FAQ

Faculty members receive many inquiries from prospective students, so a thoughtful, personalized approach can help you stand out. Consider the following when reaching out: 

1. Personalize your email – Avoid generic messages. Demonstrate genuine interest in the faculty member’s research. 

2. Highlight your strengths – Briefly summarize your academic background, research experience, and accomplishments in your email or cover letter. 

3. Include your CV and transcripts – Attach your current CV/resumé and academic transcripts so the potential supervisor can assess your eligibility. 

4. Check for research alignment – Make sure your research interests align with the faculty member’s. Consider scheduling a phone, virtual, or in-person meeting to discuss fit. 

5. Ask about mentorship style – It’s a good idea to speak with current or former trainees to learn more about the faculty member’s supervision approach. 

6. Share examples of your work – If appropriate, include samples of your scientific writing (e.g., course papers or publications). 

7. Discuss funding early – Work with your potential supervisor to identify and apply for funding opportunities as soon as possible. 

Your application should include the following: 

1. Official transcripts – Two copies from each university you have attended. 

2. Letter of intent – Outline your proposed research program, including your objectives, rationale, and methods. This document should be developed in collaboration with your potential supervisor. 

3. Two letters of recommendation – Preferably from academic referees (e.g., supervisors or professors) who can speak to your research potential. If you have any questions about the suitability of a referee, please reach out to the RSI office. 

4. Current CV – Highlight your research experience, publications or presentations, and any awards or scholarships. 

5. Supervisor Support Letter (if supervisor has been identified) – A letter from your potential supervisor indicating their intent to provide supervision and financial support. 

1. The RSI Admissions Committee reviews all complete applications that meet eligibility requirements. 

2. Each application is independently reviewed by two committee members (without conflicts of interest). 

3. Applications are evaluated using a structured form and ranking system. 

4. A current RSI graduate student participates in the review meeting to provide a student perspective. 

5. The committee meets to discuss each application. Members with conflicts (e.g., their own students) do not participate. 

6. The committee seeks consensus on each applicant’s ranking. 

7. Final decisions are made collectively, resulting in one of the following outcomes: 

   1. Acceptance (no conditions) 

   2. Conditional acceptance (pending confirmation of supervisor and funding) 

   3. Rejection 

Admission decisions are communicated directly to applicants via email. Once you receive your decision, please inform your potential supervisor of the outcome. 

If your acceptance is conditional on funding: 

• You and your supervisor must notify the RSI office once funding is secured so the condition can be lifted. 

• If you have partial funding, contact the Graduate Coordinator or Graduate Administrator to explore other potential funding sources. 

• If full funding cannot be secured, you may defer your admission for up to one year while seeking funding. After that period, a new application would be required. 

If your application is not successful, you are encouraged to contact the  Graduate Coordinator for feedback. They can explain the committee’s decision and provide suggestions to strengthen a future application. 

Please refer to the RSI Funding Policy for detailed information on the minimum required funding and potential funding sources. 

No. The RSI program is a research-focused graduate degree and does not qualify graduates for clinical practice. 
If your goal is to practice clinically, consider applying to an entry-to-practice master’s program such as: 

• Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) 

• Master of Occupational Therapy (MScOT) 

• Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MHSc-SLP) 

For detailed admission and funding policies, visit the RSI website or contact:

• Graduate Coordinator – for academic and admission inquiries 
• Graduate Administrator – for documentation or application support