Supporting Documents

When you complete your online application to one of the Mount’s grad programs, you are asked to submit several supporting documents; you can find forms and descriptions of these documents in the Graduate Supplementary Information Package. These documents are important in helping us to understand your experience, your interests and your potential as a future Mount grad student.

Résume

Your résume should be a 1 to 3-page document containing the following:

  • Formal education including degrees, diplomas, certificates, internships, etc.
  • Related work and volunteer experiences
  • Awards, accomplishments, interests and activities.

This link provides helpful guidance on how to write your resume for your graduate school application.

Statement of Intent

The Statement of Intent is one of the most important parts of your application; it explains why you are applying to this program, and why you will do well here. Be as specific as possible when you write your statement. Here are some of the things you should tell us:

  • Why you’re applying to this program: What is it about this program that interests you most? How will it help you to achieve your academic and professional goals? (Hint: Spend some time researching the program. Check out the program website.)
  • Why you’ll be successful in this program: How has your education prepared you for this graduate degree? What relevant work and volunteer experience do you have?
  • What you’ll do with your degree: What are your professional goals? How will this graduate degree help you to achieve them?
  • What you plan to study: If you’re applying to a thesis-based program, what is your proposed thesis topic? What kinds of questions will your thesis research answer? What kind of research do you plan to perform in completing your thesis? Are there faculty members you hope to work with to write your thesis?

Letters of Reference

Depending on your program, you may need to submit two or three references from current or former professors and/or employers. When you request these letters, ask your referees (the people providing the letters of reference) to fill out the Academic Reference Form (found in the Graduate Supplementary Package) and to submit a separate letter of reference.

Choosing an academic or professional referee

When you are deciding which professors or supervisors to ask for letters of reference, here are some things to consider:

  • How well this person knows you: If you were one of 300 students in a very large lecture course and you never spoke directly to the professor, s/he may not be the best referee. It’s better to ask a professor or a supervisor who knows you by name, and who can assess your performance.
  • How well you performed in this course or job: In general, it’s better to ask a professor or a supervisor who is familiar with your best work.
  • How relevant this course or job was to the graduate program: Ideally, your referee should be able to discuss relevant skills and knowledge; was the course or job relevant to the graduate program you are applying for? Can your referee discuss your relevant skills and knowledge?

Instructing your referees

If your referees ask for your guidance on what these letters should contain, you can suggest they include the following information:

  • How they know you: Is this a professor or an employer? What is the nature of your relationship? How long have you know each other?
  • Your relevant skills or qualifications: How did you perform in this class or position? What skills and knowledge did you show or acquire? What was your contribution to the classroom or workplace? What projects or assignments did you successfully complete?
  • An assessment of your potential: In your referee’s opinion, why will you be successful in this graduate program?
  • Your referee’s full name, position and/or professional title, and contact information

Ask your referees to submit their letters directly to the Mount. If your referees are emailing their letters, ask them to send the letters from a professional email address (not a publicly-available account like Gmail or Hotmail).

For advice on requesting academic letters of reference, check out this article.

Tip: The best letters of reference are clear and specific. Give your referees some information about the program you are applying to. Help your referees remember who you are by sending them your resume or a copy of an assignment you completed in their class.

Transcripts

Arrange for official transcripts from each previous post-secondary institution you have attended to be sent directly to the Mount Admissions Office. If you’ve completed coursework at the Mount, you don’t need to provide Mount transcripts. Transcripts and other official documents must be submitted unopened, in their original format. Neither photocopies nor opened transcripts will be accepted.

If your transcripts are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by an English translation signed by a notarized translator.

International applicants may be required to submit an academic credential evaluation. Request an academic credential evaluation »

English Language Test Scores

If English is not your first language, and you have not completed at least two years of post-secondary education in English, you will need to provide English language test scores. Find out more »

Writing Sample

Some programs may request a writing sample. This writing sample should demonstrate your potential as a graduate student. Many applicants submit a recent writing assignment from their undergraduate coursework, but other writing samples may also be appropriate: for example, a professional document such as a report, or a relevant journal or magazine article. You may want to include a brief paragraph explaining why you consider your submission to be a good example of your potential to undertake graduate work.

Writing samples for Family Studies and Gerontology should ideally be 10 – 15 pages long. Writing samples for Women & Gender Studies should ideally be 15 – 20 pages long. Please do not submit writing samples that exceed 25 pages.

Are you ready to apply?

Follow these step-by-step application instructions »

If you have questions, email graduate@msvu.ca.