recommended.. or not?

[rileymar]

First time user... long time lurker.... I don't know if this will post where I want it to!

I am holding a MA SSHRC and have been forwarded on to the national competition for the PhD SSHRC. But this story isn't about me....

My classmate (who I know very well) applied last year for the MA SSHRC. She was NOT 'recommended' by our university. Later, she found out that she did NOT receive an OGS. When the SSHRC results came out she was very very surprised to learn that she received a SSHRC (after not being 'recommended').

I was under the impression that your chances were gone if you did not get backed by your university. Has anyone heard of a similar case? Perhaps this will provide hope to anyone who has not be 'recommended' by their uni!