- During various phases of the planning process will we get feedback right away from our advisers or will we have to wait for the subsequent week?
- You can expect to receive feedback in about a week’s time. That is reasonable. Some might give you feedback overnight, but that is not likely. If you are not getting a response in a reasonable amount of time, speak directly with your adviser and maybe suggest a schedule that works for the two of you.
- Oct. 16: Research Methods on Health – do we wait and see what that’s about?
- We have not yet confirmed the speakers for the Oct 16 Research Panel. We’ll let you know ASAP what to expect. It will either be about health as planned or we may switch to a panel about food.
- What if my area of interest is different from my advisor’s area of interest, especially since the Plan of Study is so critical?
- Given the interdisciplinary nature of the faculty, it is not possible to have a perfect fit between all students and advisors regarding areas of interest. The assigning of advisees to advisors is done with an eye both to matching interests and equitably distributing workload. An advisors first responsibility to to support the development of the POS which does not inherently necessitate shared interests. However, in some cases, shared interest may be an asset if not actually necessary. Switching advisors is discouraged but it can happen. You can stick with your adviser to help with curriculum building, and still feel free to seek out other professors who share your interests and ask them for advice. Be mindful that, while it is possible to change, you will need permission from the new adviser to take you on (and there is paperwork to fill out).
- If I want to finish the program in a year and a half, how organized do I need to be?
- As someone said in class: “very”. The program is 6 terms. If you are very focussed now or very soon, it is more possible to finish more quickly than 6 terms than if you wait a few semestres to figure things out. As Kerri mentioned, if you want to finish early then basically your Plan of Study shouldn’t change much. Of course, if you do want to finish earlier than 6 semestres you will need to work this out with your advisor regarding deadlines, appropriate course selection and expectations.
- What happens if I am a naturally slow person and don’t think I can finish my MES degree in six terms?
- While the ideal and recommended times for the MES program is 2 years (6 terms), there are some people who do not finish on time. It is possible to takes leaves of absence under certain circumstances. And you can always register for another semestre if you can afford it. But, of course, the program is designed to do everything to support you in finishing in six semestres.
- What if you have a lot of different ideas that you are interested in—do you have to focus right now on one specific area?
- The sooner you focus the better. But this semestre is also the best time to explore and experiment.
- In your advising sessions, do you have one-on-one sessions with your advisor or is it always in a group setting?
- In the begining during the 5101 plenaries you will be meeting with your advisor as a group. Once you have handed in your initial Plan Of Study your advisor will make an individual advising appointment with you.
- After 5101 ends, all of your subsequent meetings with your advisor will just be the two of you on a needs basis: ie. general exams, advising sessions prior to enrolling in a new term.
- What if there are no professors in the faculty that share my area of interest or are knowledgeable in the field I want to study. Are there opportunities that I can work with a professor outside of Canada or outside of Ontario.
- Yes, it is possible and there are many opportunities. Your supervisor, for instance, does not have to be a faculty member—she/he can be from outside this Faculty but still within York University, or you can venture outside of the University. What is most important is that the supervisor have some expertise in your field of interest.
- It is possible to enroll in another course outside of York University at any Ontario University (but there is a limit to the number you can take). you can include that in your POS.
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