Savac Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Hi guys I just have a quick question about putting research on my application. I didn't have any research for this cycle, although I want to do some research in the summer (both to improve my chances if I'm applying next year, but also to see if research is something that I would like to do in the future). Anyway, enough with the preamble. I was originally planning to apply for an NSERC, but I've decided that I can't commit to it (there is a poster presentation around the time when I would need to move or be at orientation in the event that I get accepted). For this reason, I'm flirting with the idea of volunteering in the same lab rather than holding an NSERC position. Assuming I'm still making intellectual contributions to the lab, this should still be acceptable to put on an application, right? Furthermore, would it be inappropriate to include this in the 'Research' section on the ABS if it's just a summer position? I have a feeling that it would belong under 'Volunteering'. Any feedback would be appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrenchToast Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Hi guys I just have a quick question about putting research on my application. I didn't have any research for this cycle, although I want to do some research in the summer (both to improve my chances if I'm applying next year, but also to see if research is something that I would like to do in the future). Anyway, enough with the preamble. I was originally planning to apply for an NSERC, but I've decided that I can't commit to it (there is a poster presentation around the time when I would need to move or be at orientation in the event that I get accepted). For this reason, I'm flirting with the idea of volunteering in the same lab rather than holding an NSERC position. Assuming I'm still making intellectual contributions to the lab, this should still be acceptable to put on an application, right? Furthermore, would it be inappropriate to include this in the 'Research' section on the ABS if it's just a summer position? I have a feeling that it would belong under 'Volunteering'. Any feedback would be appreciated I think that to put something under Research, you're supposed to have a publication or a presentation of some sort. There are other programs that are shorter than NSERC that also have presentations. Some examples in Toronto: SickKids, IMS, individual U of T departments (e.g. last year Physiology had UROP, but they don't have info available yet for this year). But yeah, without a presentation/publication, I'd put it under Volunteering. Also, are you sure you wouldn't be able to commit to the NSERC presentation? How do you know when you'd have to move? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savac Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 I don't know for sure, but the date I'd need to present is August 25th (I think), which is fairly late. I'll have to see if this conflicts with anything, but I'm just planning ahead in the event that an NSERC is not viable. Perhaps it's just my own pessimism trying to convince me that I wouldn't get an NSERC if I applied I appreciate the opinion about where to put it on the sketch. I had a feeling that it wouldn't belong in Research, although I would definitely still be gaining a lot of the same skills (which ultimately matters more in my opinion) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 If you could get your name on an article as an undergrad, it would be quite impressive, as some masters students don't even get a pub. As FrenchToast said, research applies to an actual publication. As for applying for an NSERC, as long as you have a supervisor (and off course the GPA), you will get one. I think what makes NSERC competitive is when you and 3 other people are applying to work with the same professor. Departments (although different depending on the university) ensure that each prof gets at least 1 student, so if you are the only one applying for a professor (given your GPA is high) you will most probably get the scholarship. But then again it really depends on which university you are attending. Hopefully you'll get in this year so that you won't need to worry about improving your application for next year, although research is a great experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrenchToast Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 I don't know for sure, but the date I'd need to present is August 25th (I think), which is fairly late. I'll have to see if this conflicts with anything, but I'm just planning ahead in the event that an NSERC is not viable. Perhaps it's just my own pessimism trying to convince me that I wouldn't get an NSERC if I applied I appreciate the opinion about where to put it on the sketch. I had a feeling that it wouldn't belong in Research, although I would definitely still be gaining a lot of the same skills (which ultimately matters more in my opinion) Oo yes that is late. I see your concern. But I definitely agree that you'd be gaining the same skills, which is what really matters, especially once you get to the interview stage . If you could get your name on an article as an undergrad, it would be quite impressive, as some masters students don't even get a pub. As FrenchToast said, research applies to an actual publication. As for applying for an NSERC, as long as you have a supervisor (and off course the GPA), you will get one. I think what makes NSERC competitive is when you and 3 other people are applying to work with the same professor. Departments (although different depending on the university) ensure that each prof gets at least 1 student, so if you are the only one applying for a professor (given your GPA is high) you will most probably get the scholarship. But then again it really depends on which university you are attending. Hopefully you'll get in this year so that you won't need to worry about improving your application for next year, although research is a great experience. Untrue at some schools. I know the U of T department I applied to last year (and didn't get one) and am applying to again this year has 2 awards for like 8 profs or so, all of whom probably have students applying. I also know that at UWO, the number of profs with students >>> the number of awards, even though it isn't department-specific like at U of T so there are way more awards in general. Well you can always wait till your meds results come out to decide on what you want to do for the summer. Not really. (Sorry for quoting the entire world. Kindly forgive.