The Ontario Graduate Scholarship OGS Program at Western

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program at Western Presentation Title Goes in Here The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Value and Duration • An Ontario Graduate Scholarship is awarded for one academic year, which may consist of two or three consecutive terms. • For 2011 -2012, the value of the OGS is $5, 000 per term. • One-term awards are not granted. • You may receive $10, 000 for two consecutive terms or $15, 000 for three consecutive terms. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

How Many are Awarded? • OGS receives well over 10, 000 eligible applications from Ontario universities every November. • This year 3, 000 scholarships will be awarded of which 90 will be awarded to students who have been admitted to Canada as visitors with a student authorization/study permit. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Do I Apply Through Western? • If you are currently enrolled at Western, you apply to your current departmental office by the departmental deadline, or • If you are not currently enrolled at Western and you graduated from Western on or after November 18 th, 2009, you apply to your previous department by the departmental deadline The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Eligibility You may apply if you: • Plan to be enrolled full-time in an eligible program leading to a master’s or doctoral degree at an eligible institution in Ontario. • Students who are unable to study full-time due to a permanent disability may still be considered for an award provided all other eligibility requirements are met. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Eligibility (cont’d) • You must be 16 years of age or older • If you are a Canadian citizen you are eligible to be considered for an OGS award. If you are in any of the following citizenship categories, statuses, you must have obtained that status no later than the OGS deadline date of November 17, 2010 in order to be considered for an OGS award: • Permanent Resident • Protected Person [under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protections Act (Canada)] • Temporary resident visa as a member of the student class under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Eligibility (cont’d) Academic Standard: • Applicants who are entering the first or second year of graduate studies at the time of application, must have an overall average of at least A- (80. 0% at Western), or the equivalent, on the last 20 half courses completed, or the equivalent. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Eligibility (cont’d) Academic Standard: • Applicants who are in the third year of graduate studies or beyond at the time of application, must have an overall average of at least A- (80. 0% at Western), or the equivalent, on all graduate courses completed. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

If You Receive an OGS Award… • You must be enrolled as a full-time student in an approved graduate program for the tenure of the award at an Ontario university. • You may hold one OGS award for either two or three consecutive terms. • You cannot hold an award for only one term. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Lifetime Maximum You can receive a lifetime maximum of four years of government-funded student awards. Awards received under the following programs are counted toward this lifetime maximum: the Ontario government, through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS), - the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), - the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), - the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR). The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Other Conditions for Holding OGS • You cannot hold a scholarship from SSHRC, NSERC, or the CIHR, or a Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEIIGSST) at the same time as an OGS. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Other Conditions (cont’d) • You can receive up to two OGS awards at the master’s level. The award is tenable during either one or both of the first two academic years (12 month periods) of a master’s degree program, but not after the second year. • You can receive up to four OGS awards at the doctoral level. The awards are tenable during any of the first five academic years (12 -month periods) of a doctoral program, but not after the fifth year. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

How To Apply • Visit the OGS website • Apply online using the OSAP on-line application. Print all items listed in the ‘Last Step’ of your online application. • Paper application form. If you do not have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you must apply using a paper application form. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Application Package • • • Application form (4 pages) Student Checklist Summary Sheet Two Academic Assessment Reports Statement of Interest or Plan of Study List of Significant Academic Accomplishments List of Scholarships or Awards Official/original University transcripts for undergraduate studies Official/original University transcripts graduate studies (if applicable) Temporary Resident Visa Student Class documentation (if applicable) The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Academic Assessment Reports • You require two letters of support written by two professors who are most familiar with your academic performance • An Academic Assessment Report is comprised of one form on which the professor will rank you in eight different categories in relation to all students at a similar stage that the professor has previously evaluated, PLUS a one-page signed letter of support elaborating on the assessment The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Academic Assessment Report Tips Provide your two referees with the following tools to aid them in writing the best possible letter of support • • Lots of time before the departmental deadline A copy of your research plan/statement of interest Copies of your academic transcripts C. V. or resumé highlighting your academic, research, leadership, communication, outreach skills and achievements • The link to the. pdf fillable Academic Assessment Report • The information they need to input into Section A • A pre-addressed/pre-stamped (if necessary) envelope • A thank you e-mail a few days before the departmental deadline The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Preparing your Statement of Interest (for Master’s Level) one page • Explain why you want to pursue graduate studies • Indicate at which university you intend to undertake your studies and the degree program you intend to pursue • Your application may be reviewed by someone outside of your specific discipline • Focus on tangible aspects of your interest • If applicable, outline the research training component of your proposed degree program and your research proposal The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Preparing your Plan of Study (for Doctoral Level) one page Entering first year of doctoral studies: • Clearly state your current level of study. • Give the title and a brief description of your Master's thesis, if applicable. • Identify the field of concentration or subject of your proposed doctoral studies and describe your special interests in this area. • Describe to the extent possible the program of doctoral study you plan to pursue during the period for which support is requested. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Preparing your Plan of Study (for Doctoral Level) Currently in a doctoral program: • Clearly state your current level of graduate study. • Outline your thesis and explain how it will build on existing research and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field. • Indicate what stage you are at in your thesis. • Describe what you plan to accomplish during the award tenure and what will remain to be done. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

