dramanda Posted May 11, 2009 Posted May 11, 2009 Hi everyone, Once the SSHRC results start coming in, please fill in as much of the following information as you're willing to share. It will be a great resource to future generations of SSHRC applicants (or, in the unfortunate event of rejection, your own future SSHRC application). Please fill in the information according to what was true AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION. Since fall 2008, GPA may have gone up/down, you may have gotten additional publications, etc. These had no bearing on your SSHRC application. If you'd like to see any categories added to the master list, please PM me. ***Please do not begin discussions in this thread. See the SSHRC thread for discussions about the award. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Successful/unsuccessful: MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): Department: # of years into program: MA Major Awards & Value: PhD Major Awards & Value: Undergraduate GPA: Graduate GPA: Research contributions/Publications so far: Strengths of application: Weaknesses of application: Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): University at the time of application: University where you will take up the award:
virdisun Posted May 11, 2009 Posted May 11, 2009 Masters in Environmental Studies, 2 year program Major awards and value: Graduate scholarship $24,000 over 2 years Undergraduate GPA: 7.31 (all years); over 7.5 (last three years) Graduate GPA (N/A at time of application) Publications - Book Review Departmental Support - References (I missed the workshop - which was FGS wide, not in my faculty) York University - applied to, and where I will take up the award Application - Successful~!
thepoorstockinger Posted May 11, 2009 Posted May 11, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD : MA Department: History # of years into program: None (applying from another undergrad institution) MA Major Awards & Value: n/a PhD Major Awards & Value: n/a Undergraduate GPA: 3.68 (4.03 in final 60 credit hours) Graduate GPA: n/a Research contributions/Publications so far: 3 unrefereed undergraduate, 2 presentations at undergraduate conferences Strengths of application: Good proposal on an explored topic, good letters of reference Weaknesses of application: Not particularly high overall GPA Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): None. Revieved lots of help from individual faculty members/grad students who I asked for assistance. University at the time of application: University of King's College/Dalhousie University where you will take up the award: Trent University
revoltingmedievalist Posted May 12, 2009 Posted May 12, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD - CGS Department: History # of years into program: Starting Fall 2009 MA Major Awards & Value: OGS & UWaterloo President's Scholarship PhD Major Awards & Value: Undergraduate GPA: 83.5% Graduate GPA: no grades available at the time of application Research contributions/Publications so far: 1 Graduate Student Conference Presentation Strengths of application: Very strong letters of reference; good proposal Weaknesses of application: Not always easy to sell the relevance of a topic in Medieval History... Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): Lots of support from my MA supervisor, SSHRC workshop every year by the department and SGS University at the time of application: University of Waterloo University where you will take up the award: University of Leeds - on the application
SVV Posted May 12, 2009 Posted May 12, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful!!! MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): **EDIT: Was originally granted a PhD SSHRC, but have been subsequently upgraded to a CGS! Department: History # of years into program: 1 year into PhD (started PhD in September 2008, so, about 9 months in.) MA Major Awards & Value: Just the regular fellowship for History MA's at York (in my year it was $14,000). PhD Major Awards & Value: Regular fellowship at UVic, now the SSHRC! Undergraduate GPA: 8.0 (A) Graduate GPA: 7.75 Research contributions/Publications so far: One graduate conference (pretty informal), no publications. Strengths of application: Research proposal maybe? Very consistent high GPA through undergrad & masters. Weaknesses of application: Zero publications. Only a 1 year Masters. Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): Both departmental and university wide workshops, dedicated "grantscrafter" who reviews applications, lots of editing and feedback from supervisor and others in my department. University at the time of application: University of Victoria University where you will take up the award: University of Victoria
Christopher Posted May 12, 2009 Posted May 12, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC Department: Political Science # of years into program: 1 (started program in September, so 9 months in) MA Major Awards & Value: College of Arts Nominee for prestigious University award PhD Major Awards & Value: None Undergraduate GPA: 83% Graduate GPA: 90% Research contributions/Publications so far: Ran a graduate conference, two minor presentations Strengths of application: Combined 7 years of IT experience with research program; research is classified as 'cutting edge', excellent access to leading academics in my field as well as technical contacts. Finished a two year MA in one year, while receiving nomination for top university-level award. Weaknesses of application: BA and MA were in philosophy, never taken a political science course before in my life. Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): High level of university support; had people from SSHRC give a talk, as well as the university grantcrafter. Had 1 hour session with grantcrafter to fine tune my application. Lots of editing and support from supervisor, as well as from grad coordinator and 1st year PhD peers. University at the time of application: UVic University where you will take up the award: UVic Research statement available at: http://www.christopher-parsons.com/blog ... y-regimes/
