2021 Clinical Psychology Applicants CANADA

[Ellisse]

5 hours ago, alittlestitious said:

I'm wondering the same thing! 

Any funding application advice generally would be helpful, or any websites/articles that anybody has found to help clarify things - I find the application portals/pages themselves really confusing, I never know if I'm looking at the right award or not, or if I'm eligible without being enrolled in the program already, etc. It seems excessively complicated! 

I'm also interested in general tips and/or advise. I really don't understand it, especially the Tri-Agency funding/scholarships.

[Chebben]

Hi everyone - Clinical Psychology Year 1 student here - if anyone has general questions you can feel free to PM me and I'm happy to answer (about fundings, applications, etc). 

 

 

[egyptianintoronto]

*funding-- international student* 

Hello everyone. 

I wanted to ask about funding... I am currently an international student & will unfortunately have to apply to programs this year as an international student, and I know there isn't that many funding opportunities available, but I wanted to ask if anyone knew what kind of funding opportunities there are out there? 

I also wanted to ask, outside of OGS, would applying for international scholarships (more specifically, those with lower amounts of funding) help the application in the case that I am not eligible for applying to further funding? Please let me know! I would very much appreciate it. Thanks so much. 

Edited September 22, 2020 by egyptianintoronto

[SoundofSilence]

17 hours ago, egyptianintoronto said:

*funding-- international student* 

Hello everyone. 

I wanted to ask about funding... I am currently an international student & will unfortunately have to apply to programs this year as an international student, and I know there isn't that many funding opportunities available, but I wanted to ask if anyone knew what kind of funding opportunities there are out there? 

I also wanted to ask, outside of OGS, would applying for international scholarships (more specifically, those with lower amounts of funding) help the application in the case that I am not eligible for applying to further funding? Please let me know! I would very much appreciate it. Thanks so much. 

Hello!

So the short answer is yes, applying to more scholarships is always a big plus for your application, even if the amounts are a bit lower.

The longer answer - it's difficult to find funding for international students. Some POIs may be able to fund you through their grants and some departments have more possibilities to fund internationals, but some may not. Make sure you check the department website, sometimes they don't accept international applicants at all!

Even when a POI has funding they appreciate it when students try to find their own funding anyway, so it's always a good thing to have them. Previous success with funding is also a good plus for your application and can help your CV in the future. Can you reach out to some POIs or even departments to get their opinion on this? I had some luck in that the grad admin for my master's had a list of places where I could apply that I didn't know about, but most required you to already be accepted to the program. 

OGS is a good opportunity that not a lot of provinces have, so do make sure you apply. 

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

[egyptianintoronto]

14 hours ago, SoundofSilence said:

Hello!

So the short answer is yes, applying to more scholarships is always a big plus for your application, even if the amounts are a bit lower.

The longer answer - it's difficult to find funding for international students. Some POIs may be able to fund you through their grants and some departments have more possibilities to fund internationals, but some may not. Make sure you check the department website, sometimes they don't accept international applicants at all!

Even when a POI has funding they appreciate it when students try to find their own funding anyway, so it's always a good thing to have them. Previous success with funding is also a good plus for your application and can help your CV in the future. Can you reach out to some POIs or even departments to get their opinion on this? I had some luck in that the grad admin for my master's had a list of places where I could apply that I didn't know about, but most required you to already be accepted to the program. 

OGS is a good opportunity that not a lot of provinces have, so do make sure you apply. 

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Thank you so very much for your response! My POI at OISE actually told me to apply to OGS, and that's why I was wondering how crucial it was to have funding prior to enrolling in the program? I called the u o f t SGS office & they said that there's only very few OGS awards available for internationals. I will apply nonetheless, but I just wanted to know if not receiving the award would hinder my process of *hopeful* admission. I appreciate you taking the time to respond! If you do happen to know of any external awards that international students can apply to, please let me know! 

