Fall 2011 - Institute of Medical Science - University of Toronto

Ask
Experts
the
Dear Experts,
Last year I applied for several external Master’s
student awards. Unfortunately, I did not
receive any. I am planning to transfer to a
PhD program next year; I haven’t had any
publications since then. Should I apply for
an external award again this year? Are there
specific requirements about the number of
publications a Master’s student or a PhD student
must have in order to defend?
- Award Woes
Dear A.W.,
Both publications and awards are great to
have on one’s CV. The more publications, the
greater the likelihood of getting awards, and
the more awards, the greater the likelihood
of obtaining further awards. That being said,
neither publications nor awards are prerequisites
to either transfer or defend.
Dear Experts,
I am set to have my PAC meeting in a few
weeks. I tend to get very nervous at my PAC
meetings and often blank out on simple
questions. Do you have any advice?
- Presentation Jitters
Dear P.J.,
It is a good idea to let your committee know
in advance that you tend to become nervous
during exam-like situations. Also let them
know that you have studied hard and that
when you blank out it is not because you
don’t know the answer. It is also a good idea
to consult with student services about programs
that will help you with nervousness.
The problem is a common one and lots of
help is available. The graduate coordinators
may be able to suggest specific avenues of
help as well.
Dear Experts,
I’m hoping to start a Master’s program next
year. What are some key qualities I should
look for in a supervisor?
- Searching for Supervisors
Dear S.S.,
You will want a supervisor who is doing the
kind of work you are interested in and who
is doing it well (e.g. publishing, receiving external
grants, enjoying the respect of peers).
Visiting the laboratory and talking to present
and past students will give you an idea
of the supervisor’s accessibility, mentoring
style, and general “likeability” – all important
qualities.
Dear Experts,
Recently a graduate student, who is registered
with the IMS, joined my lab. I have a
cross-appointment with another graduate
department which has very strict criteria for
Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings
(i.e. progress reports, time restrictions
on presentations, etc.). Can I advise my IMS
student to follow the same criteria for their
PAC meetings?
- PAC Concerns
Dear P.C.,
It is up to the supervisor (in consultation
with the student and the PAC members)
to decide how the PAC meetings should be
structured. The more formal, the better prepared
the student will be to face exams. The
students are advised to prepare an outline of
their presentation beforehand and distribute
it to the committee. They are also advised to
take minutes during the meeting, write them
up, and distribute them to the committee afterwards.
Dear Experts,
I recently was invited for an admissions
interview from my graduate program.
What kinds of questions can I expect?
How can I prepare?
- Imminent Interview
Dear I.I.,
The interviewer will want to know what
you are interested in doing during graduate
school and why. Interest, understanding,
curiosity and enthusiasm are usually
what they look for. There won’t be any
“trick” questions. They will want to know
what motivates you and why you are applying.
EXPERT TIP
Grant writing is a skill that can only
be perfected with practice.
Do you have a question for the experts?
Please send it to theimsmagazine@gmail.
com (ATTN: Experts)
IMS MAGAZINE FALL 2011 PROSTATE CANCER | 40