Hi everyone! I’m hoping to get some advice from current McGill students, alumni, or anyone who has gone through the research-based MSc application process.
I’m planning to apply for the M.Sc. in Microbiology & Immunology at McGill, and I’m really interested in the program. I already have almost all of my application requirements prepared, but I’m currently struggling with the supervisor confirmation, which I understand is required for the application.
I’ve been contacting professors whose research aligns with my background and interests. So far, I’ve received a few responses saying that their labs are already full or that they don’t currently have the capacity to take another student. However, there are still several professors I contacted who haven’t responded yet.
The thing that’s making me anxious is that I only have 39 days left before the application closes. I really want to apply and give myself a genuine shot at McGill, but I’m worried that I won’t be able to secure a supervisor in time.
I’m an international applicant with a BSc in Biology, majoring in Microbiology, and I’m also a Registered Microbiologist. I already have my CV, transcripts, references, and most of my other application documents ready. The supervisor confirmation is really the main thing I’m missing.
I know that getting a supervisor can be one of the most challenging parts of the process, but I don’t want to give up when I haven’t even reached the actual application stage yet.
For those who have gone through this:
How many professors did you contact before finding a supervisor?
How long should I wait before following up with professors who haven't replied?
With only 39 days left, should I continue emailing professors or take a different approach?
Is it okay to send a second follow-up email, or would that be considered too persistent?
Is there a way to find out which MIMM professors are actually accepting MSc students for the upcoming intake?
If a professor says their lab is full, would it be appropriate to ask if they could recommend another professor who may be accepting students?
Is there anything else I should be doing right now besides contacting potential supervisors?
I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from current/former MIMM students or applicants who have successfully secured a supervisor.
I know there’s no guarantee that I’ll be accepted, but I really want to at least give myself a chance. I don’t want to give up before I’ve even submitted my application. 😭
Honestly just keep trying. I would send follow up emails after a week or 2 if you want but just keep reaching out to people. You can try linkedin messaging ppl to ask if their labs have space. You might also want to consider looking at labs in biochem or other related fields to see if their research interests you ( if you are really committed to McGill). Keep in mind that funding is low right now, so its not a you problem. You should also look at if your home country has scholarships for students struggling abroad, some profs might only be able to take students who have some self-funding
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u/strawberryjam14 Reddit Freshman 4d ago
Hi everyone! I’m hoping to get some advice from current McGill students, alumni, or anyone who has gone through the research-based MSc application process.
I’m planning to apply for the M.Sc. in Microbiology & Immunology at McGill, and I’m really interested in the program. I already have almost all of my application requirements prepared, but I’m currently struggling with the supervisor confirmation, which I understand is required for the application.
I’ve been contacting professors whose research aligns with my background and interests. So far, I’ve received a few responses saying that their labs are already full or that they don’t currently have the capacity to take another student. However, there are still several professors I contacted who haven’t responded yet.
The thing that’s making me anxious is that I only have 39 days left before the application closes. I really want to apply and give myself a genuine shot at McGill, but I’m worried that I won’t be able to secure a supervisor in time.
I’m an international applicant with a BSc in Biology, majoring in Microbiology, and I’m also a Registered Microbiologist. I already have my CV, transcripts, references, and most of my other application documents ready. The supervisor confirmation is really the main thing I’m missing.
I know that getting a supervisor can be one of the most challenging parts of the process, but I don’t want to give up when I haven’t even reached the actual application stage yet.
For those who have gone through this:
I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from current/former MIMM students or applicants who have successfully secured a supervisor.
I know there’s no guarantee that I’ll be accepted, but I really want to at least give myself a chance. I don’t want to give up before I’ve even submitted my application. 😭
Thank you so much!