How To Apply To Graduate School

Tracy Camp, Colorado School of MinesSusan Rodger, Duke University

CRA-W Workshops @ GHC 2012

Tracy CampColorado School of Mines

• PhD, College of William and Mary, 1993– distributed systems & networking

• Now, – Professor of Computer Science, – Colorado School of Mines– Intelligent Geosystems• Intelligent earth dams and levees• Intelligent construction• Intelligent avalanche monitoring

Wanted: 4-5 new CS

grad students!

• Now, cont.:– Mom (2 kids), Wife (1 husband)– Vegetarians with 1 dog and 2 cats

Tracy CampColorado School of Mines

• PhD, Purdue University, 1989– parallel scheduling

algorithms

Susan RodgerDuke University

• Now,– Professor of the Practice,

Visualization, Algorithm animation, computer science education

– Mom, spouse - 2 kids, 3 cats, 200 fish

When your career and hobby collide …

The Application Process

Making the Final Decision

Evaluating Offers

Financing Your Graduate Study

Finalizing Applications

Taking GREs

Engaging Reference Letter Writers

Preparing Application Materials

Deciding Where to Apply

Deciding Where to Apply

3-minute Activity:1. What areas of computing interest me?2. What type of degree am I considering? MS? PhD?

Why?3. What type of academic climate do I want to study

in?4. Do I have any geographic preferences? Any

restrictions?5. What are my academic credentials? (GPA, research experience, test scores, communication skills)

Where to apply?Factors To Consider

Importance to YOU?

RankingCISE InterestFinancial AidLocation of SchoolAcademic Climate

Master’s VS PhDMasters PhD

2-3 Years 3-7 Years

Courses + Thesis/Project Courses + Research + Dissertation

More attractive for industry/lab Minimum for Industry/Lab Research

Minimum for Instructor Minimum for Academic Position

Not much opportunity to specialize Become expert in particular research area

Often limited grad study funding Easier to obtain RA/TA support

Additional criteria: The intangibles

Additional criteria: The intangibles

Another Question to YOU

1-minute with your neighbor:

Assuming you have decided to pursue a PhD degree, what do you think is the MOST important decision you will make DURING graduate school?

MOST IMPORTANT DECISION DURING GRAD SCHOOL

Choice of a dissertation advisor. So,Learn about the faculty:– their areas of interest– their research records – their success in mentoring students– their success in graduating

female/minority students

What can I do to increase my acceptance into grad programs?

3-minute activity … … with your other neighbor:

Create a list of at least 5 actions.

What can I do to increase my acceptance into grad programs?

• Maintain a high GPA• Take as many high level courses as you can, particularly within your interest area• Gain undergraduate research experience• Participate in internship, preferably in your area of interest• Create connections with qualified, respected faculty

What can I do to increase my acceptance into grad programs?

• Seek strong recommendations from qualified, respected faculty• Take GRE subject test early so you can retake• Apply to multiple schools of various rankings (1-2 reach schools; 1-2 safe schools)• Apply as a PhD student rather than an MS student

DREU: Distributed REU(hits 4 of the 9!)

• Gain undergraduate research experience

• Participate in internship, preferably in your area of interest

• Create connections with qualified, respected faculty

• Seek strong recommendations from qualified, respected faculty

Preparing Application Materials

EVERY program is different, but most want:• Application (basic contact info)• Transcripts• Letters of recommendation (2-3) • Statement of Purpose (Goals/Research/Intent)• Resume• Test scores (GRE, TOEFL / IELTS)• Fee• Deadline!

Engaging Letter Writers

Typically 3 letters.• Who?

“Would you be able to provide a positive recommendation?”Research advisor, teacher of high level course, employer in CISE, REU mentor,

• What to give them?– Transcript, resume, statement of purpose– Chart of schools, deadlines, how to submit letter– http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7520547/so-you-

want-to-get-a-phd-in-theoretical-computer-scienceWhen? At least 2-3 weeks before first deadline

Taking Entrance Exams

• GRE general and Advanced in CS– Are they required?– What scores are acceptable?– Take spring junior/fall senior years– Retake if needed

• If non native English speaker:– TOEFL, TOEIC

Statement of PurposeActivity: Take turns telling Your story to your neighbor.

