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Hi there, I was unfunded but the first person shortlisted on committee 6. Score was 4.92 and the last funded score was 4.93. I ranked 23 and 22/79 were funded. Weirdly, I scored lower this year than last year (this is my second attempt), when I scored 5.03 but applied to a more competitive committee (committee 3). Does anyone know what happens if funded offers are declined? Do people further down the list get offers or are the funds just reabsorbed by SSHRC? I just e-mailed them with this question. My other broader job market question is how the SSHRC postdoc process compares to applying to postdocs at institutions. I have the impression SSHRC is a particular opportunity (you need to propose an entirely new project or research distinct from your dissertation and you're reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee including people who may not be knowledgeable in your areas of research). I was not on the job market this year besides throwing my hat in the ring with SSHRC. So I am looking ahead at applying for postdocs and maybe TT (if something obviously fits) next cycle.

Hi there, I've asked a similar question before when I was applying to PhD programs and awaiting results. Well I'm a Canadian now in the second year of my PhD program in the US (Rutgers to be exact) and wondering if any other international students in the US are on J1 visas with spouses on J2 visas. If so, how long did it take for your spouse to receive employment authorization after applying? One month? Two? Three? This would affect our financial planning. Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Exactly what the title says. Suggestions? I have a SSN and I've just completed my first year in a PhD program. I am moving to Brooklyn this August and while my next lease will be in the name of my friend/roommate, thus getting around the credit history issue, I'd like to start building credit ASAP as I plan to eventually look for a lease on my own.

I wanted to add that I was told direct deposit can be set up if so I plan to do that for subsequent payments.

Nope I'm in NJ and despite getting the form sent in by my school in late july, they didn't "receive" (process?) it until the beginning of september and last i heard they said it was getting mailed out after labor day. assuming that's september 4th, there's just no way mail from ottawa to central jersey should take 14 business days?

My understanding was we were supposed to receive our first payment by the end of August. I've checked my mailbox all week (in New Jersey)... nothing.

Hello, I've seen some threads discussing the F1 and J1 nonimmigrant visas. I start a program this Fall and recently switched my certificate of eligibility from F1 to J1. My longtime partner and I plan to initially go long distance and make a decision during my second year of course work between (1) marrying so that he can get a J2 visa and join me in the US while being able to legally work; or (2) returning home for lengthily periods of time or pretty much full-time once I am ABD (I've checked with my department and a few students are writing from a distance). I've seen replies from doctoral students here who have applied with their spouses for J1 and J2 simultaneously before moving together. However, has anyone here married their partner "back home" AFTER moving away and beginning their program and applying subsequently for a J2 later on? I was wondering if anyone's spouse has had difficulty getting their work permit stuff processed too after the fact? If anyone is wondering why I won't just marry now before leaving, it's because we haven't decided what's best for both of us (personally and financially) so that we can eventually reunite and live full-time in the same place a couple of years from now. I'd also like a bit of distance to adjust to my program initially during my first year (figure out the lay of the land). I imagine if we decide to attempt the J2, I'll start planning a small wedding during 2013-14. Thanks a lot!

I was waitlisted for funding in early February for my top choice PhD program, discovered in late March I was first on the waitlist and that the first four candidates had to make up their minds. By the beginning of April got funding. Also got an external federal award the beginning of May that would've permitted me to negotiate for funding to complete my award (i.e. the school would waive my tuition). So all in all everything worked out: got the school funding, still got the external funding, no longer required to TA.

Notability looks like a very exciting app. I wonder if you know of an app that allows you to handwrite to enter typed text?

If it's possible to defer your offer I would live with family and work for a year to save money as well as try and complete the program part-time while simultaneously working. 100k is a lot to take on in debt though it is not unheard of. My friends in law school without family support will certainly come out at least 80k in debt when all is said and done.

I don't think it's possible to lie about the SSHRC as the activation of payment form requires that the dean of your graduate school sign it. I suppose you could forge this signature in theory, but along the way you will get caught as you need to submit annual progress reports and I think faculty in your department get involved in these reports. Even after all of that, you would be in a lot of trouble with either your own department or SSHRC eventually. I wouldn't risk your reputation over this. SSHRC permits you to work 450 hours a year on campus. Perhaps you can supplement your stipend with a job?

Thanks for the replies so far. I will do further research on the TD option (maybe call the branch in the college town I'm moving to). Essentially I need to find a way to avoid fees as much as possible while switching back and forth in currency (planning to visit home in Canada every other month and in the summer) as well as avoid having checks take forever to deposit. I created another thread asking about this latter concern. I.e. SSHRC sends checks in the foreign currency of the school you attend, but my question is if the checks are issued from a Canadian bank won't they get held at a US bank for a long time before getting deposited?

Question to any Canadian SSHRC holders studying in the US: what is the easiest method for depositing your SSHRC instalments? I understand they are mailed to your foreign address in the appropriate foreign currency, but I read that checks from foreign banks can take a long time to get processed at a US bank (45 days?). Obviously the smart thing to do is have a cash reserve ready when I move to the US in USD to settle initial housing costs, etc but it'd be good to know how any of you expats manage Canadian sources of funding while abroad. Thanks!

Not sure if a thread exists on this. I'm a Canadian moving to NJ. I'm wondering what is required to open a US chequings/savings account for non-immigrant (student) visa holders? I currently use TD Canada Trust and wondered if there would be any benefits to opening either a TD Canada US dollar account or TD Bank (the US run subsidiary) account? Ie. would transfering money between TD Can and American TD Bank be more economical? I've also heard good reviews of Chase and I'll be in NJ/NY. Any experiences with opening accounts with Chase also welcome. My guess is I can't open an account once I move until I have a bill or tuition invoice stating my new address?

To anyone neurotic enough to wonder about envelope thickness: the thickness was different between the successful MA sshrc envelope from 2 years ago and the successful PhD envelope for this year. Both contained 3 pages but the MA one contained a page made of thick card stock with info on the foreign award supplement. PhD letter felt flimsier as a result. Misleading!