walkerton Posted May 12, 2009 Posted May 12, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC CGS Department: Philosophy # of years into program: Entering first year MA Major Awards & Value: Year one: Graduate Scholarship ($15,000); Year two: MA SSHRC PhD Major Awards & Value: Fellowship at UofA (not taken into account in SSHRC application) Undergraduate GPA: 88% Graduate GPA: 87% Research contributions/Publications so far: 2 refereed; 4 technical reports; 5 conference presentations (1 graduate) Strengths of application: Good research contributions Weaknesses of application:At the time of the application I was applying to a Communications program (which I had no background in), turns out I accepted an offer to study philosophy instead Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops):Two WGST (my other home) professors read it over and made suggestions University at the time of application: University of Saskatchewan University where you will take up the award: University of Alberta
Neatgirl Posted May 12, 2009 Posted May 12, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC CGS Department: Family Relations & Human Development # of years into program: Entering 1st year MA Major Awards & Value: MA SSHRC (year 1), 2 year departmental award ($10000 total), OGS (year 2) PhD Major Awards & Value: none at the time of application Undergraduate GPA: 89% Graduate GPA: 92% Research contributions/Publications so far: Coauthor on government research report, work on several large research projects Strengths of application: I believe I had really strong referee letters and a strong research statement Weaknesses of application: No refereed publications Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): None from department however a previous successful SSHRC PhD gave me a copy of her statement to review University at the time of application: Guelph University where you will take up the award: Guelph
jch Posted May 12, 2009 Posted May 12, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): MA Department: History of Science # of years into program: starting Fall 09 MA Major Awards & Value: n/a PhD Major Awards & Value: n/a Undergraduate GPA: 88% Graduate GPA: N/A Research contributions/Publications so far: 2 summers of RA, completed undergraduate thesis in 3rd year, one non-refereed publication Strengths of application: strong references, research experience Weaknesses of application: little experience in the discipline I was applying to Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): one SSHRC workshop, some help from faculty University at the time of application: Guelph University where you will take up the award: U of T
eggheaddreams Posted May 13, 2009 Posted May 13, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): MA Department: Art history # of years into program: Starting Sept. 09 MA Major Awards & Value: n/a PhD Major Awards & Value:n/a Undergraduate GPA: 8.92 Graduate GPA:n/a Research contributions/Publications so far: Two conference presentations Strengths of application: High GPA, strong proposal (I think) in an area of current relevance to public policy Weaknesses of application: no publications, some--but not extensive--background in my proposed research area Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): university-wide SSHRC tips presentation, grantscrafter assistance, support of numerous faculty, support of other successful SSHRC grad students University at the time of application: University of Victoria University where you will take up the award: University of Victoria
jferreir Posted May 13, 2009 Posted May 13, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): CGS Masters Department: Philosophy # of years into program: Starting Sept. '09 MA Major Awards & Value: None at the time of application PhD Major Awards & Value: N/A Undergraduate GPA: A Graduate GPA: N/A Research contributions/Publications so far: N/A Strengths of application: Academic awards, LORs, writing sample Weaknesses of application: Lack of publications, GPA Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): Faculty support University at the time of application: Guelph University where you will take up the award: U of T (originally UBC)
lewin Posted May 13, 2009 Posted May 13, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC Department: Psychology # of years into program: This will be 1st PhD, finishing MA this year MA Major Awards & Value: NSERC Master's CGS ($17,500*2 years), internal university awards ($10,000 * 2 years), OGS ($15,000--declined for NSERC) PhD Major Awards & Value: n/a Undergraduate GPA: 4.05/4.50 Graduate GPA: 97% Research contributions/Publications so far: 1 chapter, 5 conference presentations Strengths of application: Research proposal was novel and relevant to social issues, high GPA Weaknesses of application: Switching from NSERC to SSHRC, MA referees knew me less well than BA referees so maybe letters less detailed Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): Departmental SSHRC workshop, really good admin asst. who proofreads well
Felan Posted May 13, 2009 Posted May 13, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Unsuccessful, waiting list (competition score: 16.3/30) MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD Department: Communication/Media Studies (video game studies) # of years into program: Starting September 2009 MA Major Awards & Value: OGS $15000, David and Rachel Epstein Foundation Scholarship (one of 50 at Carleton each year) $1000 PhD Major Awards & Value: Coming up for September 2009 I have the OGS again, $15000, plus a $9400 from York Undergraduate GPA: 10.6/12.0 Graduate GPA: 11.0/12.0 Research contributions/Publications so far: At the time of application, five conference presentations and one published article Strengths of application: High marks and excellent standing in the department, previous awards and honours, spent much time refining the proposal, supportive and well-known referees. Weaknesses of application: The serious academic study of video games isn't something a lot of people care about. Other than that, I think it was as good an application as it could have been. Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): A departmental workshop, but more importantly much guidance from wise supervisors who have a lot of experience with the SSHRC crapshoot. University at the time of application: Carleton University University where you will take up the award: Well, if I had been successful I would have taken it to York, but on the application I listed McGill (to which I was rejected).
