NSERC 2010-2011

[ste urbain]

If some successful candidates drop their CGS in case they choose to go for foreign universities, do the NSERC announce revised results ? If yes, how long this takes ?

anyone with past experience ?

bhdavis: any idea ?

I have a friend who was turned down for a PGS in the first round, and was then offered one in June. They didn't even tell her she was on a waiting list.

[itsAnewStart]

And sometimes they promote a Canadian PGS holder to CGS.

I have a friend who was turned down for a PGS in the first round, and was then offered one in June. They didn't even tell her she was on a waiting list.

[bhdavis1978]

If some successful candidates drop their CGS in case they choose to go for foreign universities, do the NSERC announce revised results ? If yes, how long this takes ?

anyone with past experience ?

bhdavis: any idea ?

My recollections on this are a little fuzzy. When I was a graduate student, I remember situations in which students who were not awarded scholarships initially, ended up being awarded a scholarship after the first round of acceptances went out, but I'm not sure if these scholarships were specifically NSERC, or if they were UGF (University Graduate Fellowship) awards. But yes, I would imagine that based on people declining awards, or people deciding to take a CGS out of the country, that this would result in some extra money which could be reallocated elsewhere.

[kyudai]

Congratulations to those who got their NSERCs... just got my rejection today.

I do have a question, if you get rejected by NSERC does that automatically mean rejection for my VANIER NSERC application as well.

Tried searching for this information on their website but didn't find my answer.

Does anybody have an idea? Thanks in advance and good luck to those still waiting.

[bethebest]

Does anybody from McMaster have NSERC results?

[saharel]

Congratulations to those who got their NSERCs... just got my rejection today.

I do have a question, if you get rejected by NSERC does that automatically mean rejection for my VANIER NSERC application as well.

Tried searching for this information on their website but didn't find my answer.

Does anybody have an idea? Thanks in advance and good luck to those still waiting.

I believe you should also get a letter from Vanier. Last years Vanier results were not sent together with NSERC (NSERC starting at beginning of April and Vanier end of April). Moreover this year Vanier and PGS/CGS-D are clearly two distinct applications, so you should receive a letter for each application...logically.

cheer up

[Sydryx]

Whoo hoo! Got my letter today...CGS-M!

Congratulations to all!

[bethebest]

Whoo hoo! Got my letter today...CGS-M!

Congratulations to all!

Congratulation!!!!!! Which university are u in?

[Sydryx]

Congratulation!!!!!! Which university are u in?

Thanks! I'm at the University of New Brunswick.

[saharel]

Letter from NSERC finally came in this morning. I am in Montreal...so people in montreal....look in your mailbox!!

I got CGS-D for 3 years, and I will take this scholarship to University of Waterloo

[yellowtulip]

Congratulations to those who got their NSERCs... just got my rejection today.

I do have a question, if you get rejected by NSERC does that automatically mean rejection for my VANIER NSERC application as well.

Tried searching for this information on their website but didn't find my answer.

Does anybody have an idea? Thanks in advance and good luck to those still waiting.

kyudai, I find it rather amusing, you're fearing that the receiving of a rejection letter from NSERC rules you out for the Vanier, while I'm fearing that the granting of an NSERC (I received a PGSD3) rules me out for a Vanier. My thought process is that the two groups presumably chat with one another, and they wouldn't accept you for both scholarships as, of course, you cannot hold both. I suppose we'll have to wait and see!! The 31st cannot come soon enough! We always seem to think the worst!!

Still no physical letter - I found out about the PGSD from the university. Also (to confirm what others are saying), I have not received an NSERC PIN.

Edited March 26, 2010 by yellowtulip

[itsAnewStart]

Just got my PDF approval letter 5 minutes ago. I am in Kitchener. Good luck to all !

[mochachino]

Congrats.. now i m headed home to check my mailbox. @ waterloo

Just got my PDF approval letter 5 minutes ago. I am in Kitchener. Good luck to all !