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Untrue at some schools. I know the U of T department I applied to last year (and didn't get one) and am applying to again this year has 2 awards for like 8 profs or so, all of whom probably have students applying. I also know that at UWO, the number of profs with students >>> the number of awards, even though it isn't department-specific like at U of T so there are way more awards in general. If you could get your name on an article as an undergrad, it would be quite impressive, as some masters students don't even get a pub. As FrenchToast said, research applies to an actual publication. As for applying for an NSERC, as long as you have a supervisor (and off course the GPA), you will get one. I think what makes NSERC competitive is when you and 3 other people are applying to work with the same professor. Departments (although different depending on the university) ensure that each prof gets at least 1 student, so if you are the only one applying for a professor (given your GPA is high) you will most probably get the scholarship. But then again it really depends on which university you are attending. Hopefully you'll get in this year so that you won't need to worry about improving your application for next year, although research is a great experience. 10char.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrenchToast Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 10char.... Haha yes sorry. I was just giving concrete examples. I think at most schools it's competitive even beyond finding a supervisor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmitty Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Yes, it can be competitive. At U of T, for example, each department gets a quota of NSERC spots. These spots are then split among profs, with the process usually done by the profs themselves. There are definitely less spots than profs so it can be competitive. However, I know in our department (and especially my lab, which I manage) we very often offer students a UROP (which we pay for and thus is decided internally with no quotas), and pay them similarly. Obviously we can't take all students, but the ones we like a lot we make it work even without an NSERC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmitty Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Well if you're 3rd year you can get all the awards you want. Pretty much auto-accept everywhere as long as you ask nicely. Are you talking to OP? How so? We get way more applicants at my lab than we can take, same goes for the entire department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmitty Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Schmitty, are you more likely to take a 1st year or second year over a third year because they have 0 experiences? A fourth year is useless since they graduate during the middle of the summer. Thus 3rd years are the most optimal students for a lab. In terms of competition you should rank 3rd years the highest unless you like newbs or people that are pretty much graduated already. Actually 2 summer students that I am thinking of taking this summer are both 4th years. This is often beneficial as they can often continue their work and turn it into an MSc if things work out and we like them. Research experience trumps all, assuming a minimum on GPA, and so we often take volunteers/work-study students for our paid research position as we know we can count on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmitty Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Yeah that's if they're are doing MSc. If they are gunning for med you wouldn't take them in, in hopes of doing a MSc because they would ditch you as soon as they got into meds. Also if they are a top student wanting to do a MSc they would've started working in a lab by 3rd year (4th year thesis). Yes, A lab, but not OUR lab necessarily. I didn't start in my current lab (which I ahve been in for almost 5 years now) until 4th year. Before that I had 2 work-study positions in different labs, a summer position and some volunteering in research as well. Most experience = better. Also, we have had many students start here and enter med school - no harm done so long as they finish what they started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Most med schools (Ottawa & Mac are the only exceptions if I recall correctly) require you to finish up your Masters or PhD before you can enroll. You can't just ditch your Masters (or PhD) once you get accepted to a med school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmitty Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Most med schools (Ottawa & Mac are the only exceptions if I recall correctly) require you to finish up your Masters or PhD before you can enroll. You can't just ditch your Masters (or PhD) once you get accepted to a med school. You can if you don't apply as a graduate student, though it is tough and not ethical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 You can if you don't apply as a graduate student, though it is tough and not ethical. Exactly. I don't know about other people, but I'm definitely not going to risk my chances by not disclosing full information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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