monkeybrain Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Posting an incomplete profile, for privacy reasons. Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC CGS # of years into program: 1 MA Major Awards & Value: SSHRC MA PhD Major Awards & Value: standard entry funding package Graduate GPA: 3 As, 3 A+s, 2 A- Research contributions/Publications so far: one publication in a small peer-reviewed journal Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): one school of grad studies workshop, a few one-on-one sessions with professors, multiple peer-reviews University at the time of application: U of T University where you will take up the award: U of T Note: I applied directly to SSHRC last year and was resoundingly rejected. This year my statement of interest was much, much better. So, it is completely possible to come back from rejection.
jerry Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC Department: # of years into program: 2 MA Major Awards & Value: two small MA awards of about $3,000 each (from 1995/96 and 1996/97) PhD Major Awards & Value: standard entry funding package Undergraduate GPA: too much time spent in the campus pub. Not great except in final undergrad year: about 3.8 Graduate GPA: 4.0 at PhD level (so far) Research contributions/Publications so far: 3 peer reveiwed pubs, one in very high impact journal, the others about average for my discipline; 4 non-peer reviewed pubs/presentations Strengths of application: I think the proposal was pretty good. Also, my references are well-known in the field. Grades from my first year of PhD program were strong (spent less time in the campus pub, more time taking school seriously!) Weaknesses of application: Horrible undergrad marks except for 4th year Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): Advisor reviewed my proposal and gave feedback; had access to the proposals of a few successful SSHRC applicants from previous years University at the time of application: U of T University where you will take up the award: same
victoria Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC 1 Year (20,000) Department: Sociology and Equity Studies in Education # of years into program: 3 MA Major Awards & Value: Canadian Graduate Scholarship (17,500) PhD Major Awards & Value: Ontario Graduate Scholarship (15,000) I won it 3 years in a row. Undergraduate GPA: Don't know. Good? Graduate GPA: I really don't know. Research contributions/Publications so far: 2 Strengths of application: Excellent letters of reference. 2 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Ranked 1st in my department. A+'s for the majority of my courses. Weaknesses of application: Very few conference presentations. Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): SSHRC workshops were offered, but since I have applied so many times before I stopped attending (was sent through to Ottawa twice before, never won) University at the time of application: U of T University where you will take up the award: same
jasper.milvain Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 * Report this post * Reply with quote Re: SSHRC/Vanier 2009 Results & Stats (MA & PhD) New postby victoria
rosecca Posted May 16, 2009 Posted May 16, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): MA SSHRC Department: Sociology # of years into program: Was just starting MA MA Major Awards & Value: Entrance package (with option of 2nd year support if unsuccessful in obtaining SSHRC), + merit awards (3,500). PhD Major Awards & Value: N/A Undergraduate GPA: 4.2/4.3 Graduate GPA: N/A Research contributions/Publications so far: No publications, 3 presentations (major conferences), Research Assistant Strengths of application: Strong GPA, Strong presentations, Research Assistant position, Excellent LoRs, Good Proposal, Undergraduate awards Weaknesses of application: No publications, Only one language Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): University info meeting, Department workshops (second workshop could not attend - out of province for research meeting) University at the time of application: UNB University where you will take up the award: UNB
westies121 Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 Like monkeybrain, I'm submitting an incomplete profile for privacy reasons. Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): M.A. # of years into program: Starting in the fall MA Major Awards & Value: N/A PhD Major Awards & Value: N/A Undergraduate GPA: >3.90/4.00 (4.0 in my program) Research contributions/Publications so far: Nothing really (some undergrad research contributions) Strengths of application: Strong proposal, G.P.A., and letters of recommendation (I also won some undergrad awards, which was probably helpful) Weaknesses of application: I haven't published any papers and I wasn't an RA as an undergraduate Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): Great support--there was a departmental workshop, I had access to previous SSHRC proposals, and several profs read over my proposal University at the time of application: McGill
