OGS - How important are grades?

[ultimateguy]

Last year I went to the workshop at my school that explained how to apply for OGS. In the workshop, we were told that if our grades for the last 2 years weren't averaging 80+ to not even bother. This was constantly repeated and it seemed like a pretty strict rule. My average was around 78.5 and my friend's was about 82. We're both in sciences. I didn't bother applying figuring I would be turned away immediately. He applied and was put on the reversion list and was then called later saying that he had received the award. It kind of sucked considering our averages are very close and I'm arguably in the more difficult program. Basically what I'm wondering is if I have any chance if I apply this year... My average is still around the same but there aren't many people in my program compared to others.

[thepoorstockinger]

The number of people in your program won't have a huge impact on whether or not you get it.

My understanding is that OGS and SSHRC ( don't know about NSERC) both use the 80%/3.7gpa in last two years cut off as a strict, hard and fast sorting tool so if you are below that mark you're flat out of luck.

That said, if you are applying to NSERC or other external grants anyway if your school will let you. (Although you should ask first, because they may also toss the application if it doesn't meet their grade cut off).

[tarski]

I went to some workshops this week. The cutoff (at my school it's 10.0) seems to be a hard one (as in the application isn't considered if it's below 10.0). As for how much your grades matter in terms of being above 10.0, they were more vague. If you're applying for first year grad studies grades might be a pretty big factor, but if you're applying for later years then your competitors will be more likely to also have publications, and that will start to matter more.

[sshrchopeful]

I'm pretty sure that you need an 80% average or above in order to apply. Unfortunately, even if you're at a 79.9%, they may not accept your application.

the OGS website clearly states:

"Applicants entering the first or second year of graduate studies at the time of application must have an overall average of at least A-, or the equivalent, on the last 20 one-term/semester courses, or the equivalent, completed.

Applicants entering the third year or beyond of graduate studies at the time of application must have an overall average of at least A-, or the equivalent, on all graduate courses completed."

Hope this helps to clarify things.