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Fast-Tracking
Promotion to the Ph.D. Program from the M.Sc.
(Fast-Tracking)
Students who are already registered
in the M.Sc. program in Experimental Medicine may
transfer into the Ph.D. program, upon application to
the Graduate Admissions Committee. This option is
open to students who have shown superior research
promise and who meet the following requirements at
the time of application:
-
The student has been
registered full-time in the M.Sc. program in
Experimental Medicine for a period of not less than
2 full-time terms (excluding the summer semester)
and not more than 3 terms (a student who has
reached Additional Session can no longer apply
to fast-track);
-
The student has completed or is in the process of
completing the 9 course credits required and has
maintained a cGPA of not less than 3.5 throughout
his/her M.Sc. studies to date (Note that if the
student is still in the process of completing
the required course credits, the file will be
judged on the student's record to date (both
undergraduate and graduate) and the plausibility
of the student's meeting the cGPA requirement
for fast-tracking. Also, students who wish
to fast-track for the January semester must have
completed at least 6 of the 9 course credits in
all terms previous to the fall term in which
they apply;
-
The student has had
his/her first annual Thesis Committee meeting and
has obtained a favorable assessment from the
committee. The student MUST have
informed the committee of his/her intention to
fast-track to the Ph.D. program IN ADVANCE
(i.e. at the time when the notice of the meeting
is sent to all committee members).
Information regarding annual meetings can be
found under "Procedures"
(on our web page, under the heading "Forms for
Students", subheading "Research Progress
Tracking Forms"). It should be emphasized
that fast-tracking represents a serious
long-term commitment by both student and
supervisor and, to warrant a favorable
assessment, the Thesis Committee must be
satisfied that the student has a good
understanding of the scope of his/her project
and knowledge of background material.
Students who fulfill these requirements
are eligible to apply for fast-tracking. To do so,
the student must complete an online application form (http://www.mcgill.ca/applying/online/) by
the same deadlines as those imposed for new students
(see
http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/expmed/grad_applic_deadlines.htm) . The
application must be accompanied by a non-refundable
application fee of $100.00 which must be paid by way
of a credit
card (Visa or Mastercard).
In support of the
fast-track application, the following documents must
be submitted by June 15th (for September transfers)
and by November 15th (for January transfers):
-
a letter
of support from the student’s supervisor which
details the student’s research progress and which
recommends the student’s promotion to the Ph.D.
program;
-
the minutes of
the Thesis Committee meeting which recommends
the student for fast-tracking;
-
a document
outlining the reasons and full justification for
seeking entry into the Ph.D. program;
-
a "Confirmation
of Supervision" form signed by both the
student and supervisor;
-
a preliminary research proposal.
Please note that
NO exception will be made to these deadlines.
The
Committee will review the application to judge the
likelihood of successful completion as a Ph.D.
thesis. The decision to promote a student will be
based on the student’s performance in course and
seminars, progress in research, as well as the
supervisor’s recommendation. Any student having
applied for fast-tracking will be informed of the
Committee’s decision by June 15th (for September
transfers) or by November 15th (for January
transfers).
Following acceptance of the application
by the Committee, the student will be transferred to
the Ph.D. program at the Ph.D. 2 level. The student
will be expected to complete a further 9 course
credits in order to fulfill the course requirements
for the Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine.
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