icarus99, I appreciate all the advice I can get. I have been looking at the course outlines and weighing my options. I did my undergrad at two universities and was dissapointed with both of their IDS programs, so I'm all the more stressed about this decision! 8 days to decide

Thanks for the info, I just emailed as well and was told Im being offered $10,000 for the 1st year, nothing guaranteed for the 2nd. While I know NPSIA is the more 'prestigious' program, UOttawa offered me $31,000 over 2 years (their minimum funding) for the Globalization and Int'l Dev't program. Now I'm torn! Funding is pretty important to me as I'm coming right out of my undergrad, have no savings and still have debt to pay off, but I hate making such an important decision based on money. I'm not complaining, this is a very good problem to have!! I am super excited either way, just indecisive! Any advice?

I've never been to Ottawa either, but the UOttawa Globalization and Dev't studies program seems quite different than NPSIAs IA program, even if you applied for the international dimensions of development stream (as I did). Check out the required course descriptions to compare! If NPSIA offers comparable funding I think I'll end up there.

Thanks, you too! I'm pretty sure it is as good as a final acceptance, I can't think of why the FGPA would turn you down after the faculty has approved your application.

And 20 minutes later... just got an acceptance email for NPSIA International Affairs MA! Well, recommended and fowarded to FGPA for final approval at least! And now, fingers crossed for funding

Based on how competitive I keep hearing it is, I'm really trying not to get my hopes up!

Me too! Still waiting on NPSIA, but I'd be happy with either program