SSHRC

[dramanda]

I was told that it was my school's policy to only pass through applications that were to stay at that school.

That is ludicrous. Is this even allowed?

EDIT: All the other schools should get together and make sure not to forward applications from their students who plan to go to your school! This just seems really greedy to me...

[phreeduh]

I have no idea if it's allowed and it is indeed ludicrous, but the school's have a quote of how many applications they can pass through and it's really up to them which ones they pass. I was told outright by my adviser that there was no way my application would compete within the university if I was changing schools because it was private university policy even though he felt it was a very strong application. I had already received a Master's CGS at my school too. *shrug* I applied anyway and as predicted my application didn't get chosen by my university. I am shortlisted this year from my new school with what is essentially the same writing. There is no way for me to verify why I wasn't selected at my old school.

[Neatgirl]

That shouldn't be allowed but I have also heard that it happens.

[dramanda]

That shouldn't be allowed but I have also heard that it happens.

Well then, note to future generations of SSHRC applicants:

If at all possible, list your current school as your potential school! No need to count yourself out of the running from the outset. I know this isn't always possible, though.

[canuckle]

Well then, note to future generations of SSHRC applicants:

If at all possible, list your current school as your potential school! No need to count yourself out of the running from the outset. I know this isn't always possible, though.

I think this is good advice, and would say that it IS always possible. Since your funding is tied to you, and not your school, a student who "changed their mind" in the gap between when they applied for the SSHRC and when they received it can just take their SSHRC to whichever school they want.

When your application is going through the university application process I would be amazed if it didn't make some difference to the committee, whether officially or not, if you were intending on bringing the funding to their school. The amount of difference it would make is up to debate, but I would think that a student who wanted to maximize their chances of getting their application to Ottawa should say they "intend" to pursue the degree at their home school.

Of course, I would not advocate saying anything outright dishonest, but we should all be proficient enough with our words to tell the committee what they want to hear--whilst leaving our options open. Sad that the system is this way, but lets be honest--this process is a game, and one should know the rules.

[dramanda]

I think this is good advice, and would say that it IS always possible. Since your funding is tied to you, and not your school, a student who "changed their mind" in the gap between when they applied for the SSHRC and when they received it can just take their SSHRC to whichever school they want.

Not ALWAYS possible. If your research proposal could clearly not be adequately supervised by someone at your home institution, they might question why you listed them. This is especially true at the departmental review level, where the profs will be familiar enough with one another's work to make such judgments. Of course, it's always possible to tailor your proposal so that it seems like you could do it with your current supervisor/at your current institution. If you can swing it, of course, go for it. Sometimes, though, your ideas just don't fit with where you are. I speak from experience

[canuckle]

Not ALWAYS possible. If your research proposal could clearly not be adequately supervised by someone at your home institution, they might question why you listed them. This is especially true at the departmental review level, where the profs will be familiar enough with one another's work to make such judgments. Of course, it's always possible to tailor your proposal so that it seems like you could do it with your current supervisor/at your current institution. If you can swing it, of course, go for it. Sometimes, though, your ideas just don't fit with where you are. I speak from experience

Fair enough point.

However, a true cynic would point out that many aspects of your research proposal can slightly change between the time that you submit the proposal, and the time that you finish the research. With this in mind, I imagine it might be possible to write a research proposal that would be tailored to the research strengths/ interests/ theoretical frameworks at your home institution--and perhaps it could change later. You, of course, couldn't entirely change your thematic area (taking SSHRC funding from a proposal aimed at, say, Art History--and then doing research in Nanotechnology) BUT you do have a certain amount of flexibility, I think.

The purpose of the research proposal is to gain funding. Full Stop.

Of course, lying, etc. should not be done. BUT it is realistic to expect that your research will change between the time of your proposal and your end product. If we acknowledge this to be true, then some might argue that tailoring the project in a way that maximizes your chances would seem acceptable.

[dramanda]

I agree, definitely acceptable.

In the end, you're right: the purpose of the proposal is to gain funding. This whole process (SSHRC, but even more generally, grad school admissions) seems like a big game to me, and the ethical lines are a little blurry. Do what you need to do :wink:

[jasper.milvain]

Ok, folks- since clearly the PhD results will be out tomorrow and everyone's grad studies departments will be nothing but forthcoming with the news and there will be no further delays and/or fuck-ups because SSHRC will have realized how much we need this info and ponies made of rainbows are going to fly out of my ass and scatter lollipops and funding packages far and wide across this great land of ours...

...is there any info that the SSHRC geeks on this thread would like to see from people as the results come in?

I would love it if people would be willing to share a few things along with their results, along the lines of:

Department:

# of years into program:

MA SSHRC yes/no:

Strengths of application:

Weaknesses of application:

Research contributions/Publications so far:

[phreeduh]

This makes sense but also makes me feel kind of terrible. I was pretty naive about the process at the time.

...

SUNDAY NIGHT!!!!