List of Scholarships and Awards (one page) • • List your awards and scholarships in reverse chronological order starting with your most recently won List only competitive awards and remember to list those you have won but declined. If you have many to list, limit the list to your top 10 and consider the impact factor of each award/scholarship you choose to list Use a table to present your list of competitive awards and scholarships Title of Award Type of Award University of Tenure Total Value and Duration Period Held 2010 -2011 NSERC CGS Master’s Award Academic The University of Western Ontario $17, 500/yr. for 12 mo. September 2010 August 2011 2010 -2011 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (declined) Academic $15, 000/yr for one year --- 2009 -2010 Ontario Graduate Scholarship Academic $15, 000/yr for one year September 2009 August 2010 ---- The University of Western Ontario The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

List of Academic Accomplishments (one page) • Be sure to include all relevant accomplishments including publications properly documented, clearly identifying refereed contributions, non-refereed contributions, and other refereed contributions • Avoid “embellishing”, or including a paper described as “in progress” • Provide brief explanations for accomplishments or accolades that may not be clear to a reviewer • Dean’s Honour Roll would be included here The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

List of Academic Accomplishments (cont’d) • A Bibliography or references may be included only on either the Plan of Study or Statement of Interest page. No extra pages are allowed. • Publications must be included on the List of Significant Academic Accomplishments page only. No extra pages are allowed. • Do not include a resumé/ curriculum vitae in your application. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

List of Academic Accomplishments (cont’d) • You may add a maximum of 100 words at the bottom of the Academic Accomplishments page to describe any special considerations such as health problems, family responsibilities, disabilities or other circumstances that have had an effect on your academic performance or productivity, including any delays in disseminating research results or completing a degree. • The weight to be given to any special circumstances will be determined by the OGS selection panels evaluating the application. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Western Transcripts The university will provide: • Your official Western transcript for the provincial competition Transcripts from other Institutions • OGS requires one official transcript for each university you have attended • Order your transcripts to be delivered sealed to your external scholarship coordinator The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Foreign University Transcripts • OGS will accept a photocopy of a transcript from a foreign university only when it is not possible to get another official transcript; verified as a “True Copy of the Original Document” by your department. • OGS only requires the official English translation of a foreign language transcript and legend, not the original foreign language transcript and legend. • Do not include: diplomas, certificates, laminated documents, letters or attestations from translators, photographs of yourself The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

A Good Application… • Demonstrates: – strong academic ability – excellent potential to conduct advanced scholarly research/advanced clinical training – strong communication and leadership skills – the ability to successfully complete your studies in a timely manner • Is clear, concise, error-free and complete • Presents a focused program of study The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Important Reminders • Assume your plan of study will be read by a multidisciplinary committee • Reviewers, who are not experts in your particular area, must be able to see the importance of the research being planned. Explicate your plan of study in such a way as to make it relevant and significant. • Avoid jargon, acronyms, highly technical terms and density of writing that will only serve to obscure rather than enlighten The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Competition Results • All eligible OGS files across Ontario are forwarded to the OGS Office of the MTCU every November • Provincial selection panels are convened and applications are adjudicated from January to March • Results are released individually to applicants by mail in April followed a few days later by the release of results to each university’s scholarship liaison officer • Tracking your application in the Student Centre The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Starting tomorrow… SGPS “Consult the Experts” sessions! • A well-structured and well-written proposal is the key to success. • Bring along a one-page draft of your research plan, project proposal or statement of interest. • These sessions are intended to allow you to have your outline reviewed by a member of the SGPS academic mentoring team. The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

“Consult the Experts” Sessions Evenings starting at 5: 00 pm First 4 sessions in the SGPS Conference Room (NSC 107) : • Thursday, September 9 th • Monday, September 13 th • Tuesday, September 14 th • Monday, September 20 th Final 6 sessions in the Grad Club Conference Room (Middlesex): • Tuesday, September 21 st • Monday, September 27 th • Tuesday, September 28 th • Wednesday, September 29 th • Monday, October 4 th • Tuesday, October 5 th The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

Final Reminders • Know who the external scholarship coordinator (ESC) is in your Faculty/School/Graduate Program or University College • Know your internal deadline • It is your responsibility to ensure that your application package and any required supporting documentation are received by your department by its deadline, so… The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here

ASK QUESTIONS We are here to help you succeed!! Thank you for coming The School of Graduate. Presentation and Postdoctoral Title. Studies Goes In Here