Your motivation for grad school Your CISE interests Your professional goals Evidence of potential success:

Research experience Relevant accomplishments***Help Each Other by Asking Questions

originality, creativity, problem-solving ability, inquisitiveness, independence the ability to collaborate, and good writing skills

Biggest Mistakes on Statement?

• Not referencing any other research

– Shows you haven’t done your homework, not familiar with area

• Not asking professor/advisor to comment on statement– They can’t write it for you, but can give

you feedback on what you have written

Finalizing the Application

• Follow up with letter writers• Request official transcripts be sent• Report test scores• Complete/copy application

PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS!!!MEET THE DEADLINE!!!

Financing Your Graduate Study

• Admission application - 1st Step• THEN, Apply for financing opportunities:

- Teaching Assistantships- Research Assistantships

- Fellowships• Apply for Outside $$ - Grants - Loans(at banks not through financial aid) - Fellowships – e.g., NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

NSF Graduate Fellowship• How much? – $30,000/yr plus tuition– 3 years

• When can you apply?– Senior, 1st and 2cd year grad student

• Should you apply as a senior?– Yes, compared to other seniors, not grad

students• Four parts: personal statement, previous

research, proposed research, reference letters– Must address intellectual merit, broader impacts– Why address broader impacts?

• Is government spending money wisely?

Evaluating Your OffersMarch/April

• Spend time researching programs• Visit the schools• Meet faculty in your CISE interest area• Admission decisions by committee

- meet more faculty • Meet current grad students/alumni and ask about their experiences• Don't attend a school that is great in Cyber Security with no HPC if you want to do HPC (what's HPC?)

Making Your Decision

• You will probably do well at any of your top choices.

• Make decision and inform ALL schools in timely manner.

• Write thank-you notes to letter writers.

• Look forward and celebrate!!!

Do you still have questions on:

• Where to apply• Preparing application• Getting letters of reference• Taking GRE’s• Finalizing the application• Funding Graduate School• Evaluating Offers• Making final decision

Resources

• CRA-W Graduate Student Information Guide –http://cra-w.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=5vDjo-qHs30%3d&tabid=85&mid=552

• Graduate School Tips -http://www.gradschooltips.com/

• “Applying to Ph.D. Program in Computer Science” PDF -

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/%7Eharchol/gradschooltalk.pdf

Industry, Government, and Foundation Scholarships & Fellowships

• General fellowships– IBM PhD Fellowships [industry sponsored]– Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Fellowship Program [foundation sponsored]– Marshall Scholarships [foundation sponsored]– Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship [industry sponsored]– NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) [government

sponsored]– National Physical Science Consortium Fellowship [government

sponsored]• Special characteristics

– AT&T Labs Fellowship Program [PhD, female & minority]– Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities [minority

students]– Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans [resident aliens ,

naturalized US citizens, or children of two parents who are both naturalized US citizens]

Industry, Government, and Foundation Scholarships & Fellowships, 2

• Location fellowships– British Chevening Scholarships [in UK for non-UK and non-US]– Winston Churchill Scholarship Program [in UK for US students]– Fulbright Fellowships [worldwide]– Gates Cambridge Scholarships [UK for US students]– Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship [Asia]– George Mitchell Scholarships [Ireland]– Rhodes Scholarship [Oxford, UK]

• Interdisciplinary fellowships • EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program for Graduate E

nvironmental Study [with respect to the environment]

• Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Applied Physical Sciences [application to human problems

• Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships for Research Related to Education [education research]

CRA-W Programs

Graduate StudentsUndergraduates

Academic careers

Industry/government

Undergrads: Undergraduate Research ExperiencesUndergrads: Distinguished lecture role models Grad Cohort: group mentoring of grad studentsGrad Students: Discipline Specific Research workshops PhD Researchers: group mentoring of early & mid career @ CMW, CAPP, Hopper & Tapia

www.cra-w.org

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