OGS Plan of Study/Statement of Interest

[steve89]

Hi!

I am applying for a master's degree and the OGS. I understand that for PhD students writing a plan of study is something like composing a research proposal. What I don't really get is what am I supposed to include in my "statement of interest” as a prospective master’s student. Should I include the optional courses I am thinking of selecting? Should I include my research interests (although I won't be conducting original research during the master's)? Any other ideas?

Also, if there is a master's student reading this, who managed to get the OGS and s/he wants to share his/hers "statement of interest" with me, please feel free to do so. I will be eternally grateful.

 

Thanks!

[EphemeralErika]

I have the same questions!

[purplegrey]

I also have similar questions. Any luck?

[TakeruK]

I applied for the OGS for both Masters and Doctorate studies in separate years and was successful both times. Although Masters programs do not require original research, I still wrote my Statement of Interest (when applying for the Masters level award) about my research. 

Here, I am specifying "original" research as research that no one has ever done before. Masters programs in my field still have a very strong research component, but it could just be something like proving an established method works as a precursor to doctoral level research. If you are talking about a program that has no research components at all, i.e. a coursework based Masters, then I guess this approach won't work.

Instead, if you are not going to be conducting any research at all, I think you should write your Statement of Interest as an essay stating why you are interested in your field, the research in your field, and the program you are applying to. That said, although I might be very biased since I only know things from the point of view of someone in a research-based program, I think most OGS awards go to research programs rather than coursework. But I could be really wrong!

Finally, most schools will provide examples of successful statements online. Here is one school that I just googled for OGS examples: http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/awards-and-funding/external-awards/ogs/