1. Graduate School Is another degree worth it?

2. Another degree? YES!  Is Graduate Study for You? Is Graduate Study for You?  Future career/job path  Investment  How do I pay for it?

3. Degree Options  Master’s degree  MEng, MASc  Other programs  Ex: School of Engineering Practice  MBA  Doctorate (PhD)  “Professional” schools  Medicine, law

4. Degrees at a Glance

5. Job Prospects  Law, medicine  MBA  Project management  MEng, MASc  Entry-level vs. experienced (2 to 5 years)  PhD  Project management, R&D  Academic (instructor; tenure-track)

6. When should I begin?  Level 3 (or next-to- final year)  Recommendation letters

7. Research  Searchable database Searchable database  Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)  Additional sources

8. Who decides?  Committee of faculty members/professors in the department to which you are applying  Goal is to spend the least amount of time reviewing applications  Interview?

9. What do I need?  Personal statement  Recommendation letters  Transcript  Curriculum Vita (CV)

10. Personal Statement  BRIEF description of undergrad academics and activities  FOCUS ON:  Demonstrate that you have researched the department  Make connections with research/teaching that is being conducted by current faculty  How you will benefit the department

11. Recommendation letters  These MAY be read first by the committee  Standard number is two, from faculty members/professors  Tips when requesting letters:  Provide CV and transcripts  Copy of personal statement  Electronic copy

12. Trancripts  “Secondary” role in deciding who is accepted into the program

13. Curriculum Vita (CV)  Secondary role  Examples  McMaster’s Student Success Centre McMaster’s Student Success Centre

14. Important contacts  Graduate secretary (administrative assistant)  Faculty member – chair of graduate recruiting  Faculty member – graduate studies advisor

15. Application process  School of Graduate Studies/Graduate School  Academic department  Financial Aid

16. Other considerations  Additional exams  Professional schools  Medicine, law, business  Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

17. Questions?  Schedule an appointment with an ECCS Career Counsellor  Jessica Farrell, jfarrel@mcmaster.cajfarrel@mcmaster.ca  David Coughlin, coughld@mcmaster.cacoughld@mcmaster.ca  Surviving grad school Surviving grad school

18. JHE A214 www.eng.mcmaster.ca/eccs