Good luck to you & everyone! x

[SoundofSilence]

5 hours ago, egyptianintoronto said:

Thank you so very much for your response! My POI at OISE actually told me to apply to OGS, and that's why I was wondering how crucial it was to have funding prior to enrolling in the program? I called the u o f t SGS office & they said that there's only very few OGS awards available for internationals. I will apply nonetheless, but I just wanted to know if not receiving the award would hinder my process of *hopeful* admission. I appreciate you taking the time to respond! If you do happen to know of any external awards that international students can apply to, please let me know! 

Good luck to you & everyone! x

I don't really know others for Ontario, but maybe someone else can chip in. 

Your admissions won't be hindered by not having an award, but an award makes things easier - sometimes departmental budgets are tight, so especially now it's really important. They usually divide their resources carefully and of course they prioritize admitting citizens and permanent residents. 

(Also, citizens and residents are eligible to apply to many awards even after they are admitted, so they still have plenty of chances to get funding outside of the department, which internationals won't be able to access).

From my experience, there were quite a few very interested POIs, who wanted to admit me, but were told no by their department due to funding. It's a shame, and I was really disappointed after some really great interviews, but what can you do...

My advice is to try your best to identify at least some other sources of funding - look into scholarships from your own country as well. Showing that at least you are actively trying might count for something.

Wish I could help more. 

Good luck!

[egyptianintoronto]

7 hours ago, SoundofSilence said:

I don't really know others for Ontario, but maybe someone else can chip in. 

Your admissions won't be hindered by not having an award, but an award makes things easier - sometimes departmental budgets are tight, so especially now it's really important. They usually divide their resources carefully and of course they prioritize admitting citizens and permanent residents. 

(Also, citizens and residents are eligible to apply to many awards even after they are admitted, so they still have plenty of chances to get funding outside of the department, which internationals won't be able to access).

From my experience, there were quite a few very interested POIs, who wanted to admit me, but were told no by their department due to funding. It's a shame, and I was really disappointed after some really great interviews, but what can you do...

My advice is to try your best to identify at least some other sources of funding - look into scholarships from your own country as well. Showing that at least you are actively trying might count for something.

Wish I could help more. 

Good luck!

I am so sorry to hear that! Were you able to eventually obtain your residency or secure a position despite your status as an international student?

I also wanted to quickly ask, is it possible to self-fund or do departments only allow students who they can fund? 

Thanks again for your response; I really appreciate it! 

[SoundofSilence]

8 minutes ago, egyptianintoronto said:

I am so sorry to hear that! Were you able to eventually obtain your residency or secure a position despite your status as an international student?

I also wanted to quickly ask, is it possible to self-fund or do departments only allow students who they can fund? 

Thanks again for your response; I really appreciate it! 

I'm currently doing a master's and managed to get two scholarships for it (but both were after I was admitted and both are province-related). My supervisor was prepared to fund me though. 

I will be applying next year for a doctoral program, so I am trying to stay on here to keep up to date with what's happening

Competitive programs don't really accept self-fund. I think one POI told me that they only take students that they can fund. But who knows, you can inquire about this, maybe things have changed.

Good luck!

[clinical_psyc_hopeful]

On 9/21/2020 at 2:24 PM, NeuroLim3 said:

Hi guys! What do you suggest saying in a follow-up email after a virtual meeting with a prospective supervisor? I just want to thank them for chatting with me and re-express my interest. Also, I'm planning on reaching out again once after I submit my application or if I have specific questions. For the current clin psy students, I'm curious to hear what you think of this and if it's necessary or overkill. I'm trying to treat this like a job application but I'm not sure if it's necessary to continue to do this.

I did send follow-up emails and thanked them for meeting with me. I'm not a current student but I am currently applying. Personally, I think  it shows your enthusiastic and displays diligence. Im curious to know anyone else thoughts on this?

[iamstressed]

Are scholarship applications seen by the admissions committee? How does that process work?

[clinical_psyc_hopeful]

How many words it it okay to exceed the word limit on your SOP? The website says approximately 500 words and I am about 200 words over the limit.

[SoundofSilence]

18 hours ago, clinical_psyc_hopeful said:

How many words it it okay to exceed the word limit on your SOP? The website says approximately 500 words and I am about 200 words over the limit.

Try not to exceed the limit specified, at least not by much. 5-10% or so should be a good/generous margin of error. 

