Rising Stars of Research 2010 - Workshop: Becoming a successful graduate student for Social Sciences students, presented by Dr. Larry Walker.

1. Rising Stars of
Research – 2010
workshop for social sciences students
Dr. Larry Walker

2. grad school ??
major life decision
critical for career trajectory
costly if you make a mistake
aim for top-notch university and program
location and livability
costs and funding
relationships

3. careers
demographics  demand
academic position
registered psychologist
government agencies and NGOs (policy
and research)
business (management and research)

4. grad student experience
MA/PhD 6+ yrs full-time
often unitized program
few courses (research methods and
statistics, core, breadth)
… with small classes
internships / field placements
comprehensive exams
research and thesis/dissertation

5. grad student experience
conference presentations
publications
small cohorts … within labs
and areas
social events / social life
diversity – students from Canada, US,
international

6. areas of specialization
(psychology)
clinical (accredited) community
behavioral neuroscience counseling
cognitive science educational
developmental school
health forensic
quantitative methods organizational
social/personality environmental
…

7. apprenticeship model
intense supervision and mentoring
close relationship (but “arranged marriage”)
commitment both ways
collaborative, mutual
support, feedback
increasing autonomy

8. apprenticeship model
different styles (integrate vs. explore)
match supervisor and program interest
research prospective supervisors extensively
 past and current work
 future directions
 track record with students
 availability and accessibility
 style and likability

9. application process
check university and department websites
application deadline
major or honors (or equivalent)
GPA (last 2 yrs): B+ … but A more typical
grades more important than actual courses
(except those required for
major, such as methods/stats)
distribution of courses, rather
than specialization

10. application process
lab, research, or directed-studies (individual)
volunteer RA
upgrading (unclassified studies)
GREs (general and subject-test)
letters of reference (strong
recommendation, ability to excel at grad
studies, specific vs. generic platitudes)
statement (ideas, motivation, matching)

11. admissions
 MA  PhD
 terminal MA
models
 fast-track to PhD
 direct-entry PhD
very competitive (offers < 10%)
limited by supervisors’ load and interest
limited by financial resources and space
limited by funding policy

12. funding
typically low tuition in Canada
tuition waivers
often guaranteed minimum funding in
supported years

13. sources of funding
teaching assistantships (dept)
research assistantships (grants)
fellowships
 university entrance
 Tri-Council (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR)
 provincial (MSF, OGS)
 private and specialized
apply beginning of 4th year
solid “A” average  increases likelihood

14. www.sshrc.ca

15. funding application value &
results
opportunity deadline duration
Canada Graduate
Scholarships Program Check your applicant
– Master's status:
(SSHRC-CGSM)
• through your $17,500
university  spring
For students applying
university sets 12 mths 2011
to, or registered in, a
deadline (Sept ?)
master's or combined
MA/PhD program in • directly to SSHRC
the social sciences or  SSHRC’s
humanities at a deadline (Dec ?)
Canadian university.

16. some hints
minimum first-class average last 2 years
check eligibility of subject matter
accessible language … coherent and clear
obsessive adherence to requirements
complete bibliographic information for research
contributions
error-free!

17. evaluation criteria
and weighting
academic excellence … 60%
research potential … 30%
communication skills … 10%

18. typical process
department appraisal
rank and comment
forward allocation to university competition
university appraisal
forward allocation (with alternates) to Ottawa
SSHRC appraisal
no national competition
typically CGSM awarded