Graduate Studies

[Takeru_Kiko]

I'm finishing up my third year of my undergraduate and it's almost time to start thinking about possible graduate school (I'm about 80% sure I want to pursue a graduate degree).

I heard from many faculty in my department that it's recommended that you don't do your graduate school at the same place as your undergrad. Although they won't reject me just because I did my undergrad there, it's good to get a broadening experience.

I might not have to choose for another year though because I might take a year to do co-op and get some research work experience.

Anyways, anyone who was in/is in graduate school....any advice on how to pick the right grad school for you? For example, anything that you wish you knew about your grad school before you got there? Anything I should check about the school before applying, etc?

Thanks =)

Oh yeah, I'm doing my undergrad in a combined Physics/Astronomy program and I am leaning towards Astronomy for grad schools, if you want to recommend specific schools. But I'm mostly asking about grad schools in general.

[wb256]

I'm doing my masters in Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. I did my undergrad at the same school, but it was in geography/history, so I still mixed things up a bit. In my case, the UofM made the most sense in terms of choosing a school that had both a good indigenous studies program, a good arctic studies program and a good natural resources studies program, so I could find a good committee for my thesis. I'm not sure if that sort of issue would be as prominent in sciences, I'm fairly grounded in arts/social studies.

I went where I'd learn the most from my thesis. Will it cause me problems when I try to get a job in academia? I hope not, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it for now. I'm just glad my adviser is awesome. I don't think I could have ended up with a better option.

[J. Gleiberman]

I'm finishing up my third year of my undergraduate and it's almost time to start thinking about possible graduate school (I'm about 80% sure I want to pursue a graduate degree).

I heard from many faculty in my department that it's recommended that you don't do your graduate school at the same place as your undergrad. Although they won't reject me just because I did my undergrad there, it's good to get a broadening experience.

I might not have to choose for another year though because I might take a year to do co-op and get some research work experience.

Anyways, anyone who was in/is in graduate school....any advice on how to pick the right grad school for you? For example, anything that you wish you knew about your grad school before you got there? Anything I should check about the school before applying, etc?

Thanks =)

Oh yeah, I'm doing my undergrad in a combined Physics/Astronomy program and I am leaning towards Astronomy for grad schools, if you want to recommend specific schools. But I'm mostly asking about grad schools in general.

I realize this might be a little late, but what is your ultimate goal?

Becoming a professor
Working for SETI, NASA, Canadian Space Agency or a Planitarium.

Your answer could determine your choice, but as far as I have seen the best Grad schools in your program would be U of T, UBC or McGill.

[Bubbles]

Your answer could determine your choice, but as far as I have seen the best Grad schools in your program would be U of T, UBC or McGill.

I'm totally being biased on this one. Go for U of T!!

[Takeru_Kiko]

Wow, this thread didn't get replies until 10 months later! But I haven't checked it for over a year now haha.

Since last year, I've got about a years worth of research experience while on co-op. I've also narrowed down my choices to UVic (there exists the Herzburg Institute of Astrophysics), UBC, and U of T (there is CITA -- canadian institute of theoretical astrophysics, I believe). I also went to a undergraduate physics conference at U of T last fall, and the grad school fair was very informative. I heard many good things about the Dept of Astronomy at U of T.

I was born in Mississauga but I only lived in Toronto area for the first 3 years of my life. I am not into big cities so Toronto is a bit crowded for me. Currently my top choice of school is UVic! But I am still looking and will be applying to many places, including U of T and McGill (they have a good pulsar group) next fall!

Oh yeah, my ultimate goal would be to become a professor, I think. I am also open to working in a planetarium type jobs, or maybe a teaching position at a non-research university (if it turns out I'm not cut out for the research world). But either way, I'm going for a PhD!

Thanks for your input everyone! Maybe you will add more in 10 months :P

[colgate]

I've been debating grad studies since my undergrad. But I have no clue where to even begin since I don't think academia is for me I like the pratical side of things. I've studies Recreation at both the college and undergrad level doing my thesis on youth engagement. I think I'd like to study that further but I can be very indecisive.

[Chief Hoult]

There are a few options that I think you have, if you are looking at further studies. You may want to focus on a "professional" masters. In the field of recreation, that could be something like the Master of Recreation (http://srmk.acadiau.ca/masters/) or something more along the lines of community development (http://www.urbancentre.utoronto.ca/communitydevelopment.html).

CH

[intrepid454]

I am in the same boat right now, currently completing an undergrad with BA (Hons) Political Science and BA Conflict Resolution, both are four year programs with the unofficial five year degree plan. Now I have began looking into graduate schools and am debating between programs and universities. At the top of my list is York University for there Master of Public and International Affairs program. Besides that I think Toronto, Manitoba, Queen's, McGill, Ottawa, Dalhousie, Alberta may be prospective goals for grad school.

How have people been finding thesis' and research in graduate school?

[Tight_eyez]

You know what. I learnt a pretty cool way of finding a good prospective Grad School. Chances are you have access to online journal databases and such.

If you do then just do a search for something that you're thinking of specializing in. eg. You might want to do some specialized branch of mathematics (take "knot theory in non-euclidean spaces" for example (I totally made that up, I just strung together a bunch of mathematics "buzz words")) so do a search for "knot theory in non-euclidean space" and you'll probably get a lot of results.

What you're going to want to do is see which schools are putting out that kind of research and which seem to be "dominant" for publishing that kind of material. Who are the authors? Where are the big schools? Are they well known in the mathematics community?

PS: It's easy to find a thesis just find some thecal matter to publish into a thesis (yes I know.... I'm a horrible person).

[Cadpat Sailor]

Hopefully my BSW next year, and the year after a CT to the SOTP and doing my MSW at UVIC. Would like to study the effects of living in a war zone on the civilians who work there (as well as working on mental health counselling).

[Tight_eyez]

Oh yeah I almost forgot it's not unheard of to do your Grad studies where you did your Alma Mater (most people don't however there still is the option of going that route). So don't dismiss your current school for Grad studies either.

[zoli]

What you're going to want to do is see which schools are putting out that kind of research and which seem to be "dominant" for publishing that kind of material. Who are the authors? Where are the big schools? Are they well known in the mathematics community?


Generally a good idea, however, don't rule out a school just because it isn't one of the "dominant" schools. You are going to be working on this project for 2 (or more) years of your life so you want to make sure it is something you enjoy. Don't dismiss something out of hand just because it isn't at a "big" school.

Also I would highly recommend contacting faculty members before you choose a school and ask what sorts of projects they might have on the go. Mention your interests. Also contact some of the other grad students in that department and ask about the department. Ask about potential advisers, is professor X a good person to work with or a jerk. Does the professor you want to work with have 5 or more students if so you may not want to work with him because you will hardly ever get to meet.