Pre-doctoral Summer Research Program Frequently Asked Questions Further Information

Whom should I ask to be my referees? The reference letters should be from professors or scientists who are familiar with your work and can evaluate your preparation and suitability for advanced studies and research. A letter from a professor with whom you worked on a small research project in your last year as an undergraduate is more informative than one from the professor of your very large first-year physics class. Two references are required; no more than two references are permitted.

Whom should I ask to be my referees? The reference letters should be from professors or scientists who are familiar with your work and can evaluate your preparation and suitability for advanced studies and research. A letter from a professor with whom you worked on a small research project in your last year as an undergraduate is more informative than one from the professor of your very large first-year physics class. Two references are required; no more than two references are permitted.

Do I need to find a supervisor before I apply/arrive? This varies between the MSc program and the PhD program. Students admitted to the MSc and (5-year) direct-entry PhD programs are not required to secure a supervisor prior to arrival on campus. In fact, supervisor selection can happen up to three months after commencing the program, depending upon the MSc Option selected. However, students starting their first year to the (4-year) PhD program are required to secure a supervisor prior to registration. Typically, newly admitted PhD students will secure their supervisor by May. The offer of admission will be withdrawn in the event a student is unable to match with a supervisor.