[saharel]

kyudai, I find it rather amusing, you're fearing that the receiving of a rejection letter from NSERC rules you out for the Vanier, while I'm fearing that the granting of an NSERC (I received a PGSD3) rules me out for a Vanier. My thought process is that the two groups presumably chat with one another, and they wouldn't accept you for both scholarships as, of course, you cannot hold both. I suppose we'll have to wait and see!! The 31st cannot come soon enough! We always seem to think the worst!!

Still no physical letter - I found out about the PGSD from the university. Also (to confirm what others are saying), I have not received an NSERC PIN.

To Kyudai and yellowtulip: you shouldn't worry either way. NSERC and Vanier, are two differents things, even if Vanier is partly managed by NSERC (application process, deadlines, selection are all different). Last year, you could only apply to Vanier or NSERC and were automatically awarded a CGS if you didn't get the Vanier. This year, you had to apply to both of them, and as I mention the selection criteria are a bit different from both. Getting a PGS-D or CGS-D, won't prevent you from getting an offer from Vanier, it just garanties you that if you don't get vanier you have this. While not getting NSERC, doesn't automatically leaves you out for vanier since the later focus on leadership, while nserc gives much less importance to leadership. It is like the PIN... it as no direct link with being awarded or not a scholarship.

[ste urbain]

To Kyudai and yellowtulip: you shouldn't worry either way. NSERC and Vanier, are two differents things, even if Vanier is partly managed by NSERC (application process, deadlines, selection are all different). Last year, you could only apply to Vanier or NSERC and were automatically awarded a CGS if you didn't get the Vanier. This year, you had to apply to both of them, and as I mention the selection criteria are a bit different from both. Getting a PGS-D or CGS-D, won't prevent you from getting an offer from Vanier, it just garanties you that if you don't get vanier you have this. While not getting NSERC, doesn't automatically leaves you out for vanier since the later focus on leadership, while nserc gives much less importance to leadership. It is like the PIN... it as no direct link with being awarded or not a scholarship.

Hmmm... this probably means there will be a few more people rejecting their initial offer for a PGS/CGS. If the application processes are separate, then presumably anyone offered a Vanier will also be offered a PGS/CGS. The Vanier competition seems tougher.

[mochachino]

Got my rejection @ waterloo... next hope is now OGS

[jsmandur]

got PGSD-3 ...

I hope some of CGS winners at waterloo go for US

[uwGradStudent]

Hi All,

Just got my rejection!

Unfortunately, i have been trying to find "a closure" as to why i didn't get it, and i am not really able to find the answer!! i hope that some of you could help me.

As an overview to my application:

1- I have 1 Book, 1 Book chapter, 3 top journals (2 first author, 1 co-author) and 6 top conferences (all first author), all from my Master's

2- I have 2 submitted top journals and 1 top conference accepted from my first year as PhD.

3- My Master's thesis was nominated for the best thesis award

4- I have couple of conferences travel grants

5- I have very strong recommendation letters.

6- My GPA is probably the weakest link here: 85 % overall (but i guess not disastrous)

7- I have two years experience in the industry (in top companies in IT)

8- I have various extracurricular Vice-President positions

9- I have various Teaching experiences

So can anyone please help me find out why am i really working hard again?!! coz i am really not being able to see how i am getting compensated for all that!!

All i really want is someone to tell me, that i am not competitive enough to get it, and that all others who got it have better records. Coz otherwise, i see no fairness in all this.

Thanks!

[yellowtulip]

Sorry to hear uwGradStudent. It sure sounds like you've really accomplished a lot!! I have no idea why it wouldn't be accepted, perhaps the way your application was put together didn't highlight all of this (i.e. it might have had it listed, but perhaps the reviewer didn't fully get the grasp of what roll YOU played in each of the publications). Very though to say. With regards to the grades, I know that is always my weak point. I finished undergrad with I think a 3.2 or 3.3 average (out of a possible 4.3). Throughout undergrad however my grades started off really low, and climbed at the end, so the average surely is not reflective of the ending status. On top of that, during my first year of grad studies I received 4.0 out of 4.0 (mostly all A+s with the highest mark in nearly all my courses [i took 9 courses in my first year of grad school]), and when I applied for CIHR last year, one of the reviewers gave me an academic score of 3.2/4.9 while the other gave me 2.8/4.9. The highest of all grades amongst my peers in grad school and I get a score of 2.8??? I was a bit shocked at the time... honestly who knows. I guess the reviewers probably have hundreds of applications to look at, so it is very easy for them to miss details?? Alternatively (not sure if you applied for Vanier as well), but maybe my theory above (see post 186) was correct, and if you get a Vanier, maybe they won't send you an acceptance on the NSERC (crappy news for me if that's the case). I think you can request info from NSERC however as to why your application was not accepted - maybe get down to the bottom of the mystery!

