ONTARIO GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

1. ONTARIO GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP How To Apply

2. A Complete Application Includes: • Change Form (if applicable) • Personal Data Page • Student Authorization/Study Permit (if applicable) • Institution Checklist • Student Checklist • Notice, Consents, Declaration, and Signature of Applicant • Summary Sheet • Education Information • Additional Education Page – if applicable • Academic Assessment Report • Report (additional letter of support from reference) – if submitted • Academic Assessment Report • Report (additional letter of support from reference) – if submitted • Ranked Candidates Form • Transcripts – most recent first • Statement of Interest or Plan of Study • List of Academic Accomplishments (if applicable) • List of Scholarships/Awards (if applicable)

3. Eligibility and Conditions • the scholarship must be held at a university within Ontario • Canadians, permanent residents and international students are eligible to apply. Protected persons are also now eligible to apply for OGS • minimum grade requirement to apply is A- (80%) • value is $15,000 over 3 terms (scholarship must be held for a minimum of 2 consecutive terms) • students can receive up to 2 OGS awards at the master’s level and up to 4 awards at the doctoral level • one cannot hold a scholarship from NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR or an OGSST at the same time as OGS • applicants may apply online from the OSAP main page at http://osap.gov.on.ca, but they must print off the application and submit it to their department (see the OGS website for more details at https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/plan_grants_full_sepapp_ogs_12345.htm )

4. Transcripts • include all official university transcripts for studies completed up to August 31, 2009 • University of Waterloo official transcripts will be provided without charge to current undergraduate and graduate students • applicants must advise their graduate department scholarship co-ordinator that they are interested in applying for OGS so they can make arrangements for ordering their UW transcripts • applicants are responsible for ordering official transcripts from any previous institution(s). These transcripts should be mailed to the graduate department scholarship co-ordinator. • in exceptional cases where original international transcripts are impossible to obtain, certified copies of the original international transcript(s) are acceptable. Applicants must come into the Graduate Studies Office and make the request personally. There is a charge of $10/set.

5. Good Reference Letters a “Must” • be sure to ask your referees if they feel that they know you well enough to write you a strong letter of reference. • give your referees plenty of notice • provide the referees with the academic assessment reports with your information completed. • provide the referees with your C.V., a copy of a paper you wrote, transcripts, etc. These will remind your reference of your capabilities and attributes.

6. Statement of Interest • the Statement of Interest is for those who will be enrolled in master’s level studies during the tenure of the award • maximum of one page, letter size (8 ½” x 11”), single-spaced with Arial 12 point font and ½ ” margins • mention what your interest is and why. Focus on substantial aspects of your interest. Avoid including website links…panel members do not have time to look at these and must evaluate simply by what is contained in a written application. • be sure to check your grammar and avoid technical terms that exceed your grasp. Remember, you are not trying to impress the reviewers with the words you use, but with the knowledge, experience and potential that you have. • if you want to include a Bibliography or references, this must be included on this page only. Same font restrictions apply, so be sure it does not take away from the content of your statement.

7. Plan of Study • the Plan of Study is for all applicants who will be enrolled in doctoral level studies during the tenure of the award • maximum of one page, letter size (8 ½” x 11”), single-spaced with Arial 12 point font and ½ “ margins • the content of a Plan of Study will be more focused than a Statement of Interest. You should write about your goals, thesis, research methodologies…tangible items. Avoid including website links…panel members do not have time to look at these and must evaluate simply by what is contained in a written application. • be sure to check your grammar and avoid technical terms that exceed your grasp. Remember, you are not trying to impress the reviewers with the words you use, but with the knowledge, experience and potential that you have. • if you want to include a Bibliography or references, this must be included on this page only. Same font restrictions apply, so be sure it does not take away from the content of your plan.

8. Significant Academic Accomplishments • prepare a list of significant academic accomplishments (if applicable) such as teaching/research assistantships (not research studentships as they are considered scholarships), scholarly publications (differentiate between refereed, non-refereed, etc), patents, conference presentations and other evidence of scholarly activities. • maximum of one page, letter size (8 ½” x 11”), single-spaced with Arial 12 point font and ½ ” margins • avoid “embellishing” • try to avoid writing in large blocks of text • if you consider that you have special circumstances, you may add a maximum of 100 words at the end of this list to describe any special circumstances such as health problems, family responsibilities, disabilities, or other circumstances that have had an effect on your performance or productivity, including any delays in disseminating your research results or completing your degree. Same font restrictions apply, so be sure it does not take away from the content of your academic accomplishments.

9. Scholarships or Awards • prepare a list of scholarships and awards (if applicable). Using a table format allows for an organized way to present the information. • maximum of one page, letter size (8 ½” x 11”), single-spaced with Arial 12 point font and ½ ” margins • do not list high school awards as they are too old to have any relevance • any Graduate Research Studentships (GRS) as of Winter 2009, should be listed on the scholarships/awards page and not on the academic accomplishment page • do not list any bursaries as they are based on financial need and should be kept confidential, unless there is an academic component and you feel it might be useful to include it • highlight scholarships and awards that are competitive. Include the value. • include awards that you declined

10. General Helpful Hints • there is no room for sloppy applications. The selection is very competitive so be sure to take the time to read the instructions. • strong references are important. Be sure to ask those who know you well and could provide you with a strong letter of recommendation. • grammar and spelling count • don’t provide more pages than what is asked for…they will not be read and will be removed • get someone to read over your application and give you feedback

11. Information Resources If you have questions or concerns during the application process, you may wish to contact the following resources: • graduate department scholarship co-ordinator • supervisor • professor • Heidi Mussar in the Graduate Studies Office, 2nd floor Needles Hall, Room 2201 or by email at hmussar@uwaterloo.ca

12. Good luck!