Keep in mind - some applications require you to paste your SOP into their system, and their system might track number of characters/words and cut off the rest. Others have general guidelines (500 words or a page or something like that). 

It's good form to keep it to the number mentioned there. It shows that you can follow directions and keeps everyone on an even playing ground. If everybody else could express themselves within that limit, and you went over it by half, it doesn't look too good. 

I know, it's difficult to fit in that. I had some applications where I was so limited and had to chop big parts of my SOP and it's not a good feeling. But my gut and experience say follow what the website says or at least make sure the program is ok with you not strictly following the guidelines (an email to the grad admin could help here).

Best of luck!

[Wanderingmind]

Has anyone heard anything from any POI's at Guelph?

[freudianslipintogradschool]

Does anyone know when OISE CCP program will be posting an updated list of accepting faculty for Sept 2021?

[PrettyFlyForACogSci]

20 hours ago, Wanderingmind said:

Has anyone heard anything from any POI's at Guelph?

I received 1 acknowledgement email basically saying looks like you have great qualifications, I'll look out for your application during the review. I didn't receive a response from my other 2 POIs yet. I wrote them all about a week ago. Hope this helps!

[Wanderingmind]

Just now, PrettyFlyForACogSci said:

I received 1 acknowledgement email basically saying looks like you have great qualifications, I'll look out for your application during the review. I didn't receive a response from my other 2 POIs yet. I wrote them all about a week ago. Hope this helps!

Thanks! I have heard back from one as well, and the other did not reply. I feel a bit more assured! 

[Wanderingmind]

Does anyone know how the funding works? I'm curious about the tri-council funding for masters, do the universities have any sway in who gets the scholarships? Or is it fully decided by the tri-council agencies? 

[clinical_psyc_hopeful]

Just now, Wanderingmind said:

Does anyone know how the funding works? I'm curious about the tri-council funding for masters, do the universities have any sway in who gets the scholarships? Or is it fully decided by the tri-council agencies? 

I believe the tri-council agency fully decides. That being said I do think universities choose students based on their likelihood of getting a CGS-M award and If they have applied for that award. Someone correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[PrettyFlyForACogSci]

Has anyone heard back from POIs at McMaster? The only responses I've gotten are to tell me they're not accepting  It sounds like there's a lot up in the air at McMaster this application season.

[LMoll]

27 minutes ago, PrettyFlyForACogSci said:

Has anyone heard back from POIs at McMaster? The only responses I've gotten are to tell me they're not accepting  It sounds like there's a lot up in the air at McMaster this application season.

I haven't heard back from the PI I emailed , but it's really not in my top few schools or anything so I'm not too concerned. Have you tried sending a polite follow-up?

[PrettyFlyForACogSci]

27 minutes ago, LMoll said:

I haven't heard back from the PI I emailed , but it's really not in my top few schools or anything so I'm not too concerned. Have you tried sending a polite follow-up?

Yes I plan on following-up soon, I'll give it another week. Hopefully good news!

[Roz23]

6 hours ago, freudianslipintogradschool said:

Does anyone know when OISE CCP program will be posting an updated list of accepting faculty for Sept 2021?

I emailed the SCCP coordinator last week and she said to just keeping checking back, so I imagine it would be the same for the CCP program too. They're probably still trying to figure out who is willing to take on students, but you could try email the program coordinator for CCP, maybe they'll know more. 

[freudianslipintogradschool]

Just now, Roz23 said:

I emailed the SCCP coordinator last week and she said to just keeping checking back, so I imagine it would be the same for the CCP program too. They're probably still trying to figure out who is willing to take on students, but you could try email the program coordinator for CCP, maybe they'll know more. 

Thanks for letting me know! Hopefully it’s soon considering their apps are due in a month and a half

[Roz23]

23 minutes ago, freudianslipintogradschool said:

Thanks for letting me know! Hopefully it’s soon considering their apps are due in a month and a half

Np! Yeah I really hope so!

[PsychGirl2]

15 hours ago, freudianslipintogradschool said:

Thanks for letting me know! Hopefully it’s soon considering their apps are due in a month and a half

I just checked and the SCCP and CCP are both updated now.