[mr93]

Hi All,

Just got my rejection!

Unfortunately, i have been trying to find "a closure" as to why i didn't get it, and i am not really able to find the answer!! i hope that some of you could help me.

As an overview to my application:

1- I have 1 Book, 1 Book chapter, 3 top journals (2 first author, 1 co-author) and 6 top conferences (all first author), all from my Master's

2- I have 2 submitted top journals and 1 top conference accepted from my first year as PhD.

3- My Master's thesis was nominated for the best thesis award

4- I have couple of conferences travel grants

5- I have very strong recommendation letters.

6- My GPA is probably the weakest link here: 85 % overall (but i guess not disastrous)

7- I have two years experience in the industry (in top companies in IT)

8- I have various extracurricular Vice-President positions

9- I have various Teaching experiences

So can anyone please help me find out why am i really working hard again?!! coz i am really not being able to see how i am getting compensated for all that!!

All i really want is someone to tell me, that i am not competitive enough to get it, and that all others who got it have better records. Coz otherwise, i see no fairness in all this.

Thanks!

That's unbelieavable....I think you might want to request copies of your application and the reviewers' gradings from NSERC. You are entitled to this due to FOIA. One of my friends last year was rejected for PDF and he requested his applications materials, turned out one of the Referees wrote a very weak letter for him.

[ste urbain]

Hi All,

Just got my rejection!

Unfortunately, i have been trying to find "a closure" as to why i didn't get it, and i am not really able to find the answer!! i hope that some of you could help me.

As an overview to my application:

1- I have 1 Book, 1 Book chapter, 3 top journals (2 first author, 1 co-author) and 6 top conferences (all first author), all from my Master's

2- I have 2 submitted top journals and 1 top conference accepted from my first year as PhD.

3- My Master's thesis was nominated for the best thesis award

4- I have couple of conferences travel grants

5- I have very strong recommendation letters.

6- My GPA is probably the weakest link here: 85 % overall (but i guess not disastrous)

7- I have two years experience in the industry (in top companies in IT)

8- I have various extracurricular Vice-President positions

9- I have various Teaching experiences

So can anyone please help me find out why am i really working hard again?!! coz i am really not being able to see how i am getting compensated for all that!!

All i really want is someone to tell me, that i am not competitive enough to get it, and that all others who got it have better records. Coz otherwise, i see no fairness in all this.

Thanks!

I'm sorry to hear that... you sound like a strong candidate. It may have a lot to do with the way they perceived your project, though. I applied for a highly competitive provincial award 2 years ago and was rejected, but received the same award this year - really nothing about me has changed except the project, which is highly innovative and has interesting applications.

They also put a lot of emphasis on presentation and communication skills - typos, or grammatical errors, or poor organization could cost you a lot.

[ste urbain]

and when I applied for CIHR last year, one of the reviewers gave me an academic score of 3.2/4.9 while the other gave me 2.8/4.9. The highest of all grades amongst my peers in grad school and I get a score of 2.8???

That reminds me of my first (unsuccessful) application to NSERC... I had high marks in one category (I think it was for grades as well) from all the reviewers except one - who gave me a very low mark with no explanation, and no justification that I could see. As my supervisor at the time said, "sometimes, they just decide they don't like you".

