1. Grad School: Options, Admission, Success Prof. Carla Purdy, DEECS, 820 Rhodes, carla.purdy@uc.edu these slides: http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~cpurdy/gradschool_2016.pptcarla.purdy@uc.eduhttp://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~cpurdy/gradschool_2016.ppt Why Should I Go to Grad School? (faculty / student views) M.S.? M.Eng.? Ph.D.? M.D.? Ph.D./M.D.? …….? Part-time? How Do I Decide Where To Apply? How Do I Make My Application Strong? How Do I Get In? What is the Process? How Do I Pay for It? What Will Help Me Succeed in My Grad Program? Succeeding in grad school: Getting admitted to your chosen program(s): Options: 1

2. Why Should I Go to Graduate School? (Faculty View)  Pros: --more interesting work --more career flexibility --higher pay (sometimes) --university community: diverse, young, new ideas  Cons: --intense: work hours not limited --working conditions --lower pay (sometimes) 2

3. Why Should I Go to Graduate School? (Student View)  Pros?  Cons? 3

4. Many different degree options: M.S.? M.Eng.? Ph.D.? M.D.? Ph.D./M.D.? …….? Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs? 10 yrs?  Balance: school / work / family /other interests --difficult? Yes, at times ; but definitely worth it  Can you “decide later”?  Who are your role models?  What did you like/dislike about research/shadowing /internship opportunities? 4

5. What about part-time programs? What about distance learning programs?  May not be the optimal choice—especially if you want a research and/or academic career  Employer may help with tuition  If you choose a part-time or distance learning program, make sure that it is of high quality and provides support services (e.g., placement) for graduates 5

6. Deciding Where To Apply Collect Information!!!! (This is easier than ever) Useful Web Site (main site & special sections): http://www.gradschools.com http://www.gradschools.com/get-informed http://www.gradschools.com/get-informed/applying-graduate-schohttp://www.gradschools.com/get-informed/applying-graduate-school Information on: * Applying * Graduate Student Stories * “Surviving” Grad School * Life After Grad School * ……….. 6

7. Deciding Where To Apply (continued)  Focus Your Interests  Assess Your Strengths / Weaknesses  Ask Questions: --Mentor (s) --Grad Students You Know --Other Faculty  Research Likely Programs / Advisors --web pages --contact faculty; be specific (interview) --visit if possible  Actual Applications --Reasonable Range --Customize each application 7

8. 8 Grad School: choices (example-UC-EECE-MS, Meng, PhD) Admissions: http://grad.uc.edu/admissions/policy.html hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university regarded as standard by a regional or general accrediting agency and have at least a B average (3.0/4.0 system) in relevant undergraduate course work or otherwise give evidence of promise that is judged satisfactory by the admitting program and the Graduate School. What you will do: take classes, work in your advisor’s lab (~40 choices) A FEW examples:http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~beyette/ (Prof. Beyette)http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~beyette/ http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~kcd/research.html (Prof. Davis)http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~kcd/research.html http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/devices/ (Prof. Heikenfeld)http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/devices/ http://www.ceas3.uc.edu/profiles/jhari (Prof. Jha)http://www.ceas3.uc.edu/profiles/jhari http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~paw/ (Research Lab) (Prof. Wilsey)http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~paw/ http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~cpurdy (Prof. Purdy)(incl UC grads)http://eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~cpurdy (+ ABOUT 40 additional great choices!!!!!!!) Other schools or departments………..which?????? Other schools: ……..

9. Making an Application as Strong as It Can Be  GRADES  RECOMMENDATIONS --academic/professional --recommender should know you well and should be able to comment on strengths relevant to your planned grad program  ENRICHMENT --internships --summer research programs --shadowing  ESSAYS --what are your long-term goals? --how can YOU contribute to the program you want to join? 9

10. Understanding the Admissions Process  Web Information--College / Dept.  Don’t Procrastinate--DEADLINES!! UC-Oct. 1-June 1)  Be proactive: make sure file is complete  ”Usual Stuff”--Transcripts,GRE,GMAT,...  Some Things Are Different: --Personal Statement / Focused Goals --Recommendations --Interview / Campus Visit --Local “Customs” for Each Program  Special Requirements—Med School, Law School e.g. 10

11. Your Personal Statement is Very Important -- be honest --be literate--spelling, grammar DO NOT depend on MS WORD alone --be positive and specific about your accomplishments --include RELEVANT information --get feedback--lab mates, mentor 11

12. Recommendations -- NOT from your friends, family --research mentor would be great --professors who know you --your boss? Maybe (if job experience is relevant to skills needed in grad/med school) --provide information (c.v., your statement, stamped and addressed envelopes, etc.) to make writing the recommendation easy --learn the art of “gentle nagging”--make sure recommendations are submitted on time 12

13. Interview / Campus Visit --this is a ”job” interview--be professional --be yourself; but be informed --be prepared—know specific information about each program --talk to people who have been through the process --PRACTICE beforehand --(RELAX!!--but not too much) 13

14. Improve Your Chances --don’t interview at your “top” school first --if at first you don’t succeed….. » get feedback—from the program itself if possible » work on improving your chances for the next round of admissions 14

15. Paying for Graduate Work  Tuition & Fees / Living Expenses (“Stipend”)  Main Sources of Support: --Teaching Assistantships --Research Assistantships --Fellowships:often separate application --National Science Foundation --AAUW, etc. --Laboratory Jobs --Grad Student Loans (?) --(Your Employer) Usually part of regular application 15

16. Some Tips for Succeeding in Your Graduate Program  Information from campus visit  Learn [written/UNWRITTEN] rules: ASK QUESTIONS!!!!!!!  Identify mentors  Choose a “GOOD” advisor (you define what “good” is)  Ph.D.--learn how to do well on qualifying exam  Establish a “community of support”: --adequate living / study conditions --study partners --mentors --friends: old and new --family  Line up some study partners  Books, web--e.g., The Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Ph.D. in Engineering and Science (do not pay $65—get a used copy!)  Build your career in your global community 16