The faculty profiles page, on the Food Science Department website, is very useful to help find research projects that you may be interested in. Do not hesitate to email or talk directly to the faculty members. They are always welcoming, and can even help you apply for scholarship funding!
My advice for prospective grad students is to reach out to people. When I was looking at the CDE program, I reached out to a couple of graduated students in different fields to talk about their experience in the program. This information was very valuable and helped me to make a confident choice. If you have any questions about the program or my experience please feel welcome to reach out.
I encourage prospective graduate students to embrace interdisciplinary learning and seek out mentorship opportunities. Graduate school is about more than just coursework—it is about developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and building professional relationships. Stay open to new perspectives, actively engage in discussions, and take advantage of the research and networking opportunities available at U of G.
There was a great graduate student community in my home department of Integrative Biology. As a group, we organized events ranging from salsa lessons and weekly communal meals, to wilderness retreats and a 'March Mammal Madness Bracket' pool.
I advise prospective grad students to network with as many interesting people as possible. Networking is key to finding research opportunities and gaining experiences. Even simple conversations can stimulate new ideas or help solidify original ones.
Be patient with yourself. As a student your job is to learn, and by necessity, fail. Solving the problem and having the right answer isn't always the same thing.
Make sure you need grad school for your future career before you do it. Reach out to other grad students while you're in undergrad; most people will be more than happy to share their experiences.
A right step taken at a right time completely changes your identity. I won't say that your academic journey will be easy, but I am sure it will be worthy.
If I were to speak with someone considering Guelph, I would tell them that although it may not be a very lucrative venture, it is an incredibly fulfilling experience. Additionally, for those thinking about diving into graduate studies but are unsure about the difficulty or commitment, always remember: a little drive and determination can go a long way!