[uwGradStudent]

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments.

yellowtulip: I have seen two applications who got accepted in the last 2 years (my friends), and i couldn't get why they got it and i didn't. I honestly even tried to follow the same format, thinking that i might "secure" the acceptance! but apparently not!

mr93: i did send them an e-mail, but they replied (auto-reply) that they won't process such queries before June! So whatever!

ste Urbain: I did review the application and find couple of typos in my Master's thesis summary! that's it! will writing "offers" instead of "offered" and forgetting the "as" in "as well as", make me lose the scholarship?! If that's the case, then they must be looking for perfection! I guess God will only win this award then

[Cobra]

Sorry to hear this for you. Maybe GPA plays important than publications or vice versa or both. It all depends on review committee. I got my rejection today (NSERC-PDF). I have submitted 2 journals first author, 3 accepted co-author, 7 conf. referred first author 7 conf. co-author and 5 non-referred conf. I have 5 years research exp. before joining PhD.; Anyways my GPA is not great 3.53/4.3, probably thats my weak point. And after getting rejection letter I checked my reviewers profile. Except 1 reviewer all were out of the my research domain. Last year one of my colleague got NSERC PDF just based on one journal that too was accepted but he had 14 conf. to his credit (lucky guy because both husband wife work in same domain, lots of joint publications), and good GPA, and at the end got best PhD award. In same dept. there is a guy with 5 journals first author, 7 conf. and highest GPA, all univ. scholarship but no best PhD ... so its all luck !!!

I also know a friend of mine who was like your case but was pre-approved for IRDF. Its a big gambling where decision is based on many a priori parameters and controlled by many posteriori thresholds (reviewers etc).

Good luck for next time to you as well as to me. Hope next time we are selected. Felt disappointed !!!

<br />Hi All,<br /><br />Just got my rejection!<br /><br />Unfortunately, i have been trying to find &quot;a closure&quot; as to why i didn't get it, and i am not really able to find the answer!! i hope that some of you could help me.<br /><br />As an overview to my application:<br /><br />1- I have 1 Book, 1 Book chapter, 3 top journals (2 first author, 1 co-author) and 6 top conferences (all first author), all from my Master's<br />2- I have 2 submitted top journals and 1 top conference accepted from my first year as PhD.<br />3- My Master's thesis was nominated for the best thesis award<br />4- I have couple of conferences travel grants<br />5- I have very strong recommendation letters.<br />6- My GPA is probably the weakest link here: 85 % overall (but i guess not disastrous)<br />7- I have two years experience in the industry (in top companies in IT)<br />8- I have various extracurricular Vice-President positions<br />9- I have various Teaching experiences<br /><br />So can anyone please help me find out why am i really working hard again?!! coz i am really not being able to see how i am getting compensated for all that!!<br /><br />All i really want is someone to tell me, that i am not competitive enough to get it, and that all others who got it have better records. Coz otherwise, i see no fairness in all this.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />

<br /><br /><br />

[uwGradStudent]

Sorry to hear this for you. Maybe GPA plays important than publications or vice versa or both. It all depends on review committee. I got my rejection today (NSERC-PDF). I have submitted 2 journals first author, 3 accepted co-author, 7 conf. referred first author 7 conf. co-author and 5 non-referred conf. I have 5 years research exp. before joining PhD.; Anyways my GPA is not great 3.53/4.3, probably thats my weak point. And after getting rejection letter I checked my reviewers profile. Except 1 reviewer all were out of the my research domain. Last year one of my colleague got NSERC PDF just based on one journal that too was accepted but he had 14 conf. to his credit (lucky guy because both husband wife work in same domain, lots of joint publications), and good GPA, and at the end got best PhD award. In same dept. there is a guy with 5 journals first author, 7 conf. and highest GPA, all univ. scholarship but no best PhD ... so its all luck !!!

I also know a friend of mine who was like your case but was pre-approved for IRDF. Its a big gambling where decision is based on many a priori parameters and controlled by many posteriori thresholds (reviewers etc).

Good luck for next time to you as well as to me. Hope next time we are selected. Felt disappointed !!!

<br /><br /><br />

Thanks Cobra for your words. It's always luck unfortunately! My only disappointment is why not getting compensated for the hard work? that's it! i personally would rather refuse getting any reward if i don;t work hard for it. But life is not that seemingly.

In any case, good luck for you. This was the last time i try for NSERC. Next year, I won't be eligible, as i will be more than 24 months in my program; and i doubt i am going for Post-doc. So i wish you luck for next time!