Tools and Resources

External award applications often require both undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all previous and current institutions.

If you are applying for the Vanier, CIHR Doctoral, NSERC Doctoral, SSHRC Doctoral or CGS-M at the University of Guelph you may order your University of Guelph transcript free of charge providing that you specify to the Transcript Clerk that it is for one of the above mentioned scholarships (it will be noted on the transcript)* A rush fee of $25 will apply if the University of Guelph transcript is ordered after the date listed below.

The University of Guelph will not provide students with copies of transcripts from previous institutions, unless you have transcripts from institutions outside of North America. For transcripts from outside of North America, we will accept copies of the final and official transcript if they are certified by your home department/school (ONLY if you are applying for the Vanier, CIHR Doctoral, NSERC Doctoral, and/or SSHRC Doctoral).  Ensure that transcripts are ordered from all other institutions early to allow time for delivery. This is especially important given the COVID-19 pandemic may impact transcript processing times at various institutions. 

• Start preparing your application early!  Know deadlines and applications requirements for each scholarship that you plan to apply.
• Give yourself time.  Completing an application takes a lot of time and effort.  Hastiness will be reflected in the quality of your submission.
• Don’t get discouraged if you are not successful.  Each competition is different so apply each year if eligible.
• Make sure your application is complete.  If not included with the application, make a check list and use it.
• Only provide what is asked for.  Respect page limits and word counts; additional pages will be removed.
• Use 12 point font size and plain font such as Times New Roman or Arial.  Set margins.  No part of the application should be handwritten!
• Pay close attention to grammar and spelling.
• Have someone who knows you well, like your Advisor or a peer from your program, review your application.  They may notice inaccuracies or omissions.
• Have a friend or relative who knows you, but not necessarily your research, review your application.  They will be able to evaluate your application in an objective way without any prior assumptions.
• Take a break!  Look over your application a few days later with fresh eyes and a refreshed mindset.
• The following article from University Affairs may be useful: Increase your chances of winning a scholarship

• Choose your referees carefully.  Request letters from referees who know you well and who you know will provide a positive reference.  Some scholarships require letters from specific types of referees, so read the requirements carefully.  Reference letters from faculty tend to carry more weight.
• The endorsement from a referee is a huge part of any awards application and can help you to stand out from everyone else.  Letters that seem like templates, or do not substantiate their claims about your abilities and experience can be harmful to your application.
• Choose referees who have strong communications skills.  If you know your referees, you will know from experience if they communicate well.
• Provide your referees with all required information including a list of your research contributions, the appropriate form or link to the referee form if applicable, a copy of your program of study, and the deadline to submit the letter.   The more tools you give the referees to work with the better!
• If the reference letter must be mailed, give each referee an envelope, postage paid, so they can easily mail the letter by the deadline.
• Most importantly, give them time!  The best referees are probably very busy people so be cognizant of their time.

• Carefully read the application instructions regarding the research proposal/summary section.  Provide the adjudicators with the information they are looking for; no more, no less.
• Write in a clear, concise way, avoiding use of jargon.   Say what you mean in an accessible and dynamic way so that anyone reading it will be engaged and understand your point.
• Organize your ideas efficiently.  You don’t have a lot of space to work with, so make every word count.  Make sure you are relating your research to the mandate of the specific award, providing evidence of your connection to that mandate. 
• Emphasize what makes your proposal special/original, and how it will contribute to your specific field of study.
• Take the time to write, and re-write.  This is the part where you sell yourself to the adjudicators.  Every applicant will have a top notch GPA, but if you can sell yourself on paper, you will stand out from the rest.

Ben Bradshaw, Assistant VP, Graduate Studies
Andrew Bailey, COA
Leonid Brown, CEPS
Todd Gillis, CBS
Rebecca Hallett, OAC
Francesco Leri, CSAHS
Sean Lyons, LANG
Shayan Sharif, OVC

Last updated Sept. 2019

Ben Bradshaw, Assistant VP, Graduate Studies
Andrew Bailey, COA
Don Dedrick, COA
Jade Ferguson, COA
Peter Goddard, COA
Rebecca Hallett, OAC
Karine Gagne, CSAHS
Marion Joppe, LANG
Elizabeth Kurucz, LANG
Karen Landman, OAC
Sean Lyons, LANG
Alex Maynard, LANG
Kaitlyn McLachlan, CSAHS
Kate Parizeau, CSAHS
Vivian Shalla, CSAHS
Richard Vyn, OAC

Last updated Sept. 2019

Ben Bradshaw, Assistant VP, Graduate Studies
Leonid Brown, CEPS
Animesh Dutta, CEPS
Hermann Eberl, CEPS
Todd Gillis, CBS
Rebecca Hallett, OAC
Graham Holloway, CBS
Iris Joye, OAC
Neil MacLusky, OVC
Barry Micallef, OAC
Faisal Moola, CSAHS
Barbara Morrongiello, CSAHS
Lee Niel, OVC
Scott Ryan, CBS
Shayan Sharif, OVC
Boyer Winters, CSAHS

Last updated Sept. 2019

Theresa Bernardo, OVC
Karl Cottenie, CBS
Jade Ferguson, COA
Brent McKenzie, LANG
Rajesh Pereira, CEPS
Rakhal Sarker, OAC
Vivian Shalla, CSAHS

Last updated Sept. 2019