Planning for graduate school

Robert EllisApplied Mathematics, IIT

Good web resources American Mathematical Society (AMS)

page for undergraduates Best schools Who’s supporting grad students Graduate fellowships REU’s, semester programs, contests Which careers use math

IIT Applied Math page for undergraduates

Why consider graduate school in mathematics?

To make research a part of your career To teach mathematics at the collegiate (or

advanced high school) level Research-focused universities also value

teaching Mostly teaching positions with some research Teaching positions at 4-year colleges, junior

colleges, etc.

To obtain advanced training for government or industry job

How to prepare (I)

Your enemies: Unlimited texting plans Guitar Hero 3-,4-,5-day weekends Insufficient sleep Email/news/facebook/etc.

How to prepare (I)

Your friends: Motivation -- a sense of purpose A good work ethic Planning ahead Participating in the add-ons (research,

contests, seminars, events) Always seeking growth and improvement

How to prepare (II) Coursework matters! Work hard and get

good grades. Find a group of peers and go through the

process together Prepare for the general GRE, Mathematics

Subject Test GRE (and TOEFL for some) REUs, contests, summer & semester

programs, internships, conferences Read A LOT about graduate programs.

Things to know about grad school

Mike McCourt, IIT Alumnus, NSF Fellow(Jump to Mike’s slides)

How to apply Make a wish list and a safe list of schools Plan applications and test dates months in

advance Request recs from faculty, REU advisors,

etc. Ask instructors who know first-hand about

your best coursework/research Give notice! Six weeks is great. One week

makes a recommender mad. Your recommender is busy, so help by getting all

information together in one place, providing mailing labels, providing copies of your application materials, etc.

Follow-up for applications

Are campus visits offered? Is your financial package clear? Is your TA or RA assignment clear? Are there really active faculty that

you are likely to work with? Will you be content to work hard

there for several years?

Sample timeline for a SeniorFall 2010 Sep 22: Take a deep breath. Don’t panic. Oct 8: Registration deadline for 11/13

Subject GRE Any time: General GRE (Scores within 15 days) Nov 18: NSF Graduate Fellowship application

due Nov/Dec: Application deadlines begin Investigate Summer 2011 programs (bridge

programs, research, workshops, conferences)

Sample timeline for a JuniorFall 2010 Investigate Summer `11 REUs, math

semesters, internshipsOngoing Check ResearchWeb (e.g.) for research

opportunities; FWS & other stipends Spring 2011 (before in some cases) Apply to summer or semester programs,

CSL/AM summer fellowship March 4: Registration deadline for April 9

Subject GRE (2 chances left)

Sample timeline for a Junior

Summer 2011 Prepare for NSF Fellowship application Take General GRE while less busy?Fall 2011 Last two chances for Subject GRE (many for

General) Make list of grad schools, request letters,

start applying Investigate Summer `12 programs

Sample timeline for a Junior

Spring `12 Finish applying to grad schools,

summer programs Campus visitsSummer `12 Bridge programs, research,

workshops, conferencesFall `12 Begin grad school.

Contests & Conferences Oct 30: VA Tech Regional Math Contest Dec 4: Putnam Exam Jan 6-9: AMS Joint Meetings, New Orleans Jan 28-30: Nebraska Conference for Women

in Mathematics Feb 10-14: MCM/ICM Modeling contest April 7-9: ISMAA (Naperville)

Problem-solving contest, best paper

Grad school algorithm

Step 1. Check if degree completed.Step 2. If YES, skip to Step 5.Step 3. Work harder.Step 4. Go to Step 1.Step 5. Open champagne.

Once you are in grad school Work hard! That’s what you’re there for. Every

year you’re in graduate school is a year with a low salary.

Prioritize your efforts. Research, teaching, or professional skills?

Try not to take on unrelated jobs. Find mentors and peers to learn from and work

with. Continually ask yourself if you are making

progress toward your desired career. Go to conferences and meet people in your

field – you’ll be asking them for a job one day!

Q&A

Things To Know About Grad School (Mike McCourt)

Written by: Aaron SorkinDirected by: Spike Lee

Uniqueness

Every grad school experience is different Classes, environment, advisors,

expectations, funding

Make sure you understand what is expected of you

Find a school that you are comfortable working at, because you will do a lot of work

Funding

Teaching Assistant Technical Work Research Assistant Outside Funding

Fellowships

Must be a US citizen NSF GRFP

3 years, $30000 per year, no strings attached

More fellowships available now than ever

DOE CSGF 4 years, $32400 per year,

computer/travel support Opportunities to work at National Labs

Applying for Fellowships

Remember the “Big Picture” Tie your experiences to your future goals

Why are your abilities/goals relevant to the fellowship?

Explain how you have progressed thus far in your education. Use that to indicate how you will

continue to progress. Concrete expectations help.

Intellectual Merit

Choice of Institution GRE Scores Strength of Academic Record Previous Research Experience References

Broader Impacts

How do you see the big picture? Can you communicate your research to

a wide audience? How will society benefit from your

work? Will your work affect underrepresented

minorities? Have your previous experiences had a

broader impact?