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Graduate Studies Workshop no2. Social Welfare and Social Development 2014 By NJB/CDT/Litalien/ Patriquin/Kataoka/Chen. MA/scholarship applications are due early autumn . Decide what you want to apply to during the summer following your third year of undergraduate studies.
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Graduate Studies Workshop no2 Social Welfare and Social Development 2014 By NJB/CDT/Litalien/Patriquin/Kataoka/Chen
MA/scholarship applications are due early autumn. • Decide what you want to apply to during the summer following your third year of undergraduate studies.
Pre-application Statement of purpose/letter of intent (1 to 2 pages) • Research: • Faculty of Graduate Studies • Program Admissions Committee • Same application typically used for university and program financial awards/placements
What graduate studies do you want to pursue? • How do your current program and possible graduate studies (and personal experiences) relate to each other? • Different programs may ask specifically for additional components. Consider:
Format adopted for the statement: research proposal (see the graduate scholarship application NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) • Usually mandatory to have statement of purpose approved by potential program advisor before online submission • Describe your intended research project: • previous research or experience, the proposed topic, preferred methods, and potential contributions • demonstrate your personality and communication skills • Be informative, scholarly, professional, and persuasive. • This may be the most important part of your application package Sources: University of Manitoba; Wiki How; SSHRC
Points to include: • Why you are interested in this program and not other competitors • Your credentials and accomplishments • Why they should consider you for this university/program (do not overdo this section) • Reasons you find the program appealing • How your strengths and interests make the program “match” with you • PROOFREAD BEFORE SUBMITTING!
Your references should be: • Academic (almost always) • Tailored to the program to which you are applying, and tailored to you • Professors who know you and your academic work well • You need to provide your referees with: • Information on the program • Your transcripts • Your statement of purpose • A sample of work created in the referee’s class • Time: at least two weeks to prepare a letter. (More time is better!)
Choose carefully! Show your interests and ability to write: make sure it is clearly written! Evaluators will use this to look into your past efforts Choose recent work (as much as possible)
Choose completed work (nothing in progress) • Show what you are really capable of, what you are worth • First impressions count. Your sample is not the only one the evaluator will be reading! • Questions? Call the Admissions office, your potential supervisor, Graduate Studies office, etc. • Don’t hesitate!
Like we said….. First impressions count. Your sample is not the only one the evaluator will be reading!
Brush it up a little before submitting it. • Did your professor make recommendations for improvement? • You must feel confident and comfortable with sharing this piece. • Think about your reader when you select your work. • Should be as relevant as possible
Think carefully about your sample’s content • Don’t assume the reader will know your area in detail • Revise your piece for general understanding • Consider the sample’s length (too long does not mean better: on the contrary!) • Better to explain that you sent only a portion than to submit something too lengthy • Be sure you’re familiar with the topic • Your potential supervisor might ask you questions about it
Arrange for all materials to arrive before the deadline • Send the required number of copies • Keep a copy of non-confidential materials • Be sure your application looks professional • Include your e-mail address and phone number • Keep it neat, simple and consistent • Have headers/footers with page numbers and your name • Don’t have a cover letter (unless specifically requested)
Application form(s) • Scholarship/financial aid forms • Résumé or C.V. • Transcripts (official, not photocopies) • order well in advance of the application deadline
Statement of Purpose • Sample of written work • Letters of reference (usually sent in directly by your professors) • Additional test scores, if necessary (e.g. GRE, TOEFL)
Ontario Graduate Scholarships Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) University & Program Scholarships Teaching Assistantships Research Assistantships
References http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/academic-programs/legal-writing-scholarship/writing-center/upload/writingsample.pdf http://www.mcgill.ca/study/2014-2015/university_regulations_and_resources/graduate/gps_gi_grad_admissions_and_application_procedures#topic_0C372AED486A4E09B508C308F6B4B294 http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx http://www.wikihow.com/Sample/Letter-of-Intent-for-Graduate-Program http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/environment/departments/geography/graduate/Application%20Information.html http://blog.creative-capital.org/2012/06/tips-tools-choosing-work-samples-for-your-applications/