ogopogo Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD CGS # of years into program: Starting in the fall MA Major Awards & Value: NSERC PGSA, $34,000 over 2 years Undergraduate GPA: close to or above 4, depending on how you count an A+ Graduate GPA: same Research contributions/Publications so far: 4 in solid peer-reviewed journals + some abstracts and proceedings papers, all co-authored. Strengths of application: Letters of recommendation, research contributions, GPA, and how my background relates to the proposed research. Weaknesses of application: My proposal felt a little under-developed to me, I've been out of school for quite a while, and I didn't know switching from NSERC to SSHRC was bad, but I guess I did that too. Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): I got some help from the two people at my former school who were writing references for me. University at the time of application: none Scores: initial score 29.4, final score 24
rachelg Posted May 30, 2009 Posted May 30, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC Department: Political Science # of years into program: 1 MA Major Awards & Value: PhD Major Awards & Value: school funding of $18,000/year Undergraduate GPA: probably like 83% or 84% Graduate GPA: A Research contributions/Publications so far: nothing worth mentioning... Strengths of application: my application stressed the topical nature of my research, and my interest in interdisciplinarity Weaknesses of application: i didn't have any references from anyone i am currently working with Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): N/A -- i am at an american school, so i applied directly to sshrc. my department hadn't really heard of sshrc before University at the time of application: CUNY University where you will take up the award: CUNY since i applied directly to sshrc, i was given an interim score sometime in february. it was 24.9/30. my final score. however, was 19.5/30.
readinggeyser Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PHD SSHRC # of years into program: Starting in the fall MA Major Awards & Value: Master's CGS (1 year) Undergraduate GPA: Pretty good Graduate GPA: close to 4.0 (A+) Research contributions/Publications so far: 2 conference presentations Strengths of application: Letters of recommendation were great, I have a good master's GPA, and wrote a successful Master's thesis (nominated for University award). Weaknesses of application: No publications. The research timeline was perhaps a little underdeveloped. Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): I had some great feedback from faculty members I worked with while completing my MA. University at the time of application: no. I applied independently. Scores: initial score 21.9, final score 18.5 University where you will take up the award: McGill, Faculty of Education.
phreeduh Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC Department: Music # of years into program: 2nd, (so 2 years of SSHRC funding to go) MA Major Awards & Value: SSHRC, 17500 PhD Major Awards & Value: Undergraduate GPA: 3.89/4 Graduate GPA: 4/4 Research contributions/Publications so far: Many Strengths of application: Lots of publications, Previously funded candidate, good letters of recommendation Weaknesses of application: Ambitious project might not be realizable in time alloted Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): None University at the time of application: Brown University University where you will take up the award: Brown University
MissTheory Posted June 8, 2009 Posted June 8, 2009 Successful/unsuccessful: Successful MA/PhD (if PhD, specify SSHRC/SSHRC CGS/Vanier): PhD SSHRC CGS Department: English # of years into program: 1 MA Major Awards & Value: 0 PhD Major Awards & Value: 1 - OGS ($15,000) Undergraduate GPA: 83%-ish Graduate GPA: 4.0-ish Research contributions/Publications so far: a few academic and non-academic (political) Strengths of application: Not really sure....awesome references and department support....solid research proposal....extensive community-based experience to show relevance of research outside of the academy Weaknesses of application: one or two 83% marks in grad school......could use a few more presentations.....no major MA award.... Level/Form of Departmental Support (i.e. SSHRC workshops): Workshops, personal reviews, excellent communication and support
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