How To Apply To Graduate School Tracy Camp, Colorado School of Mines Susan Rodger, Duke University CRA-W GHC 2012

Tracy Camp Colorado 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 Camp Colorado School of Mines

PhD, Purdue University, 1989 – parallel scheduling algorithms Susan Rodger Duke 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

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

Master’s VS PhD

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 – want-to-get-a-phd-in-theoretical-computer-science want-to-get-a-phd-in-theoretical-computer-science When? 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 Purpose Activity: 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, 1 st 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 Offers March/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 – qHs30%3d&tabid=85&mid=552 Graduate School Tips - “Applying to Ph.D. Program in Computer Science” PDF cs.cmu.edu/%7Eharchol/gradschooltalk.pdf

Industry, Government, and Foundation Scholarships & Fellowships General fellowships – IBM PhD Fellowships [industry sponsored] IBM PhD Fellowships – Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Fellowship Program [foundation sponsored] Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Fellowship Program – Marshall Scholarships [foundation sponsored] Marshall Scholarships – Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship [industry sponsored] Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship – NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) [government sponsored] NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) – National Physical Science Consortium Fellowship [government sponsored] National Physical Science Consortium Fellowship Special characteristics – AT&T Labs Fellowship Program [PhD, female & minority] AT&T Labs Fellowship Program – Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities [minority students] Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities – Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans [resident aliens, naturalized US citizens, or children of two parents who are both naturalized US citizens] Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Industry, Government, and Foundation Scholarships & Fellowships, 2 Location fellowships – British Chevening Scholarships [in UK for non-UK and non-US] British Chevening Scholarships – Winston Churchill Scholarship Program [in UK for US students] Winston Churchill Scholarship Program – Fulbright Fellowships [worldwide] Fulbright Fellowships – Gates Cambridge Scholarships [UK for US students] Gates Cambridge Scholarships – Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship [Asia] Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship – George Mitchell Scholarships [Ireland] George Mitchell Scholarships – Rhodes Scholarship [Oxford, UK] Rhodes Scholarship Interdisciplinary fellowships EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program for Graduate Environmental Study [with respect to the environment] EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program for Graduate Environmental Study Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Applied Physical Sciences [application to human problems Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Applied Physical Sciences Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships for Research Related to Education [education research] Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships for Research Related to Education

CRA-W Programs Graduate Students Undergraduates Academic careers Industry/government Undergrads: Undergraduate Research Experiences Undergrads: Distinguished lecture role models Grad Cohort: group mentoring of grad students Grad Students: Discipline Specific Research workshops PhD Researchers: group mentoring of early & mid CMW, CAPP, Hopper & Tapia

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