Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

Portrait of graduate student Megan Brasher

Megan Brasher

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

If you're struggling, don't be afraid to reach out.

Brendan Laframboise portrait

Brendan Laframboise

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

To any undergraduate student that wants to pursue graduate school, my best advice would be to study hard, celebrate your academic victories, and don't get caught up on your failures. Everybody has a story of a course they wish they did better in, or a midterm/exam that was an unexpected curveball, but as long as you learn from your past and keep pushing forward, things will work out for the better.

U of G Criminal Justice and Public Policy MA Candidate Annalise Kennedy

Annalise Kennedy

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

Making relationships with your professors in your undergraduate degree is one of the best decisions you can make.

Portrait of graduate student Sonya Leigh Ogilvie

Sonya Leigh Ogilvie

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Pursue research that you truly believe has the potential to improve life. Knowing you are working toward something more than just a degree can help you find the drive to make it through the difficult or dry aspects of your time in graduate studies. 

Your time in graduate studies will provide many opportunities, but don't lose touch with yourself. Take the time to do what you need to in order to maintain your sense of purpose and direction, then live out of that. Don't be afraid to try new things, but remember that no one can do everything. Be selective.

Portrait of graduate student Annabelle-Ashley Malvoisin

Annabelle-Ashley Malvoisin

Advice for Prospective Students...

Graduate Studies is nothing like your undergraduate, it is one hundred times better. However, you must make sure that you choose a topic that you are interested in for your MRP (Major Research Paper) or Thesis. If you do, it will be a great experience. The biggest lessons you will learn will not be in the classrooms, but from your seminar sessions with your own students, one on ones with your professors and advisors but mostly from the people in your cohort. It is a lot of work, but it worth every minute.    

Graduate student Ashley Stegelmeier (PhD, Pathobiology) in the atrium of the Albert A. Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph

Ashley Stegelmeier

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

I loved being a PhD student here. My advisors and labmates were all very supportive of my research endeavors. I enjoyed being in charge of my own research project.

Portrait of graduate student Joshua Salamun

Joshua Salamun

Advice for Prospective Students...

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! 

Portrait of Megan Lalli

Megan Lalli

Words of wisdom for a prospective grad student

Lean in, stay curious, and be open to the opportunities that will come your way. Don't be afraid to reach out to your professors for ideas or support - the faculty affiliated with this program are well connected and eager to continue strengthening their existing networks. Your cohort will also become like family. Don't be afraid to open up and share, ask questions, and provide support for each other. Lastly, embrace all the prompts for reflection. Those are the opportunities to think critically about yourself, your work, and apply meaning to what you've learned. Enjoy the ride!

Dendra Hillier

Dendra Hillier

Thoughts about UofG...

At the University of Guelph, they care about your education; you will never be just a number.

U of G Criminal Justice and Public Policy MA Candidate Ella Bender

Ella Bender

Why I chose Guelph...

Guelph was actually one of my top choices for my undergraduate degree. Having chosen a different university to do my undergrad, when applying for graduate school, I knew I wanted to attend Guelph to continue my studies! The CJPP program appealed to my criminology background and my work experience in the criminal justice system.. I knew this was the program for me!​