Good luck everyone in the following week. I've applied from within the United States, so I don't expect to be hearing myself until I receive a physical statement (however long that will take).

[phreeduh]

Ooo! Seconded! Could people please post where they applied from as well as where they will be going?

...is there any info that the SSHRC geeks on this thread would like to see from people as the results come in?

I would love it if people would be willing to share a few things along with their results, along the lines of:

Department:

# of years into program:

MA SSHRC yes/no:

Strengths of application:

Weaknesses of application:

Research contributions/Publications so far:

[Christopher]

I would love it if people would be willing to share a few things along with their results, along the lines of:

Department:

# of years into program:

MA SSHRC yes/no:

Strengths of application:

Weaknesses of application:

Research contributions/Publications so far:

Concerning strengths and weaknesses, what are you envisioning in this? At UVic, as an example, we had access to a grantcrafter who worked at SSHRC for several years. Is this a 'strength' to the application, or are you thinking of 'research project is sexy at this point/have tons of resources already for it/etc'?

[jasper.milvain]

I was thinking along the lines of "I know my LORs were super strong, but I have a sub-par GPA". We could add "Level/Form of Departmental Support" to the list, though.

[Neatgirl]

I like your idea and think it would be great to share that extra information. And thanks so much for the dose of optimism too...I will draw on it to get me through the next few days!

Ok, folks- since clearly the PhD results will be out tomorrow and everyone's grad studies departments will be nothing but forthcoming with the news and there will be no further delays and/or fuck-ups because SSHRC will have realized how much we need this info and ponies made of rainbows are going to fly out of my ass and scatter lollipops and funding packages far and wide across this great land of ours...

...is there any info that the SSHRC geeks on this thread would like to see from people as the results come in?

I would love it if people would be willing to share a few things along with their results, along the lines of:

Department:

# of years into program:

MA SSHRC yes/no:

Strengths of application:

Weaknesses of application:

Research contributions/Publications so far:

[phreeduh]

I've been pretending that the hold up this year is due to an overabundance of cash available and the extra resources that it would take to give all the short-listers full scholarships.

[dramanda]

Great idea! So, to add on what's been recommended so far:

Successful/unsuccessful:

Department:

# of years into program:

MA SSHRC yes/no:

Strengths of application:

Weaknesses of application:

Research contributions/Publications so far:

Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops):

University at the time of application:

University where you will take up the award:

I suggest that we perhaps consider starting a new thread with this info when it starts to pour in. It would be nice for subsequent generations to see all the info side-by-side without the random commentary and off-topic discussions in between.

[Christopher]

Maybe revise "MA SSHRC yes/no" to "MA Major Awards yes/no + note of what the award was'? This means that people with OGS, prior fellowships, etc can identify the range of awards they had going into the SSHRC application.

[dramanda]

Maybe revise "MA SSHRC yes/no" to "MA Major Awards yes/no + note of what the award was'? This means that people with OGS, prior fellowships, etc can identify the range of awards they had going into the SSHRC application.

DONE!

Successful/unsuccessful:

Department:

# of years into program:

MA Major Awards yes/no:

Strengths of application:

Weaknesses of application:

Research contributions/Publications so far:

Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops):

University at the time of application:

University where you will take up the award:

[jasper.milvain]

Thanks for updating the list, dramanda. I agree that a "SSHRC Results Stats 2009" thread would be great, and would likely be an awesome resource for next years' applicants.

ETA- Remember that ~70% of us will have great news (hopefully) by this time next week!

[dramanda]

ETA- Remember that ~70% of us will have great news (hopefully) by this time next week!

Not to get cocky, but.....

Don't you think that, of the larger sample of A-list applicants, those of us who obsessively check this thread and have really researched the process represent a very special subset of the SSHRC-hopeful population? :wink:

***I'm mostly joking, before anyone jumps down my throat

[phreeduh]

How about just asking Major awards received? some students will have received other doctoral rewards in advance of the SSHRC..

DONE!

Successful/unsuccessful:

Department:

# of years into program:

MA Major Awards yes/no:

Strengths of application:

Weaknesses of application:

Research contributions/Publications so far:

Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops):

University at the time of application:

University where you will take up the award:

[dramanda]

How about just asking Major awards received? some students will have received other doctoral rewards in advance of the SSHRC..

Successful/unsuccessful:

Department:

# of years into program:

MA Major Awards:

PhD Major Awards:

Strengths of application:

Weaknesses of application:

Research contributions/Publications so far:

Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops):

University at the time of application:

University where you will take up the award:

[monkeybrain]

OK, it's forty minutes into the workday on Monday. C'mon, results. Let's go.

[dramanda]

Today's betters are Cree8tiveGyal & jasper.milvain

I certainly hope you're right!

[jess445]

I just got my results for M.A. SSHRC from the grad department I applied through. I am getting SSHRC so I'm pretty happy now! But mostly the waiting has been the worst and I'm glad it's over now. Hope everyone else is able to find out soon!