Update expectations.md

Author: mcneney

forstudents/expectations.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ title: Our Expectations
 ---
 
 # Our group's expectations
-We are always excited to welcome new students! We look forward to building an enjoyable and productive relationship that lasts well beyond your time at SFU. We feel that productive relationships are built on a good understanding of expectations. By clearly articulating expectations early on, we hope to insure that your programme of study progresses smoothly, with no surprises. For example, we wish to emphasize that our programme offers a research-intensive experience. For those who would prefer less emphasis on research, we recommend one of the many excellent one-year,  course-based, professional  Master's programmes. Graduate students in our Department are evaluated once a year, typically in May (see [here](http://stat.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/stat/documents/Statgen/Progress_report_2011_form.doc) for an example progress report form). Funding commitments made by the Department at the time of admission are contingent on an evaluation of "satisfactory progress" in these reports. Progress is measured by evidence of engagement in the programme, as reflected by academic performance (i.e., grades), seminar attendance, commitment to teaching and research assistantship duties and scholarly output such as research manuscripts. Please be aware that research assistantships are jobs, not scholarships. If you get a research assistantship you are expected to perform the assigned duties, such as writing semesterly progress reports or completing your research project. Progress over the course of one's programme is also weighed at the end, when supervisors are asked to write reference letters for applications for jobs, PhD studies, etc. In our group, we expect that you will engage in the programme by:
+We are always excited to welcome new students! We look forward to building an enjoyable and productive relationship that lasts well beyond your time at SFU. We feel that productive relationships are built on a good understanding of expectations. By clearly articulating expectations early on, we hope to insure that your programme of study progresses smoothly, with no surprises. For example, we wish to emphasize that our programme offers a research-intensive experience. For those who would prefer less emphasis on research, we recommend one of the many excellent one-year,  course-based, professional  Master's programmes. Graduate students in our Department are evaluated once a year, typically in May (see [here](https://stat.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/stat/documents/Statgen/Progress_report_2011_form.doc) for an example progress report form). Funding commitments made by the Department at the time of admission are contingent on an evaluation of "satisfactory progress" in these reports. Progress is measured by evidence of engagement in the programme, as reflected by academic performance (i.e., grades), seminar attendance, commitment to teaching and research assistantship duties and scholarly output such as research manuscripts. Please be aware that research assistantships are jobs, not scholarships. If you get a research assistantship you are expected to perform the assigned duties, such as writing semesterly progress reports or completing your research project. Progress over the course of one's programme is also weighed at the end, when supervisors are asked to write reference letters for applications for jobs, PhD studies, etc. In our group, we expect that you will engage in the programme by:
 
 * Informing us in advance if you are considering simultaneous study in a programme at another institution or work off campus in addition to your study and work commitments at SFU. We are happy to work with you to accommodate these and help you use these to get credit towards your SFU degree.  Note that internships, co-op work terms and part-time employment may be counted as credit for the Master's level course requirement in STAT 811/812.
 * Understanding that the financial support of the Department is for the purpose of completing your program of study. If you wish to retain the financial support of the Department and extend your program completion time through activities such as auditing extra courses, please consult with your supervisor first.